Act I.—Scene II.

Enter Actors.

Room, room, brave gallants, give us room to sport,
For in this room we have a mind to resort—
Resort, and to repeat to you our merry rhyme,
For remember, good sirs, this is Christmas time;
The time to cut up goose pies now doth appear,
So we are come to act our merry mirth here:
At the sounding of the trumpet, and beating of the drum,
Make room, brave gentlemen, and let our actors come.
We are the merry actors that traverses the street;
We are the merry actors that fight for our meat;
We are the merry actors that show the pleasant play:
Step in, thou king of Egypt, and clear the way.
King of Egypt. I am the king of Egypt, as plainly doth appear,
And Prince George he is my only son and heir:
Step in, therefore, my son, and act thy part with me,
And shew forth thy praise before the company.
Prince George. I am Prince George, a champion brave and bold,
For with my spear I’ve won three crowns of gold;
’Twas I that brought the Dragon to the slaughter,
And I that gain’d the Egyptian monarch’s daughter.
In Egypt’s fields I prisoner long was kept,
But by my valour I from them soon ’scap’d:
I sounded at the gates of a divine,
And out came a giant of no good design;
He gave me a blow, which almost struck me dead,
But I up with my sword, and did cut off his head.
Alexander. Hold, Stacker, hold, pray do not be so hot,
For on this spot thou knowest not who thou’s got;
’Tis I that’s to hash thee and smash thee as small as flies,
And lend thee to Satan to make minch pies:
Minch pies hot, minch pies cold—
I’ll send thee to Satan ere thou be three days’ old.
But, hold, Prince George, before thou go away,
Either thou or I must die this bloody day;
Some mortal wounds thou shalt receive by me,
So let us fight it out most manfully.
[Exeunt.

Act II.—Scene I.

Alexander and Prince George fight: the latter is wounded, and falls.

King of Egypt speaks.

Curs’d Christian, what is this thou hast done?
Thou hast ruin’d me by killing my best son.
Alex. He gave me a challenge—why should I him deny?
How high he was, but see how low he lies!
K. of Egypt. O Sambo! Sambo! help me now,
For I never was in more need;
For thou to stand with sword in hand,
And to fight at my command.
Doct. Yes, my liege, I will thee obey,
And by my sword I hope to win the day:
Yonder stands he who has kill’d my master’s son;
I’ll see if he be sprung from royal blood,
And through his body make an ocean flood.
Gentleman, you see my sword-point is broke,
Or else I’d run it down that villain’s throat.
K. of Egypt. Is there never a doctor to be found,
That can cure my son of his deadly wound?
Doct. Yes, there is a doctor to be found,
That can cure your son of his deadly wound.
K. of Egypt. What diseases can he cure?
Doct. All diseases, both within and without,
Especially the itch, ...., palsy, and the gout;
Come in, you ugly, nasty, dirty....,
Whose age is threescore years or more,
Whose nose and face stands all awry,
I’ll make her very fitting to pass by.
I’ll give a coward a heart, if he be willing,
Will make him stand without fear of killing.
And any man that’s got a scolding spouse,
That wearies him with living in his house,
I’ll ease him of his complaint, and make her civil,
Or else will send her headlong to the devil.
Ribs, legs, or arms, when any’s broke, I’m sure
I presently of them will make a cure;
Nay, more than this by far, I will maintain,
If you should break your neck, I’ll cur’t again.
So here’s a doctor rare, who travels much at home,
Here take my pills, I cure all ills, past, present, and to come:
I in my time many thousands have directed,
And likewise have as many more dissected.
To cure the love-sick maid, like me there’s none,
For with two of my pills the job I’ve done;
I take her home, and rubs her o’er and o’er,
Then if she dies ne’er believe me more.
To cure your son, good sir, I do fear not,
With this small bottle, which by me I’ve got.
The balsam is the best which it contains,
Rise up, my good Prince George, and fight again.
[Exeunt.

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.

H
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.