'T was the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,--not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
-- Clement C (Moore)
-- A Visit from St. Nicholas
If you say, "Would there were no wine" because of the drunkard hen
you must say, going on by degrees, "Would there were no steel," because
of the murderers, "Would there were no night," because of the thieves,
"Would there were no light," because of the informers, and "Would there
were no women," because of adultery....