Christ's Nativity

.   Awake, glad heart! get up and sing!

    It is the birth-day of thy King.

          Awake! awake!

          The Sun doth shake

    Light from his locks, and all the way

    Breathing perfumes, doth spice the day.

      Awake, awake! hark how th' wood rings;

    Winds whisper, and the busy springs

          A concert make;

         Awake! awake!

   Man is their high-priest, and should rise

   To offer up the sacrifice.

     I would I were some bird, or star,

   Flutt'ring in woods, or lifted far

         Above this inn

         And road of sin!

   Then either star or bird should be

   Shining or singing still to thee.

     I would I had in my best part

   Fit rooms for thee! or that my heart

         Were so clean as

         Thy manger was!

   But I am all filth, and obscene;

   Yet, if thou wilt, thou canst make clean.

     Sweet Jesu! will then. Let no more

   This leper haunt and soil thy door!

         Cure him, ease him,

         O release him!

   And let once more, by mystic birth,

   The Lord of life be born in earth.