Many old games worth recording are still played by Cornish children,
out of doors in summer, indoors in winter, and at their numerous
school-treats. To those common elsewhere, other names in Cornwall are
often given, and different words sung. Some well known thirty-five
years ago, now (1890) live only in the memory of those who were
children then, or linger in a very fragmentary state in some remote
country districts. Such as
"Here come three dukes a-riding."
To play this the children were divided into two parties. In the first
were only the three dukes; in the second the other players, who stood
in a long line, linked hand in hand, facing them,--the mother in the
middle, with her daughters ranged according to size on each side of
her. One duke was chosen as spokesman, and he began the following
dialogue, which was sung; the party singing advanced and retreated,
whilst the others stood still:--
"Here 'comes' three dukes a-riding, a-riding--
Here 'comes' three dukes a-riding, to court your daughter Jane."
"My daughter Jane is yet too young
To bear your silly, flattering tongue."
"Be she young or be she old,
She for her beauty must and shall be sold."
"So fare thee well, my lady gay,
We'll take our horse and ride away,
And call again another day."
"Come back! come back! you Spanish knight,
And clean your spurs, they are not bright."
"My spurs are bright as 'rickety rock' (and richly wrought),
And in this town they were not bought,
And in this town they shan't be sold,
Neither for silver, copper, nor gold.
So fare thee well," etc.
"Come back! come back! you Spanish Jack (or coxcomb)."
"Spanish Jack (or coxcomb) is not my name,
I'll stamp my foot (stamps) and say the same.
So fare thee well," etc.
"Come back! come back! you Spanish knight,
And choose the fairest in your sight."