350
GUISERS' PLAY, SONGS, AND RHYMES, FROM STAFFORDSHIRE.
HE following version of the play still acted every Christmas by the Guisers (pronounced Gheez.u'rz) at Eccleshall, Staffordshire, was written down in 1879 by John Bates, sawyer, of that town. An account of the performance will be found in Shropshire Folk-Lore, p. 483.
Characters: Open-the-door, Sing Ghiles (sic, Sir Guy of Warwick?), King George, Noble Soldier, Little Doctor, Black Prince of Paradise, Old Bellzebub, and Little Jack Devil-dout.
Open-the-door, I open the door as I come in.
Hoping your favour for to win;
Whether I rise, or stand, or fall,
I do my duty to please you all.
A room, a room, brave British, room! and give me room to rise, [read tide].
I come to show you British sport this merry Christmas time. [read tide].
Sing Ghiles he stands outside the door, he swears he will come in.
With his sword and buckler by his side he swears he'll brace my skin.
He thinks I am a dirty dog, he thinks I am not stout.
He swears he will 'a [= have] vengeance before he gives it out.[1]
If you won't believe me what I say,
Step in, Sing Ghiles, and clear thy way!
- ↑ A comparison with the version in Shropshire Folk-Lore will show that these lines are properly part of Sir Guy's denunciation of St. George.
