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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7d015a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #61057 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61057) diff --git a/old/61057-0.txt b/old/61057-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5dc826f..0000000 --- a/old/61057-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1551 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Chap-Books and Folk-Lore Tracts (Vol. III), by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: Chap-Books and Folk-Lore Tracts (Vol. III) - -Author: Various - -Editor: G. L. Gomme - H. B. Wheatley - -Release Date: December 30, 2019 [EBook #61057] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAP-BOOKS AND FOLK-LORE *** - - - - -Produced by hekula03, Brian Wilsden and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold -text by =equal signs=. - - - - - _Chap-Books_ - _and_ - _Folk-Lore Tracts._ - - - _Edited by_ - _G. L. Gomme, F.S.A._ - _and_ - _H. B. Wheatley, F.S.A._ - - - _First Series._ - =III.= - - - - - MOTHER BUNCH'S CLOSET - NEWLY BROKE OPEN, - - AND THE - - HISTORY OF MOTHER BUNCH OF - THE WEST. - - - PRINTED FROM - THE EARLIEST EXTANT COPIES, - - AND EDITED, WITH AN INTRODUCTION, - - BY - - GEORGE LAURENCE GOMME, F.S.A. - - - LONDON: - PRINTED FOR THE VILLON SOCIETY. - - 1885. - - - - -Introduction. - - -This chap-book is not a story. It is a collection of charms and dreams -supposed to have been communicated by a personage bearing the name of -Mother Bunch, a name unhistorical and, so far as I have been able to -ascertain, unknown to any other department of literature. - -The edition here printed is made up of two distinct parts. The first -part is the oldest, and at one time the only portion extant. This is -reprinted from the copy in the Pepsyian Library at Cambridge, dated -1685. The second part is printed from the copy in the British Museum -library, and dated by the authorities there 1780, this being the -earliest version I have been able to find. - -From the wording of its title, “Mother Bunch's Closet _Newly_ Broke -Open,” there is evidence of the first part being a continuation of a -chap-book already issued upon the same subject. For this we must refer -to a jest-book first published in 1604, the title of which runs as -follows: _Pasquil's Jests, mixed with Mother Bunche's Merriments_...... -This book is a well-known collection of jests of a rather broad nature, -and its style of composition lent itself to a continuation such as -we have in the chap-book now under consideration. There is no other -connection between the two publications than the title.[1] - -The later editions of this chap-book differ considerably from that of -1685 in the Pepsyian Collection. Almost every page varies, and that too -in no inconsiderable manner. It is not perhaps necessary to point out -all the variations because they are not of great literary or historical -interest, but it may be well to indicate the chief differences. The -1685 edition, as here printed, contains two parts. These in later -editions are amalgamated, and the title on page 10, “The second part of -Mother Bunch, who lived at Bonny Ventor in the West,” does not -therefore appear. As a specimen of the later editions, the following is -the opening passages of the 1780 edition, and other pages are similarly -altered: - -“Mother Bunch's Cabinet Broke Open. - -“Reading over many ancient histories, it was my chance to meet with a -story of an old woman who lived in the west country, who took delight -in studying her fortune; when she found herself full twenty years old, -she thought her luck worse than some who were married at fifteen or -sixteen, which much troubled her mind; but to prevent all doubts she -resolved to try a story she had often heard her mother talk of, and, -finding it true, she resolved to teach other wonders. - -“On a time this old woman, having newly buried her husband, was taking -a walk in the fields for the benefit of the air, sometimes thinking of -the loss of her husbands, for she had had three, yet had a great desire -for the fourth. So it happened as she was walking alone she espied a -young maid by a meadow side. Good morrow, maid, said the old woman; how -do you do? are not you well? Yes, mother, I am very well, but somewhat -troubled in mind.” - -The paragraph on page 20 is entirely left out in the later editions, -and the following addition is made: - - Now Mother Bunch's store exhaust, - She sits her down to spin; - Then studies how she soon may make - Her Second Part begin. - - Which now is finished and sold - Where you have had the First, - 'Twill make you wise, also to laugh, - Untill your sides do burst. - -These are all the points of difference which it will be necessary to -note between the 1685 edition, now reprinted, and those that appeared -later in conjunction with the new second part. - -The woodcuts in these chap-books are of the rudest description, and -they did not appear worth reproducing. Mr. Ashton, in his _Chap-books -of the Eighteenth Century_, pp. 84–87, has given three woodcuts from -the second part of the 1780 edition, and the following lines, which, -together with the funeral picture, make the finish of the book. These -lines are not printed on our last page: - - Thus all her Art at length could not her save, - From death's dire stroke, and mould'ring in the grave. - -We will now discuss the special importance of Mother Bunch's collection -of dreams and prognostications. It is well known that these subjects -form a not unimportant branch of folk-lore, and it is therefore -interesting to find that through the medium of this seventeenth-century -chap-book we have preserved to us some scraps of folk-lore which are -of value. They for the most part group themselves round certain days -in the calendar, and it will therefore perhaps be best to adopt this -arrangement for our consideration of them. Thus we have St. Agnes' Day -(21 Jan.), Valentine's Day (14 Feb.), 20th April, Midsummer Eve (24 -June), St. Luke's Day (Oct. 18), St. Thomas's Day (Dec. 21). Almost all -the customs recorded by Mother Bunch on these days are incorporated by -Sir Henry Ellis in his edition of Brand's _Popular Antiquities_; but -their original value is ascertained by the independent practice of the -self-same customs in many parts of England, as noted by authorities -who did not know Mother Bunch. Take, for instance, St. Agnes' Day. -Ben Jonson, Aubrey in his _Miscellanies_, Burton in his _Anatomy of -Melancholy_, Barnaby Googe, all refer to the self-same customs recorded -in this chap-book. Of course if this rule held good throughout, and in -matters of detail, it might be said that the chap-book was copied from -these earlier authorities. But this can be shown not to be so by one -curious piece of evidence. The Scottish St. Agnes rhyme differs from -that of Mother Bunch. It is as follows: - - Agnes sweet, and Agnes fair, - Hither, hither, now repair, - Bonny Agnes let me see - The lad who is to marry me. - -(See _Times Telescope_, 1823, p. 15.) Again, the 20th April is not a -festival day, but in Worcestershire there is a belief in the county -that the cuckoo is never heard till Tenbury Fair day, which is the 20th -April (Dyer's _Popular Customs_, p. 192); a fact which, when compared -to the narrative on page 6, goes far to prove that this Worcestershire -belief was known to the author of Mother Bunch. The unlucky days -mentioned on pages 11 and 32 are curious, and should be compared with -the calendar customs collected in Hampson's _Medii Ævi Kalendarium_. -Of the nature of the customs performed on the various days it will not -be necessary to say much. They are all connected with divination for a -wife or a husband. But they are curious in preserving the rhyming words -of an incantation which may be of considerable archaic importance -if we could arrive, by a comparison of all the extant rhymes on this -subject, at something like the original form. Coupled with this are -two significant customs, namely, the journey to the church-door on -St. Agnes Eve (p. 30), which may be considered with the perambulation -of the church recorded on page 18. These may be compared with the -Derbyshire custom recorded in the _Jour. Arch. Assoc._ vol. vii. p. -209. And the gathering of flowers in a silent grove on Midsummer Eve -(p. 31) should also be noted. - -Of customs incidentally mentioned there are divinations connected with -apple (p. 8), cakes (18), cuckoo (20), flowers (19), hemp-seed (18), -lemon (30), new moon (19), nuts (30), peascod (29). Horn Fair day is -mentioned on p. 24. On page 16 in the rhymes there given the game of -tick-tack is mentioned. This is a game at tables similar to backgammon, -and is sometimes called trick-track. Mr. Wheatley, in his _Dictionary -of Reduplicated Words_, has collected the instances of its mention in -the early writers. - -The following are the proverbs:— - -(1) An ill bird befoules it own nest (6). - -(2) Kiss and tell is base play (6). - -(3) If you will not when you may, when you will you shall have nay (13). - -(4) Look before you leap (13) (see _Paradise of Daynty Deuyses_, 1578; -Tottel's _Miscellany_, 1557). - -(5) A slut will poison thy gut (14). - -(6) Riches has wings and flyeth away (14). - -(7) Ill words corrupt good manners (15). - -(8) [Old maids] lead apes in hell (18) (see _Much Ado about Nothing_, -act ii. sc. 1.) - -(9) She that's afraid of the grass must never —— in the meadow (26). - -(10) One swallow never makes a summer, nor one woodcock a winter (26) -(see Polyd. Virg. _Prov. Libellus_, 1498; Northbrook's _Treatise -against Dauncing_ (1577), Swallow's _Cinthia's Revenge_, 1613; Arist. -Ethic. Nicom. lib. i.) - -(11) Set thy stool in the sun, if a knave goes, an honest man may come -(27). - -(12) He would have played a lesson on my lute (27). - -Only four of these are recorded in Hazlitt, namely, numbers 4, 6, 8, -and 10. - -[Footnote 1: _Pasquil's Jests_ will be reprinted in one of the series -of the present collection. Hazlitt's _Handbook to Popular Literature_ -says there are editions in 1604, 1609, 1629, 1635, 1650 and 1669. Mr. -Hazlitt has reprinted it in the third series of his _Old English Jest -Books_, 1864.] - -[Illustration] - - - - -MOTHER BUNCH'S CLOSET NEWLY BROKE OPEN. - - - _Wherein is discovered many rare Secrets of - Art & Nature; - tryed and experienced by learned Phylosophers, - and recommended to all ingenious - young men and maids, - Teaching young men (in a natural way) how - to get good wifes & maids good husbands, - Experimented by ancient authors as, viz. The - manner of St. Agnes Fast, the 21st of January - The washing the Smock on Midsummer eve - The soweing of Hemp-seed. The Dutch Cake. - Teaching them how in sleep and dreams to - see and know them perfectly._ - - * * * * * - - No Harm at all is in this set, - But teaching Maids Husbands to get; - And also young Men of each Degree - Turn o're the Leaf, and you may see, - What there is, writ in Merriment - Hoping to give you all content. - - * * * * * - - _By your Loving Friend poor Tom for the King a Lover of - Mirth; but a Hater of Traytors and Treason. T.R._ - - -_Printed by A. M. for P. Brooksby in Py Corner 1685._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -MOTHER BUNCH - -OF THE - -WEST, ETC. - - -Reading over many ancient histories, it was my chance to meet with a -story of an old woman who lived in the west county, who took delight in -studying how she might know what a sweetheart she might have, for at -that time she thought she had tarried very long; she being full twenty -years of age, thought (in her mind) that her fortune was not so good as -other maidens, which she knew was married some at fifteen, and some at -sixteen, which troubled her very sore; but to prevent all other doubts, -she was fully resolved to try an old story which she had heard her -Grandmother talk of many a time and did, and finding some of them to be -true she took upon her to teach other maidens, as you may hear in this -following discourse. - -Upon a time this old woman (having newly buried her husband and was a -widow) oftentimes delighted to walk abroad in the fields, to take the -ayr, sometimes thinking of the loss of her husbands, for she had had -three, yet she had a great desire to have another, intending to try -her former rules. So it happened as she was walking alone, she espied -a proper young maid in the side of a meadow near a hedge side. Good -morrow, maid, said the old woman, how do you do? Are you not well you -look so civily? Yes, said the maid, I am not sick neither am I very -well, for I am a little troubled in my mind. What is it, said the old -woman, tell me, and if I can do thee any good I shall be very willing, -for I have some little judgment in many things, therefore be not -ashamed to tell me the truth what it is that thou art so much troubled -withall. Indeed, old mother, seeing you urge me so much I shall let -you understand the truth, and thus it is: We be three sisters, and -the youngest was married about a year ago, and the middlemost last -week, and I am the eldest, and no man heeds me. Well, daughter, if -this be all that thou tellest me I do believe I can teach thee how to -ease thyself in this condition, for when I was young I myself was in -the very same condition, and with reading over some histories I found -out the art to know him that should be my husband, and what colour of -hair he should be, which, if thou will promise me to keep my counsel, -I shall be willing to teach thee. I will truly, and if you will do so -much for me I shall think myself very much beholding unto you, and if -my fortune prove right I will make you amends. - -Why then I will tell you, in the first place thou must observe St. -Agnes's day, which is upon the 21st day of January, and on that day -thou must be sure to keep a true fast, for thou must not eat anything -all that day nor at night, and be sure that no man salute thee (not -kiss thee I mean), no neither man woman nor child must kiss thy lips -on that day, and then at night before thou go into thy bed, thou must -be sure to put on a clean shift thou hast, and the best thou hast then -the better thou may speed, and when thou lyest down lay thy right hand -under thy head saying these words, _Now the god of love send me my -desires_; and make sure thou as soon as thou can and thou shalt be sure -to dream of him which must be thy husband and see him stand before thee -and thou wilt take great notice of him and his complexion; and if he -offer to salute thee do not deny him but show as much favour unto him -as thou can; but if he offer to be uncivil unto thee make sure to hold -thy legs together. And now, daughter, this counsel which I have given -thee be sure to tell nobody, and so fare you well till I see you again. - -I give you many thanks for your good advice, but one thing more I have -to say unto you, What is your name? and where do you live? that I may -come to see you again for I shall think the time long. Why I tell thee, -daughter, my name is Mother Bunch and I live at a place called Bonny -Venter, and if thou wilt but take the pains to come thither thou shalt -be welcome, and so