| Share page |
|
116 |
||
|
load of wood, and threw him on the fire, feet upwards, to the delight of the count and the astonishment of all; and of the poor ass, no doubt, more than all.
A small portion of the log was to be carefully preserved to light that of the following year; and on the last day of its being in use, which, in some places, was on Candlemas Day, a small piece having been kept on purpose, the custom was to
" Kindle the Christmas brand, and then Till sunne-set let it burne ; Which quencht, then lay it up agen, Till Christmas next returne.
Part must be kept, wherewith to teend
The Christmas log next yeare; And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend
Can do no mischiefe there."
The Souche de Noel, in some places on the Continent, was very similar to our log.
As to minstrels, the waits of Southwark, according to the Citizen in the { Knight of the Burning Pestle,' were as rare fellows as any in England, and two shillings would bring them all o'er the water with a vengeance, as if they were mad. In the commencement of the following reign a character in a play by Shirley introduces the city waits in a speech that, with one slight alteration, is applicable to the present panic felt by many persons respecting the possibility of foreign invasion: "We will have the city waites down with us, and a noise of trumpets; we can have drums in the country, and the train-band, and then let the [French] come an they dare." |
||