As here a custard, there a pie,
And here all-tempting frumenty."

Frumenty, which is made of wheat boiled in milk was a standing dish
at every harvest supper. And then around the festive board old tales
are told, well-known jests abound, and thanks given to the good
farmer and his wife for their hospitality in some such homely rhymes
as these--

"Here's a health to our master,
The lord of the feast;
God bless his endeavours,
And send him increase.

"May everything prosper
That he takes in hand,
For we be his servants,
And do his command."

The youths and maidens dance their country dances, as an old writer,
who lived in the reign of Charles II., tells us:--"The lad and the
lass will have no lead on their heels. O, 'tis the merry time
wherein honest neighbours make good cheer, and God is glorified in
His blessings on the earth." When the feast is over, the company
retire to some near hillock, and make the welkin ring with their
shouts, "Holla, holla, holla, largess!"--largess being the presents
of money and good things which the farmer had bestowed.

Such was the harvest-home in the good old days--joy and delight to
both old and young. The toils of the labourers did not seem so hard