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this occasion, which induced Augustus to say, that it was better to be Herod's hog than his son ; Herod professing Judaism. (Home's Introd. to Scriptures, vol. i. p. 629.) This fancy is incorporated into some of the early English Mysteries, as well as some of the more recent Continental ones. A sort of buffoon also was occasionally introduced to please the populace; as in one mentioned by Hawkins (" Origin of English Drama," vol. i. p. 7, &c.) a cowardly character called Watkyn is introduced, who begs Herod, " for Mahound's sake," to make him a knight, that he may be properly qualified to assist in the slaughter. He is however beaten off by the women. Herod and his knights frequently swear by " Mahound," and occasionally by " Seynt Mahound," something like the Sicilian peasantry swearing by " Santu Diavolu."
P. 149. This and the three following are taken from popular broad-side carols : the two first contain rather curious legends, of which one may have already been observed in the old carol for St. Stephen. The next carol is similar to the old one called " Joyis Fyve."
P. 161. From Recueil de Poetes Gascons.
P. 163. From Noei Borguignon.
P. 164. From Recueil de Noels Provencaux, Avignon, 1791.
P. 167. From Noels Vieux et Nouveaux.
P. 170. From the same.
P. 172. From Recueil de Noels Provencaux, Avignon, 1807. |
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