the 15th century, three songs are introduced, sufficiently rude in their construction, which from the subjoined specimens may be considered in the nature of carols; and several other examples of ancient ones will be found in the following collection.
SONG I.—(By the Shepherds.)
As I out rode this endenes-night,[1]
Of thre ioli sheppardes I saw a sight,
And all a bowte there fold a star shone bright;
They sange terli terlow.
So mereli the sheppards ther pipes can blow.
SONG II.—(By the Women.)
Lully lulla, þw littell tiné child,
By by, lully lullay, þw littell tyné child,
By by, lully lullay.
O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve þis day
This pore yongling for whom we do singe
By by, lully lullay.
Herod the king, in his raging,
Chargid he hath this day
His men of might in his owne sight
All yonge children to slay.
That wo is me, pore child, for thee,
And ever morne and say,
For thi parting nether say nor singe
By by, lully lulla.
The custom of singing carols had become general about this time; and in some of the early ones scraps of Latin will be found introduced, adopted probably from the Christmas hymns, for which these songs were intended as a substitute. So popular did
- ↑ From the Saxon endenehst, the last.
