English Summary - ABC

OLD-TIME CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS II Get ivy and hull, woman, deck up thine house, And take this same brawn for to seethe and to souse; Provide us good cheer, for thou know'st the old guise; Old customs that good be let no man despise. At Christmas be merry, and thank God of all, And feast thy poor neighbours, the great and the small: Yea, all the year long have an eye to the poor, And God shall send luck to keep open thy door. THOMAS TUSSER Summary: 'Old-Time Christmas Customs II' is a poem by Thomas Tusser that underscores the importance of traditional Christmas customs and the spirit of generosity. In the poem, Tusser encourages people to embrace old-fashioned Christmas traditions, such as decorating their homes with ivy and holly, and preparing festive dishes like brawn to savor and preserve. He emphasizes the value of providing good cheer and hospitality, not only during the Christmas season but throughout the entire year. Tusser's poem highlights the significance of show...

OLD-TIME CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS I Come bring with a noise. My merry, merry boys, The Christmas log to the firing. While my good dame she Bids ye all be free And eat to your hearts' desiring. ROBERT HERRICK Summary: 'Old-Time Christmas Customs I' is a poem by Robert Herrick that celebrates traditional Christmas customs and festivities. In the poem, Herrick invites his 'merry, merry boys' to join in the holiday spirit by bringing a large Christmas log to the fire. He describes the scene as his 'good dame' encourages everyone to be free and enjoy a hearty feast to their hearts' content. The poem captures the joy and warmth of a traditional Christmas celebration, where family and friends gather around the hearth to share in the merriment of the season. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for the customs and traditions of Christmases past, emphasizing the importance of coming together and celebrating with loved ones. 

WINTER THE HUNTSMAN Through his iron glades Rides Winter the Huntsman, All colour fades As his horn is 'heard sighing. Far through the forest His wild hooves crash and thunder, Till many a mighty branch Is torn asunder. And the red reynard creeps To his hole near the river, The copper leaves fall And the bare trees shiver. As night creeps from the ground, Hides each tree from its brother, And each dying sound Reveals yet another. Is it Winter the Huntsman Who gallops through his iron glades, Cracking his cruel whip To the gathering shades? OSBERT SITWELL Summary: 'Winter the Huntsman' by Osbert Sitwell is a poetic portrayal of the arrival of winter, personified as a formidable huntsman. The poem vividly describes the transformation of the natural world as winter approaches. The poem begins with the depiction of Winter as a huntsman riding through a forest. The reference to 'iron glades' suggests a sense of cold and harshness that accompanies his arrival. As Winter a...