The Marketplace and its surroundings had been invaded... by joyful singers young and old who made their way through the streets, regaling everyone they passed with seasonal tunes and spreading good cheer. In time, the troupe reached Plaza De Troyes, giving full voice to a wassailing carol as they approached and entered the lobby.

Wassail! wassail! all over the town,
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

Here's to our horse, and to his right ear,
God send our master a happy new year:
A happy new year as e'er he did see,
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.

So here is to Cherry and to his right cheek
Pray God send our master a good piece of beef
And a good piece of beef that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

And here is to Dobbin and to his right eye,
Pray God send our mistress a good Christmas pie,
And a good Christmas pie that we may all see;
With our wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

The next verse was taken up solely by the men in the chorus.

Come butler, come fill us a bowl of the best
Then we hope that your soul in heaven may rest
But if you do draw us a bowl of the small
Then down shall go butler, bowl and all.

Similarly, the women and girls in the group sang the following verses.

Then here's to the maid in the lily white smock
Who tripped to the door and slipped back the lock.
Who tripped to the door and pulled back the pin
For to let these jolly wassailers in.

Finally the entire troupe returned for a repeat of the first verse to end the carol.

Wassail! wassail! all over the town,
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee!

Heading the group, Ebon Ilnaren stepped forward and raised both hands, then led them in a bow. "Thank you," he said to those in the Plaza who had come out to listen. "Happy Winterfest to you all!"


((cross-posted here))