Context:
| Location: |
Belfast, Antrim (IJ3474) |
| Year: |
1803 to 1818 |
| Time of Occurrence: |
Christmas |
| Collective Name: |
[Not given] |
|
Source:
[Anon. (Auth.)]
The Christmas Rhime or The Mummer's Own Book
Belfast, Smyth & Lyons, c.1803-1818
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Cast:
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Text:
[Introducer]
Room room brave gallant boys, come give us room to Rhime.
We are come to show our activity in Christmas Time.
Active young and active age,
the like was never acted on a stage,
and if you don't believe what I say
enter in Prince George and clear the way.
Prince George
Here come I knight George from England have I sprung
one of those noble deeds of valour to begin ;
seven long Years in a close Cave have I been kept,
and out of that into a prison leapt,
and out of that unto a rock of Stone
where there I made my sad & grievous moan.
Many a Giant I did subdue ;
I run the fiery dragon thr' & thro' ;
I freed fair Sabra from the stake,
what more could mortal man then undertake ;
I fought them all courageously
and still have gained the victory ;
and will always fight for LIBERTY ;
here I draw my bloody weapon,
shew me the man that dare me stand,
I'll cut him down with my courageous hand.
Turky Champion
I am the man that Dare you challenge, whose courage is great,
and with my sword I made Dukes and Earls to quake.
{George Answers}
Prince George
Who are you but a silly lad.
Turky Champion
I am a Turky champion, from Turkeyland I came,
to fight you the great George by Name.
I'll cut you and slash you,
and send you to Turkey,
to make mince pies baked in an oven ;
and after I have done, I'll fight ever a champion in all Christendom.
Prince George [?]
A Doctor, a Doctor, ten pounds for a Doctor,
is there never a Doctor to be found,
can cure this man of his deep and mortal wound.
Doctor
I am a doctor, pure and good,
and with my sword can staunch his blood
If you have a mind this Man's life to save
full fifty Guineas I must have.
Prince George [?]
What can you cure, Doctor?
{Answer}
Doctor
I can cure the Plague within, the Plague without,
the Palsy and the Gout ;
Moreoverthan that,
if you bring me an old woman of threescore and ten
and Nuckle-bone of her toe be broke ;
I can set it in again,
and if you don't believe what I say,
enter in St. Patrick and clear the way.
St. Patrick
Here come I St. Patrick in shining armour bright
a famous Champion and a worthy knight.
What was St. George but St. Patrick's boy,
he fed is horse seven long Years on oats and hay,
and afterwards be run away
I say by George you lie sir
pull out your sword and try sir,
pull out your purse and pay sir
I'll run my Sword thro' your body
and make you run away sir,
so enter in Oliver Cromwell and clear the way.
Oliver Cromwell
Here comes I Oliver Cromwell as you may suppose,
I conquered many Nations with my Copper Nose ;
I made my foes for to tremble, and my enemies for to quake,
and beat all my opposers till I made their hearts to ake ;
and if you don't believe what I say,
enter in Belzebub and clear the way.
Belzebub
Here come I Belzebub
and over my shoulder I carry my club
and in my hand a dripping pan ;
& I think myself a jolly old man
& if you don't believe what I say,
enter Devil-doubt and clear the way
Devil-doubt
Here come I little Devil-doubt,
if you don't give me money I'll sweep you all out
Money I want and Money I crave,
If you don't give me Money I'll sweep 'ee all to he grave.
Gentlemen and Ladies, since our sport is ended,
our box now must be recommended :
our box would speak if it had a tongue,
nine or ten shillings would do it no wrong,
all silver and no brass.
{Song by them all}
[All]
Your cellar doors are lock'd and we're all like to choak
And it's all for the drink, That we sing Boys sing.
{End of the RHIME}
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File History:
1997-03-12 - Entered by Peter Millington
2021-01-15 - TEI-encoded by Peter Millington
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Extras:
Dramaturgical Chart
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The chart reveals the dramaturgical structure of the play by showing which speeches in the script are spoken which character. Vertical lines indicate stage directions.
TEI-encoded File
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Other Information
There may be more about this text at:
https://folkplay.info/resources/texts-and-contexts/belfast-christmas-rhyme-smyth-lyons-1803-1818.
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