Part 20
(_c_) The game is evidently dramatic in form, and perhaps is illustrative of some fact of history, such as the toll upon merchandise entering a walled town. The changes in the words of the different versions are not very great, but they show the influence of modern history upon the game. The appearance of King George evidently points to the date when it was frequently played, though the older versions are doubtless those in which his Majesty does not do duty. Mactaggart has the following quaint note which perhaps may supply the origin, though it seems a far cry to the Crusaders:--"This sport has something methinks of antiquity in it; it seemeth to be a pantomime of some scenes played off in the time of the Crusades. 'King and Queen o' Cantilon' evidently must be King and Queen of Caledon, but slightly changed by time. Then Babylon in the rhyme, the way they had to wander and hazard being caught by the infidels, all speak as to the foundation of the game" (Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_).
In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for December 1849, in a review of the _Life of Shirley_, it is stated that in many parts of England the old game of "Thread the Needle" is played to the following words, which refer to the gate of the city of Hebron, known as the "needle's eye."
How many miles to Hebron? Three score and ten. Shall I be there by midnight? Yes, and back again. Then thread the needle, &c.
The game is also described in _Notes and Queries_, iv. 141, as played in the same way as above, and the writer adds there are subsequent evolutions by which each couple becomes in succession the eye of the needle.
Howly
A street game played by boys in a town, one of them hiding behind a wall or house-end, and crying "Howly" to the seekers.--Atkinson's _Cleveland Glossary_.
See "Hide and Seek."
Huckie-buckie down the Brae
Children in Lothian have a sport in which they slide down a hill, sitting on their hunkers (Jamieson). The well-known custom at Greenwich is probably the same game, and there are examples at Tumbling Hill, a few miles from Exeter, at May Pole Hill, near Gloucester, and other places.
Huckle-bones
Holloway (_Dict. of Provincialisms_) says that the game is called "Huckle-bones" in East Sussex and "Dibs" in West Sussex. Parish (_Dict. of Sussex Dialect_) mentions that huckle-bones, the small bone found in the joint of the knee of a sheep, are used by children for playing the game of "Dibs;" also Peacock's _Manley and Corringham Glossary_. Barnes (_Dorset Glossary_) says, "A game of toss and catch, played mostly by two with five dibs or huckle-bones of a leg of mutton, or round pieces of tile or slate." Halliwell's description is clearly wrong. He says it was a game formerly played by throwing up the hip-bone of some animal, on one side of which was a head of Venus and on the other that of a dog. He who turned up the former was the winner (_Dictionary_). Miss J. Barker writes that "Huckle-bones" is played in Hexham; and Professor Attwell (Barnes) played the game as a boy, and is still a proficient in it; he played it recently for my benefit with his set of real huckle-bones (A. B. Gomme); and see _Notes and Queries_, 9th ser., iv. 378, 379.
The figures or sets are practically the same as those described under "Fivestones." The game is very ancient. In the _Sanctuarie of Salvation_, &c., translated from the Latin of Levinus Lemnius by Henry Kinder (8vo, London, printed by H. Singleton), p. 144, we read, "These bones are called 'huckle-bones' or 'coytes.'" For further information relating to this game, as played by the ancients, the reader may consult _Joannis Meursii Ludibunda, sive de Ludis Græcorum, Liber singularis_ (8vo, Lugd. Bat. 1625), p. 7, and _Dan. Souterii Palamedes_, p. 81; but more particularly, _I Tali ed altri Strumenti lusori degli antichi Romani, discritti da Francesco de 'Ficoroni_, 4to, Rom. 1734. Against the suggestion that the modern game is derived directly from the Romans, is the fact that it is known in countries never traversed or occupied by the Romans. Thus Dr. Clarke, in his _Travels in Russia_, 1810, p. 106, says: "In all the villages and towns from Moscow to Woronetz, as in other parts of Russia, are seen boys, girls, and sometimes even old men, playing with the joint-bones of sheep. This game is called 'Dibbs' by the English. It is of very remote antiquity; for I have seen it very beautifully represented on Grecian vases; particularly on a vase in the collection of the late Sir William Hamilton, where a female figure appeared most gracefully delineated kneeling upon one knee, with her right arm extended, the palm downwards, and the bones ranged along the back of her hand and arm. In this manner the Russians play the game."
