Page:Elizabethan People.djvu/213

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CELEBRATION OF THE CALENDAR
163

ornamented with blue violets. She was supported by

"Two brides-maidens, in sky-coloured rochets girt with crimson girdles, wearing garlands upon their heads of blue and white violets. After them came

"Four other females in green courtpies, and garlands of violets and cowslips. Then

"Sampson the smith, as Friar Tuck, carrying a huge quarter-staff upon his shoulder; and Morris the mole-taker, who represented Much the miller's son, having a long pole with an inflated bladder attached to one end.[1] And after them

"The May-pole, drawn by eight fine oxen, decorated with scarfs, ribbons, and flowers of divers colours; and the tips of their horns were embellished with gold. The rear was closed by

"The Hobby-horse and the Dragon.

"When the May-pole was drawn into the square, the foresters sounded their horns, and the populace expressed their pleasure by shouting incessantly until it reached the place assigned for its elevation: … and during the time the ground was preparing for its reception, the barriers of the bottom of the enclosure were opened for the villagers to approach, and adorn

  1. The mole-taker replaces the fool.