It Faded On The Crowing Of The Cock.
Some Say That Ever 'gainst That Season Comes
Wherein Our Saviour's Birth Is Celebrated,
The Bird Of Dawning Singeth All Night Long
It faded on the crowing of the cock.
Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then, they say, no spirit dares stir
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.
-- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Hamlet
-- Act i, Sc. 1