farewell. - -Now Mother Bunch being departed from the maid, and going homeward she -meets with another pretty young girl. Good morrow, Mother Bunch. Good -morrow, pretty maid, whither are you going this morning? methinks you -are very fine to-day. Fine, Mother Bunch, you do but think so. Nay I -cannot discommend you; for such young maids as you must go handsome, -or you will have much ado to get good husbands; for I know you think -the time long. No, no, Mother, I am too young yet. Why daughter how -old are you? Why I am but eighteen. But eighteen, never but it for I -know thou think'st thou hast stayed long enough, and would as fain have -a good husband as another. Aye, but Mother Bunch, good husbands are -ill to find out, and especially with such as I am which has no skill -in chusing, or else it may be I would fain have a husband as another. -Why then daughter take my advice: if thou would have a good husband -thou must be sure to be wise in chusing, that is to say take not one -that hath a red head; for to be sure he will be one to love the smock -so well, that he will be loth to let his wife have a good one to her -back; neither take one that has yellow hair, for he will be apt to be -jealous; no nor a black man, for they oft prove dogged. Ay, but hark -you Mother Bunch if I must have neither red nor yellow nor black, what -colour must I have then? It may be I have set my love on a yellow haird -man already—Why, daughter, if it be so I can [tell] thee what will -follow: if he prove jealous of thee thou wilt be driven into such a -condition with his speeches that thou may very well make his words -good, for how should a woman forbear that which she is always told of? -for to be sure if he be jealous of thee, thou hast cause to be jealous -of him, for there is no man or woman that is jealous the one of the -other but they are false themselves, for whores and thieves think all -is alike. But hold a little, daughter, one thing more I have to say -unto thee, and that is this. Take notice of thy sweethearts, when they -come a wooing unto thee (I mean of their civil behaviour), for if they -swear, and bow, and make great protestations, then have a care of -thyself, for many words breed dissimulation; therefore have a care of -such. But if a man come unto thee that is sparing of his words and very -civil in his carriage, there is hopes he will prove a loving man and -love passeth above all the meanes in the world. Well now Mother Bunch I -must take my leave of you, giving you many thanks for your good advice; -and so farewel, until I see you again, and I do intend to take your -counsel. - -Another time Mother Bunch was in a little meadow, not far from her own -house, and it was on the 20th day of April very early in the morning -before sunrising. A handsome young maid seeing her all alone, came unto -her, and said, Mother Bunch, good morrow, how do you do? pray what -makes you abroad so early this morning? I am persuaded you are in a -study. Daughter you say very true; I am studying who must be my next -husband; and if thou but please to stay a little while, thou shalt see -a pretty art, which thou never saw before, for to teach thee to know -thy sweetheart. That is a pretty art indeed, and I should be very glad -to learn that art. - -Hark! Hark! daughter, is not yonder the cuckoo singing? Yes, yes, and I -have not heard her sing this year before now. Then, daughter, sit thee -down by me, but hark you daughter, are you fasting? Yes, I have neither -eat nor drank yet. Ay, but hath no young man kist thee to-day? No I -did see no man to-day. Then sit thee down by me. I think the cuckoo is -mad; what a life she leads; I think she is a witch and knows what we're -doing, but no matter; put off thy right foot shoe and stocking, and let -me look between thy great toes. Now, daughter, see, this hair (which is -a good long one); look well at it, and what colour it is (I think it is -partly yellow). The very same colour will thy husband's hair be. But, -Mother Bunch I do not matter the colour so much as I do his condition. -I will tell thee his condition; he may prove surly enough, but thou -must strive to please him as much as you can both night and day for he -will be very apt to go astray, and if he do thou must not much heed him -but give him good words for thou hast very bad luck if thou cannot do -him one good turn for another; but as for that thou must keep that to -thyself; an ill bird befoules its own nest; kiss and tell is base play. -Mother Bunch you make me smile, you talk so merrily. Come, daughter, -'tis no great matter; merry talk does do no harm, but drives the time -away; but as for the deed doing, I leave that to your own discretion. -But hark you! daughter, I have had three husbands myself, and I think -to have another yet, and do you think I am so mad to tell him all -that I do? no I am not so mad and I think thou wilt be a little wiser -and yet daughter, I have another way for to teach thee how thou shalt -come to know who must be thy husband, and I have approved it true; for -I tryed it myself, and now is the best time of the year to try it, -therefore take notice of what I say: Take a St. Thomas onion, and peel -it, and lay it in a clean handkerchief and lay it under your head; and -put on a clean smock, and be sure the room be clean swept where you -lye, and as soon as you be laid down, be sure lay thy arms abroad, and -say these words: - - Good St. Thomas do me right, - And bring my love to me this night, - That I may look him in the face, - And in my arms may him embrace. - -Then lying on thy back, with thy arms abroad, fall asleep as soon as -thou can, and in thy first sleep thou shalt dream of him which shall be -thy husband, and he will come and offer to kiss thee, but do not hinder -him, but strive to catch him in thy arms, and if thou do get hold of -him that is he which must be thy husband but if thou get not hold of -him thou must try another night, and if thou do get hold of him hold -him fast, for that is he. This I have try'd, and it has prov'd true. -Yet I have another pretty way for a maid to know her sweetheart, which -is as followeth: Take a summer apple, of the best fruit you can get, -and take three of the best pins you can get, and stick them into the -apple close to the head, and as you stick them in take notice which -of them is in the middle, and what name thou fancies best give that -middle pin and put it into thy left handed glove, and lay it under thy -pillow on a Saturday at night, but thou must be in bed before thou lays -it under thy head, and when thou hast done, clasp thy hands together, -speaking these words:— - - If thou be he that must have me - To be thy wedded bride, - Make no delay, but come away, - This night to my bedside. - -And in thy first sleep thou shalt see him come in his shirt and lie -down by thee, and if he offer thee any abuse it will be a great sign he -will prove one that will love other women as well as thee; but if he do -put his hand over thee to imbrace thee be not afraid of him, for it is -a great sign he will prove a good husband; and this is a good way for -a young man to know his sweetheart, giving the middlemost pin the name -he fancies best, putting an apple in his right handed glove, and lay it -under his pillow, when he is in bed, saying, - - If thou be she that must have me - In wedlock for to join, - Make no delay but come away - Unto this bed of mine. - -And that night he shall see her come, and if she come in her smock and -petticoat, which is a great sign she will prove a very civil woman; -but if she come without her petticoat there is danger she will prove -a ranter, and therefore better lost than won. And now, daughter, the -time passeth away and I must be gone, and so I bid you farewel. Mother -Bunch, I give you many thanks for your good counsel, and intend to take -your advice, and so fare you well. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -_The Second Part of Mother Bunch who lived at Bonny Venter in the West._ - - -Upon a time Mother Bunch, being bidden to a wedding, where a great -many young men and maids were met together, they knowing she was a -very old woman had a great desire to drink with her and to have some -civil discourse, she coming to them said one young man unto her, Mother -Bunch, we know that you are a woman that hath judgment in many things; -pray will you tell me my fortune? Why dost thou think that I can tell -fortunes, no I can tell no fortunes, but I can tell thee that thou wilt -never be true to one woman thou blinks so much on one eye, therefore -hold down thy tongue. Ay, but Mother Bunch, saith another, what think -you of me. Of thee, why I tell thee thou may come to marry a lady, -if thou can but lay a great wager with her, three to one; and if she -do but lay with thee, thou wilt be very likely to win, for thou hast -mettle in thee; but have a care she win not the odds of thee, for if -she do then thou art clean gone; so farewel. - -Now old Mother Bunch takes her leave; and going homeward she meets with -a young maid which was going to the wedding. How do you do, mother? -Thank you, daughter. Whither art a going? To the wedding I believe; -ay, Mother Bunch, so I am; but hark you, mother, will you sit down a -little, I have something to say to you. What is it daughter? Why mother -you can tell many things if you please, and I would have you when you -think I shall be married, ay but daughter would you fain be married? -Yes, mother, if I could but get a good husband. Then, daughter, I will -tell thee the best I can, if thou will take my advice. In the month of -January there are many very dangerous days for thee to take notice of -in many kind of waies, and I will give thee notice of them, that is the -first, the second, the fourth and fifth; there is a great many more, -but in these there is great danger, for if thou think to be married on -any of these daies I say there will be great danger that thy husband -will make thee a cuckold, or thou wilt make him one, or else you will -be soon parted by one means or other; but for all that there be so many -bad daies in this month, yet I can tell of one day in this month which -is lucky, and many young men and maids have a deal of hearts ease on -that day, or the day after, as I shall let thee understand if thou wilt -but take my advice I shall tell thee there is in January a day called -St. Agnes day, it is alwaies the one and twentieth day of the month. -This St. Agnes has a great favour to young men and maids, and will -bring to their bedsides (as that night) their sweethearts, if they -will follow this rule as I shall declare unto thee; therefore take good -notice of what I shall tell thee: Upon this St. Agnes day you must be -sure to keep a true fast, for thou must neither eat nor drink all that -day, nor at night, neither let any man, woman or child kiss thee that -day; and thou must be sure at night when thou goest to bed, to put on -a clean shift, and the best thou hast the better thou maist speed, and -thou must have clean cloaths on thy head, for St. Agnes does love to -see clean clothes when she comes; and when thou liest down on thy bed, -lie thee down on thy back as straight as thou canst, and lay both thy -hands under thy head behind and say these words:— - - Now good St. Agnes play thy part, - And send to me my own sweetheart; - And shew me such an happy bliss, - This night of him to have a kiss. - -And then be sure to fall asleep as soon as thou canst and before thou -awake out of thy first sleep, thou shalt see him come and stand before -thee, and thou shalt perceive by his habit what tradesman he is; but -be sure thou declare not thy dream unto any body in ten daies and by -that time thou may come to see thy dream come to pass. All this I have -approved three times; for I have had three husbands, and they proved -all three tradesmen; the first was a straw joiner, the second was a -louse trap maker, and the third was of the gentle craft; and he come -to me with his awl in his hand, and would needs prick me, ay and did -prick me, but it did not hurt me; for when I awaked out of my dream -I was never the worse; but I thought the time very long till he came -again, and so will all maidens do that have a desire to be married, -but as for all those maids which is not minded to try St. Agnes I will -tell thee the best way I can to choose them husbands by phansie, for -I know some maids would have husbands some of one condition and some -of another, for some will say that they will have a handsome man and a -neat man, a witty man and a pretty man, nay there is no good conditions -that belong to a man but they would have him to have them all, which is -a thing impossible, but I must needs tell such as be so covetous that -may come to be beholden to the old proverb which says:— - - If you will not when you may, - When you will you shall have nay. - -Therefore take my advice, and that is, if a young man comes unto you -which is of a civil carriage, and of a good honest parentage, and thou -think that thou canst love him, then thou must not be scornful with -him, but give him civil entertainment, according to his behaviour; but -of all conditions be sure to hold thy legs together, till thou have -authority to lay them wide open. - -And as for young men, my advice is to them to be wary in their choice, -for there is as much danger in chusing a wife as can be in young women -chusing husbands, for there is deceit in both; therefore, I advise -all young men to _look before they_ _leap_, and in so doing they may -prevent danger in time, therefore young men take a little of my advice -in your choice; if thou can chuse take not one that hath a long nose -with a scowling brow, and thin lips, for in such is great danger, for -such commodity proves to have a long tongue, and that often proves the -worst weapon a woman has, for I am sure he that is ty'd to a scold, -is ty'd to a world of sorrow; also chuse not one that is counted a -slut, for if she be a slut to be sure she is idle withall, and those -two conditions will bring thee to poverty; nay besides, the old saying -is, _A slut will poison thy gut_, and if thou disdain to eat with her, -thou wilt think much to lie with her, if thou forsake her bed thou must -have one somewhere, but where judge thou thyself. Yet now I will let -you understand my best advice for young men to chuse them wives: in the -first place be sure thou take one for love, not altogether for riches, -for riches has wings and flyeth away; but true love will never decay; -for where love is there is the blessing of God, and where the blessing -of God is there can be no want, but if thy desire be to have a wife to -live a loving contented life withall, then thou must not set thy mind -too much on riches, but chuse a good handsome civil maid, which is not -given to pride, nor scornful in carriage and of uncivil parentage; such -a maid may make a good wife; but one that has a great portion will -look to be maintained proudly, nay besides she instead of rubbing thy -shins in bed will be sure to rub thy nose oft with her great portion, -which will breed a great deal of dissension, for ill words corrupt -good manners, and one evil word brings in another, so let this suffice -you have a desire to have good wives: and take notice of what I have -already said, and you may come to speed the better. - -And as for young maids, this is my advice, if they will not try St. -Agnes fortune then let them be sure to chuse a handsome young man -that is lusty and able to do his work; for if she be fain to seek -for another to do that work which he should do it may breed great -dissension. - -And thus endeth Mother Bunch's advice to all young men and maids, -wishing good luck and good fortune to them all. And now (rather than -you should think you have not enough for your money) the author has -added two merry songs: - -_Tune of “Cuddle my Cuddle.”