Then came the merry maskers in,
And carols roared with blithesome din.
If unmelodious was the song,
It was a hearty note, and strong;
Who lists may in their murmuring see
Traces of ancient mystery;
White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;
But O, what maskers richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!
excerpt, Christmas in the Olden Time
from Marmion, Sir Walter Scott, 1808
PHOTOS: 1. inspiration lane, 2., 4. life is beautiful, 3., 5., 11. unknown, 6. christmas carol,
7. the winter winds, 8. just hj, 9. filling the soul with beauty, 10. wistfully country
