ACT II.—SCENE II.

Prince George _arises_.—Prince George _speaks_.

O, horrible! terrible! the like was never seen— A man drove out of seven senses into fifteen; And out of fifteen into fourscore! O, horrible! terrible! the like was ne’er before.

_Alex._ Thou silly ass, that lives by grass, dost thou abuse a stranger. I live in hopes to buy new ropes, and tie thy nose to the manger.

_Pr. Geo._ Sir, unto you I bend.

_Alex._ Stand off, thou slave, I think thee not my friend.

_Pr. Geo._ A slave, sir! that is for me by far too base a name, That word deserves to stab thy honour’s fame.

_Alex._ To be stab’d, sir, is the least of all my care, Appoint your time and place, I’ll meet you there.

_Pr. Geo._ I’ll cross the water at the hour of five.

_Alex._ I’ll meet you there, sir, if I be alive.

_Pr. Geo._ But stop, sir,—I’d wish you to a wife, both lusty and young, She can talk both _Dutch_, _French_, and the _Italian_ tongue.

_Alex._ I’ll have none such.

_Pr. Geo._ Why, don’t you love your learning?

_Alex._ Yes, I love my learning as I do my life, I love a learned scholar, but not a learned wife, Stand off, had I as many hussians, shusians, chairs, and stools, As you have had sweethearts, boys, girls, and fools; I love a woman, and a woman loves me, And when I want a fool I’ll send for thee.

_K. of Egypt._ Sir, to express thy beauty, I am not able, For thy face shines like a very kitchen table; Thy teeth are no whiter than the charcoal, And thy breath stinks like the.......!

_Alex._ Stand off, thou dirty dog, for by my sword thou’s die, I’ll make thy body full of holes, and cause thy buttons flie. [_Exeunt._

ACT. III.—SCENE I.

King of Egypt _fights_, _and is killed_.

_Enter_ Prince George.

Oh! what is here? Oh! what is to be done? Our king is slain, the crown is likewise gone; Take up the body, bear it hence away, For in this place no longer shall it stay.

The CONCLUSION.

Bounser Buckler, velvet’s dear, And _Christmas_ comes but once a year, Though when it comes, it brings good cheer, But farewell _Christmas_ once a year. Farewell, farewell, adieu! friendship and unity, I hope we have made sport, and pleas’d the company; But, gentlemen, you see, we’re but young actors four, We’ve done the best we can, and the best can do no more.

Christmas Play of St. George and the Dragon.

AS REPRESENTED IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND.

_Enter_ Father Christmas.

HERE come I, old Father Christmas, Welcome, or welcome not, I hope old Father Christmas Will never be forgot.

I am not come here for to laugh or to jeer, But for a pocketfull of money, and a skinfull of beer; To show some sport and pastime, Gentlemen and ladies in the Christmas time. If you will not believe what I do say, Come in the Turkish Knight—clear the way.

_Enter the_ Turkish Knight.

Open your doors, and let me in, I hope your favors I shall win; Whether I rise, or whether I fall, I’ll do my best to please you all. St. George is here, and swears he will come in, And if he does, I know he’ll pierce my skin. If you will not believe what I do say, Come in the King of Egypt—clear the way.

_Enter the_ King of Egypt.

Here I, the King of Egypt, boldly do appear, St. George, St. George, walk in, my son and heir. Walk in, my son St. George, and boldly act thy part, That all the people here may see thy wondrous art.

_Enter_ Saint George.

Here come I, St. George, from Britain did I spring, I’ll fight the Dragon bold, my wonders to begin. I’ll clip his wings, he shall not fly; I’ll cut him down, or else I die.

_Enter the_ Dragon.

Who’s he that seeks the Dragon’s blood, And calls so angry, and so loud? That English dog, will he before me stand? I’ll cut him down with my courageous hand. With my long teeth, and scurvy jaw, Of such I’d break up half a score, And stay my stomach, till I’d more.

