Notes, Archaological and Historical. 313 



Here comes I, old Almanick, 



With my girt head and little wit. 



Though my wit is but small 



Yet I'm the best man 'mongst ye all. 



My knuckle bones are very hard, 



Pray Doctor, come and feel (Doctor feels). 



(Doctoe) Yes, thy bones are very hard, 



I think thou be'est a girt blackguard. 



Room ! Koom ! Let the valiant soldier clear the way. 



{Enter Valiant Soldieh.) 



Here comes I, the Valiant Soldier, 



Ciiterman Slasherman * is my name : 



All through these cold wars I lately came. 



I and seven more stood the battle of 'leven score. 



What man stands there wi' his sword in his hand P 



I'll actually cut him and slash him as small as dust. 



And send him to the pastrycook's shop to make minced pie-crust. 



(Father Christmas amrf Valiant Soldieb ^^A^, Father Christmas /a^/*). 



(King George) Is there a doctor to be found 



To cure this man lying blooding on the ground? 



(Valiant Soldier) Yes, I'm a doctor pure and good ; 

 A little o' my physic '11 do he good. 



{Se hits Father Christmas three thumps on the back t with the flat of 

 his sword, saying) Rise, Father Christmas. 



(All join hands across and sing, as before). 

 Once we was wounded, &c. 



(Val. Sol.) If you don't believe in what I say 

 Let Little Man Jack clear the way. 



{Enter Little Man Jack) J 



Here comes I, Little Man Jack, 

 Wi' all my family at my back. 

 Ont o' 'leven I got but seven, 

 Half of they be gone to heaven; 

 Out of seven I got but five, 

 Half of they be starved alive. § 

 Out of five I got but three 

 Half of they be gone to sea. 



• Corruption of " Cut them and slash them." 



+ Father Christmas wears a cushion on his back .is a hump. 



t Little Man Jack wears a row of dolls strung on his back. 



} Qutry — does " starved alive " mean " frozen to death." 1 have been told it does. 



