_MIRTH AND JEST._
--fulle stuffed a male
Of disportes and newe pleyes.
_Chaucer's Dreme._
No. 75.
+_Club Fist._+
A child lays on a table his clenched fist, with the thumb elevated;
another grasps the raised thumb with his own fist, and so on until a
pile of fists is built up. A player, who remains apart from the group,
then addresses the child whose hand is at the top:
"What's that?"
"A pear."
"Take it off or I'll knock it off."
The same conversation is repeated with the next child, and so on; the
fist being withdrawn as speedily as possible, to escape a rap from the
questioner. When only one is left, the following dialogue ensues:
"What have you got there?"
"Bread and cheese."
"Where's my share?"
"Cat's got it."
"Where's the cat?"
"In the woods."
"Where's the woods?"
"Fire burned it."
"Where's the fire?"
"Water quenched it."
"Where's the water?"
"Ox drank it."
"Where's the ox?"
"Butcher killed it."
"Where's the butcher?"
"Rope hung him."
"Where's the rope?"
"Rat gnawed it."
"Where's the rat?"
"Cat caught it."
"Where's the cat?"
"Behind the church-door. The first who laughs, or grins, or shows the
teeth has three pinches and three knocks."
Then follows a general scattering; for some child is sure to laugh, and
if he does not do so of his own accord, his neighbors will certainly
tweak him, poke him, or otherwise excite his risibility.
_Georgia._
In Pennsylvania the conversation ends:
"Where's the butcher?"
"He's behind the door cracking nuts, and whoever speaks first
I'll slap his fingers,
Because I am the keeper of the keys,
And I do whatever I please."
This dialogue, based on a well-known nursery tale, has maintained
itself with remarkable persistence, and even verbal identity, in
several European languages. We meet it in Germany and Denmark, as well
as England.
No. 76.
_Robin's Alive._
This celebrated game was formerly much played in New England during the
winter evenings. A stick was lighted, and passed from hand to hand. It
was an object to transfer it as quickly as possible; but each player,
before handing it to his neighbor, must repeat the rhyme--
The bird is alive, and alive like to be,
If it dies in my hand you may back-saddle me.
Or else, "Robin's alive," etc.
The "back-saddling" consisted in depositing the person, in whose hand
the light went out, upon the back on the floor, and afterwards piling
upon him (or her) chairs and other furniture.