party asked permission to enter the houses, and performed their rude play in the entrance-hall."
As regards costume, Mr. Young writes :—"Glazed calico of decidedly pronounced colours, with a sprinkling of spangles and ribbon, formed the basis. The Turk was, when I last saw the show, the best dressed as regarded nationality, with short skirt, very baggy trousers, and an impromptu turban. The prevailing sword was an ingenious arrangement of laths. Their stage was 'the Queen's highway.'"
With these explanations we may now proceed with the play.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
| Father Christmas. | Valiant Soldier. |
| St. George. | Bold Prince (a fancy character). |
| Noble Captain. | Doctor. |
| Turkish Knight. | Prince of Peace.
Little Johnny Jack. |
Enter Father Christmas.
Father Christmas. In comes I, Old Father Christmas,
Am I welcome or am I not?
Sometimes I am cold, sometimes I am hot,[1]
I hope that Old Father Christmas will never be forgot.
Room, ladies and gentlemen, room I pray,
While I lead St. George and all his noble men this way.
Walk in St. George and act thy part,
And shew the ladies and gentlemen thy valiant art.
Walk in, St. George.
Enter St. George.
St. George. In comes I St. George,
That man of courage bold;
With my sword and shield
I have won ten thousands of gold.
- ↑ One Sussex version of the play adds here, "Sometimes sober and sometimes not," and this is doubtless not unfrequently the case with the performer.
