A floorish vpon fancie As gallant a glose vpon so triflinge a text, as euer was written. Compiled by N.B. Gent. To which are annexed, manie pretie pamphlets, for pleasant heads to passe away idle time withal. By the same authour.

¶In the latter ende of Christmas, the same Gentleman was lykewyse desyred to sing: and although against his will, was content to syng as followeth.

THe Christmas now is past, And I haue kepte my fast, With prayer euery day: And like a country Clowne, With nodding vp and downe, Haue past the tyme away.

As for old Christmas Games, Or daunsing with fyne Dames, Or shewes, or prety playes: A solemne oath I sweare, I came not where they were, Not all these holy dayes.

I did not syng one noate, Except it were by roate, Still buzing lyke a Bée: To ease my heauy harte, Of some, though little smart••, For want of other glée.

And as for pleasaunt wyne, There was no drincke so fyne, For to be tasted héere: Full symple was my fare, If that I should compare, The same to Christmas chéere.

I saw no kinde of sight, That might my minde delight, Beléeue me noble Dame: But euery thing I saw, Did freat atwo my maw, To thinke vpon the same.

Upon some bushy balke, Full fayne I was to walke, In Wooddes from trée to trée: For wante of better roome, But since my fatall doome, Hath so appoynted mée.

I stood therewith contente, Till Christmas full was spente, In hope that God will sende: A better yet next yeare, My heauy harte to cheare, And so I make an ende.