_ - - You young men and batchelors all, - Take notice of what I shall say; - The strongest man may catch a fall - If with Venus he delight to play. - - It is nothing for to woo a maid, - If he have but to please her withal; - But yet he may soon be betray'd, - If she chance backward to fall. - - Young Cupid is a pretty fine boy - And Venus his mother loves sport - And gallants doth love for to toy - With pretty young ladies at the Court. - - The Ploughman loves country Jone, - Betty, Mary, and lovely Nan; - And he with a merry tone - Can please them every one. - - But Jone loves Jarvis the Joiner, - And Betty with Martin can bill, - And Mary loves John the gold-finder, - And Nan loves George of the Mill. - - Tom Tinker loves Kate and her kettle - And Kate she thinks him her best friend - Because he's a man of mettle. - Concluding my ditty doth end. - -_Another of the same tune._ - - Attend ye gentlemen all, - And a Story I here will unfold - A bad story oft proves too true - For the poor suffers hunger and cold. - - 'Twas writ in an evening bright, - When Bacchus began to be muddy, - And Luna gave glorious light - Then Poor Tom fell into his study. - - Which troubled his brain full sore, - To see how extortion doth thrive - And conscience kicked out of door, - Such cruelty now is alive. - - My lady can dance in her smock - Whilst Joan at tick-tack doth play - A cuckold the cradle may rock; - For he that is bound must obey. - - His master if he doth command, - And his mistress if she do bid go; - For some women would have all to stand - Hold, earman, lest you overthrow. - - A woman when she is unlac'd - Much danger is got by a fall; - Between the foot and the waist - The Cobbler will work with his awl. - -Now for those poor young creatures that have pined themselves to -the green sickness, and neglected the cure till it is almost past, -those that are the worst pretenders to phisnomy might easily guess -their distemper and prescribe their remedy without the help of a -dispensatory, and all those of what constitution soever, that languish -in single sheets till fifteen; I will tell (if your courage will -serve to try the experiment) how you shall know and see the persons -that shall ease you of the simple thing so much talked of called a -maidenhead, by him that must be your husband, collected from the Twelve -Sybils, Trismajistus, and Cornelius Agrippa, and this is - - -_The First Way._ - -You that desire to know it this way must wait till Midsummer Eve, then -at night three or four of you, or more or less, must take your smocks -and dip them in fair water, then turn the wrong side outwards, and hang -them on chairs before the fire, and have by you a vessel with drink in -it and lay some salt in another before the fire, and be sure not to -speak a word whatever you hear or see. In a little time the likeness of -those persons you shall marry will come and turn your smocks, and drink -to you; now if there be any of you that will never marry, they will -hear a bell, but not the rest but whoever hears this bell none of my -authors is positive that she shall dye a maid. - - -_Another, and quickly tried._ - -Which is this: you are only to take a little hemp-seed and go into -what place you please by yourself, and carry the seed in your apron, -and with your right hand throw it over your left shoulder, saying thus: - - Hemp-seed I sow, hemp-seed I sow, - And he that must be my true love, - Come after me and mow. - -And at the ninth time expect to see the figure of him you are to wed, -or else hear a bell, as before. - - Yet though you hear the sad and dismal bell, - 'Tis your fault if you lead apes in hell. - - -_Another way._ - -Which is this: you that dare venture yourselves into a church-yard -just as it strikes twelve, take there a naked sword in your hand, and -go nine times about the church, saying only thus, _Here's the sword, -but where's the scabbard?_ Which continue all the time you go round; -and the ninth time the person you are to marry will meet you with a -scabbard, and so kiss you; if not, a bell as before. - - -_Another, which is called the Dutch Cake._ - -Three, or four, or more of you are to make a cake of half flour and -half salt (no matter what flour it is) and some of every one of your -own water, make this cake broad and thin, then every one of you either -make a mark that you know or set the two first letters of your name on -it with a pin or bodkin, but leave such a distance that it may be cut; -then set it before the fire to bake, but all this while speak not a -word. Turn it every one of you once, then let it bake a little more and -then throw on every one a little salt and she that turn'd it first let -her turn it again, then the person to be her husband will cut out her -name and break it in two and give her one half, and so the next, and -the next, till the last. If there be any so unfortunate to hear a bell, -I wish I had them to my bedfellows this night to prevent leading apes -in hell. - - -_Another way._ - -The first change of the new moon in the new year; the first time you -see, hold your hands across, saying this three times, - - New moon, new moon, I pray thee - Tell me this night who my true love will be. - -Then go to bed without speaking any more that night and you will -certainly dream of the person you are to marry. - - -_Another, experienced very often._ - -Young men or maids may do onely this: Take some rosemarry flowers, and -some bay leaves, a little thyme, sweet marjoram, and sidder wood; make -these into powder, and with a little barley flour make a cake, but do -not bake it. Lay this under your head any Friday night, and if you -dream of musick, you will marry those you desire in a little time; if -of the sea or ships, you'll travel first; if of a church, you must be -contented to die single. - - -_Another._ - -The first time you hear the cuckoo sing look under your left shoe and -you will find hair of the colour of your wife or husband without the -help of the Devil. - -[Illustration] - - - - - THE - - HISTORY - - OF - - MOTHER BUNCH OF THE WESTE - - CONTAINING - - MANY RARITIES OUT OF HER GOLDEN - CLOSET OF CURIOSITIES. - - _PART THE SECOND._ - - _Printed and Sold at the Printing-Office - Bow Church-Yard, London._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -One Michaelmas-day old Mother Bunch sitting upon the bank of a river, -joining to a neighbouring grove, she beheld the late flourishing -branches in their decay, whose leaves were falling to the earth. From -this she began to consider seriously of her own mortality; and since -Old Time had hurried on the Winter of her age, which had covered her -head with grey locks, she might expect e'er long she must fall like the -leaves to the earth; therefore she resolved, in regard she had always -been a kind friend to young men and maids, that she would leave a fair -testimony of her love before she left the world; since her painful -study and strict observation had made a large improvement in her stock -of knowledge, she would not have it buried in the grave with her, but -leave it to posterity, for the benefit of young men and maids, whereby -they may learn to understand their good and bad fortunes, and by the -direction of this book, be furnished with many secret rarities never -published to the world. - -Accordingly the next day she wrote letters of invitation to the young -men and maids to repair to her house on St. Luke's day; the maids she -appointed to come in the morning to be first instructed, for these two -reasons as she herself was a woman, she would teach the young women -first, lest the batchelors should be too severe on them; the second was -it being Horn Fair day, many of the batchelors would be employed in the -morning, in handing old citizens young wives to the fair, and in the -afternoon they might be at liberty. This was the determination of Old -Mother Bunch. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE SECOND PART OF - -MOTHER BUNCH, ETC. - - -Now against the day appointed, Mother Bunch deck'd her house, and -getting up very early that morning she placed herself in the closet -where her treasure lay. Now the first that entered the room was Margery -Loveman, a maltster's maid, who with a low curtsey said, Good morrow, -Mother Bunch, I am come to partake of your bounty; for I hear you have -a second time opened your Golden Closet of Curiosities.—Yes, daughter, -said she, so I have, and thou shalt partake of it.—Here are infallible -rules and directions in all manner of love intrigues, that you may -know what sort of man you'll marry, and whether he will prove loving -or no. Dear mother these are the things I would know; for believe me -out of all my sweethearts I'd willingly chuse the best; 'tis true I -have 150_l._ the noise of which has brought many sweethearts, and I'd -willingly know which come for pure love and which for the lucre of the -money. Daughter, said she, here is an experiment, if you will but try -it, will make a full discovery of the reality of their love. Let a -report be spread, that you are robbed of all you have in the world; if, -after this, there is any one continues his love as before, you may be -sure he is faithful. But be sure keep this counsel to yourself, that -the mystery may not be discovered. I'll take care of that, dear mother, -quoth Margery, and I heartily thank you for this kind advice, so good -morrow, for I must needs go. - - Good morrow, daughter, she reply'd, - Young men are false and must be try'd. - -She was no sooner gone, but in came Mrs. Susan, a young Sempstress -from Salisbury, who entered wringing of her hands. How now, quoth she, -what's the matter daughter, you take on at this rate? Alas! Mother -Bunch, quoth Susan, my, my, my——. What's the matter? Why my sorrow is -more than I am able to bear; for mother, dear Frank, the fiddler and I -are fallen out and he swears he will not have me. Come, daughter, quoth -she, be of good cheer, I'll put you in a way to see whether he is angry -or no. She that's afraid of the grass must never piss in a meadow. One -swallow never makes a summer, nor one woodcock a winter. Let your angry -lover alone for a season, and he'll come to himself again; for I know -fond love is a puny darling, and wants humouring; therefore let him -alone, in time he'll forget his anger, and return to thee again, if -he has any principle of good nature or loyal love in him, and if not, -you had better be without him, than for your lifetime to be ty'd to a -sour apple-tree. Remember the old proverb, Set thy stool in the sun, -if a knave goes an honest man may come. I hope you have not play'd the -wanton with him. No, mother, but he fain would have play'd a lesson on -my lute the other market day only, but I had more grace than to let -him. Say'st thou so, daughter? Why I tell thee, he did it to try thee, -and since he finds that you withstood him, he will never leave you. -Well, dear mother, she said, your words are comfortable to me, and when -I find the good effects, I'll return and give you an account; and now -mother, farewel. - - Right happy daughter may you be, - In guarding your virginity. - -The next which entered the room was Margaret, the miller's maid, who -after making a low curtsey and giving Mother Bunch the time of the day, -desired to know for what reason she sent her a letter. Why quoth the -old woman, to the end that I might reveal to you some secrets, that are -both relative and conducive to love, which I have never yet discovered -to the world. But mother, said Margaret, I am a meer stranger to love, -for I never knew what it meant. That may be, quoth she, yet you know -not how soon you may receive the arrows of Cupid, and then you'll -be glad of some of my advice; for I know the best of you desires to -lie with a man; and I'll appeal to you if you would not be glad of a -husband. Mother, quoth Margaret, you come too close to the matter, -and if I may speak my mind, I'd willingly embrace such a one; for -although housekeeping is chargeable, yet marriage is honourable. Thou -say'st well daughter, quoth Mother Bunch, and if thou hast a mind to -see the man, follow my directions and you shall not fail. Let me see, -this is St. Luke's Day, which I have found by my long experience to -be fitter for this purpose than St. Agnes's and the ingredients more -excellent. Take Marygold flowers, a sprig of Marjoram, Thyme, and a -little Wormwood; dry them before a fire, rub them to powder, then sift -it thro' a fine piece of lawn; simmer these, with a small quantity of -virgin honey, in white wine vinegar, over a slow fire; with this anoint -your stomach, breast and lips, when lying down and repeat these words -thrice: - - St. Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me, - In dreams let me my true love see. - -This said, hasten to sleep, and in the soft slumbers of your nights -repose, the very man whom you shall marry will appear before you, -walking to and fro, near your bedside, very plain and visible to be -seen. You shall perfectly behold his visage, stature and deportment and -if he be one that will prove a loving husband, he will approach you -with a smile; which if he does, do not seem to be overfond or peevish, -but receive the same with a mild and modest blush. But if he be one, -who after marriage will forsake thy bed to wander off after strange -women, he will offer to be rude and uncivil with thee. These are -rarities I have never before divulged, and will prove of advantage. I -must thank you for all your love, quoth Margaret, and so farewel, good -Mother Bunch. Good-bye, dear daughter, she immediately reply'd, - - Let Joy and Pleasure crown your Days, - And a kind Man your Fortune Raise. - -Next came in Kate the clothworker's daughter, Doll the dairymaid, Joan, -Bridget, Nancy, Phillis, etc. in all about forty together, who almost -filled the room, each of them crying, Dear Mother Bunch, remember me, O -mother, remember me, etc. that they made the old woman deaf with their -great noise. My dear daughters, quoth the old woman, set you down and -be quiet, and you shall partake of my benediction. Now daughters, I'll -sit in the midst of you and read you a lecture; meaning to give you an -account of some extraordinary curiosities here in my closet newly broke -open; declaring that the things which are profitable for one maid are -so for another. - -First, if any one here desires to know the name of the man whom they -shall marry, let her who desires this seek for a green peascod, in -which there are full nine peas; which done either write or cause to be -written on a small slip of paper these words: - - Come in my dear and do not fear. - -Which writing you must enclose within the aforesaid peascod, and lay -it under the door. Then mind the next person who comes in, for you'll -certainly marry one of the same name. - -Secondly, she who desires to be satisfied whether she shall enjoy the -man desired or no; Let her take two lemon peels in the morning, and -wear them all day under her armpits; then at night let her rub the four -posts of the bed with them; which done in your sleep he will seem to -come and present you with a couple of lemons, but if not, there is no -hope. - -Thirdly, she who desires to know to what manner of fortune she shall be -married, if a gentleman, a tradesman, or a traveller. The experiment is -this, take a walnut, a hazlenut, and a nutmeg, grate them and mix them -up with butter and sugar into pills, which must be taken at lying down, -and then if her fortune be to marry a gentleman, her sleep will be -filled with golden dreams, if a tradesman, odd noises and tumults, if a -traveller, then will thunder and lightning disturb her. - -Fourthly, St. Agnes's day I have not yet blotted out of my book; but I -have found a more exact way of trial than before. You need not abstain -from kisses, nor be forced to keep fast for the glance of a lover in -the night. If you can but rise to be at the church-door between the -hours of twelve and one in the morning; and then put the forefinger of -your right hand into the keyhole, and then repeat the following words -thrice, - - O sweet St. Agnes now draw near, - And with my true love strait appear. - -Then will he presently approach with a smiling countenance. - -Fifthly, my daughters, know ye the 14th of February is Valentine's day, -at which time the fowls of the air begin to couple; and the young men -and maids are for chusing their mates. Now that you may speed, take -this approved direction: Take five Bay leaves, lay one under every -corner of your pillow, and the fifth in the middle; then lying down to -rest, repeat these lines seven times over: - - Sweet Guardian Angel let me have - What I most earnestly do crave - A Valentine endow'd with love, - That will both kind and constant prove. - -Then to your content you'll either have the Valentine you desire, or -one more excellent. - -Sixthly, the old experiment of the Midsummer smock found out in a -much better method than before, by my sublime and painful study in -philosophy. And now, my daughters, said she, it is thus: Let seven of -you go together on Midsummer Eve, just at sunset, into a silent grove, -and gather every one of you a sprig of red sage, and return into a -private room, with a stool in the middle; each one having a clean -smock, turned wrong side outwards, hanging on a line cross the room, -and let every one lay their sprig of red sage in a clean bason of rose -water, set on the stool; which done place yourselves on a row, and -continue till twelve or one, saying nothing, be it what you will you -see; for after midnight each one's sweetheart or husband that shall -be, will take each maids sprig out of the rose water, and sprinkle his -love's shift; and those who are so unfortunate, as never to be married, -their sprigs will not be moved, but in lieu of that, sobs and sighs -will be heard. This has been often try'd and it never failed of its -effects. - - These things I have found out of late, - To make young lovers fortunate. - -And now, my dear daughters, I have but a word or two more to say at the -present, and that by way of caution. - -In the twelvemonths I find about thirty-one days unlucky; so as you -tender your own happiness, take care you marry not on those days, and -for your better instruction I will set down those days for you. - -In January are four, the 7th, 14th, 17th, and 18th. - -In February two, the 5th and 10th. - -In March three, the 9th, 19th, and 21st. - -In April two, the 6th and 7th. - -In May two, the 4th and 13th. - -In June three, the 7th, 9th, and 10th. - -In July two, the 6th and 7th. - -In August two, the 11th and 16th. - -In September three, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. - -In October three, the 4th, 14th, and 15th. - -In November two, the 15th and 24th. - -In December three, the 6th, 8th, and 9th. - - Observe my Rules of all these days, - And then you will your Fortunes raise. - -This said, old Mother Bunch gave them a cup of her cordial water, and -so dismiss'd them, the young Damsels returning her hearty thanks for -her motherly advice. - -After Mother Bunch had dined, the young men came, as Tom the Miller, -Ralph the Thatcher, and Robin the Ploughman, with a great many of other -trades and callings, whom Mother Bunch invited to sit down, that so she -might the better deliver her salutary counsel to them. - -And first, she begins with Tom the Miller, saying, Ah, Tom, thou art -a sad fellow, there's not a maid comes to the mill but you will be -bobbing under their aprons; but take my word for it, if you don't leave -off, you'll be ruined. What woman will have such a one? She may justly -conclude, you will be caterwauling still. You know what I mean Tom. -Yes, yes, mother, but sure you don't take me for such a one. Yes Tom, -I do, and I am but seldom mistaken; 'tis you millers that fill the -country with crack'd maidenheads, that the honest husbandman already -finds the ground till'd up. But farewell, I will have nothing to do -with such as you. - -Then turning to Ralph the Thatcher, she said, I find you are desirous -of a wife, and your ambition is such, she must be rich, young and -beautiful. So you can't be content with honest Joan, to whom you -promis'd marriage, but must change her for a finikin madam; but I can -tell you she won't stand picking of straws with you; her fair face -will find her many friends in a corner; and so you may chance to be a -cuckold, and indeed but justly served in your kind; and therefore I -pray you to return to your old lover, for she is an honest girl, and -therefore far more fit for you than such a butterfly as you have lately -followed. - -Then she stretched forth her hand to Robin the Plowman, saying, Thou -art an honest fellow, and good luck will attend thee; I don't mean bags -of gold nor heaps of silver, but thou shalt have an industrious wife, -one who will be willing to labour, a true and faithful yokemate, who -will be a chearful partner in thy weal or woe, to support thee under -thy troubles, as the Poet has it, - - The Burden may be borne by two, with care, - Which is, perhaps, too much for one to bear. - -Honest Robin this is thy fortune, and as thou art a downright man, I'm -glad to find it so. - - Thus Mother Bunch went round the room - And told them what would be their doom - If they her daughters did betray, - And steal their maidenheads away, - Each should be punished with a bride, - By whom they should be hornify'd, - But if they were right honest men - They should have happy fortunes then. - - This said she did her blessing give, - In love and happiness to live; - Which when they did the same receive, - Of Mother Bunch they took their leave, - Declaring she had told them more - Than e'er they understood before. - - -FINIS. - -[Illustration] - - - * * * * * - -TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES. - - 1. Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical - errors. - 2. 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B. Wheatley - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body {margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.indent2 {margin-left: 2em;} - -hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%;} -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%;} -hr.r10 {width: 10%; margin-left: 45%; margin-right: 45%;} -hr.r15 {width: 15%; margin-left: 42.5%; margin-right: 42.5%;} -hr.r25 {width: 25%; margin-left: 37.5%; margin-right: 37.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 25%; margin-left: 37.5%; margin-right: 37.5%;} - -.xsmall {font-size: 65%;} -.small {font-size: 75%;} -.smaller {font-size: 90%;} -.large {font-size: 120%;} -.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -div.section {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak, h3.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -.topspace1 {margin-top:1em;} -.topspace2 {margin-top:2em;} -.topspace4 {margin-top:4em;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -.poetry-container {text-align: center; - font-size:85%; - margin-top:1em; - margin-bottom:1em;} - -.poetry {display: inline-block; - text-align: left;} - -.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} - -.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; - padding-left: 3em;} - -.poetry .indent8 {text-indent: -2em;} - -@media handheld -{ - .poetry - { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; - } -} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Chap-Books and Folk-Lore Tracts (Vol. III), by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: Chap-Books and Folk-Lore Tracts (Vol. III) - -Author: Various - -Editor: G. L. Gomme - H. B. Wheatley - -Release Date: December 30, 2019 [EBook #61057] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAP-BOOKS AND FOLK-LORE *** - - - - -Produced by hekula03, Brian Wilsden and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Book Cover" width="500" height="721" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h1> -<span class="xlarge"><i>Chap-Books</i></span> -<br /> -<i>and</i><br /> -<span class="xlarge"><i>Folk-Lore Tracts.</i></span> -</h1> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p class="center large"><i>Edited by</i><br /> -<span class="xlarge"><i>G. L. Gomme, F.S.A.</i></span><br /> -<i>and</i><br /> -<span class="xlarge"><i>H. B. Wheatley, F.S.A.</i></span></p> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<hr class="r25" /> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p class="center large"><i>First Series.</i></p> - -<p class="center"><b>III.</b></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak"><span class="large">MOTHER BUNCH’S CLOSET</span><br /> -<span class="large">NEWLY BROKE OPEN,</span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="small">AND THE</span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="large">HISTORY OF MOTHER BUNCH OF<br /> -THE WEST.</span> -</h2> -<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -<p class="center smaller">PRINTED FROM<br /> -THE EARLIEST EXTANT COPIES,<br /> -<br /> -AND EDITED, WITH AN INTRODUCTION,</p> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p class="center small">BY</p> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p class="center"><span class="large">GEORGE LAURENCE GOMME, F.S.A.</span></p> -<br /> -<hr class="r25" /> -<br /> -<p class="center"><span class="large">LONDON:</span> -<br /> -PRINTED FOR THE VILLON SOCIETY.</p> -<hr class="r5" /> -<p class="center">1885.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="section"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg i]</span></p> -<h3 class="nobreak"><span class="large">Introduction.</span></h3> -</div> - -<hr class="r10" /> - -<p>This chap-book is not a story. It is a collection of charms -and dreams supposed to have been communicated by a personage -bearing the name of Mother Bunch, a name unhistorical and, -so far as I have been able to ascertain, unknown to any other -department of literature.</p> - -<p>The edition here printed is made up of two distinct parts. -The first part is the oldest, and at one time the only portion -extant. This is reprinted from the copy in the Pepsyian -Library at Cambridge, dated 1685. The second part is printed -from the copy in the British Museum library, and dated by -the authorities there 1780, this being the earliest version I have -been able to find.</p> - -<p>From the wording of its title, “Mother Bunch’s Closet -<em>Newly</em> Broke Open,” there is evidence of the first part being -a continuation of a chap-book already issued upon the same -subject. For this we must refer to a jest-book first published -in 1604, the title of which runs as follows: <cite>Pasquil’s Jests, -mixed with Mother Bunche’s Merriments</cite>...... This book -is a well-known collection of jests of a rather broad nature, and - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg ii]</span> - -its style of composition lent itself to a continuation such as -we have in the chap-book now under consideration. There -is no other connection between the two publications than the -title.<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>The later editions of this chap-book differ considerably from -that of 1685 in the Pepsyian Collection. Almost every page -varies, and that too in no inconsiderable manner. It is not -perhaps necessary to point out all the variations because they -are not of great literary or historical interest, but it may be well -to indicate the chief differences. The 1685 edition, as here -printed, contains two parts. These in later editions are amalgamated, -and the title on page 10, “The second part of -Mother Bunch, who lived at Bonny Ventor in the West,” -does not therefore appear. As a specimen of the later editions, -the following is the opening passages of the 1780 edition, and -other pages are similarly altered:</p> - -<p class="center">“Mother Bunch’s Cabinet Broke Open.</p> - -<p>“Reading over many ancient histories, it was my chance to -meet with a story of an old woman who lived in the west -country, who took delight in studying her fortune; when she -found herself full twenty years old, she thought her luck worse -than some who were married at fifteen or sixteen, which - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg iii]</span> - -much troubled her mind; but to prevent all doubts she resolved -to try a story she had often heard her mother talk of, and, -finding it true, she resolved to teach other wonders.</p> - -<p>“On a time this old woman, having newly buried her husband, -was taking a walk in the fields for the benefit of the air, -sometimes thinking of the loss of her husbands, for she had -had three, yet had a great desire for the fourth. So it happened -as she was walking alone she espied a young maid by a -meadow side. Good morrow, maid, said the old woman; how -do you do? are not you well? Yes, mother, I am very well, -but somewhat troubled in mind.”</p> - -<p>The paragraph on page 20 is entirely left out in the later -editions, and the following addition is made:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Now Mother Bunch’s store exhaust,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">She sits her down to spin;</div> - <div class="verse">Then studies how she soon may make</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Her Second Part begin.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">Which now is finished and sold</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Where you have had the First,</div> - <div class="verse">’Twill make you wise, also to laugh,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Untill your sides do burst.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>These are all the points of difference which it will be necessary -to note between the 1685 edition, now reprinted, and -those that appeared later in conjunction with the new second -part.