The Peace Egg and Other tales Part 6

_Enter_ FOOL.

FOOL. Good morrow, friends and neighbours dear, We are right glad to meet you here, Christmas comes but once a year, But when it comes it brings good cheer, And when it's gone it's no longer near.

May luck attend the milking-pail, Yule logs and cakes in plenty be, May each blow of the thras.h.i.+ng-flail Produce good frumenty.

And let the Wa.s.sail Cup abound, Whene'er the mummers' time comes round.

_Air, "Le Pet.i.t Tambour._"

_Sings._ Now all ye jolly mummers Who mum in Christmas time, Come join with me in chorus, Come join with me in rhyme.

[_He has laid his bauble, over his shoulder, and it is taken by_ ST.

GEORGE, _who is followed by all the other actors, each laying his sword over his right shoulder and his left hand on the sword-point in front of him, and all marking time with their feet till the circle is complete, when they march round singing the chorus over and over again._]

_Chorus._ And a mumming we will go, will go, And a mumming we will go, With a bright c.o.c.kade in all our hats, we'll go with a gallant show.

[_Disperse, and stand aside._]

[_Enter_ FATHER CHRISTMAS.]

FATHER CHRISTMAS Here comes I, old Father Christmas; Welcome, or welcome not, I hope poor old Father Christmas Will never be forgot!

My head is white, my back is bent, My knees are weak, my strength is spent.

Eighteen hundred and eighty-three Is a very great age for me.

And if I'd been growing all these years What a monster I should be!

Now I have but a short time to stay, And if you don't believe what I say-- Come in, Dame Dolly, and clear the way.

[_Enter_ DAME DOLLY.]

DAME DOLLY. Here comes I, little Dame Dolly, Wearing smart caps in all my folly.

If any gentleman takes my whim, I'll set my holiday cap at him.

To laugh at my cap would be very rude; I wish you well, and I won't intrude.

Gentlemen now at the door do stand, They will walk in with drawn swords in hand, And if you don't believe what I say-- Let one Fool and four knights from the British Isles come in and clear the way!

[_Enter_ FOOL_ and four Christian knights._]

FOOL[_shaking his bells at intervals_].

Room, room, brave gallants, give us room to sport, For to this room we wish now to resort: Resort, and to repeat to you our merry rhyme, For remember, good sirs, that this is Christmas time.

The time to make mince-pies doth now appear, So we are come to act our merriment in 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 traverse the street, We are the merry actors that fight for our meat, We are the merry actors that show pleasant play.

Stand forth, St. George, thou champion, and clear the way.

[_Trumpet sounds for_ ST. GEORGE.]

[ST. GEORGE _stands forth and walks up and down with sword on shoulder._]

ST. GEORGE. I am St. George, from good Old England sprung, My famous name throughout the world hath rung, Many b.l.o.o.d.y deeds and wonders have I shown, And made false tyrants tremble on their throne.

I followed a fair lady to a giant's gate, Confined in dungeon deep to meet her fate.

Then I resolved with true knight-errantry To burst the door, and set the captive free.

Far have I roamed, oft have I fought, and little do I rest; All my delight is to defend the right, and succour the opprest.

And now I'll slay the Dragon bold, my wonders to begin; A fell and fiery Dragon he, but I will clip his wing.

I'll clip his wings, he shall not fly, I'll rid the land of him, or else I'll die.

[_Enter_ THE DRAGON, _with a sword over his shoulder._]

DRAGON. Who is it seeks the Dragon's blood, And calls so angry and so loud?

That English dog who looks so proud-- If I could catch him in my claw-- With my long teeth and horrid jaw, Of such I'd break up half a score, To stay my appet.i.te for more.

Marrow from his bones I'd squeeze, And suck his blood up by degrees.

[ST. GEORGE _and_ THE DRAGON _fight_. THE DRAGON_ is killed_. _Exit_ DRAGON.]

ST. GEORGE. I am St. George, that worthy champion bold, And with my sword and spear I won three crowns of gold.

I fought the fiery Dragon and brought him to the slaughter, By which behaviour I won the favour of the King of Egypt's daughter.

Thus I have gained fair Sabra's hand, who long had won her heart.

Stand forth, Egyptian Princess, and boldly act thy part!

[_Enter_ THE PRINCESS SABRA.]

SABRA. I am the Princess Sabra, and it is my delight, My chiefest pride, to be the bride of this gallant Christian knight.

[ST. GEORGE _kneels and kisses her hand_. FOOL _advances and holds up his hands over them._]

FOOL. Why here's a sight will do any honest man's heart good, To see the Dragon-slayer thus subdued!

[ST. GEORGE _rises_. _Exit_ SABRA.]

ST. GEORGE. Keep thy jests in thy pocket if thou would'st keep thy head on thy shoulders.

I love a woman, and a woman loves me, And when I want a fool I'll send for thee.

If there is any man but me Who noxious beasts can tame, Let him stand forth in this gracious company, And boldly tell his name.

[ST. GEORGE _stands aside_. _Trumpet sounds for_ ST. PATRICK.]

[ST. PATRICK _stands forth._]

ST. PATRICK. I am St. Patrick from the bogs, This truth I fain would learn ye, I banished serpents, toads, and frogs, From beautiful Hibernia.

I flourished my s.h.i.+llelah And the reptiles all ran races, And they took their way into the sea, And they've never since shown their faces.

[_Enter_ THE PRINCE OF PARADINE.]

PRINCE. I am black Prince of Paradine, born of high renown, Soon will I fetch thy lofty courage down.

Cry grace, thou Irish conqueror of toads and frogs, Give me thy sword, or else I'll give thy carcase to the dogs.

ST. PATRICK. Now, Prince of Paradine, where have you been?

And what fine sights pray have you seen?

Dost think that no man of thy age Dares such a black as thee engage?

Stand off, thou black Morocco dog, or by my sword thou'lt die, I'll pierce thy body full of holes, and make thy b.u.t.tons fly.

[_They fight._ THE PRINCE OF PARADINE _is slain._]

ST. PATRICK. Now Prince of Paradine is dead, And all his joys entirely fled, Take him and give him to the flies.

That he may never more come near my eyes.