The old ceremony of serving up the boar's head on Christmas day is still observed in the hall of Queen's College, Oxford. I was favoured by the parson with a copy of the carol as now sung, and as it may be acceptable to such of my readers as are curious in these grave and learned matters, I give it entire.

 

 

    "The boar's head in hand bear I,

     Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary;

     And I pray you, my masters, be merry,

       Quot estia in convivio.

         Caput apri defero

         Reddens laudes Domino.

 

 

    "The boar's head, as I understand,

     Is the rarest dish in all this land,

     Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland

       Let us servire cantico.

         Caput apri defero, etc.

 

 

    "Our Steward hath provided this

     In honour of the King of Bliss,

     Which on this day to be served is

       In Reginensi Atrio.

         Caput apri defero,"

                   Etc., etc., etc.

(Return to The Christmas Dinner)