[St. George _and the_ Dragon _fight_: _the latter is killed_.]

Father Christmas.

Is there a doctor to be found All ready, near at hand, To cure a deep and deadly wound, And make the champion stand?

_Enter_ Doctor.

Oh! yes, there is a doctor to be found All ready, near at hand. To cure a deep and deadly wound, And make the champion stand.

_Fa. Chr._ What can you cure?

_Doct._ All sorts of diseases, Whatever you pleases, The phthisic, the palsy, and the gout; Whatever disorder, I’ll soon pull him out.

_Fa. Chr._ What is your fee?

_Doct._ Fifteen pounds, it is my fee, The money to lay down; But as ’tis such a rogue as he, I’ll cure him for ten pound. I have a little bottle of Elicumpane, Here, Jack, take a little of my flip-flop, Pour it down thy tip-top: Rise up, and fight again.

[The Doctor _gives his medicine_: St. George _and the_ Dragon _again fight, and the latter is again killed_.]

St. George.

Here am I, St. George, that worthy champion bold, And with my sword and spear I’ve won three crowns of gold: I fought the fiery dragon, and brought him to the slaughter; By that I’ve won fair Sabra, the King of Egypt’s daughter.

_The_ Turkish Knight _advances_.

Here come I, the Turkish Knight, Come from the Turkish land to fight. I’ll fight St. George, who is my foe, I’ll make him yield before I go: He brags to such a high degree, He thinks there’s none can do the like of he.

St. George.

Where is the Turk that will before me stand? I’ll cut him down with my courageous hand.

[_They fight:_ the Knight _is overcome, and falls on one knee, saying_—

Oh! pardon me, St. George, pardon of thee I crave, Oh! pardon me this night, and I will be thy slave.

St. George.

I’ll never pardon a Turkish Knight; So rise thee up again, and try thy might.

[_They fight again, when the_ Knight _is killed, and a scene with_ Father Christmas _and the_ Doctor _occurs as before, and the_ Knight _is cured. The_ Doctor _then, according to the stage direction, has a basin of girdy grout given him, and a kick, and is driven out. Sometimes the_ Giant Turpin _is introduced, but his part is little more than a repetition of the_ Turkish Knight. _If there is a fair_ Sabra, _she is generally a mute, and now comes forward to_ Saint George.]

Father Christmas.

Now ladies and gentlemen, your sport is just ended, So prepare for the box, which is highly commended. The box it would speak, if it had but a tongue: Come, throw in your money, and think it no wrong.

INDEX TO CAROLS.

I had hoped to have inserted a Carol by the Rev. R. S. Hawker, of Moorwenstow, Cornwall, but it was previously engaged for the Christmas number of ‘Household Words.’ I must, however, take the opportunity of correcting a mistake in ‘Trenoodle’s Specimens of Cornish Dialect,’ where the song of ‘The Trelawney Rising’ is treated as an old ballad. This spirited composition is the production of Mr. Hawker.

No. PAGE 1. Seignors, ore entendez à nus 215 From Douce’s Illustration of Shakespeare (MS. Reg. 16, E viii, 13th century).

