MERRY MAY, JANE!
It was the First of May, the
weather was perfect, and Jane deLacey and Nellie went running in the park by
their house.
“When I was
home in England,
in 1594,” said Jane, “On the Morn of May we would arise betimes and take us to
one of father’s estates at the village
of Poppets Revel, there to
see them bring in the May! Lads and
lasses returning from the greenwood with new boughs and garlands of flowers,
all led in procession by the Morris Dancers!”
“Morris
Dancers?” asked Nellie, “Whatever are they?”
“’Struth! Knowest thou not? They dance with bells ‘pon their legs and
flourish fair napkins i’ their hands, and caper along right vig’rously to brave
musick! And the day is given o’er to sports
and games, and mykyl food and drink.”
“A May Day
Pageant?”
“Yea,
verily! The greenery is hung to the
Maypole, and all dance about it sunwise, both old and young. They crown with flowers the fairest maid as
Queen of the May, and she is attended by stout youths who do personate Robin Hood
and his Merry Men. And all the while the
Morris Dancers gambol and caper to pipe and tabor . . . when they find the time
to set aside their strong ale.”
“There is going be a May Day
Pageant here in Kisco Hills this afternoon, by the bandstand on the far side of
the park. We should make up a picnic
lunch and go see it. There will be a
Queen of the May, just like in your time.
The theme this year is ‘The Golden Age of Greece’, so Robin Hood won’t
be part of it.”
“And no Morris Dancers? ‘Twouldn’t be May Day withouten Morris
Dancers! Therefore must I dance the
Morris myself this morning!”
“We have
sleigh bells with our Christmas decorations,” suggested Nellie, “and big, white
napkins in the dining room.”
“But I
needs must have musick!”
“I have a
penny whistle that my father gave me. I
can play a couple of jigs and reels on it.
Will that do?”
“Certis!
‘Twill be most excellent! Run thou, Nellie,
and take it up, whilst I the bells and napkins find.”
They
hurried about these tasks and returned to the park.
“I shall bind these bells to my
ankles, and tie the napkins ‘pon my arms i’ th’ old fashion.” Jane said.
Nellie tied the large, white cloths
to Jane’s arms and took up her penny whistle.
“Nellie!” cried Jane when all was
ready, “An thou wilt play a sprightly jig upon thy pipe, I shall dance the
Morris upon the greensward, and foot it lustily about!”
A Merrier May they never had!
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