C.Brown (1874)
Main Variant |
Transcription
|
Plough Monday, commonly known in Nottinghamshire as "Plough Bullock Day," was, until within the last year or two, regarded as an important carnival by the farm labourers, whether young or old. During the day, boys adorned with paper finery, and with cheeks dyed a deep red by the applica- tion of ochre, paraded the village streets, sometimes singly and at other times in bodies, soliciting contributions by the request of "Remember the Plough Bullocks." As evening approached the men's turn came, and they invariably excelled the juveniles in the elaborate nature of their personal decorations. The vainest lady in the land could hardly take more pains in the arrangement of her attire than did some of these "Bullocks." Paints, feathers, strange clothes, and other articles were brought into active requisition, and when the wearer appeared at last in the full splendour of his costume - a strange gaunt figure, with sundry tufts of feathers, and armed with a thick bludgeon - he looked the fac simile of an Indian chief in full battle array. The men generally met at some appointed ren- dezvous, and visited the residences of the tradesmen and farmers. In South Notts., after being admitted into the farmer's kitchen, they would proceed with a novel play, at which frequent rehearsals had made them proficient. We have succeeded in
84 Notes about Notts.
obtaining, from the dictation of one who had frequently taken a part in these performances, a copy of the words used on the occasion. The party forming a circle, enter the leader loquitor :-
In comes bold Anthony, As bold as a mantle tree (sic.) I am come to show you sport, activity. A room, a room, a gallant room! And give us leave to sport, For in this house I do resort, It is a merry day. Step in, the King of England, and boldly clear the way.
[Enter King.]
I am the King of England, And so boldly do appear; I'm come to seek my only son, My only son is here. If you don't agree to what I say, Step in, Prince George, thou valiant knight, And boldly clear the way.
[Enter the Prince.]
I am Prince George, the valiant knight, In fighting I took great delight ; I fought two fiery dragons, and brought about great slaughter, And by those means I gained Selina, the King of England's daughter.
[At this juncture, mirabile dictu, a scrimmage ensues and the warlike Prince is overcome.]
[Enter Selina.]
Who calls for Selina?
THE KING: Selina, to thee I call, behold! They have killed my Prince. Oh, terrible ! what hast thou done ? Thou hast ruined me, and killed my son. Is there ne'er a doctor to be found? To cure this deep and deadly wound.
[Enter Doctor.]
Oh, yes, there is a doctor to be found, To cure this deep and deadly wound.
THE KING: What is your pay?
DOCTOR: Ten pounds is my pay, But as thou art an old friend, I'll take nine of thee.
KING: What canst thou cure?
DOCTOR: I can cure the palsy and the gout, Pains within and pains without ; Bring a woman to me aged three score years and ten, I'll take her collar-bone out and put it in again.
THE KING: Then, cure me, my son.
DOCTOR: I'll cure your son as safe and sound As any man on England's ground.
[Applies something to the lips ofthe youth.]
Here, George, take a little of my nip-nap (sic.), Put it down thy lictap (sic.), Arise, and fight again.
[George arises accordingly.]
I've searched his wounds, I've drained his blood, I've given him that that's done him good.
Historical and Antiquarian. 85
Immediately at the close of the performance contributions are solicited from the spectators, and the band proceed elsewhere to repeat the doggerel and to again go through the same antics. When the last place has been visited the treasurer accounts to his comrades as to the state of the exchequer, and a supper and jollification generally closes the proceedings on "Plough Bullock Day." In other parts of the county the men, donned in fantastic attire, paraded the streets drawing a plough, which had previously been well cleansed and decorated for the occasion. There were no grotesque performances, but the exhibition of the plough was accompanied by the singing of the words :-
"My back is made of iron, my body's made of steel, And if you don't believe it, put your fingers on and feel."
There was, of course, the collection and the final party after- wards. Within the last year or two these customs have been very much discontinued, and in the course of a short time the doings which we have just described will be known only as events of the past. |
|