2. Lordings, from a distant home 217 Translation of the same, from Douce’s Illustrations.

3. Welcū ȝole in good array 218 Douce MS., 302. 15th century.

4. Holy stond in þe hall fayre to behold 219 Harln. MS., 5396. Temp. Hen. 6.

5. Now ys Crystemas y-cum 220 Wright’s Carols (Harln. MS., 541. Temp. Hen. 7.)

6. The borys hede, that we bryng here 223

7. I am here, syre Cristsmasse 224 Both from Additional MS., 5665. Temp. Hen. 8.

8. A bonne God wote! 224 Wright’s Carols, Cotton. MS., Vespasian, A, xxv.

9. A Babe is born al of a may 226 The same, Sloane MS., 2593.

10. The fyrst day of ȝole have we in mynd 227

11. Blyssid be that lady bryght 228 Both from Wright’s Songs and Carols.

12. Hey, hey, hey, hey, the borrys hede is armyd gay 230 Wright’s Carols.

13. The bore’s heed in hand bring I 231 Ritson’s Ancient Songs.

14. In Betheleem, that noble place 232 Bibliographical Miscellanies (Kele’s Christmas Carolles.)

15. All you that in this house be here 233 Wright’s Carols (New Carols, 1661).

16. Remember, O thou man, O thou man! 235 Melismata, 1611.

17. Jesus Christ of Nazareth 237 Translated from Hoffman’s Horæ Belgicæ, part 2, p. 16.

18. What is that which is but one? 238

19. Joseph was an old man, and an old man was he 241

20. A child this day is born 242

21. As I passed by a river side 246

22. As it fell out one May morning 251

23. A Virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell 254

24. God rest you, merry gentlemen 256

25. God’s dear Son without beginning 258

26. I saw three ships come sailing in 260

27. The first nowell the angel did say 261

28. The Lord at first had Adam made 263

29. To-morrow shall be my dancing day 266

30. Now when Joseph and Mary 268

31. This new Christmas Carol, ‘Let us cheerfully sing’ 271

32. When Cæsar did the sceptre sway 273

33. Saint Stephen was a holy man 275

34. Hark! the herald angels sing 278 This and the sixteen preceding are from manuscript copies, several of which are also printed as broadsides.

35. Guillô pran ton tamborin 279 Noei Bourgignon.

36. De noubélos Efans en benen de la bilo 280 Recueil de Poetes Gascons, 1700.

37. Tres Rei de l’Orian 281 Nouveaux Cantiques Spirituels Provençaux, 1750.

38. Quand Dieu naquit a Noel 282 Noels Vieux & Nouveaux.

39. Lon de la gran carriere 284 Recueil de Noels Provençaux, 1791.

40. L’An mil sies cens quaranto cinc 287 Recueil de Poetes Gascons.

41. J’antan po no ruë 288 Noei Bourgignon.

42. I hear along the street 290 Translation of No. 41, by Longfellow.

Christmas Play of Alexander 292

The like of St. George 298

INDEX TO PRINCIPAL MATTERS.

PAGE Ale Christmas, account of 35

Boar’s head and brawn 30, 32 Boy Bishop, referred to 80

Carol singing 173 Carols, list of 207 Carol, Merry, tale of 185 Carol, Cherry Tree, account of 200 Carol singing in France 192 Christmas block 113 Christmas boxes 149 Christmas plays 153 Christmas tree 151 Cross, account of 204

Epiphany, offerings on 37, 42, 55 Evergreens, practice of decorating with 11, 127

Feasts of fools and asses 13 Fools, domestic, referred to 124

Gray’s Inn, Christmas feast 93 Gray’s Inn, Serjeant Roe’s play at 76

Inns of Court, revels 73

King of the bean 39, 42, 164, 166

Lord of Misrule 60, 86, 91, 121-2

Minced pies 138 Misletoe 12 Mysteries and miracle plays 48

New year’s gifts 37, 39, 42, 47, 59, 78, 90, 99, 110, 123, 133, 143 Noël, description of term 190

Pageants, revels, and mummings 40, 44, 48, 65-70, 86, 106 Pantomime, Christmas 152

Star-song 171

Temple Christmas feasts 92, 122 Thirty pieces of silver, legend of 169 Three Kings, history of 159 Turkeys at Christmas 112 Twelfth cake 166 Twelfth Night—Epiphany 164 Twelfth Night at sea 132

Waits 83, 96, 116 Wassail bowl 18, 55

Yule, explanation of 5

INDEX OF REFERENCES.