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg iv]</span></p> - -<p>The woodcuts in these chap-books are of the rudest description, -and they did not appear worth reproducing. Mr. Ashton, -in his <cite>Chap-books of the Eighteenth Century</cite>, pp. 84–87, has -given three woodcuts from the second part of the 1780 edition, -and the following lines, which, together with the funeral picture, -make the finish of the book. These lines are not printed on -our last page:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Thus all her Art at length could not her save,</div> - <div class="verse">From death’s dire stroke, and mould’ring in the grave.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>We will now discuss the special importance of Mother -Bunch’s collection of dreams and prognostications. It is well -known that these subjects form a not unimportant branch of -folk-lore, and it is therefore interesting to find that through the -medium of this seventeenth-century chap-book we have preserved -to us some scraps of folk-lore which are of value. They -for the most part group themselves round certain days in the -calendar, and it will therefore perhaps be best to adopt this -arrangement for our consideration of them. Thus we have -St. Agnes’ Day (21 Jan.), Valentine’s Day (14 Feb.), -20th April, Midsummer Eve (24 June), St. Luke’s Day -(Oct. 18), St. Thomas’s Day (Dec. 21). Almost all the -customs recorded by Mother Bunch on these days are incorporated -by Sir Henry Ellis in his edition of Brand’s <cite>Popular -Antiquities</cite>; but their original value is ascertained by the -independent practice of the self-same customs in many parts -of England, as noted by authorities who did not know Mother - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg v]</span> - -Bunch. Take, for instance, St. Agnes’ Day. Ben Jonson, -Aubrey in his <cite>Miscellanies</cite>, Burton in his <cite>Anatomy of Melancholy</cite>, -Barnaby Googe, all refer to the self-same customs recorded in -this chap-book. Of course if this rule held good throughout, -and in matters of detail, it might be said that the chap-book -was copied from these earlier authorities. But this can be -shown not to be so by one curious piece of evidence. The -Scottish St. Agnes rhyme differs from that of Mother Bunch. -It is as follows:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Agnes sweet, and Agnes fair,</div> - <div class="verse">Hither, hither, now repair,</div> - <div class="verse">Bonny Agnes let me see</div> - <div class="verse">The lad who is to marry me.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>(See <cite>Times Telescope</cite>, 1823, p. 15.) Again, the 20th April is -not a festival day, but in Worcestershire there is a belief in the -county that the cuckoo is never heard till Tenbury Fair day, -which is the 20th April (Dyer’s <cite>Popular Customs</cite>, p. 192); a -fact which, when compared to the narrative on page 6, goes far -to prove that this Worcestershire belief was known to the -author of Mother Bunch. The unlucky days mentioned on -pages 11 and 32 are curious, and should be compared with the -calendar customs collected in Hampson’s <cite>Medii Ævi Kalendarium</cite>. -Of the nature of the customs performed on the various -days it will not be necessary to say much. They are all connected -with divination for a wife or a husband. But they are -curious in preserving the rhyming words of an incantation - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg vi]</span> - -which may be of considerable archaic importance if we could -arrive, by a comparison of all the extant rhymes on this subject, -at something like the original form. Coupled with this are -two significant customs, namely, the journey to the church-door -on St. Agnes Eve (p. 30), which may be considered with -the perambulation of the church recorded on page 18. These -may be compared with the Derbyshire custom recorded in the -<cite>Jour. Arch. Assoc.</cite> vol. vii. p. 209. And the gathering of flowers -in a silent grove on Midsummer Eve (p. 31) should also be noted.</p> - -<p>Of customs incidentally mentioned there are divinations connected -with apple (p. 8), cakes (18), cuckoo (20), flowers (19), -hemp-seed (18), lemon (30), new moon (19), nuts (30), peascod -(29). Horn Fair day is mentioned on p. 24. On page 16 -in the rhymes there given the game of tick-tack is mentioned. -This is a game at tables similar to backgammon, and is sometimes -called trick-track. Mr. Wheatley, in his <cite>Dictionary of -Reduplicated Words</cite>, has collected the instances of its mention -in the early writers.</p> - -<p>The following are the proverbs:—</p> - -<p class="indent2">(1) An ill bird befoules it own nest (6).</p> - -<p class="indent2">(2) Kiss and tell is base play (6).</p> - -<p class="indent2">(3) If you will not when you may, when you will you shall -have nay (13).</p> - -<p class="indent2">(4) Look before you leap (13) (see <cite>Paradise of Daynty -Deuyses</cite>, 1578; Tottel’s <cite>Miscellany</cite>, 1557).</p> - -<p class="indent2">(5) A slut will poison thy gut (14).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg vii]</span></p> - -<p class="indent2">(6) Riches has wings and flyeth away (14).</p> - -<p class="indent2">(7) Ill words corrupt good manners (15).</p> - -<p class="indent2">(8) [Old maids] lead apes in hell (18) (see <cite>Much Ado about -Nothing</cite>, act ii. sc. 1.)</p> - -<p class="indent2">(9) She that’s afraid of the grass must never —— in the -meadow (26).</p> - -<p class="indent2">(10) One swallow never makes a summer, nor one woodcock -a winter (26) (see Polyd. Virg. <cite>Prov. Libellus</cite>, 1498; -Northbrook’s <cite>Treatise against Dauncing</cite> (1577), Swallow’s -<cite>Cinthia’s Revenge</cite>, 1613; Arist. Ethic. Nicom. lib. i.)</p> - -<p class="indent2">(11) Set thy stool in the sun, if a knave goes, an honest -man may come (27).</p> - -<p class="indent2">(12) He would have played a lesson on my lute (27).</p> - -<p>Only four of these are recorded in Hazlitt, namely, numbers -4, 6, 8, and 10.</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> -<div class="footnotes"> -<blockquote> -<p class="footnote"><span class="smcap"><b>Footnotes</b></span></p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> -<cite>Pasquil’s Jests</cite> will be reprinted in one of the series -of the present collection. Hazlitt’s <cite>Handbook to Popular Literature</cite> -says there are editions in 1604, 1609, 1629, 1635, 1650 and 1669. Mr. -Hazlitt has reprinted it in the third series of his <cite>Old English Jest -Books</cite>, 1864.</p></div> -</blockquote> -</div> -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_003.png" alt="" width="200" height="47" /> -</div> -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg viii]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">MOTHER BUNCH’S<br /> -CLOSET<br /> -NEWLY BROKE OPEN.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center"> -<i>Wherein is discovered many rare Secrets of<br /> -Art & Nature;<br /> -tryed and experienced by learned Phylosophers,<br /> -and recommended to all ingenious<br /> -young men and maids,<br /> -Teaching young men (in a natural way) how<br /> -to get good wifes & maids good husbands,<br /> -Experimented by ancient authors as, viz. The<br /> -manner of St. Agnes Fast, the 21st of January<br /> -The washing the Smock on Midsummer eve<br /> -The soweing of Hemp-seed. The Dutch Cake.<br /> -Teaching them how in sleep and dreams to<br /> -see and know them perfectly.</i><br /> -</p> - -<hr class="r10" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">No Harm at all is in this set,</div> - <div class="verse">But teaching Maids Husbands to get;</div> - <div class="verse">And also young Men of each Degree</div> - <div class="verse">Turn o’re the Leaf, and you may see,</div> - <div class="verse">What there is, writ in Merriment</div> - <div class="verse">Hoping to give you all content.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="r10" /> - -<p class="center"><i>By your Loving Friend poor Tom for the King a Lover of<br /> -Mirth; but a Hater of Traytors and Treason. T.R.</i></p> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Printed by A. M. for P. Brooksby in Py Corner 1685.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="section"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 1]</span></p> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_001.png" alt="" width="450" height="78" /> -</div> -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<h3 class="nobreak"><span class="large">MOTHER BUNCH<br /> -<span class="xsmall">OF THE</span><br /> -WEST, ETC.</span></h3> -</div> - -<p>Reading over many ancient histories, it was my chance to -meet with a story of an old woman who lived in the west -county, who took delight in studying how she might know -what a sweetheart she might have, for at that time she thought -she had tarried very long; she being full twenty years of age, -thought (in her mind) that her fortune was not so good as -other maidens, which she knew was married some at fifteen, -and some at sixteen, which troubled her very sore; but to prevent -all other doubts, she was fully resolved to try an old story -which she had heard her Grandmother talk of many a time and -did, and finding some of them to be true she took upon her to -teach other maidens, as you may hear in this following -discourse.</p> - -<p>Upon a time this old woman (having newly buried her husband - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 2]</span> - -and was a widow) oftentimes delighted to walk abroad in -the fields, to take the ayr, sometimes thinking of the loss of her -husbands, for she had had three, yet she had a great desire to -have another, intending to try her former rules. So it happened -as she was walking alone, she espied a proper young maid in -the side of a meadow near a hedge side. Good morrow, maid, -said the old woman, how do you do? Are you not well -you look so civily? Yes, said the maid, I am not sick -neither am I very well, for I am a little troubled in my -mind. What is it, said the old woman, tell me, and if I -can do thee any good I shall be very willing, for I have some -little judgment in many things, therefore be not ashamed to tell -me the truth what it is that thou art so much troubled withall. -Indeed, old mother, seeing you urge me so much I shall let you -understand the truth, and thus it is: We be three sisters, and -the youngest was married about a year ago, and the middlemost -last week, and I am the eldest, and no man heeds me. Well, -daughter, if this be all that thou tellest me I do believe I can teach -thee how to ease thyself in this condition, for when I was -young I myself was in the very same condition, and with -reading over some histories I found out the art to know him -that should be my husband, and what colour of hair he should -be, which, if thou will promise me to keep my counsel, I shall -be willing to teach thee. I will truly, and if you will do so -much for me I shall think myself very much beholding unto -you, and if my fortune prove right I will make you amends.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 3]</span></p> - -<p>Why then I will tell you, in the first place thou must observe -St. Agnes’s day, which is upon the 21st day of January, and -on that day thou must be sure to keep a true fast, for thou -must not eat anything all that day nor at night, and be sure -that no man salute thee (not kiss thee I mean), no neither man -woman nor child must kiss thy lips on that day, and then at -night before thou go into thy bed, thou must be sure to put on -a clean shift thou hast, and the best thou hast then the better -thou may speed, and when thou lyest down lay thy right hand -under thy head saying these words, <i>Now the god of love send me -my desires</i>; and make sure thou as soon as thou can and thou -shalt be sure to dream of him which must be thy husband and -see him stand before thee and thou wilt take great notice of him -and his complexion; and if he offer to salute thee do not deny -him but show as much favour unto him as thou can; but if he -offer to be uncivil unto thee make sure to hold thy legs together. -And now, daughter, this counsel which I have given -thee be sure to tell nobody, and so fare you well till I see you -again.</p> - -<p>I give you many thanks for your good advice, but one thing -more I have to say unto you, What is your name? and where -do you live? that I may come to see you again for I shall think -the time long. Why I tell thee, daughter, my name is Mother -Bunch and I live at a place called Bonny Venter, and if thou -wilt but take the pains to come thither thou shalt be welcome, -and so farewell.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 4]</span></p> - -<p>Now Mother Bunch being departed from the maid, and -going homeward she meets with another pretty young girl. -Good morrow, Mother Bunch. Good morrow, pretty maid, -whither are you going this morning? methinks you are very -fine to-day. Fine, Mother Bunch, you do but think so. Nay -I cannot discommend you; for such young maids as you must -go handsome, or you will have much ado to get good husbands; -for I know you think the time long. No, no, Mother, I am -too young yet. Why daughter how old are you? Why I am -but eighteen. But eighteen, never but it for I know thou -think’st thou hast stayed long enough, and would as fain have a -good husband as another. Aye, but Mother Bunch, good -husbands are ill to find out, and especially with such as I am -which has no skill in chusing, or else it may be I would fain -have a husband as another. Why then daughter take my advice: -if thou would have a good husband thou must be sure to be wise -in chusing, that is to say take not one that hath a red head; -for to be sure he will be one to love the smock so well, that he -will be loth to let his wife have a good one to her back; neither -take one that has yellow hair, for he will be apt to be jealous; -no nor a black man, for they oft prove dogged. Ay, but hark -you Mother Bunch if I must have neither red nor yellow nor -black, what colour must I have then? It may be I have set -my love on a yellow haird man already—Why, daughter, if it be -so I can [tell] thee what will follow: if he prove jealous of thee -thou wilt be driven into such a condition with his speeches that - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 5]</span> - -thou may very well make his words good, for how should -a woman forbear that which she is always told of? for to be -sure if he be jealous of thee, thou hast cause to be jealous of him, -for there is no man or woman that is jealous the one of the -other but they are false themselves, for whores and thieves -think all is alike. But hold a little, daughter, one thing more -I have to say unto thee, and that is this. Take notice of thy -sweethearts, when they come a wooing unto thee (I mean of -their civil behaviour), for if they swear, and bow, and make -great protestations, then have a care of thyself, for many words -breed dissimulation; therefore have a care of such. But if a -man come unto thee that is sparing of his words and very civil -in his carriage, there is hopes he will prove a loving man and -love passeth above all the meanes in the world. Well now -Mother Bunch I must take my leave of you, giving you many -thanks for your good advice; and so farewel, until I see you -again, and I do intend to take your counsel.