CCCXI.

[This is acted by two or more girls, who walk or dance up and down, turning, when they say, "turn, cheeses, turn." The "green cheeses," as I am informed, are made with sage and potatoe-tops. Two girls are said to be "cheese and cheese."]

Greencheese, yellow laces,Up and down the market-places,Turn, cheeses, turn!

Greencheese, yellow laces,

Up and down the market-places,

Turn, cheeses, turn!

Tomarket ride the gentlemen,So do we, so do we;Then comes the country clown,Hobbledy gee, Hobbledy gee;First go the ladies, nim, nim, nim;Next come the gentlemen, trim, trim, trim;Then comes the country clowns, gallop-a-trot.

Tomarket ride the gentlemen,

So do we, so do we;

Then comes the country clown,

Hobbledy gee, Hobbledy gee;

First go the ladies, nim, nim, nim;

Next come the gentlemen, trim, trim, trim;

Then comes the country clowns, gallop-a-trot.

Ridea cock-horse to Coventry-cross;To see what Emma can buy;A penny white cake I'll buy for her sake,And a twopenny tart or a pie.

Ridea cock-horse to Coventry-cross;

To see what Emma can buy;

A penny white cake I'll buy for her sake,

And a twopenny tart or a pie.

Ridea cock-horse to Banbury-cross,To see an old lady upon a white horse,Rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes,And so she makes music wherever she goes.

Ridea cock-horse to Banbury-cross,

To see an old lady upon a white horse,

Rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes,

And so she makes music wherever she goes.

[Song set to five toes.]

1.Letus go to the wood, says this pig;2.What to do there? says that pig;3.To look for my mother, says this pig;4.What to do with her? says that pig;5.Kiss her to death, says this pig.

1.Letus go to the wood, says this pig;

2.What to do there? says that pig;

3.To look for my mother, says this pig;

4.What to do with her? says that pig;

5.Kiss her to death, says this pig.

[A number of boys and girls stand round one in the middle, who repeats the following lines, counting the children until one is counted out by the end of the verses.]

Ringme (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3),As I go round (4), ring by ring (5),A virgin (6) goes a maying (7),Here's a flower (8), and there's a flower (9),Growing in my lady's garden (10),If you set your foot awry (11),Gentle John will make you cry (12),If you set your foot amiss (13),Gentle John (14) will give you a kiss.

Ringme (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3),

As I go round (4), ring by ring (5),

A virgin (6) goes a maying (7),

Here's a flower (8), and there's a flower (9),

Growing in my lady's garden (10),

If you set your foot awry (11),

Gentle John will make you cry (12),

If you set your foot amiss (13),

Gentle John (14) will give you a kiss.

[The child upon whom (14) falls is then taken out, and forced to select one of the other sex. The middle child then proceeds.]

This[lady or gentleman] is none of ours,Has put [him or her] self in [the selected child's] power,So clap all hands, and ring all bells, and make the wedding o'er.[All clap hands.]

This[lady or gentleman] is none of ours,

Has put [him or her] self in [the selected child's] power,

So clap all hands, and ring all bells, and make the wedding o'er.

[All clap hands.]

[If the child taken by lot joins in the clapping, the selected child is rejected, and I believe takes the middle place. Otherwise, I think, there is a salute.]

[Another game, played exclusively by boys. Two, who are fixed upon for the purpose, leave the group, and privately arrange that the pass-word shall be some implement of a particular trade. The trade is announced in the dialogue, and then the fun is, that the unfortunate wight who guesses the "tool" is beaten with the caps of his fellows till he reaches a fixed goal, after which he goes out in turn.]

"Twobroken tradesmen,Newly come over,The one from France and Scotland,The other from Dover.""What's your trade?"

"Twobroken tradesmen,

Newly come over,

The one from France and Scotland,

The other from Dover."

"What's your trade?"

[Carpenters, nailors, smiths, tinkers, or any other is answered, and on guessing the instrument "plane him, hammer him, rasp him, or solder him," is called out respectively during the period of punishment.]

Claphands, clap hands,Hie Tommy Randy,Did you see my good man?They call him Cock-a-bandy.Silken Stockings on his legs,Silver buckles glancin',A sky-blue bonnet on his head,And oh, but he is handsome.

Claphands, clap hands,Hie Tommy Randy,Did you see my good man?They call him Cock-a-bandy.

Claphands, clap hands,

Hie Tommy Randy,

Did you see my good man?

They call him Cock-a-bandy.

Silken Stockings on his legs,Silver buckles glancin',A sky-blue bonnet on his head,And oh, but he is handsome.