_To avoid encumbering the pages with foot-notes, all references requiring them have been omitted, but the principal works and passages referred to will be found in this Index, excepting those that already appear in the body of the work._

Many of the old Chronicles have been inspected for historical facts, but it has not been thought necessary to specify them, except in a few instances; and where one is cited, the fact is frequently corroborated by two or three others. Hickes’s ‘Thesaurus,’ vol. i, pp. 209-14, and Gebelin’s ‘Allegories Orientales,’ contain a good deal of learning about Yule or Gule, and the former as to midwinter. Du Cange’s ‘Glossary,’ in voce Festum, gives many particulars respecting the Feasts of Asses and Fools. The Wardrobe Accounts, temp. Edw. First, have entries connected with that time; and Mr. Collier’s ‘Annals of the Stage, and History of Dramatic Poetry,’ and the ‘Account of Revels,’ by Mr. Peter Cunningham, both works containing much valuable information, the Privy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York, of Henry the Eighth, and of the Princess Mary, the ‘Northumberland Household Book,’ and Nichols’s ‘Progresses of Queen Elizabeth and King James,’ are the authorities for many of the plays and masks, and the particulars of the accounts connected with them, and the New Year’s Gifts from the time of Henry the Seventh to that of James the First; and many additional particulars may be found in them. Brady’s ‘Clavis Calendaria’ contains much information respecting the early history of Christmas; and Mosheim’s ‘Ecclesiastical History,’ may also be consulted. Spelman’s ‘Glossary,’ voce Xenia, and Boulanger, ‘l’Antiquité Devoilée,’ iv, 16, 17, a work however not to be recommended, speak of the ancient New Year’s Gifts. Madox’s ‘History of the Exchequor’ states the movements of our early monarchs, mentioning for a long series of years where they kept their Christmasses; and Turner’s, Henry’s, and Lingard’s ‘Histories of England,’ and the ‘Pictorial History,’ may be referred to also, by those wishing to look further into the subject. Many facts taken from these books do not appear to require more than this general reference to them.

PAGE LINE

3 29 Nehemiah, viii, 10.

15 31 Rabelais, vol. i, 478, _n._ ed. 1823.

20 22 Lingard’s Hist. Eng. ed. 1837, vol. i, 259.

21 22 John of Bromton. Twysden, X Scriptores.

25 26 Archæologia, vol. xi, 13 (from Wilkins’s Concil.).

27 26 Blount, Fragmenta Antiq., by Beckwith, 50.

30 13, 21 Madox’s Hist. Exchequer, 258.

33 13 The Woman’s Prize, Fletcher, iv, 2.

34 9 Hamlet i, 1.

36 18, 29 Baker’s Chronicle, 82, 83.

37 31 Théâtre Français au moyen Age, 1842, p. 118.

38 20 Cronica Jocelini de Brakelonda, 46.

39 21 Archæologia, xxvi, 342.

40 24, 30 Archæologia, xxxi, 37, 38, 43, 122.

42 9 Cotton MS. Nero, C. viii.

— 15 Petitôt Mémoires, 1st Ser. vi, 66.

— 22 Monstrelet, ed. 1840, i, 153.

44 11 Warton, Hist. of Poetry, 8vo, ii, 71, 72.

45 — Henry V, i, 1.

46 24 Archæologia, xxi, 66. Old Poem on Siege of Rouen.

— 31 Petitôt Mémoires, 1st Ser. viii, 35.

47 26, 31 Excerpta Historica, 148, 150.—(Cotton MS. Cleopatra, F. iv.)

— 28 Proceedings of Privy Council, iii, 285.

48 4 Fairholt’s History of Costume.—(Harl. MS. 2278.)

— 11 Proceedings of Privy Council, v, 114.

— 14 Rymer’s Fœdera, x, 387.

— 30 Collier, Hist. Dram. Poetry, ii, 127.

50 17 King John, ii, 1.

51 28 Harl. MS. 5931.