</p> - -<p>Another time Mother Bunch was in a little meadow, not far -from her own house, and it was on the 20th day of April very -early in the morning before sunrising. A handsome young -maid seeing her all alone, came unto her, and said, Mother -Bunch, good morrow, how do you do? pray what makes you -abroad so early this morning? I am persuaded you are in a -study. Daughter you say very true; I am studying who must -be my next husband; and if thou but please to stay a little -while, thou shalt see a pretty art, which thou never saw before, - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 6]</span> - -for to teach thee to know thy sweetheart. That is a pretty art -indeed, and I should be very glad to learn that art.</p> - -<p>Hark! Hark! daughter, is not yonder the cuckoo singing? -Yes, yes, and I have not heard her sing this year before now. -Then, daughter, sit thee down by me, but hark you daughter, -are you fasting? Yes, I have neither eat nor drank yet. Ay, -but hath no young man kist thee to-day? No I did see no -man to-day. Then sit thee down by me. I think the cuckoo -is mad; what a life she leads; I think she is a witch and knows -what we’re doing, but no matter; put off thy right foot shoe -and stocking, and let me look between thy great toes. Now, -daughter, see, this hair (which is a good long one); look well -at it, and what colour it is (I think it is partly yellow). The -very same colour will thy husband’s hair be. But, Mother -Bunch I do not matter the colour so much as I do his condition. -I will tell thee his condition; he may prove surly enough, but -thou must strive to please him as much as you can both night -and day for he will be very apt to go astray, and if he do thou -must not much heed him but give him good words for thou -hast very bad luck if thou cannot do him one good turn for -another; but as for that thou must keep that to thyself; an ill -bird befoules its own nest; kiss and tell is base play. Mother -Bunch you make me smile, you talk so merrily. Come, -daughter, ’tis no great matter; merry talk does do no harm, but -drives the time away; but as for the deed doing, I leave that -to your own discretion. But hark you! daughter, I have had - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 7]</span> - -three husbands myself, and I think to have another yet, and do -you think I am so mad to tell him all that I do? no I am not -so mad and I think thou wilt be a little wiser and yet daughter, -I have another way for to teach thee how thou shalt come to -know who must be thy husband, and I have approved it true; -for I tryed it myself, and now is the best time of the year to -try it, therefore take notice of what I say: Take a St. Thomas -onion, and peel it, and lay it in a clean handkerchief and lay it -under your head; and put on a clean smock, and be sure the -room be clean swept where you lye, and as soon as you be laid -down, be sure lay thy arms abroad, and say these words:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Good St. Thomas do me right,</div> - <div class="verse">And bring my love to me this night,</div> - <div class="verse">That I may look him in the face,</div> - <div class="verse">And in my arms may him embrace.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Then lying on thy back, with thy arms abroad, fall asleep as -soon as thou can, and in thy first sleep thou shalt dream of him -which shall be thy husband, and he will come and offer to kiss -thee, but do not hinder him, but strive to catch him in thy arms, -and if thou do get hold of him that is he which must be thy -husband but if thou get not hold of him thou must try another -night, and if thou do get hold of him hold him fast, for that -is he. This I have try’d, and it has prov’d true. Yet I have -another pretty way for a maid to know her sweetheart, which -is as followeth: Take a summer apple, of the best fruit you can -get, and take three of the best pins you can get, and stick them - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 8]</span> - -into the apple close to the head, and as you stick them in take -notice which of them is in the middle, and what name thou -fancies best give that middle pin and put it into thy left handed -glove, and lay it under thy pillow on a Saturday at night, but -thou must be in bed before thou lays it under thy head, and -when thou hast done, clasp thy hands together, speaking these -words:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">If thou be he that must have me</div> - <div class="verse indent8">To be thy wedded bride,</div> - <div class="verse">Make no delay, but come away,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">This night to my bedside.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>And in thy first sleep thou shalt see him come in his shirt -and lie down by thee, and if he offer thee any abuse it will be a -great sign he will prove one that will love other women as well -as thee; but if he do put his hand over thee to imbrace thee be -not afraid of him, for it is a great sign he will prove a good -husband; and this is a good way for a young man to know his -sweetheart, giving the middlemost pin the name he fancies best, -putting an apple in his right handed glove, and lay it under his -pillow, when he is in bed, saying,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">If thou be she that must have me</div> - <div class="verse indent8">In wedlock for to join,</div> - <div class="verse">Make no delay but come away</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Unto this bed of mine.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>And that night he shall see her come, and if she come in her -smock and petticoat, which is a great sign she will prove a very -civil woman; but if she come without her petticoat there is - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 9]</span> - -danger she will prove a ranter, and therefore better lost than -won. And now, daughter, the time passeth away and I must -be gone, and so I bid you farewel. Mother Bunch, I give you -many thanks for your good counsel, and intend to take your -advice, and so fare you well.</p> - -<div class="topspace4"></div> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_002.png" alt="" width="200" height="45" /> -</div> -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="section"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 10]</span></p> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_001.png" alt="" width="450" height="78" /> -</div> -<div class="topspace4"></div> -<h3 class="nobreak"><span class="large"><i>The Second Part of Mother Bunch who lived at<br /> -Bonny Venter in the West.</i></span></h3> -</div> - -<p>Upon a time Mother Bunch, being bidden to a wedding, -where a great many young men and maids were met together, -they knowing she was a very old woman had a great desire to -drink with her and to have some civil discourse, she coming to -them said one young man unto her, Mother Bunch, we know -that you are a woman that hath judgment in many things; -pray will you tell me my fortune? Why dost thou think that -I can tell fortunes, no I can tell no fortunes, but I can tell thee -that thou wilt never be true to one woman thou blinks so -much on one eye, therefore hold down thy tongue. Ay, but -Mother Bunch, saith another, what think you of me. Of thee, -why I tell thee thou may come to marry a lady, if thou can but -lay a great wager with her, three to one; and if she do but lay -with thee, thou wilt be very likely to win, for thou hast mettle -in thee; but have a care she win not the odds of thee, for if she -do then thou art clean gone; so farewel.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 11]</span></p> - -<p>Now old Mother Bunch takes her leave; and going homeward -she meets with a young maid which was going to the -wedding. How do you do, mother? Thank you, daughter. -Whither art a going? To the wedding I believe; ay, Mother -Bunch, so I am; but hark you, mother, will you sit down a -little, I have something to say to you. What is it daughter? -Why mother you can tell many things if you please, and I -would have you when you think I shall be married, ay but -daughter would you fain be married? Yes, mother, if I could -but get a good husband. Then, daughter, I will tell thee the -best I can, if thou will take my advice. In the month of -January there are many very dangerous days for thee to take -notice of in many kind of waies, and I will give thee notice of -them, that is the first, the second, the fourth and fifth; there is -a great many more, but in these there is great danger, for if thou -think to be married on any of these daies I say there will be -great danger that thy husband will make thee a cuckold, or thou -wilt make him one, or else you will be soon parted by one means -or other; but for all that there be so many bad daies in this -month, yet I can tell of one day in this month which is lucky, -and many young men and maids have a deal of hearts ease on -that day, or the day after, as I shall let thee understand if thou -wilt but take my advice I shall tell thee there is in January a -day called St. Agnes day, it is alwaies the one and twentieth -day of the month. This St. Agnes has a great favour to young -men and maids, and will bring to their bedsides (as that night) - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 12]</span> - -their sweethearts, if they will follow this rule as I shall declare -unto thee; therefore take good notice of what I shall tell thee: -Upon this St. Agnes day you must be sure to keep a true fast, -for thou must neither eat nor drink all that day, nor at night, -neither let any man, woman or child kiss thee that day; and -thou must be sure at night when thou goest to bed, to put on -a clean shift, and the best thou hast the better thou maist speed, -and thou must have clean cloaths on thy head, for St. Agnes does -love to see clean clothes when she comes; and when thou liest -down on thy bed, lie thee down on thy back as straight as thou -canst, and lay both thy hands under thy head behind and say -these words:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Now good St. Agnes play thy part,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">And send to me my own sweetheart;</div> - <div class="verse">And shew me such an happy bliss,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">This night of him to have a kiss.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>And then be sure to fall asleep as soon as thou canst and -before thou awake out of thy first sleep, thou shalt see him come -and stand before thee, and thou shalt perceive by his habit what -tradesman he is; but be sure thou declare not thy dream unto -any body in ten daies and by that time thou may come to see -thy dream come to pass. All this I have approved three times; -for I have had three husbands, and they proved all three tradesmen; -the first was a straw joiner, the second was a louse trap -maker, and the third was of the gentle craft; and he come to -me with his awl in his hand, and would needs prick me, ay and - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 13]</span> - -did prick me, but it did not hurt me; for when I awaked out -of my dream I was never the worse; but I thought the time -very long till he came again, and so will all maidens do that -have a desire to be married, but as for all those maids which is -not minded to try St. Agnes I will tell thee the best way I can -to choose them husbands by phansie, for I know some maids -would have husbands some of one condition and some of another, -for some will say that they will have a handsome man and a -neat man, a witty man and a pretty man, nay there is no good -conditions that belong to a man but they would have him to -have them all, which is a thing impossible, but I must needs -tell such as be so covetous that may come to be beholden to the -old proverb which says:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">If you will not when you may,</div> - <div class="verse">When you will you shall have nay.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Therefore take my advice, and that is, if a young man comes -unto you which is of a civil carriage, and of a good honest -parentage, and thou think that thou canst love him, then thou -must not be scornful with him, but give him civil entertainment, -according to his behaviour; but of all conditions be sure to hold -thy legs together, till thou have authority to lay them wide -open.</p> - -<p>And as for young men, my advice is to them to be wary in -their choice, for there is as much danger in chusing a wife as -can be in young women chusing husbands, for there is deceit -in both; therefore, I advise all young men to <em>look before they</em> - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 14]</span> - -<em>leap</em>, and in so doing they may prevent danger in time, therefore -young men take a little of my advice in your choice; if -thou can chuse take not one that hath a long nose with a -scowling brow, and thin lips, for in such is great danger, for -such commodity proves to have a long tongue, and that often -proves the worst weapon a woman has, for I am sure he that is -ty’d to a scold, is ty’d to a world of sorrow; also chuse not -one that is counted a slut, for if she be a slut to be sure she is -idle withall, and those two conditions will bring thee to poverty; -nay besides, the old saying is, <cite>A slut will poison thy gut</cite>, and if -thou disdain to eat with her, thou wilt think much to lie with -her, if thou forsake her bed thou must have one somewhere, -but where judge thou thyself. Yet now I will let you understand -my best advice for young men to chuse them wives: in -the first place be sure thou take one for love, not altogether for -riches, for riches has wings and flyeth away; but true love -will never decay; for where love is there is the blessing of God, -and where the blessing of God is there can be no want, but -if thy desire be to have a wife to live a loving contented life -withall, then thou must not set thy mind too much on riches, -but chuse a good handsome civil maid, which is not given to -pride, nor scornful in carriage and of uncivil parentage; such -a maid may make a good wife; but one that has a great portion -will look to be maintained proudly, nay besides she instead of -rubbing thy shins in bed will be sure to rub thy nose oft with -her great portion, which will breed a great deal of dissension, - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 15]</span> - -for ill words corrupt good manners, and one evil word brings in -another, so let this suffice you have a desire to have good -wives: and take notice of what I have already said, and you -may come to speed the better.