Silken Stockings on his legs,

Silver buckles glancin',

A sky-blue bonnet on his head,

And oh, but he is handsome.

[A song set to five fingers.]

1.Thispig went to market;2.This pig staid at home;3.This pig had a bit of meat;4.And this pig had none;5.This pig said, Wee, wee, wee! I can't find my way home.

1.Thispig went to market;

2.This pig staid at home;

3.This pig had a bit of meat;

4.And this pig had none;

5.This pig said, Wee, wee, wee! I can't find my way home.

[Children hunting bats.]

Bat, bat, (clap hands,)Come under my hat,And I'll give you a slice of bacon;And when I bake,I'll give you a cake,If I am not mistaken.

Bat, bat, (clap hands,)

Come under my hat,

And I'll give you a slice of bacon;

And when I bake,

I'll give you a cake,

If I am not mistaken.

[A game at ball.]

Cuckoo, cherry tree,Catch a bird, and give it to me;Let the tree be high or low,Let it hail, rain, or snow.

Cuckoo, cherry tree,

Catch a bird, and give it to me;

Let the tree be high or low,

Let it hail, rain, or snow.

[Two of the strongest children are selected,aandb;astands within a ring of the children,bbeing outside.]

a.Whois going round my sheepfold?b.Only poor old Jacky Lingo.a.Don't steal any of my black sheep.b.No, no more I will, only by one,Up, says Jacky Lingo. (Strikes one.)

a.Whois going round my sheepfold?

b.Only poor old Jacky Lingo.

a.Don't steal any of my black sheep.

b.No, no more I will, only by one,

Up, says Jacky Lingo. (Strikes one.)

[The child struck leaves the ring, and takes hold ofbbehind;bin the same manner takes the other children, one by one, gradually increasing his tail on each repetition of the verses, until he has got the whole;athen tries to get them back;bruns away with them; they try to shelter themselves behindb;adrags them off, one by one, setting them against a wall, until he has recovered all. A regular tearing game, as children say.]

Hightycock O!To London we go,To York we ride;And Edward has pussy-cat tied to his side;He shall have little dog tied to the other,And then he goes trid trod to see his grandmother.

Hightycock O!

To London we go,

To York we ride;

And Edward has pussy-cat tied to his side;

He shall have little dog tied to the other,

And then he goes trid trod to see his grandmother.

Thisis the key of the kingdom.In that kingdom there is a city.In that city there is a town.In that town there is a street.In that street there is a lane.In that lane there is a yard.In that yard there is a house.In that house there is a room.In that room there is a bed.On that bed there is a basket.In that basket there are some flowers.Flowers in the basket, basket in the bed, bed in the room, &c. &c.

Thisis the key of the kingdom.

In that kingdom there is a city.

In that city there is a town.

In that town there is a street.

In that street there is a lane.

In that lane there is a yard.

In that yard there is a house.

In that house there is a room.

In that room there is a bed.

On that bed there is a basket.

In that basket there are some flowers.

Flowers in the basket, basket in the bed, bed in the room, &c. &c.

[Children stand round, and are counted one by one, by means of this rhyme. The child upon whom the last number falls isout, for "Hide or Seek," or any other game where a victim is required. A cock and bull story of this kind is related of the historian Josephus. There are other versions of this, and one may be seen in 'Blackwood's Magazine' for August, 1821, p. 36.]

Hickory(1), Dickory (2), Dock (3),The mouse ran up the clock (4),The clock struck one (5),The mouse was gone (6);O (7), u (8), t(9), spellsOUT!

Hickory(1), Dickory (2), Dock (3),

The mouse ran up the clock (4),

The clock struck one (5),

The mouse was gone (6);

O (7), u (8), t(9), spellsOUT!

Oneold Oxford ox opening oysters;Two tee-totums totally tired of trying to trot to Tadbury;Three tall tigers tippling tenpenny tea;Four fat friars fanning fainting flies;Five frippy Frenchmen foolishly fishing for flies;Six sportsmen shooting snipes;Seven Severn salmons swallowing shrimps;Eight Englishmen eagerly examining Europe;Nine nimble noblemen nibbling nonpareils;Ten tinkers tinkling upon ten tin tinderboxes with ten tenpenny tacks;Eleven elephants elegantly equipt;Twelve typographical topographers typically translating types.

