Mummers' Play from Romsey, Hants | ||
Welcome Welcome old father Christmas
In comes old Father Christmas
Welcome or welcome not
I hope old Father Christmas will never be forgot
Rome Rome I do disdain
For after comes St George & all his noble Train
and in this Room there shall be shown
The finest Battle that ever was known
Between St Geo. & ye Turkish Knight
Enter St. George—who says
In come I St George St George
That valiant Man of courage bold
all with my Sword and Spear I won 10 Crowns of Gold
I fought the fierce Dragon and brought him to slaughter
& by this means I won the Kg of Bohemia's Daughter
Enter Turkish Knight
In come I the Turkish Knight
old England for the fight
I will fight St George that valiant Man of courage bold
and if his Blood is hot I'll quickly make it cold.
They fight & St George vanquishes T. Knight.
St George
then Says
I am a little Man that talks very bold
much like a Lad that I have been told
Therefore draw out thy Sword & fight, pull out thy Purse & pay—
Satisfaction I will have before I go away
Turkish Knight
Spare Me St Geo: & do not cut Me down
St George
Oh, I'll cut thee down & thou shalt rise no more
Then forfeit thy life to make a Store.
Gentn & Ladies walk out & see what Miracles I've done.
I've cut & slain my Father down all by y Evening Sun.
89
To heal ye Sick & raise ye dead again.
Oh yes, there is an Italian Doctor lately come from Spain
To heal ye Sick & raise ye dead again.
Doctor appears
Oh Doctor what canst Thou cure
Docr
I can cure ye Itch P. Palsy & Gout
and raging Pains that run both in & out
Broken Legs & arms, if any Man shall break his Neck
I will set it again, & have nothing for my Pains
To y Doctor
Oh Doctor what is thy Pay
Doc.
Ten Guineas is my Fee, but 10 pds I will take of thee
Take it—
Doctr.
Ive got a little Bottle in y Band of my Breeches called
Elecampane— applies it saying
Rise, Beau Champion,
& fight again
(The T. Knight rises up) & says
The Dragon is my Enemy, to quietly end ye Strife
I'll crop his wings, He shall fly no more,
St George shall end his Life.
Enter Cut & Star
In come I cut & Star—just come from ye bloody War
I & seven more will beat eleven Score.
Marching Men of War, many Battles I have Seen
Many Battles I have been in for St Geo. our King.
Enter Poor & Mean—He Says
In come I poor & Mean, hardly worthy to be seen
Christmas comes but once a Year
When it comes it brings good Cheer
Roast Beef, Plum Pudding & mince Pye
no body loves them better than I
a Mug of yr Christmas Ale will make us dance & sing
& money in our Pockets is a very fine Thing.
Enter Bold Slasher
In come I Bold Slasher, Bold Slasher is my Name
with my Sword & Buckler by my side I hope to win this Game
what Man, what Man comes under my bloody Hand
I cut him and slay Him as small as dust
and send him to ye Cook's Shop to make Pye Crust
Enter Twing Twang
90
I press all these bold Mummers & send them aboard
a Man of War—To fight the French & Dutch
& Spaniards also
Enter Jolly Jack
In come I Jolly Jack with my Wife & Children at my Back
when she comes she only Says
Gent. & Ladies give me what You please
Exeunt omnes, saying
I wish You a merry Christmas, & a happy new Year
a pocket full of Money & a Cellar full of Beer.
Mummers' Play from Romsey, Hants | ||