“If I have not an ace, a deuce, and tray,
Farewell, Alfreton, for ever and aye.”
There is a similar couplet respecting Carnfield Hall, near to Alfreton. It is related by Mr. E. Kirk, a Lancashire folk-lorist, that the owner of a large farm in Goosnargh, called Landscales, staked his land at a game of “put.” He received his three cards, which were a tray, a deuce, and an ace, and he put—that is, struck the table with his fist, in proof of his resolution to abide by the issue of his cards. His opponent had two trays and a deuce. The farm was consequently lost, and its owner exclaimed:—
“Ace, deuce, and tray,
Landscales, go thy way.”
A Derbyshire rhyme refers to the inhabitants of four places as follows:—
“Ripley ruffians,
Butterly blocks,
Swanwick bulldogs,
Alfreton shacks.”
Equally severe is the following on the people of the villages between Norwich and Yarmouth:—
“Halvergate hares, Reedham rats,
Southwood swine, and Cantley cats,
Acle asses, Moulton mules,
Beighton bears, and Freethorpe fools.”
Of Derbyshire folk it is said:—
“Derbyshire born and Derbyshire bred,
Strong in the arm, but weak in the head.”
The next are two Kentish rhymes:—