[Illustration: HARVEST-HOME.]
The rustics receive a hearty welcome at their master's house, where
they find the fuelled chimney blazing wide, and the strong table
groaning beneath the smoking sirloin--
"Mutton, veal,
And bacon, which makes full the meal,
With several dishes standing by,
As here a custard, there a pie,
And here all-tempting frumenty."
Frumenty, which is made of wheat boiled in milk was a standing dish
at every harvest supper. And then around the festive board old tales
are told, well-known jests abound, and thanks given to the good
farmer and his wife for their hospitality in some such homely rhymes
as these--
"Here's a health to our master,
The lord of the feast;
God bless his endeavours,
And send him increase.
"May everything prosper
That he takes in hand,
For we be his servants,
And do his command."
The youths and maidens dance their country dances, as an old writer,
who lived in the reign of Charles II.
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