_Now have good day, now have good day!_
_I am Christmas, and now I go my way!_
Here have I dwelt with more and less
From Hallow-tide till Candlemas!
And now must I from you hence pass,
_Now have good day!_
I take my leave of King and Knight,
And Earl, Baron, and Lady bright;
To wilderness I must me dight.
_Now have good day!_
And at the good Lord of this hall
I take my leave, and of guestës all.
Methinks I hear Lent doth call.
_Now have good day!_
And at every worthy officer,
Marshall, panter, and butler,
I take my leave as for this year.
_Now have good day!_
Another year I trust I shall
Maken merry in this hall!
If rest and peace in England may fall!
_Now have good day!_
But oftentimes I have heard say
That he is loth to part away,
That often biddeth ‘have good day’!
_Now have good day!_
Now fare ye well, all in fere![47]
Now fare ye well for all this year!
Yet for my sake make ye good cheer!
_Now have good day!_
UNKNOWN
[47] Company.