Now that the time has come....

[Jann]

Now That The Time Is Come
Anon
(c. 1700)




Now that the time is come wherein
Our Saviour, Christ, was born,
The larder's full of beef and pork,
The garner's filled with corn;
As God has plenty to thee sent,
Take comfort in thy labours,
And let it never thee repent
To feast thy needy neighbours.



Let fires in every chimney be
That people they may warm them;
Tables with dishes covered -
Good victuals will not harm them.
With mutton, veal, beef, pig and pork,
Well furnished every board;
Plum-pudding, furmity and what
Thy stock will them afford.



No niggard of they liquor be,
Let it go round thy table;
People may freely drink, but not
So long as they are able.
Good customs they may be abused,
Which makes rich men to slack us;
This feast is to relieve the poor
And not to drunken Bacchus.



Thus if thou doest
'Twill credit raise thee;
God will thee bless
And neighbours praise thee.