A party of foresters arrived
from another direction, and then ensued cordial interchanges
of greeting, and collisions of hands and lips, among the Gamwells
and the new-comers,--"How does my fair coz, Mawd?" and "How does
my sweet coz, Mawd?" and "How does my wild coz, Mawd?" And "Eh!
jolly friar, your hand, old boy:" and "Here, honest friar:"
and "To me, merry friar:" and "By your favour, mistress Alice:"
and "Hey! cousin Robin:" and "Hey! cousin Will:"
and "Od's life! merry Sir Guy, you grow younger every year,"--
as the old knight shook them all in turn with one hand, and slapped
them on the back with the other, in token of his affection.
A number of young men and women advanced, some drawing,
and others dancing round, a floral car; and having placed a crown
of flowers on Matilda's head, they saluted her Queen of the May,
and drew her to the place appointed for the rural sports.
A hogshead of ale was abroach under an oak, and a fire was blazing
in an open space before the trees to roast the fat deer which the
foresters brought. The sports commenced; and, after an agreeable series
of bowling, coiling, pitching, hurling, racing, leaping, grinning,
wrestling or friendly dislocation of joints, and cudgel-playing
or amicable cracking of skulls, the trial of archery ensued.
The conqueror was to be rewarded with a golden arrow from the hand
of the Queen of the May, who was to be his partner in the dance till
the close of the feast.
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