Saint Nicholas money used to give to maidens secretlie, Who, that he still may use his wonted liberalitie, The mothers all their children on the eve do cause to fast, And, when they every one at night in senseless sleepe are cast, Both apples, nuttes, and peares they bring, and other things beside, As caps, and shooes and petticotes, which secretlie they hide, And in the morning found, they say, that this Saint Nicholas brought: Thus tender mindes to worship Saints, and wicked things are taught.
