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FROM HENRY VII. TO MARY. |
61 |
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The tune is taken from MusicFs delight on the Cithren, edition of 1666, which contains many very old and popular tunes, such as " Trip, and go," and " Light o' Love" (both mentioned by Shakespeare), which I have not found in any other printed collection. Ritson, in his Ancient Songs, quotes the following song of one verse, which is in the same measure, and was therefore probably sung to the same tune. It may be found in Merry Drollery Complete, 1661, and the New Academy of Complements, 1694 and 1713.
" The hunt is up, the hunt is up, And now it is almost day ; And he that's ' at home, in bed with his wife,' 'Tis time to get him away."
Any song intended to arouse in the morning—even a love-song—was formerly, called a himt's-up. Shakespeare so employs it in Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, Sc. 5; and the name was of course derived from a tune or song employed by early hunters. Butler, in his Principles of Mksik, 1636, defines a hunfs-up as " morning music;" and Cotgrave defines "Resveil" as a hunt's-up, or Morning Song for a new-married wife. In Barnfield's Affectionate Shepherd, 1594,— " And every morn by dawning of the day, When Phoebus riseth with a blushing face, Silvanus' chapel clerks shall chaunt a lay,
And play thee hunt's-up in thy resting place. My cot thy chamber, my bosom thy bed, Shall be appointed for thy sleepy head."
Again, in Wit's Bedlam, 1617,—
" Maurus, last morne, at's mistress' window plaid An hunt's-up on his lute," &c. The following song, which is also taken from Mr. Collier's manuscript, is of the character of a love-song:—
"The New Hunt's-up."
The hunt is up, the hunt is up, The hunt is up, the hunt is up,
Awake, my lady free, Awake, my lady gay,
The sun hath risen, from out his prison, The stars are fled to the ocean bed,
Beneath the glistering sea. And it is now broad day.
The hunt is up, the hunt is up, The hunt is up, the hunt is up,
Awake, my lady bright, Awake, my lady sheen,
The morning lark is high, to mark The hills look out, and the woods about,
The coming of day-light. Are drest in lovely green.
The hunt is up, the hunt is up, The hunt is up, the hunt is up,
Awake, my lady fair, Awake, my lady dear,
The kine and sheep, but now asleep, A morn in spring is the sweetest thing
Browse in the morning air. Cometh in all the year.
The hunt is up, the hunt is up,
Awake, my lady sweet, I come to thy bower, at this lov'd hour,
My own true love to greet. |
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