See "Dalies," "Fivestones."
Hummie
The game otherwise called "Shinty." The shinty or hummie is played by a set of boys in two divisions who attempt to drive with curved sticks a ball, or what is more common, part of the vertebral bone of a sheep, in opposite directions (_Blackwood's Magazine_, August 1821, p. 36). If one of the adverse party happens to stand or run among his opponents, they call out "Hummie, keep on your own side."--Jamieson.
Hundreds
A game at marbles, which is carried on until one of the players scores 100 or some other high number agreed upon. Any number can play, but it is best described for two players, A. and B. First the players taw up to a hole; if both get in, they repeat the process until one is left out, say B.; then A. counts 10. Should both fail, the nearest goes first. He may now lay his taw about the hole or fire at the other, on hitting which he counts another 10. He now goes for the hole again, and failing, lies where he happens to stop. If he misses, B. from his present position tries to get into the hole, and failing, lies still; but if he reaches the hole, he counts 10, and proceeds as A. had done. The one who first gets the 100 (or other number) now goes in for his "pizings," which performance takes place thus:--The loser, so far, is lying about, and the winner goes back to "drakes," and again tries to lodge in the hole; and if he succeeds, the game is up. If not, he lies still, and the loser tries for the hole; if he gets in he counts another 10, or if he should succeed in hitting the winner he scores his adversary's 100 to his own number, and then goes on for his "pizings" as the other had done. In failure of either securing the game thus, the process is repeated at "drakes." When, however, the one who is on for his "pizings" manages to taw into the hole, the game is concluded.--Easther's _Almondbury and Huddersfield Glossary_.
Hunt the Hare
A game among children, played on the ice as well as in the fields (Brockett's _North Country Words_). Strutt (_Sports_, p. 381) says "Hunt the Hare" is the same game as "Hunt the Fox." In this game one boy is permitted to run out, and having law given to him--that is, being permitted to go to a certain distance from his comrades before they pursue him--their object is to take him, if possible, before he can return home.
See "Hare and Hounds."
Hunt the Slipper
[Music]
--Lancashire (Mrs. Harley).
All the players but one sit on the floor in a circle with their legs crossed (Turkish fashion), one acting as Chief, all pretending to work at making or mending shoes. The other player brings a slipper to the Chief Cobbler, and desires it to be mended, saying--
Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe, Get it done by half-past two.
The child walks away, and returns in a few moments and asks whether the shoe is ready. The Cobbler says, "Not quite; call again in an hour's time," or makes any other excuse which occurs to him. When the child calls again, she is told it has been sent home. After several pretences the child declares an intention to search for it. The Cobblers in the ring then all place their hands under their knees, and pass the slipper secretly from one to another in such a way as to prevent the owner of the shoe getting it for some time. The Cobbler from whom the slipper is taken becomes the owner next time (Barnes, A. B. Gomme). In the Nottinghamshire version (Miss Peacock) the rhyme is--
Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe, Give it a stitch and that will do.
Versions from Wakefield, Liphook, Ellesmere, and other places are practically the same as the Barnes game, but Mr. Udal gives an elaboration of the Dorsetshire game in the _Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 238. One Lancashire version (Miss Dendy) reverses the characters by making the Cobbler run round the ring, and the children requiring the shoe to be mended, call out, "Blackie, come mend my slipper." Mrs. Harley, in another Lancashire version, gives the words sung to the tune printed as--
Pass on, pass on, passy on the slipper; The best fun we ever had was passing on the slipper.
Holloway (_Dict. of Provincialisms_) says this game was well known in Somerset, Hants, Sussex, but now is almost out of fashion. He describes it as being played without words. The child who has to find the shoe stands in the centre of the circle. The chief amusement arises from the one in the circle who has the slipper striking the one who stands up (the searcher) while he or she is steadily looking for it in an opposite direction. Strutt (_Sports_, p. 387) also describes this game.
