A Hint To The Fanatics

Words: From "Poor Robin's Almanac," 1711

Source: Henry Vizetelly, Christmas With The Poets (London: David Bogue, 1851).

Now Christmas day approaches near,
    Trim up the house with holly,
And set abroach the strongest beer,
    For neighbours to be jolly.
Let fanatics old customs blame,
    Yet Christmas is a High day,
Though they will fast upon the same,
    And feast upon Good Friday.

Good works are popishly inclined,
    Say they that none will do,
Yet they for pride can money find,
    And keep a coach also.
Thus, that which should relieve the poor,
    And feast them at this tide,
Is spent upon a coach and four,
    To maintain foolish pride.

Yet some there are, although but few,
    In whom more goodness lurks,
Who, to the poor will pity show,
    And show their faith by works.
I wish, for one, that these were twain,
    And knaves away all swept,
That honest Christians, once again,
    With feasting may be kept.

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