"There is a scene secure from all harm,
Please to give us joy by the raising of the arm."
The other players, who stand each lad opposite his lass, raise arms, and the couple walk down under the arch so formed, pausing at the foot—
"Now we are married, and never more to part,
Please to give a kiss from the bottom of the heart."
And the game proceeds with the next couple.
Scituate, Mass. (about 1800).
(2.) No better as respects poetry, but with more evidence of old English origin, is the following game, in which couples circle in a ring about two chairs, from time to time changing partners. We have not been clearly informed of the way of playing, but presume that at the time of the change the youth or girl in the ring must select a mate.
"On the green carpet here we stand,
Take your true love in your hand;
Take the one whom you profess
To be the one whom you love best."
A change of partners.
"Very well done, said Johnny Brown,
Is this the way to London town?
Stand ye here, stand ye there,
Till your true love doth appear."