Hunt the Staigie
A boys' game. One is chosen to be the Staigie (little stallion). The other players scatter themselves over the playground. The Staigie locks his fingers into each other. He then repeats the words--
Hunt the Staigie, Huntie, untie, staige, Ailleman, ailleman, aigie,
and rushes off with his hands locked, and tries to touch one of the players. He must not unlock his hands till he has caught one. When he has captured one, the two join hands and hunt for another. When another is caught, he joins the two. This goes on till all are hunted down.--Keith (Rev. W. Gregor).
[Illustration]
See "Chickidy Hand," "Whiddy."
Hunting
[Music]
--Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy).
[Music]
--Epworth (C. C. Bell).
I. Oh, a-hunting we will go, a-hunting we will go; We'll catch a little fox and put him in a box, And never let him go.
--Bath (Miss Large).
II. Hunting we will go, brave boys, Hunting we will go; We'll catch an old fox And put him in a box, For a-hunting we will go. Halt! shoulder arms! fire!
--Horncastle, North Kelsey, Lincoln (Miss Peacock).
III. O have you seen the Shah, O have you seen the Shah? He lights his pipe on a star-light night, O have you seen the Shah? For a-hunting we will go, A-hunting we will go; We'll catch a fox and put him in a box, A-hunting we will go.
--Epworth, Doncaster (C. C. Bell).
(_b_) The players march two by two, all singing. The first pair let go hands, separate, and skip widely apart, still singing. Gradually, in this manner, two separate lines are formed, until, following each other and singing, the pairs come together again, join hands, and march and sing in couplets linked.
The Bath game is played by the children standing in two rows facing each other, and clapping hands and singing the verse. At the same time the two children facing each other at the top of the lines join hands and trip down and up between the lines. Their hands are unclasped, and the two children run down the outside of the lines, one running on each side, and meet at the bottom of the lines, where they stand. The two children now standing at the top proceed in the same way: this is continued until all the children have done the same. A ring is then formed, when the children again clap and sing. Any number can play at this game.
In the Epworth version the children range themselves in double rank at one end of the room or playground, and march down to the other end hand in hand. At the bottom they loose hands and divide, the first rank turning right, the second left, and march back in two single files to the other end again, where they re-form as at first, and repeat their man[oe]uvre, singing the verses alternately.
The Lincolnshire game is played by the children walking two and two in a circle round one of their companions, singing. The players then stand facing the child in the centre, and place their hands on their partners' shoulders. After the lines are sung the centre child cries out, "Halt! Shoulder arms! Fire!" at which words each child kisses his partner. If the commander sees any one hesitate, or avoid kissing, he runs forward and takes the defaulter's place, leaving him to fill the middle position.
Similar versions are played at Earls Heaton (Mr. Hardy), Forest of Dean (Miss Matthews), Ellesmere (Burne, _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 574), Derbyshire (_Folk-lore Journal_, i. 386).
Hurling
A game played with a ball. The players are divided into two equal
## parties, each of which tries to secure and keep the ball in their
possession. The prize is a ball made of cork, covered with silver.--Courtney's _West Cornwall Glossary_.
In Taylor's _Antiquitates Curiosæ_, p. 144, it is stated:--"The game of hurling consisted in throwing or hurling a ball of wood about three inches in diameter, and covered with plated silver, sometimes gilt. On the ball was frequently a Cornish motto allusive to the game, and signifying that fair play was best. Success depended on catching the ball dexterously when dealt, and conveying it away through all the opposition of the adverse party, or, if that was impossible, to throw it into the hands of a partner, who, in his turn, was to exert his utmost efforts to convey it to his own goal, which was often three or four miles distant from that of his adversaries."
T. Durfey's _Collin's Walk through London_, 1690, p. 192, says: "Hurling is an ancient sport us'd to this day in the countys of Cornwall and Devon, when once a year the hardy young fellows of each county meet; and a cork ball thinly plated with silver being thrown up between 'em, they run, bustle, and fight for it, to the witty dislocating of many a shrew'd neck, or for the sport of telling how bravely their arms or legs came to be broke, when they got home." It is fully described by Carew in his _Survey of Cornwall_, 1602, p. 73.
