Curious use of mythology but interesting

1842
Old Christmas,
A Song of the Wassail Bowl

They say that bright Venus, when she came to wean us
From prudence, and bind us to love, boy;
Blush'd up in a glow, from the sea-drops below,
And took flight for the palace of Jove, boy!
Old Christmas was born on a frostier morn,
But with full as much warmth in his soul, sir;
Jove's nectar his sea; like a spirit-king, he
Burst forth into life from the bowl, sir!
Burst fresh into life from the bowl, sir!
From the bowl, sir!
Burst fresh into life from the bowl, sir!
Ho,ho! for Christmas! on Island, sea or isthmus,
There's no old boy brings so much joy
As jolly, holly Christmas!

He came up to town, in a green thorny crown,
Cold stuck his frost-coat and all felt it;
But he ne'er threw it off, for men soon 'gan to quaff
Of the stuff that was certain to melt it!
His coat wouldn't stay, but, dissolving away,
Drop by drop, of departure gave warning,
Till old Christmas was found, stark naked and drown'd,
In the very same bowl he was born in!
Was born in!
The very same bowl he was born in!
Ho,ho! for Christmas! on island, sea or isthmus!
There's no old boy brings so much joy
As jolly, holly Christmas!

When Venus went mad for Adonis, dull lad,
Who was killed by a boar for his folly,
To a sweet purple flow'r he turn'd in an hour;-
When Christmas died he turn'd to Holly!
Venus got her fair swain leave to live once again;
So Bacchus got Christmas permission
To be born every year from his wassail-bowl cheer,
And to die in its happy perdition!
Perdition!
To die in its happy perdition!
Ho, ho! for Christmas! on island, sea, or isthmus!
There's no old boy brings so much joy
As jolly, holly Christmas!
- Anon., "Old Christmas: A Song of the Wassail Bowl". Illustrated London News, 1842, p.528.