The Sources and Analogues of 'A Midsummer-night's Dream' by Compiled by Frank Sidgwick
page 85 of 169 (50%)
page 85 of 169 (50%)
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Such love thee King Obreon owes.
So marched they in good manner (with their piper before) to the Fairy Land: there did King Obreon show Robin Good-fellow many secrets, which he never did open to the world. HOW ROBIN GOOD-FELLOW WAS WONT TO WALK IN THE NIGHT Robin Good-fellow would many times walk in the night with a broom on his shoulder, and cry "chimney sweep," but when any one did call him, then would he run away laughing _ho, ho, hoh!_ Sometimes he would counterfeit a beggar, begging very pitifully, but when they came to give him an alms, he would run away, laughing as his manner was. Sometimes would he knock at men's doors, and when the servants came, he would blow out the candle, if they were men; but if they were women, he would not only put out their light, but kiss them full sweetly, and then go away as his fashion was, _ho, ho, hoh!_ Oftentimes would he sing at a door like a singing man, and when they did come to give him his reward, he would turn his back and laugh. In these humours of his he had many pretty songs, which I will sing as perfect as I can. For his chimney-sweeper's humours he had these songs: the first is to the tune of _I have been a fiddler these fifteen years_. Black I am from head to foot, And all doth come by chimney soot: Then maidens, come and cherish him That makes your chimneys neat and trim. Horns have I store, but all at my back; My head no ornament doth lack: I give my horns to other men, |
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