It is also a very ancient Irish game, and Mr. Kinahan says: "Many places are called after it: such as, Killahurla, the hurlers' church; Gortnahurla, the field of the hurlers; Greenanahurla, the sunny place of the hurlers; this, however, is now generally corrupted into hurling-green. The hurling-green where the famous match was played by the people of Wexford against those of Cather (now divided into the counties of Carlow and Wicklow), and where the former got the name of yellow bellies, from the colour of the scarfs they wore round their waist, is a sunny flat on the western side of North Wicklow Gap, on the road from Gorey to Trinnahely. There are also many other different names that record the game."--_Folk-lore Journal_, ii. 266.
See "Bandy," "Camp," "Football," "Hockey," "Hood," "Shinty."
Hurly-burly
An undescribed boys' game. In it the following rhyme is used--
Hurly-burly, trumpy trace, The cow stands in the market-place; Some goes far, and some goes near, Where shall this poor sinner steer?
--Patterson's _Antrim and Down Glossary_.
For a similar rhyme see "Hot Cockles."
Huss
Children play a game which is accompanied by a song beginning--
Hussing and bussing will not do, But go to the gate, knock, and ring-- Please, Mrs. Brown, is Nellie within?
--Parish's _Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect_.
Hustle Cap
A boys' game, played by tossing up halfpence. It is mentioned in _Peregrine Pickle_, cap. xvi. Cope (_Hampshire Glossary_) says, "Halfpence are placed in a cap and thrown up, a sort of 'pitch-and-toss.'"
Hynny-pynny
A peculiar game at marbles, sometimes called "Hyssy-pyssy," played in some parts of Devon and Somerset. A hole of some extent was made in an uneven piece of ground, and the game was to shoot the marbles at some object beyond the hole without letting them tumble into it. The game occasionally commenced by a ceremony of no very delicate description, which sufficed to render the fallen marble still more ignominious.--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.
Isabella
[Music]
--Ogbourne, Wilts (H. S. May).
[Music]
--Earls Heaton (H. Hardy).
[Music]
--London (A. B. Gomme).
I. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell! Last night when we parted I left you broken-hearted, And on a green mountain, There stands a young man.
Could you love him? Could you love him? Could you love him? Farewell!
Choose one, love, Choose one, love, Choose one, love, Farewell!
Take a walk, love, Take a walk, love, Take a walk, love, Farewell!
In the ring, love, In the ring, love, In the ring, love, Farewell!
Put the ring on, Put the ring on, Put the ring on, Farewell!
Go to church, love, Go to church, love, Go to church, love, Farewell!
Take a kiss, love, Take a kiss, love, Take a kiss, love, Farewell!
Shake hands, love, Shake hands, love, Shake hands, love, Farewell!
--Enborne, Newbury (M. Kimber).
II. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell! Last night when I departed I left her broken-hearted; Upon the steep mountain There stands a young man.
Who'll you choose, love? Who'll you choose, love? Who'll you choose, love? Farewell!
Go to church, love, Go to church, love, Go to church, love, Farewell!
Say your prayers, love, Say your prayers, love, Say your prayers, love, Farewell!
Put your ring on, Put your ring on, Put your ring on, Farewell!
Come back, love, Come back, love, Come back, love, Farewell!
Roast beef and plum pudding, Roast beef and plum pudding, Roast beef and plum pudding, For our dinner to-day.
Kiss together, love, Kiss together, love, Kiss together, love, Farewell!
--Ogbourne, Wilts (H. S. May).
III. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell! Last night when I departed I left you broken-hearted Broken-hearted on the mountain, On the mountain, Farewell!
Choose your loved one, choose your loved one, Choose your loved one, Farewell!
Kiss your hand, love, kiss your hand, love, Kiss your hand, love, Farewell!
Go to church, love, go to church, love, Go to church, love, Farewell!
Say your prayers, love, say your prayers, love, Say your prayers, love, Farewell!
Come to dinner, love, come to dinner, love, Come to dinner, love, Farewell!
What have you for dinner, for dinner, for dinner, What have you for dinner, for dinner to-day?
Roast beef and plum pudding, plum pudding, plum pudding, Roast beef and plum pudding, plum pudding to-day.
--Southampton (Mrs. W. R. Carse).
IV. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell! Last night I met you downhearted and sad, And down by the river I met your young man.
Choose a lover, choose a lover, Choose a lover, Farewell!
