When sin had set our world at six and seven,
Then stoop'd to earth the Lord, the King of Heaven,
Born for us at this glad season:
Wherefore sing we with good reason, Laus tibi Domine,
Qui natus est pro homine, In Bethlehem parva.
But, gentles, be not chary
In your praise of Maiden Mary:
And I pray you to-day, you be gay, you do say,
"To rescue man forlorn, Alleluya,
The King of Bliss is born!"