</p> - -<p>And as for young maids, this is my advice, if they will not -try St. Agnes fortune then let them be sure to chuse a handsome -young man that is lusty and able to do his work; for if -she be fain to seek for another to do that work which he should -do it may breed great dissension.</p> - -<p>And thus endeth Mother Bunch’s advice to all young men -and maids, wishing good luck and good fortune to them all. -And now (rather than you should think you have not enough -for your money) the author has added two merry songs:</p> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Tune of “Cuddle my Cuddle.”</i></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">You young men and batchelors all,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Take notice of what I shall say;</div> - <div class="verse">The strongest man may catch a fall</div> - <div class="verse indent8">If with Venus he delight to play.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">It is nothing for to woo a maid,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">If he have but to please her withal;</div> - <div class="verse">But yet he may soon be betray’d,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">If she chance backward to fall.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">Young Cupid is a pretty fine boy</div> - <div class="verse indent8">And Venus his mother loves sport</div> - <div class="verse">And gallants doth love for to toy</div> - <div class="verse indent8">With pretty young ladies at the Court.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">The Ploughman loves country Jone,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Betty, Mary, and lovely Nan;</div> - <div class="verse">And he with a merry tone</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Can please them every one.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">But Jone loves Jarvis the Joiner, -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 16]</span></div> - <div class="verse indent8">And Betty with Martin can bill,</div> - <div class="verse">And Mary loves John the gold-finder,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">And Nan loves George of the Mill.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">Tom Tinker loves Kate and her kettle</div> - <div class="verse indent8">And Kate she thinks him her best friend</div> - <div class="verse">Because he’s a man of mettle.</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Concluding my ditty doth end.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<p class="center"><i>Another of the same tune.</i></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Attend ye gentlemen all,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">And a Story I here will unfold</div> - <div class="verse">A bad story oft proves too true</div> - <div class="verse indent8">For the poor suffers hunger and cold.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">’Twas writ in an evening bright,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">When Bacchus began to be muddy,</div> - <div class="verse">And Luna gave glorious light</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Then Poor Tom fell into his study.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">Which troubled his brain full sore,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">To see how extortion doth thrive</div> - <div class="verse">And conscience kicked out of door,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Such cruelty now is alive.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">My lady can dance in her smock</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Whilst Joan at tick-tack doth play</div> - <div class="verse">A cuckold the cradle may rock;</div> - <div class="verse indent8">For he that is bound must obey.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">His master if he doth command,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">And his mistress if she do bid go;</div> - <div class="verse">For some women would have all to stand</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Hold, earman, lest you overthrow.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">A woman when she is unlac’d</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Much danger is got by a fall;</div> - <div class="verse">Between the foot and the waist</div> - <div class="verse indent8">The Cobbler will work with his awl.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 17]</span></p> - -<p>Now for those poor young creatures that have pined themselves -to the green sickness, and neglected the cure till it is -almost past, those that are the worst pretenders to phisnomy -might easily guess their distemper and prescribe their remedy -without the help of a dispensatory, and all those of what constitution -soever, that languish in single sheets till fifteen; I will -tell (if your courage will serve to try the experiment) how you -shall know and see the persons that shall ease you of the simple -thing so much talked of called a maidenhead, by him that must -be your husband, collected from the Twelve Sybils, Trismajistus, -and Cornelius Agrippa, and this is</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>The First Way.</i></p> - -<p>You that desire to know it this way must wait till Midsummer -Eve, then at night three or four of you, or more or less, must -take your smocks and dip them in fair water, then turn the -wrong side outwards, and hang them on chairs before the fire, -and have by you a vessel with drink in it and lay some salt in -another before the fire, and be sure not to speak a word whatever -you hear or see. In a little time the likeness of those -persons you shall marry will come and turn your smocks, and -drink to you; now if there be any of you that will never marry, -they will hear a bell, but not the rest but whoever hears this -bell none of my authors is positive that she shall dye a maid.</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Another, and quickly tried.</i></p> - -<p>Which is this: you are only to take a little hemp-seed and go - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 18]</span> - -into what place you please by yourself, and carry the seed in -your apron, and with your right hand throw it over your left -shoulder, saying thus:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Hemp-seed I sow, hemp-seed I sow,</div> - <div class="verse">And he that must be my true love,</div> - <div class="verse">Come after me and mow.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>And at the ninth time expect to see the figure of him you are -to wed, or else hear a bell, as before.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Yet though you hear the sad and dismal bell,</div> - <div class="verse">’Tis your fault if you lead apes in hell.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Another way.</i></p> - -<p>Which is this: you that dare venture yourselves into a church-yard -just as it strikes twelve, take there a naked sword in your -hand, and go nine times about the church, saying only thus, <em>Here’s -the sword, but where’s the scabbard?</em> Which continue all the -time you go round; and the ninth time the person you are to -marry will meet you with a scabbard, and so kiss you; if not, a -bell as before.</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Another, which is called the Dutch Cake.</i></p> - -<p>Three, or four, or more of you are to make a cake of half -flour and half salt (no matter what flour it is) and some of every -one of your own water, make this cake broad and thin, then -every one of you either make a mark that you know or set -the two first letters of your name on it with a pin or bodkin, -but leave such a distance that it may be cut; then set it before - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 19]</span> - -the fire to bake, but all this while speak not a word. Turn it -every one of you once, then let it bake a little more and then -throw on every one a little salt and she that turn’d it first let -her turn it again, then the person to be her husband will cut -out her name and break it in two and give her one half, and so the -next, and the next, till the last. If there be any so unfortunate -to hear a bell, I wish I had them to my bedfellows this night to -prevent leading apes in hell.</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Another way.</i></p> - -<p>The first change of the new moon in the new year; the first -time you see, hold your hands across, saying this three times,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">New moon, new moon, I pray thee</div> - <div class="verse">Tell me this night who my true love will be.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Then go to bed without speaking any more that night and you -will certainly dream of the person you are to marry.</p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Another, experienced very often.</i></p> - -<p>Young men or maids may do onely this: Take some rosemarry -flowers, and some bay leaves, a little thyme, sweet marjoram, -and sidder wood; make these into powder, and with a -little barley flour make a cake, but do not bake it. Lay this -under your head any Friday night, and if you dream of musick, -you will marry those you desire in a little time; if of the sea or -ships, you’ll travel first; if of a church, you must be contented -to die single.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 20]</span></p> - -<div class="topspace1"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Another.</i></p> - -<p>The first time you hear the cuckoo sing look under your left -shoe and you will find hair of the colour of your wife or husband -without the help of the Devil.</p> - -<div class="topspace4"></div> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_004.png" alt="" width="150" height="147" /> -</div> -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 21]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -THE<br /> -<br /> -HISTORY<br /> -<br /> -<span class="xsmall">OF</span><br /> -<br /> -MOTHER BUNCH OF THE WESTE<br /> -<br /> -<span class="xsmall">CONTAINING</span><br /> -<br /> -MANY RARITIES OUT OF HER GOLDEN<br /> -CLOSET OF CURIOSITIES. -</h2> -</div> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>PART THE SECOND.</i></p> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<p class="center"><i>Printed and Sold at the Printing-Office<br /> -Bow Church-Yard, London.</i> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="section"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 22-23]</span></p> -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_001.png" alt="" width="450" height="78" /> -</div> -</div> -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<div class="topspace4"></div> - -<h3 class="nobreak">INTRODUCTION.</h3> - -<hr class="r10" /> - -<p>One Michaelmas-day old Mother Bunch sitting upon the -bank of a river, joining to a neighbouring grove, she beheld -the late flourishing branches in their decay, whose leaves were -falling to the earth. From this she began to consider seriously -of her own mortality; and since Old Time had hurried on the -Winter of her age, which had covered her head with grey locks, -she might expect e’er long she must fall like the leaves to the -earth; therefore she resolved, in regard she had always been a -kind friend to young men and maids, that she would leave a -fair testimony of her love before she left the world; since her -painful study and strict observation had made a large improvement -in her stock of knowledge, she would not have it buried -in the grave with her, but leave it to posterity, for the benefit -of young men and maids, whereby they may learn to understand -their good and bad fortunes, and by the direction of this book, - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 24]</span> - -be furnished with many secret rarities never published to the -world.</p> - -<p>Accordingly the next day she wrote letters of invitation to -the young men and maids to repair to her house on St. Luke’s -day; the maids she appointed to come in the morning to be first -instructed, for these two reasons as she herself was a woman, -she would teach the young women first, lest the batchelors -should be too severe on them; the second was it being Horn -Fair day, many of the batchelors would be employed in the -morning, in handing old citizens young wives to the fair, and -in the afternoon they might be at liberty. This was the determination -of Old Mother Bunch.</p> - -<div class="topspace4"></div> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_003.png" alt="" width="200" height="47" /> -</div> -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="section"> -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 25]</span></p> -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_001.png" alt="" width="450" height="78" /> -</div> -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<div class="topspace4"></div> -<h3 class="nobreak">THE SECOND PART OF<br /> -MOTHER BUNCH, ETC.</h3> -</div> - -<hr class="r15" /> - -<p>Now against the day appointed, Mother Bunch deck’d her -house, and getting up very early that morning she placed herself -in the closet where her treasure lay. Now the first that entered -the room was Margery Loveman, a maltster’s maid, who with a -low curtsey said, Good morrow, Mother Bunch, I am come to -partake of your bounty; for I hear you have a second time -opened your Golden Closet of Curiosities.—Yes, daughter, said -she, so I have, and thou shalt partake of it.—Here are infallible -rules and directions in all manner of love intrigues, that you may -know what sort of man you’ll marry, and whether he will prove -loving or no. Dear mother these are the things I would know; -for believe me out of all my sweethearts I’d willingly chuse the -best; ’tis true I have 150<i>l.</i> the noise of which has brought many - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 26]</span> - -sweethearts, and I’d willingly know which come for pure love -and which for the lucre of the money. Daughter, said she, -here is an experiment, if you will but try it, will make a full -discovery of the reality of their love. Let a report be spread, -that you are robbed of all you have in the world; if, after this, -there is any one continues his love as before, you may be sure -he is faithful. But be sure keep this counsel to yourself, that -the mystery may not be discovered. I’ll take care of that, dear -mother, quoth Margery, and I heartily thank you for this kind -advice, so good morrow, for I must needs go.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Good morrow, daughter, she reply’d,</div> - <div class="verse">Young men are false and must be try’d.