Oneold Oxford ox opening oysters;

Two tee-totums totally tired of trying to trot to Tadbury;

Three tall tigers tippling tenpenny tea;

Four fat friars fanning fainting flies;

Five frippy Frenchmen foolishly fishing for flies;

Six sportsmen shooting snipes;

Seven Severn salmons swallowing shrimps;

Eight Englishmen eagerly examining Europe;

Nine nimble noblemen nibbling nonpareils;

Ten tinkers tinkling upon ten tin tinderboxes with ten tenpenny tacks;

Eleven elephants elegantly equipt;

Twelve typographical topographers typically translating types.

[The following lines are sung by children when starting for a race.]

Goodhorses, bad horses,What is the time of day?Three o'clock, four o'clock,Now fare you away.

Goodhorses, bad horses,

What is the time of day?

Three o'clock, four o'clock,

Now fare you away.

See-saw, jack a daw,What is a craw to do wi' her?She has not a stocking to put on her,And the craw has not one for to gi' her.

See-saw, jack a daw,

What is a craw to do wi' her?

She has not a stocking to put on her,

And the craw has not one for to gi' her.

[The following is a game played as follows: A string of boys and girls, each holding by his predecessor's skirts, approaches two others, who with joined and elevated hands form a double arch. After the dialogue, the line passes through, and the last is caught by a sudden lowering of the arms—if possible.]

Howmany miles is it to Babylon?—Threescore miles and ten.Can I get there by candle-light?—Yes, and back again!If your heels are nimble and light,You may get there by candle-light.

Howmany miles is it to Babylon?—

Threescore miles and ten.

Can I get there by candle-light?—

Yes, and back again!

If your heels are nimble and light,

You may get there by candle-light.

Claphands, clap hands!Till father comes home;For father's got money,But mother's got none.Clap hands, &c.Till father, &c.

Claphands, clap hands!

Till father comes home;

For father's got money,

But mother's got none.

Clap hands, &c.

Till father, &c.

See-sawsacradown,Which is the way to London town?One foot up, and the other down,And that is the way to London town.

See-sawsacradown,

Which is the way to London town?

One foot up, and the other down,

And that is the way to London town.

Herestands a post,Who put it there?A better man than you;Touch it if you dare!

Herestands a post,

Who put it there?

A better man than you;

Touch it if you dare!

[A stands with a row of girls (her daughters) behind her; B, a suitor, advances.]

b.Triptrap over the grass: If you please will you let one of your [eldest] daughters come,Come and dance with me?I will give you pots and pans, I will give you brass,I will give you anything for a pretty lass.a.says, "No."b.I will give you gold and silver, I will give you pearl,I will give you anything for a pretty girl.a.Take one, take one, the fairest you may see.b.The fairest one that I can seeIs pretty Nancy,—come to me.

b.Triptrap over the grass: If you please will you let one of your [eldest] daughters come,

Come and dance with me?

I will give you pots and pans, I will give you brass,

I will give you anything for a pretty lass.

a.says, "No."

b.I will give you gold and silver, I will give you pearl,

I will give you anything for a pretty girl.

a.Take one, take one, the fairest you may see.

b.The fairest one that I can see

Is pretty Nancy,—come to me.

[B carries one off, and says:]

You shall have a duck, my dear,And you shall have a drake,And you shall have a young man apprentice for your sake.

You shall have a duck, my dear,

And you shall have a drake,

And you shall have a young man apprentice for your sake.

[Children say:]

If this young man should happen to die,And leave this poor woman a widow,The bells shall all ring, and the birds shall all sing,And we'll all clap hands together.

If this young man should happen to die,

And leave this poor woman a widow,

The bells shall all ring, and the birds shall all sing,

And we'll all clap hands together.

[So it is repeated until the whole are taken.]

[The "Three Knights of Spain" is a game played in nearly the same manner as the preceding. Thedramatis personæform themselves in two parties, one representing a courtly dame and her daughters, the other the suitors of the daughters. The last party, moving backwards and forwards, with their arms entwined, approach and recede from the mother party, which is stationary, singing to a very sweet air. See Chambers' 'Popular Rhymes,' p. 66.]

Weare three brethren out of Spain,Come to court your daughter Jane.

Weare three brethren out of Spain,

Come to court your daughter Jane.

My daughter Jane she is too young,And has not learned her mother tongue.

My daughter Jane she is too young,

And has not learned her mother tongue.

Be she young, or be she old,For her beauty she must be sold.So fare you well, my lady gay,We'll call again another day.

Be she young, or be she old,

For her beauty she must be sold.

So fare you well, my lady gay,

We'll call again another day.

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight,And rub thy spurs till they be bright.

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight,

And rub thy spurs till they be bright.