52 3 Fabliaux et Contes du xii et xiii siècles, i, 329, &c.

54 29 Additional MS. 6113.

55 25 Antiquarian Repertory, i, 328.

56 4 Hamlet, i, 4.

— 7 Love’s Labour Lost, v, 2.

57 31 Ritson’s Ancient Songs, 304. (From New Christmas Carols.)

58 15 Midsummer Night’s Dream, ii, 1.

— 24 Herrick’s Works, ii, 92.

59 25 Ordinances of Royal Household, 120.

61 14 Archæologia, xxv, 319-27.

66 6 Hall’s, Holinshed’s, and Baker’s Chronicles may be consulted for this and most of the Christmas revels in the time of Henry VIII; also Collier’s Annals of the Stage, for many particulars of payments and gifts.

72 29 Henry VIII, i, 4.

76 18 Hall’s Chronicle.

78 14 Ellis’s Original Letters, i, 271.—(Cotton MS. Vespasian, F. xiii.)

79 16 Cotton MS. Appendix, xxviii.

80 27 Strutt’s Sports, &c. 305.

81 8 Archæologia, xxv, 422.

82 4 Leland’s Itinerary, iv, 182.

83 7 Camden’s Remains, 262.

— 18 Archaeological Journal, No. 4, 367.

— 24 Kalendars of the Exchequer, i, 269.

89 10 Particulars of George Ferrer’s Misrule will be found in Stow’s Annals, Baker’s Chronicle, Loseley MS. 45, &c. and Machyn’s Diary, 13, &c.

90 10 Loseley MS. 90.

91 17 Machyn’s Diary, 162.

92 4 Machyn’s Diary, 222.

93 19 Dugdale Origines Jurid.

— 24 Account of Revels, 28.

95 — See Collier, i, 196, &c., for this page.

96 13 Lansdowne MS. 71.

— 22 Ben Jonson’s Conversations with Drummond, 23.

102 — See Archæologia, i, 9; Ditto, xix, 292; Nichols’s Progresses; Sloane MS. 4827; Ditto, 814, Additional MS. 5751;—for particulars of New Year’s Gifts in this and preceding pages.

103 6 Account of Revels, 204

108 12, 22 Pictorial History of England, iii, 88.

110 25 Nichols’s Progresses, i, xl, _n._

— 30 Account of Revels, xi.

111 30 Lansdowne MS. 92.

112 26 Doblado’s Letters.

113 17 Introduction to Canto 6, Marmion.

— 28 Romeo and Juliet, i, 4.

115 6 Horace, lib. i, od. 9.

— 19 Michaelmas Term, ii, 3.

— 23 Promptorium Parvulorum, 238.

116 2 Johnes’s Translation, vol. iii, c. 7.

— 16 Herrick’s Works, ii, 124.

— 30 Witty Fair One, iv, 2.

118 27 Nichols’s Illustrations of Manners and Expenses, 53.

121 25 Archæologia, xviii, 335.

122 6 Curiosities of Literature, iii, 269.

124 6 Hone’s Every Day Book, i, 9. (Banquet of Jests, 1634.)

125 29 Petitôt Mémoires, 47, 101.

136 17 Percy’s Reliques, ed. 1840, 169.

— 28 Evans’s Ballads, iii, 262.

137 15 Evans’s Ballads, i, 146.

138 15 City Madam, ii, 1.

144 23 Roper’s Life of Sir T. More, 73.

146 17 Cowley’s Anaercontiques, No. 2.

147 9 Wine and Walnuts, ii, 157.

— 30 New Year’s Day, by Hartley Coleridge.

149 30 Brady Clavis Calendaria, ii, 316, 17.

154 20 In Wily Beguiled.

155 22 Collier’s Annals of the Stage, i, 22.

157 18 Malcontent, by Marston, iv, 2.

