Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/359

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GUISERS' PLAY, SONGS, AND EHYMES, FROM STAFFORDSHIRE.
351

Sing Ghiles. Here am I, Sing Ghiles! Sing Ghiles it is my name.
From English ground I sprang and came
To fight King George by name.

Open-the-door. King George is here, ready at hand,
I'll fetch him in at thy command.
If thou can't believe me what I say,
Step in. King George, and clear thy way.

King George. The dewdrops from the valley.[1] I am in the search of an enemy, but now I have found him, my sword shall end his life.

Sing Ghiles (sings or says). I am afraid I am a stranger.
Exposed to be in danger.
The balls from yonder mountains have laid me quite low!

King George. Prepare, thou wretch, for death; my sword shall end thy life!

(They move round and round, clashing their swords against each other.)

Sing Ghiles. Enter in that soldier, that noble soldier bold.
Before King George strikes my heart cold!

(Sing Ghiles leans on his sword as if wounded. Soldier enters, and strikes up King George's sword, about to descend on Sing Ghiles.)

Soldier. Bear off, King George, for a few moments. Look down with pity on him, use him as a stranger. Thou shalt not wrong him!

King George. Who art thou? a soldier?

Soldier. A soldier? yes! a noble soldier bold. Bold Slasher is my name.[2]
With my sword and buckler by my side I hope to win this game,
And if this game should do me good,
I'll first drawn (sic) sword and then thy blood!

  1. This must be the first line, or title-heading, of a forgotten song.
  2. Otherwise, "from Turkey land I came."