comic ditties to the solemn strains of the mass 'l'homme armé,' or whatever well-known melody the music happened to be constructed on.
An example of a threemansong will be found in the Appendix, 'We be soldiers three.'
Shakespeare also alludes to sacred part-music. Falstaff, by his own account, was a notable singer of Anthems, in which holy service he had lost his voice; he was familiar with members of the celebrated choir of St George's Chapel at Windsor; and was not above practising the metrical Psalmody in his sadder moments.
H. 4. B. 12, 182.
Chief Justice. Is not your voice broken, your wind short, your chin double, your wit single, and every part about you blasted with antiquity, and will you yet call yourself young? Fie, fie, fie, Sir John!
Falstaff. My lord … For my voice, I have lost it with hollaing, and singing of anthems.
H. 4. B. 21, 88.
Hostess. Thou didst swear to me … upon Wednesday in Wheeson week, when the prince broke thy head for liking his father to a singing-man of Windsor.
Hen. 4. A. 24, 137. Falstaff laments the degeneracy of the times.
