Now, Now, The Mirth Comes - The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

“Now, Now The Mirth Comes”
Upon the Bishop of Lincolne's Imprisonment.
Never was Day so over-sick with showres,
But that it had some intermitting houres.
Never was Night so tedious, but it knew
The Last Watch out, and saw the Dawning too.
Never was Dungeon so obscurely deep,
Wherein or Light, or Day, did never peep.
Never did Moone so ebbe, or seas so wane,
But they left Hope-seed to fill up againe.
So you, my Lord, though you have now your stay,
Your Night, your Prison, and your Ebbe; you may
Spring up afresh; when all these mists are spent,
And Star-like, once more, guild or Firmament.
Let but That Mighty Cesar speak, and then,
All bolts, all barres, all gates shall cleave; as when
That Earth-quake shook the house, and gave the stout
Apostles, way (unshackled) to goe out.
This, as I wish for, so I hope to see;
Though you (my Lord) have been unkind to me:
To wound my heart, and never to apply,
(When you had power) the meanest remedy:
Well; though my griefe by you was gall'd, the more;
Yet I bring Balme and Oile to heal your sore.
Note: The Bishop's name was not given by Herrick, but was possibly John Williams (1582–
1650) a Royalist clergyman and political advisor to King James I and later King Charles I. He
served as Keeper of the Great Seal (also known as Lord Keeper or Lord Chancellor) 1621-
1625, Bishop of Lincoln 1621-1641, and Archbishop of York 1641-1650. He was twice
imprisoned, the second time by Parliament in 1641.
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