Of my spurs take you no thought,For in this town they were not bought,So fare you well, my lady gay,We'll call again another day.

Of my spurs take you no thought,

For in this town they were not bought,

So fare you well, my lady gay,

We'll call again another day.

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight,And take the fairest in your sight.

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight,

And take the fairest in your sight.

The fairest maid that I can see,Is pretty Nancy,—come to me.Here comes your daughter safe and sound,Every pocket with a thousand pound;Every finger with a gay gold ring;Please to take your daughter in.

The fairest maid that I can see,Is pretty Nancy,—come to me.

The fairest maid that I can see,

Is pretty Nancy,—come to me.

Here comes your daughter safe and sound,Every pocket with a thousand pound;Every finger with a gay gold ring;Please to take your daughter in.

Here comes your daughter safe and sound,

Every pocket with a thousand pound;

Every finger with a gay gold ring;

Please to take your daughter in.

[A game on the slate.]

Eggs, butter, bread,Stick, stock, stone dead!Stick him up, stick him down,Stick him in the old man's crown!

Eggs, butter, bread,

Stick, stock, stone dead!

Stick him up, stick him down,

Stick him in the old man's crown!

[In the following childish amusement, one extends his arm, and the other in illustration of the narrative, strikes him gently with the side of his hand at the shoulder and wrist; and then at the word "middle," with considerable force, on the flexor muscles at the elbow-joint.]

Myfather was a Frenchman,He bought for me a fiddle,He cut me here, he cut me here,He cut me right in the middle.

Myfather was a Frenchman,

He bought for me a fiddle,

He cut me here, he cut me here,

He cut me right in the middle.

[Patting the foot on the five toes.]

Shoethe colt, shoe!Shoe the wild mare;Put a sack on her back,See if she'll bear.If she'll bear,We'll give her some grains;If she won't bear,We'll dash out her brains!

Shoethe colt, shoe!

Shoe the wild mare;

Put a sack on her back,

See if she'll bear.

If she'll bear,

We'll give her some grains;

If she won't bear,

We'll dash out her brains!

[Game on a child's features.]

Heresits the Lord Mayor . .forehead.Here sit his two men . . .eyes.Here sits the cock . . . .right cheek.Here sits the hen . . . .left cheek.Here sit the little chickens . .tip of nose.Here they run in . . . .mouth.Chinchopper, chinchopper,Chinchopper, chin! . . .chuck the chin.

Heresits the Lord Mayor . .forehead.

Here sit his two men . . .eyes.

Here sits the cock . . . .right cheek.

Here sits the hen . . . .left cheek.

Here sit the little chickens . .tip of nose.

Here they run in . . . .mouth.

Chinchopper, chinchopper,

Chinchopper, chin! . . .chuck the chin.

[A play with the face. The child exclaims:]

Ringthe bell! . . .giving a lock of its hair a pull.Knock at the door! .tapping its forehead.Draw the latch! . .pulling up its nose.And walk in! . . .opening its mouth and putting in its finger.

Ringthe bell! . . .giving a lock of its hair a pull.

Knock at the door! .tapping its forehead.

Draw the latch! . .pulling up its nose.

And walk in! . . .opening its mouth and putting in its finger.

[An exercise during which the fingers of the child are enumerated.]

Thumbikin, Thumbikin, broke the barn,Pinnikin, Pinnikin, stole the corn.Long back'd GrayCarried it away.Old Mid-man sat and saw,But Peesy-weesy paid for a'.

Thumbikin, Thumbikin, broke the barn,

Pinnikin, Pinnikin, stole the corn.

Long back'd Gray

Carried it away.

Old Mid-man sat and saw,

But Peesy-weesy paid for a'.

Thispig went to market,Squeak mouse, mouse, mousey;Shoe, shoe, shoe the wild colt,And here's my own doll, Dowsy.

Thispig went to market,

Squeak mouse, mouse, mousey;

Shoe, shoe, shoe the wild colt,

And here's my own doll, Dowsy.

[From Yorkshire. A game to alarm children.]

Flowers, flowers, high-do!Sheeny, greeny, rino!—Sheeny greeny,Sheeny greeny,Rum tum fra!

Flowers, flowers, high-do!

Sheeny, greeny, rino!—

Sheeny greeny,

Rum tum fra!

1.Thispig went to the barn.2.This eat all the corn.3.This said he would tell.4.This said he wasn't well.5.This went week, week, week, over the door sill.

1.Thispig went to the barn.

2.This eat all the corn.

3.This said he would tell.

4.This said he wasn't well.

