Winter and her maidens now range themselves opposite Summer, and the two lines dance towards each other and back again, bowing each time they meet, while the Queen goes round and touches each player, and all join in chorus :— O Lady Queen, we bring to you Autumn, too, her daughters fair; And Winter can a posy make; See, they all are gathered here, Lady Queen, for your dear sake! The Queen then dismisses them, singing: Away, away, my lovely flowers! Back to your dales, and glens, and bowers! [Each player, if she like, may wear a flower to show which she represents, and if real flowers cannot be got, they can be cut of paper. The Queen should have a crown and sceptre, and the Four Seasons should each be adorned with a suitable wreath. Mamma, or nurse, or perhaps your big brother, will be willing to help you, little ones! in decking yourselves suitably.] In the following Game each child repeats the question to his neighbour till all have one finger up; it then goes round again in the same manner till each has one eye shut; and so on to the "buz," which consists in jogging up and down on the chair. Should any laugh, or make a mistake, a forfeit is demanded. Mrs. M'Gee's fled. One finger up. Mrs. M'Gee's fled. One finger up, A blind eye, And her mouth all awry. Mrs. M'Gee's fled. How did she fly? One finger up, A blind eye, Her mouth all awry, And her leg up. Mrs. M'Gee's fled. How did she fly? One finger up, A blind eye, Her mouth all awry, Her leg up, And a buz. In this Game a large white cloth or sheet is stretched tight against the wall, and the child who plays Buff sits before it in such a way that he cannot see his comrades. The children then disguise themselves as much as possible, and throw their shadows on the sheet. If Buff recognizes one, he calls out the name, and they change places. |