_Sweet_ Maid, for thou art _maid_ of many _sweets_,
Behind thy counter, lo! I see thee standing,
Gaz’d at by wanton wand’rers in the streets,
While _cakes_, to _cakes_, thy _pretty fist_ is handing.
Light as a _puff_ appears thy every motion,
Yet thy replies I’ve heard are sometimes _tart_;
I deem thee a _preserve_, yet I’ve a notion
That warm as _brandied cherries_ is thy heart.
Then be not to thy lover like an _ice_,
Nor sour as _raspberry vinegar_ to one
Who owns thee for a _sugar-plum_ so nice,
Nicer than _comfit_, _syllabub_, or _bun_.
I love thee more than all the girls so natty,
I do, indeed, my _sweet_, my _savoury_ PATTY.
* * * * *
“HOLLY NIGHT” AT BROUGH.
_For the Table Book._
The ancient custom of carrying the “holly tree” on Twelfth Night, at
Brough in Westmoreland, is represented in the accompanying engraving.
Formerly the “Holly-tree” at Brough was really “holly,” but ash being
abundant, the latter is now substituted. There are two head inns in the
town; which provide for the ceremony alternately, though the good
townspeople mostly lend their assistance in preparing the tree, to every
branch of which they fasten a torch. About eight o’clock in the evening,
it is taken to a convenient part of the town, where the torches are
lighted, the town band accompanying and playing till all is completed,
when it is removed to the lower end of the town; and, after divers
salutes and huzzas from the spectators, is carried up and down the town,
in stately procession, usually by a person of renowned strength, named
Joseph Ling. The band march behind it, playing their instruments, and
stopping every time they reach the town bridge, and the cross, where the
“holly” is again greeted with shouts of applause. Many of the
inhabitants carry lighted branches and flambeaus; and rockets, squibs,
&c. are discharged on the joyful occasion. After the tree is thus
carried, and the torches are sufficiently burnt, it is placed in the
middle of the town, when it is again cheered by the surrounding
populace, and is afterwards thrown among them. They eagerly watch for
this opportunity; and, clinging to each end of the tree, endeavour to
carry it away to the inn they are contending for, where they are allowed
their usual quantum of ale and spirits, and pass a “_merry night_,”
which seldom breaks up before two in the morning.
[Illustration: ~Carrying the “Holly Tree” at Brough, Westmoreland.~]
To every branch a torch they tie,
To every torch a light apply;
At each new light send forth huzzas
Till all the tree is in a blaze;
And then bear it flaming through the town,
With minstrelsy, and rockets thrown.
Although the origin of this usage is lost, and no tradition exists by
which it can be traced, yet it may not be a strained surmise to derive
it from the church ceremony of the day when branches of trees were
carried in procession to decorate the altars, in commemoration of the
offerings of the Magi, whose names are handed down to us as Melchior,
Gaspar, and Balthasar, the patrons of travellers. In catholic countries,
flambeaus and torches always abound in their ceremonies; and persons
residing in the streets through which they pass, testify their zeal and
piety by providing flambeaus at their own expense, and bringing them
lighted to the doors of their houses.