White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;
But O, what maskers richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!
England was "merry England" when
Old Christmas brought his sports again;
'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft would cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.

All the house was asleep,
  And the fire burning low,
When, from far up the chimney,
  Came down a "Ho! ho!"
And a little, round man,
  With a terrible scratching,
Dropped into the room
  With a wink that was catching.
Yes, down he came, bumping,
And thumping, and jumping.
  And picking himself up without sign of a bruise!

"Ho! ho!" he kept on,
  As if bursting with cheer.