Address:—
| Are all your daughters safe and sound? All in French garlands: Are all your daughters safe and sound? And adieu to you, my darlings. |
Answer:—
| In every pocket a thousand pounds, All in French garlands; On every finger a gay, gold ring, And adieu to you, my darlings. |
The formula is repeated as above until every boy has chosen a lady-mate, when all march round arm-in-arm in pairs, and the game is ended.
"Here Comes a Poor Sailor from Botany Bay." This is played as a preliminary game to decide who shall join, and which side they will take, in a coming tug-of-war. The chief delight derived is in putting and answering questions. Two principals, standing as rival chiefs, and acting together as catechists, begin the play; and all are warned before replying:—
| You must say neither "Yes," "No," nor "Nay," "Black," "White," nor "Grey." |
Then, as each child approaches, the formula proceeds:—