158 — Dr. Macculloch’s Proofs and Illustrations of the Attributes of God, i, 358, a work of remarkable learning and information joined to sincere and unaffected piety—the production of a gifted and accomplished man, whose death will ever be regretted by those who, in his lifetime, enjoyed his friendship.

160 25 Milton’s Ode on the Nativity.

161 25 Sandys’s Travels, 141.

162 12 Harl. MSS. 437, 619.

— 16 Apocryphal New Testament, 2, 3.—Infancy, iii, 2.

— 29 Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy, 1638, 225.

163 16 Diary of Philip Henslowe, 70.

— 22, 28 Hone’s Every Day Book, i, 46.

165 16 Fabliaux et Contes, par Barbazan et Meon, ii, 285.

— 18 Strutt’s Sports and Pastimes, 8vo, 344.

166 12 Archives Curieuses de l’Histoire de France, 2 Series, v, 392.

168 13 Warton’s History of Poetry, 8vo, ii, 91 _n._

— 16 Harl. MS. 5931.

170 9 French Mystery of the 15th Century, ‘Le Geu des trois Rois.’

171 13 MS. Bibl. Reg. 5 F. xiv, 7. Ib. 18 A, x, 8. Harl. MS. 1704-11.

— 14 Harl. MS. 2407, 13.

178 24 This reference should be ‘Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales.’

179 12 Barzaz-Breiz, Chants Populaires de la Bretagne, i, 1, 25.

180 2 Description of Patent Rolls, by T. D. Hardy, 129.

183 6 Privy Purse Expenses of Princess Mary, Introduction, xxvii.

— 7 Privy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York, 83.

184 25 Barnaby Googe, translation of Naogeorgus.

185 11 Pictorial History of England, iii, 446 (address by Mr. John Davison to General Assembly in Scotland, 1596).

186 25 Old Ballads, 1723, p. 69.

188 11 Batt upon Batt, 1711, p. 6.

191 6 Bibliothèque de l’Ecole des Chartes, i, 250.

— 20 Rabelais, vi, 209, _n._ (liv. 4, c. 22).

— 26 Pasquier les Recherches de la France, 383-4.

— 30 Ménage Diction. Etymol., voce Noël.

192 3 Archæologia, 22.

— 17 Fabliaux et Contes, iv, 80, 99.

194 1 Laborde’s Essai, i, 118, _n._

200 27 Notes and Queries, v, 7, communication by Mr. Thoms.

203 8 Introduction to Scotch songs, i, 104.

206 2 See French mystery of fifteenth century, La Nativité, edited by Jubinal, ii, 19, Cornish play of Creation of the World, and poem of Mount Calvary, for further particulars.

— 26 Horne’s introduction to the Scriptures, i, 629.

213 2 Maccabees, 15, 38.

Music to Carols.

A VIRGIN MOST PURE.

A CHILD THIS DAY IS BORN.

THE LORD AT FIRST HAD ADAM MADE.

THE FIRST NOWELL.

THIS NEW CHRISTMAS CAROL.

GOD REST YOU, MERRY GENTLEMEN.

SAINT STEPHEN.

GOD’S DEAR SON.

TO-MORROW SHALL BE MY DANCING DAY.

I SAW THREE SHIPS.

JOSEPH WAS AN OLD MAN.

IN THOSE TWELVE DAYS.

E. TUCKER, PRINTER, PERRYS PLACE, OXFORD STREET.

* * * * *

Transcriber’s Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Unconventional spelling was retained especially in quotations of older texts, expect much variation as in “tres,” “très,” and “trés.”

Table of Contents, Music, “226” changed to “326” for (Joseph was an old man)

Page 124, “boomarang” changed to “boomerang” (boomerang, on their own)

Page 205, “crucifixon” changed to “crucifixion” (time of the crucifixion)

Page 254, “trangression” changed to “transgression” (Which Adam’s transgression)

Page 304, “noubelos” changed to “noubélos” to match usage in text (36. De noubélos Efans)