5.This went week, week, week, over the door sill.

[The two following are fragments of a game called "The Lady of the Land," a complete version of which has not fallen in my way.]

Herecomes a poor woman from baby-land,With three small children in her hand:One can brew, the other can bake,The other can make a pretty round cake.One can sit in the garden and spin,Another can make a fine bed for the king;Pray ma'am will you take one in?

Herecomes a poor woman from baby-land,

With three small children in her hand:

One can brew, the other can bake,

The other can make a pretty round cake.

One can sit in the garden and spin,

Another can make a fine bed for the king;

Pray ma'am will you take one in?

I canmake diet bread,Thick and thin;I can make diet bread,Fit for the king.

I canmake diet bread,

Thick and thin;

I can make diet bread,

Fit for the king.

Herewe come a piping,First in spring, and then in May;The queen she sits upon the sand,Fair as a lily, white as a wand:King John has sent you letters three,And begs you'll read them unto me.—We can't read one without them all,So pray, Miss Bridget, deliver the ball!

Herewe come a piping,

First in spring, and then in May;

The queen she sits upon the sand,

Fair as a lily, white as a wand:

King John has sent you letters three,

And begs you'll read them unto me.—

We can't read one without them all,

So pray, Miss Bridget, deliver the ball!

Thefirst day of Christmas,My true love sent to meA partridge in a pear tree.The second day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTwo turtle doves andA partridge in a pear tree.The third day of Christmas,My true love sent to meThree French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The fourth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meFour colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The fifth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meFive gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The sixth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meSix geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The seventh day of Christmas,My true love sent to meSeven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The eighth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meEight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The ninth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meNine drummers drumming,Eight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The tenth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTen pipers piping,Nine drummers drumming,Eight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The eleventh day of Christmas,My true love sent to meEleven ladies dancing,Ten pipers piping,Nine drummers drumming,Eight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.The twelfth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTwelve lords a leaping,Eleven ladies dancing,Ten pipers piping,Nine drummers drumming,Eight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

Thefirst day of Christmas,My true love sent to meA partridge in a pear tree.

Thefirst day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

A partridge in a pear tree.

The second day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTwo turtle doves andA partridge in a pear tree.

The second day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Two turtle doves and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The third day of Christmas,My true love sent to meThree French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The third day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The fourth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meFour colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The fourth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The fifth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meFive gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The fifth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The sixth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meSix geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The sixth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Six geese a laying,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The seventh day of Christmas,My true love sent to meSeven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The seventh day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The eighth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meEight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The eighth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The ninth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meNine drummers drumming,Eight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The ninth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Nine drummers drumming,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The tenth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTen pipers piping,Nine drummers drumming,Eight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The tenth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Ten pipers piping,

Nine drummers drumming,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The eleventh day of Christmas,My true love sent to meEleven ladies dancing,Ten pipers piping,Nine drummers drumming,Eight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The eleventh day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Eleven ladies dancing,

Ten pipers piping,

Nine drummers drumming,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

The twelfth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTwelve lords a leaping,Eleven ladies dancing,Ten pipers piping,Nine drummers drumming,Eight maids a milking,Seven swans a swimming,Six geese a laying,Five gold rings,Four colly birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves, andA partridge in a pear tree.

The twelfth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Twelve lords a leaping,

Eleven ladies dancing,

Ten pipers piping,

Nine drummers drumming,

Eight maids a milking,

Seven swans a swimming,

Six geese a laying,

Five gold rings,

Four colly birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree.

[Each child in succession repeats the gifts of the day, and forfeits for each mistake. This accumulative process is a favorite with children: in early writers, such as Homer, the repetition of messages, &c. pleases on the same principle.]

[A game on the fingers.]

Heetumpeetum penny pie,Populorum gingum gie;East, West, North, South,Kirby, Kendal, Cock him out!

Heetumpeetum penny pie,

Populorum gingum gie;

East, West, North, South,

Kirby, Kendal, Cock him out!

[A game-rhyme.]

Tripand go, heave and hoe,Up and down, to and fro;From the town to the groveTwo and two let us rove,A-maying, a-playing;Love hath no gainsaying;So merrily trip and go,So merrily trip and go!

Tripand go, heave and hoe,

Up and down, to and fro;

From the town to the grove

Two and two let us rove,

A-maying, a-playing;

Love hath no gainsaying;

So merrily trip and go,

So merrily trip and go!

