IN DIE NATIVITATIS

— Nowell ! Nowell ! Nowell ! Nowell ! — Who ys ther that syngyt so : Nowell, Nowell ?

— I am hère, syre, Chrystesmasse.

— Welcome, my lord syre Chrystesmasse.

Welcome to us bothe, mor and lasse (2) Come ner (nearer)

Nowell !

Dieu vous garde, beau sire ! Tydynges y you bryng. A mayde hath born a Chylde full yong The weche (which) causeth yew to syng :

Nowell !

Christe is now born of pure a mayde,

(1) Ancient Songs and Ballads, from the reigii of Kiiig Henry the Second to the Révolution, collected by Joseph Ritson, Esq. — 3rd édition, 1877, page 161, Reeves and Turner, editors, London.

(2) Mor and lasse, i. e., more and less ; c.-à-d. : grands et petits, nobles et vilains.