Context:
| Location: |
Gainford, Durham, England (NZ1716) |
| Year: |
Perf. about 1860 |
| Time of Occurrence: |
Christmas |
| Collective Name: |
[Not given] |
|
Source:
E.C.Cawte et al
English Ritual Drama : A Geographical Index
London, Folklore Society, 1967, pp.78-84
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Cast:
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Text:
Clown
Crack a bottle that fellow has got no supper this morning
nor breakfast last night.
King
Spectators, silence keep, our dancers will appear
We're six as clever lads as ever danced here
We're six dancers young, never danced much before
We'll do the best we can, the best can do no more.
So be of courage bold and young men each and old
Let nothing here you daunt when on you I do call.
The first that I call on he is a spark from France
He's the first man on the list but the second in the dance.
1st Dancer
God bless you honest fame and all your young men too
I've come to act my part as well as I can do.
King
If thou will act thy part and never from me flee
I'll call our young men in one by one, by two, by three.
The next that I call on his name is Mr. Bold
As good a swordman he as ever sword did hold.
2nd Dancer
My valour has been tried in city, town and field
I ne'er could find the man that once could make me yield
King
The next that I call in his name is Mr. Wild
I fear the worst of all those maids he does beguile
3rd Dancer
I've travelled many a mile 'tis not for my gain
It is for my true love and I'll travel it over again.
Clown
Red rum for dancers and give us room to ring
I'll show the most curious sport that was ever acted on this King's
reign, actors young, actors aged
I'll show you the most curious sport that was ever acted on the stage
If you don't believe the words I say
I will call the real King of Macedonia
King
Here comes the great King of Macedonia
And here I do advance
Clown
And I'm the ragged clown come to see the dance
King
Dance, dance, wert thou ever admitted to see a King dance
Clown
Hark canny fellow, was not thou driving the swine the other day
Or stealing the swine as I should say.
King
Hold thy tongue thou saucy rascal
Thou will be hanged I fear.
I am a King and a conqueror, and a King of high renown
Have I to be offended at thou a silly ragged clown.
Clown
If thou wert hanged I'd me a better King than thou
Thou need not be so much offended nor make such an ugly face
King
Thy impudence doth protect thee, but I both swear and vow
I've been the death of many a man, and I'll be the death of thou,
And now the next he is a Prince of noble fame
Has spent a large estate and the wars he will maintain.
4th Dancer
{answers} Although I be a Prince, my name I'll not deny
Although I be a Prince, my valour here I'll try.
King
The last that I call on he is a squire's son
He's like to lose his love, because he is too young.
5th Dancer
Although I be too young, I've money for to roam
I'll freely spend it all, before my love I'll lose.
Clown
Now I'm the last myself, my name is Captain Tom
All the lasses know me well with going to court them
You sent me before, to knock at your door
To see if you'd let us come in
My waistcoat and coat are made of mohair
My breeches are made of standoff
My stockings and shoes are made of refuse
And my sword cries come if you dare
{Then all dance round the clown and when their swords are round his neck he
sings}
Just now I'm going to die as you may plainly see
These six glittering swords will soon put an end to me
{They then draw their swords and he falls down.}
King
Now since our Hector's dead and on the ground is laid
We'll have to suffer for it, young men I'm sore afraid
1st Dancer
I'm sure it's none of me, I'm clear of the crime
It's he who followed me which drew his sword so fine.
2nd Dancer
Don't lay the blame on me, I'm clear of the fact
It's he that followed me, that did this wicked act.
3rd Dancer
Don't lay the blame on me you villains all
I'm sure my eyes were shut when the first sword was drawn.
4th Dancer
How could your eyes be shut, when you were looking on
I'm sure vou were with us when the verv first sword was drawn.
5th Dancer
Now since I am the last, the blame I'll have to take
So on my bended knees for pardon I do crave.
King
Now since you've told the truth and told it unto me
We'll do the best we can to bury him privately
2nd Clown
Bury him, bury him, the devil bury him
I've heard of a doctor far and near one in France and one in Spain
Either of these men would bring him to life again
King
A doctor, a doctor, ten pounds for a doctor.
Doctor
Here am I
King
Well Doctor what is thy fee
Doctor
Ten pounds is my fee,
but nine pounds nineteen shillings eleven pence three farthings I'll take of thee
King
Pooh, Pooh, 'tis far too much, I'll not give it thee
Doctor
One bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
So I'm off home again.
King
Stay, Doctor, stay and try thy skill
Doctor
Yes indeed that I will
King
How far have you travelled Doctor
Doctor
Oh ! all over England France and Spain
And now I've come to cure this man whom you have slain
So ladies and gentlemen my business to complete
You shall see this dead man rise to his feet
Arise young man arise
{Clown, getting up sings:}
Clown
Good morrow gentlemen, a-sleeping I have been
I've had such a sleep as the like was never seen
But now I am awake, and here I am this day
So we'll have a dance and the doctor shall have his pay
{They sing:}
[All]
When first King Henry ruled this land
He was a gracious king
He bought six pecks of barley meal
To make a large pudding
{Then they dance, and afterwards sang any popular songs.}
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Notes:
Ordish Collection: MS Alice Edleston, Gainford Vicarage, 1893. A 6th dancer is mentioned in the introduction, but appears to have no dialogue in the text.
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File History:
1994-12-26 - Entered by Peter Millington
1997-03-25 - File name by Peter Millington
2021-01-15 - TEI-encoded by Peter Millington
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Extras:
Dramaturgical Chart
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Other Information
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https://folkplay.info/resources/texts-and-contexts/gainford-durham-sword-dance-play-1860.
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