The Knighting Of The Sirloin Of Beef By Charles The Second

Words: Anonymous

Source: Christmas: Its Origin, Celebration and Significance as Related in Prose and Verse - Robert Haven Schauffler (1907)

 

The Second Charles of England
    Rode forth one Christmas tide,
To hunt a gallant stag of ten,
    Of Chingford woods the pride.

The winds blew keen, the snow fell fast,
    And made for earth a pall,
As tired steeds and wearied men
    Returned to Friday Hall.

The blazing logs, piled on the dogs,
    Were pleasant to behold!
And grateful was the steaming feast
    To hungry men and cold.

With right good-will all took their fill,
    And soon each found relief;
Whilst Charles his royal trencher piled
    From one huge loin of beef.

Quoth Charles, "Odd's fish! a noble dish!
    Ay, noble made by me!
By kingly right, I dub thee knight—
    Sir Loin henceforward be!"

And never was a royal jest
    Received with such acclaim:
And never knight than good Sir Loin
    More worthy of the name.

Also found in Christmas In Art And Song: A Collection of Songs, Carols and Descriptive Poems, Relating To The Festival of Christmas (New York: The Arundel Printing and Publishing Co., 1879).

Artwork by John A. Hows from Christmas In Art And Song. New York: The Arundel Printing and Publishing Company, 1879.

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