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>She was no sooner gone, but in came Mrs. Susan, a young -Sempstress from Salisbury, who entered wringing of her hands. -How now, quoth she, what’s the matter daughter, you take -on at this rate? Alas! Mother Bunch, quoth Susan, my, my, -my——. What’s the matter? Why my sorrow is more than -I am able to bear; for mother, dear Frank, the fiddler and I are -fallen out and he swears he will not have me. Come, daughter, -quoth she, be of good cheer, I’ll put you in a way to see -whether he is angry or no. She that’s afraid of the grass must -never piss in a meadow. One swallow never makes a summer, -nor one woodcock a winter. Let your angry lover alone for a -season, and he’ll come to himself again; for I know fond love -is a puny darling, and wants humouring; therefore let him -alone, in time he’ll forget his anger, and return to thee again, if - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 27]</span> - -he has any principle of good nature or loyal love in him, and if -not, you had better be without him, than for your lifetime to -be ty’d to a sour apple-tree. Remember the old proverb, Set -thy stool in the sun, if a knave goes an honest man may come. -I hope you have not play’d the wanton with him. No, -mother, but he fain would have play’d a lesson on my lute the -other market day only, but I had more grace than to let him. -Say’st thou so, daughter? Why I tell thee, he did it to try -thee, and since he finds that you withstood him, he will never -leave you. Well, dear mother, she said, your words are comfortable -to me, and when I find the good effects, I’ll return and -give you an account; and now mother, farewel.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Right happy daughter may you be,</div> - <div class="verse">In guarding your virginity.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>The next which entered the room was Margaret, the -miller’s maid, who after making a low curtsey and giving -Mother Bunch the time of the day, desired to know for what -reason she sent her a letter. Why quoth the old woman, to -the end that I might reveal to you some secrets, that are both -relative and conducive to love, which I have never yet discovered -to the world. But mother, said Margaret, I am a meer -stranger to love, for I never knew what it meant. That may -be, quoth she, yet you know not how soon you may receive the -arrows of Cupid, and then you’ll be glad of some of my advice; -for I know the best of you desires to lie with a man; and I’ll -appeal to you if you would not be glad of a husband. Mother, - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 28]</span> - -quoth Margaret, you come too close to the matter, and if I -may speak my mind, I’d willingly embrace such a one; for -although housekeeping is chargeable, yet marriage is honourable. -Thou say’st well daughter, quoth Mother Bunch, and if -thou hast a mind to see the man, follow my directions and you -shall not fail. Let me see, this is St. Luke’s Day, which I -have found by my long experience to be fitter for this purpose -than St. Agnes’s and the ingredients more excellent. Take -Marygold flowers, a sprig of Marjoram, Thyme, and a little -Wormwood; dry them before a fire, rub them to powder, then -sift it thro’ a fine piece of lawn; simmer these, with a small -quantity of virgin honey, in white wine vinegar, over a slow -fire; with this anoint your stomach, breast and lips, when lying -down and repeat these words thrice:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">St. Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me,</div> - <div class="verse">In dreams let me my true love see.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>This said, hasten to sleep, and in the soft slumbers of your -nights repose, the very man whom you shall marry will appear -before you, walking to and fro, near your bedside, very plain -and visible to be seen. You shall perfectly behold his visage, -stature and deportment and if he be one that will prove a -loving husband, he will approach you with a smile; which if -he does, do not seem to be overfond or peevish, but receive the -same with a mild and modest blush. But if he be one, who -after marriage will forsake thy bed to wander off after strange -women, he will offer to be rude and uncivil with thee. These - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 29]</span> - -are rarities I have never before divulged, and will prove of -advantage. I must thank you for all your love, quoth Margaret, -and so farewel, good Mother Bunch. Good-bye, dear daughter, -she immediately reply’d,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Let Joy and Pleasure crown your Days,</div> - <div class="verse">And a kind Man your Fortune Raise.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Next came in Kate the clothworker’s daughter, Doll the -dairymaid, Joan, Bridget, Nancy, Phillis, etc. in all about forty -together, who almost filled the room, each of them crying, Dear -Mother Bunch, remember me, O mother, remember me, etc. -that they made the old woman deaf with their great noise. -My dear daughters, quoth the old woman, set you down and -be quiet, and you shall partake of my benediction. Now -daughters, I’ll sit in the midst of you and read you a lecture; -meaning to give you an account of some extraordinary curiosities -here in my closet newly broke open; declaring that the things -which are profitable for one maid are so for another.</p> - -<p>First, if any one here desires to know the name of the man -whom they shall marry, let her who desires this seek for a green -peascod, in which there are full nine peas; which done either -write or cause to be written on a small slip of paper these -words:</p> - -<p class="center small">Come in my dear and do not fear.</p> - -<p>Which writing you must enclose within the aforesaid peascod, -and lay it under the door. Then mind the next person who -comes in, for you’ll certainly marry one of the same name.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 30]</span></p> - -<p>Secondly, she who desires to be satisfied whether she shall -enjoy the man desired or no; Let her take two lemon peels in -the morning, and wear them all day under her armpits; then -at night let her rub the four posts of the bed with them; which -done in your sleep he will seem to come and present you with -a couple of lemons, but if not, there is no hope.</p> - -<p>Thirdly, she who desires to know to what manner of fortune -she shall be married, if a gentleman, a tradesman, or a traveller. -The experiment is this, take a walnut, a hazlenut, and a -nutmeg, grate them and mix them up with butter and sugar -into pills, which must be taken at lying down, and then if her -fortune be to marry a gentleman, her sleep will be filled with -golden dreams, if a tradesman, odd noises and tumults, if a -traveller, then will thunder and lightning disturb her.</p> - -<p>Fourthly, St. Agnes’s day I have not yet blotted out of my -book; but I have found a more exact way of trial than before. -You need not abstain from kisses, nor be forced to keep fast -for the glance of a lover in the night. If you can but rise to -be at the church-door between the hours of twelve and one in -the morning; and then put the forefinger of your right hand -into the keyhole, and then repeat the following words thrice,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">O sweet St. Agnes now draw near,</div> - <div class="verse">And with my true love strait appear.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Then will he presently approach with a smiling countenance.</p> - -<p>Fifthly, my daughters, know ye the 14th of February is -Valentine’s day, at which time the fowls of the air begin to - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 31]</span> - -couple; and the young men and maids are for chusing their -mates. Now that you may speed, take this approved direction: -Take five Bay leaves, lay one under every corner of your pillow, -and the fifth in the middle; then lying down to rest, repeat -these lines seven times over:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Sweet Guardian Angel let me have</div> - <div class="verse">What I most earnestly do crave</div> - <div class="verse">A Valentine endow’d with love,</div> - <div class="verse">That will both kind and constant prove.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Then to your content you’ll either have the Valentine you -desire, or one more excellent.</p> - -<p>Sixthly, the old experiment of the Midsummer smock found -out in a much better method than before, by my sublime and -painful study in philosophy. And now, my daughters, said she, -it is thus: Let seven of you go together on Midsummer Eve, -just at sunset, into a silent grove, and gather every one of you -a sprig of red sage, and return into a private room, with a stool -in the middle; each one having a clean smock, turned wrong -side outwards, hanging on a line cross the room, and let every -one lay their sprig of red sage in a clean bason of rose water, -set on the stool; which done place yourselves on a row, and -continue till twelve or one, saying nothing, be it what you will -you see; for after midnight each one’s sweetheart or husband -that shall be, will take each maids sprig out of the rose water, -and sprinkle his love’s shift; and those who are so unfortunate, -as never to be married, their sprigs will not be moved, but in - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 32]</span> - -lieu of that, sobs and sighs will be heard. This has been often -try’d and it never failed of its effects.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">These things I have found out of late,</div> - <div class="verse">To make young lovers fortunate.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>And now, my dear daughters, I have but a word or two more -to say at the present, and that by way of caution.</p> - -<p>In the twelvemonths I find about thirty-one days unlucky; -so as you tender your own happiness, take care you marry not -on those days, and for your better instruction I will set down -those days for you.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In January are four, the 7th, 14th, 17th, and 18th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In February two, the 5th and 10th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In March three, the 9th, 19th, and 21st.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In April two, the 6th and 7th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In May two, the 4th and 13th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In June three, the 7th, 9th, and 10th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In July two, the 6th and 7th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In August two, the 11th and 16th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In September three, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In October three, the 4th, 14th, and 15th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In November two, the 15th and 24th.</p> - -<p class="indent2">In December three, the 6th, 8th, and 9th.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Observe my Rules of all these days,</div> - <div class="verse">And then you will your Fortunes raise.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>This said, old Mother Bunch gave them a cup of her cordial -water, and so dismiss’d them, the young Damsels returning her -hearty thanks for her motherly advice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 33]</span></p> - -<p>After Mother Bunch had dined, the young men came, as -Tom the Miller, Ralph the Thatcher, and Robin the Ploughman, -with a great many of other trades and callings, whom -Mother Bunch invited to sit down, that so she might the better -deliver her salutary counsel to them.</p> - -<p>And first, she begins with Tom the Miller, saying, Ah, Tom, -thou art a sad fellow, there’s not a maid comes to the mill but -you will be bobbing under their aprons; but take my word for -it, if you don’t leave off, you’ll be ruined. What woman will -have such a one? She may justly conclude, you will be caterwauling -still. You know what I mean Tom. Yes, yes, mother, -but sure you don’t take me for such a one. Yes Tom, I do, -and I am but seldom mistaken; ’tis you millers that fill the -country with crack’d maidenheads, that the honest husbandman -already finds the ground till’d up. But farewell, I will have -nothing to do with such as you.</p> - -<p>Then turning to Ralph the Thatcher, she said, I find you are -desirous of a wife, and your ambition is such, she must be rich, -young and beautiful. So you can’t be content with honest -Joan, to whom you promis’d marriage, but must change her for -a finikin madam; but I can tell you she won’t stand picking -of straws with you; her fair face will find her many friends in -a corner; and so you may chance to be a cuckold, and indeed -but justly served in your kind; and therefore I pray you to return -to your old lover, for she is an honest girl, and therefore far more -fit for you than such a butterfly as you have lately followed.</p> - -<p>Then she stretched forth her hand to Robin the Plowman, - -<span class="pagenum">[Pg 34]</span> - -saying, Thou art an honest fellow, and good luck will attend -thee; I don’t mean bags of gold nor heaps of silver, but thou shalt -have an industrious wife, one who will be willing to labour, a true -and faithful yokemate, who will be a chearful partner in thy weal -or woe, to support thee under thy troubles, as the Poet has it,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">The Burden may be borne by two, with care,</div> - <div class="verse">Which is, perhaps, too much for one to bear.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Honest Robin this is thy fortune, and as thou art a downright -man, I’m glad to find it so.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="smaller"> - <div class="verse">Thus Mother Bunch went round the room</div> - <div class="verse">And told them what would be their doom</div> - <div class="verse">If they her daughters did betray,</div> - <div class="verse">And steal their maidenheads away,</div> - <div class="verse">Each should be punished with a bride,</div> - <div class="verse">By whom they should be hornify’d,</div> - <div class="verse">But if they were right honest men</div> - <div class="verse">They should have happy fortunes then.</div> -<br /> - <div class="verse">This said she did her blessing give,</div> - <div class="verse">In love and happiness to live;</div> - <div class="verse">Which when they did the same receive,</div> - <div class="verse">Of Mother Bunch they took their leave,</div> - <div class="verse">Declaring she had told them more</div> - <div class="verse">Than e’er they understood before.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class="center">FINIS.</p> - -<div class="topspace4"></div> - -<div class="topspace2"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_003.png" alt="" width="200" height="47" /> -</div> -<div class="topspace2"></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p><span class="smcap">Transcriber’s Notes.</span></p> -<p> 1. Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical - errors.</p> -<p>2. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Chap-Books and Folk-Lore Tracts (Vol. -III), by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAP-BOOKS AND FOLK-LORE *** - -***** This file should be named 61057-h.htm or 61057-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/0/5/61057/ - -Produced by hekula03, Brian Wilsden and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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