It was, moreover, close to the Icknield Way, 856 feet above sea-level,
from which portions of eleven counties could be seen. On a clear day a
view of the horse could be obtained from places many miles distant, its
white form showing clearly against the green turf surrounding it.
[Illustration: THE ICKNIELD WAY, LOOKING FROM THE WHITE HORSE.]
[Illustration: "BLOWING STONE": ALFRED'S BUGLE HORN.]
Occasionally the outline had been obscured by the growth of turf and
weeds, and then the lord of the manor had requisitioned the services of
the inhabitants of several of the pretty villages near the downs, who
climbed up to the horse at the appointed time and, armed with picks,
spades, and brushes, "scoured" the horse until it was quite white again,
and its proportions clearly shown. After their work was done a round of
merry-making followed, the occasion being celebrated by eating and
drinking to the health of his lordship at his expense. The first verse
in the "White Horse Ballad," written in the local dialect, was:
The ould White Horse wants zettin' to rights.
And the Squire has promised good cheer;
Zo we'll gee un a scrape to kip' un in shape,
And a'll last for many a year.
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