Which by their coats were known,
Of tawny, red, or blue,

With crests on their sleeves shown,
When this old cap was new.

Now pride hath banished all,
Unto our land's reproach,

When he whose means are small

Maintains both horse and coach;

Instead of an hundred men,

The coach allows but two:

This was not thought on then,

When this old cap was new.

Good hospitality

Was cherished then of many; Now poor men starve and die,

And are not helped by any;

For charity waxeth cold,

And love is found in few:

This was not in time of old,

When this old cap was new.

Wherever you travelled then,

You might meet on the way

Brave knights and gentlemen,

Clad in their country grey, That courteous would appear,

And kindly welcome you :

No puritans then were,

When this old cap was new.

Now each mechanical man

Hath a cupboard of plate for show:

Which was a rare thing then,

When this old cap was new.

We have been unable to trace the original source from whence the following old ballad has been derived; but in all probability it was written just after the Restoration, when the limits, within which the festivities of the season had been confined by the over-zealous Puritans, were overstepped, and something like a revival of the old hospitality began to show itself. A paragraph, which appears to form a regular accompaniment of the old ballad, describes it to be "a looking-glass for rich misers, wherein they may see (if not blind) how much they are to blame for their penurious housekeeping; and likewise an encouragement to those noble-minded gentry, who lay out a great part of their estate in hospitality, relieving such persons as have need thereof.

Who feasts the poor, a true reward shall find,
Or helps the old, the feeble, lame, and blind."

OLD CHRISTMAS RETURNED.

ALL you that to feasting and mirth are inclined,
Come here is good news for to pleasure your mind,
Old Christmas is come for to keep open house,

He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse!
Then come, boys, and welcome for diet the chief,

Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

OLD CHRISTMAS RETURNED.

A long time together he hath been forgot,
They scarce could afford for to hang on the pot;
Such miserly sneaking in England hath been,
As by our forefathers ne'er used to be seen;

But now he's returned you shall have, in brief,
Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

The times were ne'er good since old Christmas was fled, And all hospitality hath been so dead,

No mirth at our festivals late did appear,

They scarcely would part with a cup of March beer;
But now you shall have, for the ease of your grief,
Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

The butler and baker, they now may be glad,

The times they are mended, though they have been bad ; The brewer, he likewise may be of good cheer,

He shall have good trading for ale and strong beer ;

All trades shall be jolly, and have, for relief,

Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

The holly and ivy about the walls wind,

And show that we ought to our neighbours be kind,

Inviting each other for pastime and sport,

And where we best fare, there we most do resort.

We fail not for victuals, and that of the chief,

Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

The cooks shall be busied by day and by night

In roasting and boiling, for taste and delight;
Their senses in liquor that 's nappy they 'll steep,
Though they be afforded to have little sleep;

They still are employed for to dress us, in brief,
Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

Although the cold weather doth hunger provoke,
'Tis a comfort to see how the chimneys do smoke;
Provision is making for beer, ale, and wine,
For all that are willing or ready to dine;
Then haste to the kitchen, for diet the chief-
Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

All travellers, as they do pass on their way,
At gentlemen's halls are invited to stay,
Themselves to refresh, and their horses to rest,
Since that he must be Old Christmas's guest;
Nay, the poor shall not want, but have, for relief,
Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

Now Mock-beggar Hall it no more shall stand empty,
But all shall be furnished with freedom and plenty;
The hoarding old misers, who used to preserve
The gold in their coffers, and see the poor starve,
Must now spread their tables, and give them, in brief,
Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

The court, and the city, and country are glad
Old Christmas is come to cheer up the sad;
Broad pieces and guineas about now shall fly,
And hundreds be losers by cogging a die,

Whilst others are feasting with diet the chief—

Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

Those that have no coin at the cards for to play,

May sit by the fire and pass time away,