Part 20 (1/2)

2. ”Chowder of students Is sweeter than honey, But the gay Andalusians Have plenty of money.

1. ”The gay Andalusians Have fiddle and ballad, But only two coppers To buy them a salad.

2. ”In Saragossa --Oh, what a pity!-- Has fallen the tower, Pride of the city.”

Unchildlike innuendoes pervade that curious game of many variants in which the priest and abbess play a leading part. Two children are chosen for these dignitaries, while the others call out the names of such flowers, fruits, or vegetables as each may decide to personate.

”I'm a cabbage.” ”I'm a jasmine.” ”I'm a cherry.” Then the little sinners kneel in a circle, crying:--

”Through the door, up the stairs, On the floor, say your prayers!”

and chant some childish gibberish, during which no one must laugh on pain of a forfeit. After this, all sing:--

”The house of the priest it cracked like a cup.

Half fell down and half stood up.

Sir Priest, Sir Priest, now tell us aright, In whose house did you sleep last night?

_Priest._ With the rose slept I.

_Rose._ Fie, O fie!

I never saw your tonsured head.

_Priest._ Then with whom did you make your bed?

_Rose._ With the Pink.

_Pink._ I should think!

I never saw your petals red.

_Rose._ Then with whom did you make your bed?

_Pink._ With the lily.

_Lily._ Don't be silly!

I never heard your fragrant tread.

_Pink._ Then with whom did you make your bed?

_Lily._ With the priest.

_Priest._ Little beast!

If I went near you, may I fall dead!

_Lily._ Then with whom did you make your bed?

_Priest._ With the abbess, I.

_Abbess._ Oh, you lie!”

But this seems to be the conclusion of the game.

The most of these choral songs, however, are sweet and innocent, concerned with the natural interests of childhood, as this:--

”The shepherdess rose lightly Laran--laran--larito, The shepherdess rose lightly From off her heather seat--O.