Candlemas Is Come At Last
February 2, 2022
NOW Candlemas is come at last, therefore my dearest friend,
Since Christmas time is almost past, I mean to make an end
Of this our mirth and merriment, and now the truth to tell,
He must be from our presence sent, O Christmas, now farewell.
Now Christmas will no longer stay, my very heart doth grieve,
Before from us he take his way, of him I’ll take my leave:
It is a time none of the least, as I the truth may tell,
For him we’ll make a worthy feast, then Christmas, now farewell.
With nappy ale both brown and stale, we’ll fill our bumpers full,
And pippins too as I am true, they make the best lambswool:
So fast and smooth it will go down, thy sorrow to expel,
And then at last when all is past, Christmas we’ll bid farewell.
CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS EVE
by Robert Herrick
DOWN with the rosemary and bays,
Down with the misletoe ;
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box (for show).
The holly hitherto did sway ;
Let box now domineer
Until the dancing Easter day,
Or Easter’s eve appear.
Then youthful box which now hath grace
Your houses to renew ;
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the crisped yew.
When yew is out, then birch comes in,
And many flowers beside ;
Both of a fresh and fragrant kin
To honour Whitsuntide.
Green rushes, then, and sweetest bents,
With cooler oaken boughs,
Come in for comely ornaments
To re-adorn the house.
Thus times do shift ; each thing his turn does hold ;
New things succeed, as former things grow old.
