The goats and monkeys used in the lessons proved to them nothing concerning human beings.
They acknowledged that some men, killed by accident or in warfare or by poison have been men with stomachs, but they are of opinion that these men were brought low in consequence of the very fact of their being in possession of the unlucky and unwelcome appendage, the seat and worship of the lord of evil influences. It seems to be generally accepted that a person charged with exercising evil influences, towards others, is naturally well able to resist the trial by poison or other ordeal unless he has really afforded some malign spirit an abode within him and so become possessed of a stomach."
Locality and Variants of Carol Wanted.
Can any reader throw light upon a carol published by W. Sandys in his Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833)? He gives it amongst others "still sung in the west of England," but adds nothing concerning its source.
The first verse runs:
"To-morrow shall be my dancing day,
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance.
[Chorus]Sing oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love.
This have I done for my true love. "
There are eleven verses in all, in which Jesus, (the speaker of the text), sets forth His birth, life and passion, etc., in every verse using the mystical language of summoning man to join in the (heavenly or cosmic) "dance."
I should be grateful for references to any variants, printed or orally transmitted.
