From Marmion

The vision of Christmas in Walter Scott’s second major work, Marmion, is one of pure medieval nostalgia, in which “the baron” throws open his hall to “vassal, tenant, serf ”, and bells ring out to usher in Christmas Day. n

Heap on more wood! the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We’ll keep our Christmas merry still, We’ll keep our Christmas merry still, Each age has deem’d the new-born year The fittest time for festal cheer; And well our Christian sires of old Lov’d when the year its course had roll’d.

On Christmas Eve the bells were rung On Christmas Eve the Mass was sung That only night in all the year Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. The damsel donn’d her kirtle sheen; The hall was dress’d with holly green Forth to the wood did merry men go To gather in the mistletoe.

Then open’d wide the baron’s hall To vassal, tenant, serf and all Power laid his rod of rule aside, And ceremony doff ’d his pride. All hail’d, with uncontroll’d delight And general voice, the happy night, That to the cottage, as the crown, Brought tidings of salvation down. You can find a copy of Marmion by Sir Walter Scott at the Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Edinburgh EH8 8DT. For poetry enquiries, e-mail reception@spl.org.uk or visit www. scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk.