Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, Second Series

The Project Gutenberg eBook, Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, Second Series, by William Bottrell, Illustrated by Joseph Blight


Of strange tradition many a mystic trace, Legend and vision, prophecy and sign.
Scott.



AN OLD CHRISTMAS PLAY.
Open your doors, and let me in, I hope your favours I shall win; Whether I rise, or whether I fall, I'll do my best to please you all.
Christmas Play of St. George and the Dragon.
ASSOCIATED with Trove and the ancient family who lived, for many generations, in that pleasant place, there is a tradition that one old Squire Lovell wedded a poor girl solely because he believed her to be the best spinster and knitster in Buryan; but that all the fine stockings and other knitted garments with which she provided her husband were made by a devil. This droll formed the subject of an old Guise-dance (Christmas Play) which is all but forgotten: yet, in our youth, we have heard a few scenes rehearsed, which may be interesting as an example of a primitive drama of West Penwith, that may have succeeded, or been contemporary with, the miracle plays which, about three centuries ago, were acted in the Plan-an-gwarre, St. Just, and at the Church-town cross in most other western parishes. This uncouth piece shows something of the rude and simple humour of old times, when people were quite as innocent, though less fastidious, than in our days.