262 DECEMBER 



" We doan't come yer but wunst a year, 



An' hopes 'tis no offence ; 

 An' if it is praay tell us zo, 

 An' zoon we ; ool go hence. 



Chorus With a hey dum dum, etc." 



The invitation to enter is given, and the mum- 

 mers go round to the kitchen, where presently the 

 members of the family and the servants are gathered 

 to witness the play. Each mummer enters singly 

 in a conventional order, and each when he has come 

 in proceeds to tramp round the room in a dizzy 

 circle, excepting while the floor is occupied by the 

 fight, when all except the combatants stand aside 

 for a while. 



THE MUMMERS' PLAY. 



Excursions without, followed by a knock at the door. Enter 

 FATHER CHRISTMAS, attired in motley of chintz, from his high- 

 crowned indefinite headgear depending fringes of coloured paper 

 reaching nearly to the waist, and partly concealing his features. 



FATHER CHRISTMAS. 



In comes I, wold Veyther Christmas, 



Welcome or welcome not ; 

 I hopes wold Veyther Christmas 



'Ool never be forgot. 



Christmas comes but wunst a year, 



An' when it comes it brings good cheer ; 



Roast beef, plum pudding, strong beer, mince pie, 



Who likes that any better'n little Happy Jack'n I ? 



In this room there shall be shown 

 The girtest battle as ever was known, 

 Between King Jarge an' the Turkish Knight, 

 Come over into old England vor to vight. 



A room, a room ! I do assume 

 Vor my brave bwoys an' soldiers too ; 

 An' that's the reason why I zay 

 Walk in, King Jarge, an' clear thy way. 



