March 15.
The Highgate Custom.
With much pleasure insertion is given to the following letter and its accompanying song.
To the Editor of the Every-Day Book.
Seymour-street, Feb. 18, 1826.
Sir,—In illustration of the custom of “Swearing on the horns at Highgate,” described at p. 79, in the Every-Day Book of the present year, I enclose you a song, which was introduced in the pantomime of Harlequin Teague, performed at the Haymarket theatre, in August, 1742. If you think it worthy the columns of your valuable work, it is at your service.
I am, &c.
Pasche.
Song by the Landlord of the Horns
Silence! take notice, you are my son,
Full on your father look, sir;
This is an oath you may take as you run,
So lay your hand on the Hornbook, sir.
Hornaby, hornaby, Highgate and horns,
And money by hook or by crook, sir.
Hornaby, &c.
Spend not with cheaters, nor cozeners, your life,
Nor waste it on profligate beauty;
And when you are married, be kind to your wife,
And true to all petticoat duty.
Dutiful, beautiful, kind to your wife,
And true from the cap to the shoetie.
Dutiful, &c.
To drink to a man when a woman is near,
You never should hold to be right, sir;
Nor unless ’tis your taste, to drink small for strong beer,
Or eat brown bread when you can get white, sir.
Manniken, canniken, good meat and drink
Are pleasant at morn, noon, and night, sir
Manniken, &c.
To kiss with the maid when the mistress is kind,
A gentleman ought to be loth, sir:
But if the maid’s fairest, your oath does not bind,
Or you may, if you like it, kiss both, sir.
Kiss away, both you may, sweetly smack night and day,
If you like it—you’re bound by your oath, sir.
Kiss away, &c.
When you travel to Highgate, take this oath again,
And again, like a sound man, and true, sir,
And if you have with you some more merry men,
Be sure you make them take it too, sir.
Bless you, son, get you gone, frolic and fun,
Old England, and honest true blue, sir.
Bless you, &c.