Thisis the way the ladies ride;Tri, tre, tre, tree,Tri, tre, tre, tree!This is the way the ladies ride,Tri, tre, tre, tre, tri-tre-tre-tree!This is the way the gentlemen ride;Gallop-a-trot,Gallop-a-trot!This is the way the gentlemen ride,Gallop-a-gallop-a-trot!This is the way the farmers ride;Hobbledy-hoy,Hobbledy-hoy!This is the way the farmers ride,Hobbledy hobbledy-hoy!

Thisis the way the ladies ride;Tri, tre, tre, tree,Tri, tre, tre, tree!This is the way the ladies ride,Tri, tre, tre, tre, tri-tre-tre-tree!

Thisis the way the ladies ride;

Tri, tre, tre, tree,

Tri, tre, tre, tree!

This is the way the ladies ride,

Tri, tre, tre, tre, tri-tre-tre-tree!

This is the way the gentlemen ride;Gallop-a-trot,Gallop-a-trot!This is the way the gentlemen ride,Gallop-a-gallop-a-trot!

This is the way the gentlemen ride;

Gallop-a-trot,

Gallop-a-trot!

This is the way the gentlemen ride,

Gallop-a-gallop-a-trot!

This is the way the farmers ride;Hobbledy-hoy,Hobbledy-hoy!This is the way the farmers ride,Hobbledy hobbledy-hoy!

This is the way the farmers ride;

Hobbledy-hoy,

Hobbledy-hoy!

This is the way the farmers ride,

Hobbledy hobbledy-hoy!

Therewas a man, and his name was Dob,And he had a wife, and her name was Mob,And he had a dog, and he called it Cob,And she had a cat, called Chitterabob.Cob, says Dob,Chitterabob, says Mob,Cob was Dob's dog,Chitterabob Mob's cat.

Therewas a man, and his name was Dob,

And he had a wife, and her name was Mob,

And he had a dog, and he called it Cob,

And she had a cat, called Chitterabob.

Cob, says Dob,

Chitterabob, says Mob,

Cob was Dob's dog,

Chitterabob Mob's cat.

[Two children sit opposite to each other; the first turns her fingers one over the other, and says:]

"Maymy geese fly over your barn?"

[The other answers, Yes, if they'll do no harm. Upon which the first unpacks the fingers of her hand, and waving it over head, says:]

"Fly over his barn and eat all his corn."

Nowwe dance looby, looby, looby,Now we dance looby, looby, light,Shake your right hand a littleAnd turn you round about.Now we dance looby, looby, looby,Shake your right hand a little,Shake your left hand a little,And turn you round about.Now we dance looby, looby, looby,Shake your right hand a little,Shake your left hand a little,Shake your right foot a little,And turn you round about.Now we dance looby, looby, looby,Shake your right hand a little,Shake your left hand a little,Shake your right foot a little,Shake your left foot a little,And turn you round about.Now we dance looby, looby, looby,Shake your right hand a little,Shake your left hand a little,Shake your right foot a little,Shake your left foot a little,Shake your head a little,And turn you round about.

Nowwe dance looby, looby, looby,Now we dance looby, looby, light,Shake your right hand a littleAnd turn you round about.

Nowwe dance looby, looby, looby,

Now we dance looby, looby, light,

Shake your right hand a little

And turn you round about.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,Shake your right hand a little,Shake your left hand a little,And turn you round about.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Shake your right hand a little,

Shake your left hand a little,

And turn you round about.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,Shake your right hand a little,Shake your left hand a little,Shake your right foot a little,And turn you round about.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Shake your right hand a little,

Shake your left hand a little,

Shake your right foot a little,

And turn you round about.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,Shake your right hand a little,Shake your left hand a little,Shake your right foot a little,Shake your left foot a little,And turn you round about.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Shake your right hand a little,

Shake your left hand a little,

Shake your right foot a little,

Shake your left foot a little,

And turn you round about.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,Shake your right hand a little,Shake your left hand a little,Shake your right foot a little,Shake your left foot a little,Shake your head a little,And turn you round about.

Now we dance looby, looby, looby,

Shake your right hand a little,

Shake your left hand a little,

Shake your right foot a little,

Shake your left foot a little,

Shake your head a little,

And turn you round about.

[Children dance round first, then stop and shake the hand, &c. then turn slowly round, and then dance in a ring again.]

[One child, called the Old Dame, sits on the floor, and the rest, joining hands, form a circle round her, and dancing, sing the following lines:]

Children.To Beccles! to Beccles!To buy a bunch of nettles!Pray, old Dame, what's o'clock?Dame.One, going for two.Children.To Beccles! to Beccles!To buy a bunch of nettles!Pray, old Dame, what's o'clock?Dame.Two, going for three.