Walk to church, love, walk to church, love, Walk to church, love, Farewell!
Come to the ring, love, come to the ring, love, Come to the ring, love, Farewell!
Give a kiss, love, give a kiss, love, Give a kiss, love, Farewell!
--West Grinstead, Sussex (_Notes and Queries_, 8th Series, i. 249, Miss Busk).
V. Arabella! Arabella! Arabella! Farewell!
Last night when we parted I left you broken-hearted Down by the mill-side.
Who'll you have, love? Who'll you have, love? Who'll you have, love? Farewell!
Go to church, love, Go to church, love, Go to church, love, Farewell!
Come back, love, Come back, love, Come back, love, Farewell!
Shake hands, love, Shake hands, love, Shake hands, love, Farewell!
Take a kiss, love, Take a kiss, love, Take a kiss, love, Farewell!
--Platt School, near Wrotham, Kent (Miss Burne).
VI. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell! Last night when we parted I left you broken-hearted, And on the green meadow You was standing alone.
Choose a sweetheart, choose a sweetheart, Choose a sweetheart, fair maid.
Take her hand, love, take her hand, love, Take her hand, love, fair maid.
Kneel down, love, kneel down, love, Kneel down, love, fair maid.
Take a kiss, love, take a kiss, love, Take a kiss, love, fair maid.
Now you're married I wish you joy, First a girl and then a boy, Seven years after son and daughter; Pray, young couple, come kiss together.
Kiss her once, kiss her twice, kiss her three times over.
--From a London nursemaid, 1878 (A. B. Gomme).
VII. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell! Last night when we parted I believed you broken-hearted, As on the green mountain You stands [_qy._ sang] like a lark.
Go to church, love, go to church, love, Go to church, love, Farewell!
In the ring, love, in the ring, love, In the ring, love, Farewell!
Give a kiss, love, give a kiss, love, Give a kiss, love, Farewell!
Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell!
--Fernham and Longcot (Miss I. Barclay).
VIII. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell! Last night when I departed I left her broken-hearted; On the hill yonder there stands your young man.
Fetch him here, love, fetch him here, love, Fetch him here, love, Farewell!
Shut the gates, love, shut the gates, love, Shut the gates, love, Farewell!
Open the gates, love, open the gates, love, Open the gates, love, Farewell!
Go to church, love, go to church, love, Go to church, love, Farewell!
Show your ring, love, show your ring, love, Show your ring, love, Farewell!
--Hanbury, Staffs. (Miss E. Hollis).
IX. The trees are uncovered, uncovered, uncovered, The trees are uncovered, Isabella, for me!
Last night when we parted we were all broken-hearted, Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, for me!
Then give me your hand, love, your hand, love, your hand, love, Then give me your hand, love, and a sweet kiss from you.
--Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy).
X. When the trees are uncovered, Isabellow, for me. Last night when we parted She was nigh broken-hearted, Isabellow, Isabellow, Isabellow, for me.
Your hand, love, your hand, love, Then give me your hand, love, Take a sweet kiss from me.
--Winterton, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire (Miss Peacock).
XI. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella, Farewell! Last night when we parted I left you broken-hearted, And down by the river you saw your young man.
In the stream, love, in the stream, love, In the stream, love, Farewell!
Go to church, love, go to church, love, Go to church, love, Farewell.
In the ring, love, in the ring, love, In the ring, love, Farewell!
--Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire (Miss Youngman).
XII. Elizabella, Farewell! Last night as we parted She left me broken-hearted, And on a green mountain She looked like a dove.
Choose your loved one, Choose your loved one, Choose your loved one, Farewell!
Go to church, love, Farewell! Say your prayers, love, Farewell! In the ring, love, Farewell!
Shake hands, loves, Shake hands, loves, Farewell!
Give a kiss, loves, Give a kiss, loves, Farewell!
--Liphook, Hants (Miss Fowler).
XIII. Last night when we parted She was nigh broken-hearted, To-morrow we gather And a bright welcome be. Then give me your hand, love, Your hand, love, your hand, love, Then give me your hand, love, Isabella for me. Isabella, Isabella, Isabella for me.
--North Derbyshire (S. O. Addy).