The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #56763   Message #893215
Posted By: McGrath of Harlow
18-Feb-03 - 08:54 PM
Thread Name: Help us find beaut. tiny English Village
Subject: RE: Help us find beaut. tiny English Village
Well Helpston is in the right sort of area - but I doubt if that's it. But it's worth knowing about, because the poet John Clare lived there for a time, and collected a partial text of a Mummers Play - "a Moris Dance Drama" back in 1825

Here's the text:

Text:
{The Moris Dance}

{A Popular Village Drama}

{Dramatis personie}

{1 King of Egypt}

{Prologue}

[Prologue]

Here comes I that never came before
With three merry actors standing at the door
They can both dance & likewise sing
& if you please they shall step in
Gentlemen & or ladys all Im glad to see you here
Im come to let you know it wont be long before my actors doth appear
Tho my company is but small
All do the best we can to please you all
To get your love & gain your favour
Well do the best of our endeavour
Now at this time Ive done my doom
I must turn back with speed & give my actors room

King of Egypt

Room room brave guards make room
& let the king of Egypt in
I am the king of Egypt as plainly doth appear
Im come to seek my son my son is only here
& if you dont consent to what I say
Step in prince George & clear the way

Prince George

Here comes I prince George a champion bold
& with my bloody spear I won three crowns of gold
I fit the firey dragon & brought him to a slaughter
& by that means I won the king of Egypts daughter
I kickt him & I smackt him as small as any flies
& sent him to Jamaica to make much pies

[Swish Swash & Swagger]

Here come I with my swish swash & swagger
With my cockt hat & glittering dagger
Ive come to court a damsel.


And that link has more about the play, and Clare writing about Morris Dancing too.