Children.To Beccles! to Beccles!To buy a bunch of nettles!Pray, old Dame, what's o'clock?

Children.To Beccles! to Beccles!

To buy a bunch of nettles!

Pray, old Dame, what's o'clock?

Dame.One, going for two.

Children.To Beccles! to Beccles!To buy a bunch of nettles!Pray, old Dame, what's o'clock?

Children.To Beccles! to Beccles!

To buy a bunch of nettles!

Pray, old Dame, what's o'clock?

Dame.Two, going for three.

[And so on till she reaches, "Eleven going for twelve." After this the following questions are asked, with the replies.—C. Where have you been? D. To the wood. C. What for? D. To pick up sticks. C. What for? D. To light my fire. C. What for? D. To boil my kettle. C. What for? D. To cook some of your chickens. The children then all run away as fast as they can, and the Old Dame tries to catch one of them. Whoever is caught is the next to personate the Dame.]

[Children stand round in a circle, leaving a space between each. One walks round the outside, and carries a glove in her hand, saying:]

I'vea glove in my hand,Hittity Hot!Another in my other hand,Hotter than that!So I sow beans, and so they come up,Some in a mug, and some in a cup.I sent a letter to my love,I lost it, I lost it!I found it, I found it!It burns, it scalds.

I'vea glove in my hand,

Hittity Hot!

Another in my other hand,

Hotter than that!

So I sow beans, and so they come up,

Some in a mug, and some in a cup.

I sent a letter to my love,

I lost it, I lost it!

I found it, I found it!

It burns, it scalds.

[Repeating the last words very rapidly, till she drops the glove behind one of them, and whoever has the glove must overtake her, following her exactly in and out till she catches her. If the pursuer makes a mistake in the pursuit, she loses, and the game is over; otherwise she continues the game with the glove.]

[In the following, the various parts of the countenance are touched as the lines are repeated; and at the close the chin is struck playfully, that the tongue may be gently bitten.]

Eyewinker,Tom Tinker,Nose dropper.Mouth eater,Chin chopper,Chin chopper.

Eyewinker,

Tom Tinker,

Nose dropper.

Mouth eater,

Chin chopper,

Chin chopper.

Thumbbold,Thibity-thold,Langman,Lick pan,Mama's little man.

Thumbbold,

Thibity-thold,

Langman,

Lick pan,

Mama's little man.

[A game of the fox.]

Foxa fox, a brummalary,How many miles to Lummaflary? Lummabary.A. Eight and eight, and a hundred and eight.How shall I get home to night?A. Spin your legs, and run fast.

Foxa fox, a brummalary,How many miles to Lummaflary? Lummabary.

Foxa fox, a brummalary,

How many miles to Lummaflary? Lummabary.

A. Eight and eight, and a hundred and eight.How shall I get home to night?

A. Eight and eight, and a hundred and eight.

How shall I get home to night?

A. Spin your legs, and run fast.

[A Christmas custom in Lancashire. The boys dress themselves up with ribands, and perform various pantomimes, after which one of them, who has a blackened face, a rough skin coat, and a broom in his hand, sings as follows.]

Herecome I,Little David Doubt;If you don't give me money,I'll sweep you all out.Money I want,And money I crave;If you don't give me money,I'll sweep you all to the grave!

Herecome I,

Little David Doubt;

If you don't give me money,

I'll sweep you all out.

Money I want,

And money I crave;

If you don't give me money,

I'll sweep you all to the grave!

[The following lines are said by the nurse when moving the child's foot up and down.]

Thedog of the kill,*He went to the millTo lick mill-dust:The miller he cameWith a stick on his back,—Home, dog, home!The foot behind,The foot before:When he came to a stile,Thus he jumped o'er.

Thedog of the kill,*

He went to the mill

To lick mill-dust:

The miller he came

With a stick on his back,—

Home, dog, home!

The foot behind,

The foot before:

When he came to a stile,

Thus he jumped o'er.

* That is, kiln.

[The following lines are repeated by the nurse when sliding her hand down the child's face.]

Mymother and your motherWent over the way;Said my mother to your mother,It's chop-a-nose day!

Mymother and your mother

Went over the way;

Said my mother to your mother,

It's chop-a-nose day!

Eleventh Class--Paradoxes

fancy rule

[The following is quoted in Parkin's reply to Dr. Stukeley's second number of 'Origines Roystonianæ,' 4to, London, 1748, p. vi.]

Peter White will ne'er go right,Would you know the reason why?He follows his nose where'er he goes,And that stands all awry.

eter White will ne'er go right,

Would you know the reason why?

He follows his nose where'er he goes,

And that stands all awry.

O thatI was where I would be,Then would I be where I am not!But where I am must be,And where I would be I cannot.

O thatI was where I would be,

Then would I be where I am not!

But where I am must be,

And where I would be I cannot.

[The following was sung to the tune of Chevy Chase. It was taken from a poetical tale in the 'Choyce Poems,' 12mo, London, 1662, the music to which may be seen in D'Urfey's 'Pills to Purge Melancholy,' 1719, vol. iv, p. 1.]

Threechildren sliding on the iceUpon a summer's day,As it fell out, they all fell in,The rest they ran away.Now had these children been at home,Or sliding on dry ground,Ten thousand pounds to one penny,They had not all been drown'd.You parents all that children have,And you that have got none,If you would have them safe abroad,Pray keep them safe at home.

Threechildren sliding on the iceUpon a summer's day,As it fell out, they all fell in,The rest they ran away.

Threechildren sliding on the ice

Upon a summer's day,

As it fell out, they all fell in,

The rest they ran away.

Now had these children been at home,Or sliding on dry ground,Ten thousand pounds to one penny,They had not all been drown'd.

Now had these children been at home,

Or sliding on dry ground,

Ten thousand pounds to one penny,

They had not all been drown'd.

You parents all that children have,And you that have got none,If you would have them safe abroad,Pray keep them safe at home.

You parents all that children have,

And you that have got none,

If you would have them safe abroad,

Pray keep them safe at home.

Therewas a man of Newington,And he was wond'rous wise,He jump'd into a quickset hedge,And scratch'd out both his eyes:But when he saw his eyes were out,With all his might and main,He jump'd into another hedge,And scratch'd 'em in again.

Therewas a man of Newington,

And he was wond'rous wise,

He jump'd into a quickset hedge,

And scratch'd out both his eyes:

But when he saw his eyes were out,

With all his might and main,

He jump'd into another hedge,

And scratch'd 'em in again.

Upstairs, down stairs, upon my lady's window,There I saw a cup of sack and a race of ginger;Apples at the fire, and nuts to crack,A little boy in the cream-pot up to his neck.

Upstairs, down stairs, upon my lady's window,

There I saw a cup of sack and a race of ginger;

Apples at the fire, and nuts to crack,

A little boy in the cream-pot up to his neck.

I wouldif I cou'd,If I cou'dn't, how cou'd I?I cou'dn't, without I cou'd, cou'd I?Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye?Cou'd ye, cou'd ye?Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye?

I wouldif I cou'd,

If I cou'dn't, how cou'd I?

I cou'dn't, without I cou'd, cou'd I?

Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye?

Cou'd ye, cou'd ye?

Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye?

Ifall the world was apple-pie,And all the sea was ink,And all the trees were bread and cheese,What should we have for drink?

Ifall the world was apple-pie,

And all the sea was ink,

And all the trees were bread and cheese,

What should we have for drink?

Tobaccowick! tobacco wick!When you're well, 'twill make you sick:Tobacco wick! tobacco wick!'Twill make you well when you are sick.

Tobaccowick! tobacco wick!

When you're well, 'twill make you sick:

Tobacco wick! tobacco wick!

'Twill make you well when you are sick.

[The following occurs in a MS. of the seventeenth century, in the Sloane Collection, the reference to which I have mislaid.]

Theman in the wilderness asked me,How many strawberries grew in the sea?I answered him, as I thought good,As many as red herrings grew in the wood.

Theman in the wilderness asked me,

How many strawberries grew in the sea?

I answered him, as I thought good,

As many as red herrings grew in the wood.

[The conclusion of the following resembles a verse in the nursery history of Mother Hubbard.]

Therewas an old woman, and what do you think?She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink:Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet;This tiresome old woman could never be quiet.She went to the baker, to buy her some bread,And when she came home her old husband was dead;She went to the clerk to toll the bell,And when she came back her old husband was well.

Therewas an old woman, and what do you think?She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink:Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet;This tiresome old woman could never be quiet.

Therewas an old woman, and what do you think?

She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink:

Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet;

This tiresome old woman could never be quiet.

She went to the baker, to buy her some bread,And when she came home her old husband was dead;She went to the clerk to toll the bell,And when she came back her old husband was well.

She went to the baker, to buy her some bread,

And when she came home her old husband was dead;

She went to the clerk to toll the bell,

And when she came back her old husband was well.

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