b_).

PRINCESS SABRA(_pretty little girl, gorgeously dressed, a crown_).

DAME DOLLY(_a large mask head, if possible, and a very amazing
cap. Dame Dolly should bob curtseys and dance about_).

No scenery is required. The actors, as a rule, all come in together.
To "enter" means to stand forth, and "exit" that the actor retires
into the background. But the following method will be found most
effective. Let Fool enter alone, and the rest come in one by one when
the Fool begins to sing. They must march in to the music, and join the
circle with regularity. Each actor as he "brags," and gives his
challenge, does so marching up and down, his drawn sword over his
shoulder. All the characters take part in the "Mumming Round." The
next to Fair Sabra might hold up her train, and if Dame Dolly had a
Gamp umbrella to put over _her_ shoulder, it would not detract from
her comic charms. The Trumpet Calls for the four Patron Knights should
be appropriate to each. If a Trumpet is quite impossible, some one
should play a national air as each champion enters.

_Enter_ FOOL.

FOOL. Good morrow, friends and neighbours dear,
We are right glad to meet you here,
Christmas comes but once a year,
But when it comes it brings good cheer,
And when it's gone it's no longer near.
May luck attend the milking-pail,
Yule logs and cakes in plenty be,
May each blow of the thrashing-flail
Produce good frumenty.
And let the Wassail Cup abound,
Whene'er the mummers' time comes round.

_Air, "Le Petit Tambour._"

_Sings._ Now all ye jolly mummers
Who mum in Christmas time,
Come join with me in chorus,
Come join with me in rhyme.

[_He has laid his bauble, over his shoulder, and it is taken by_ ST.
GEORGE, _who is followed by all the other actors, each laying his
sword over his right shoulder and his left hand on the sword-point in
front of him, and all marking time with their feet till the circle is
complete, when they march round singing the chorus over and over
again._]

_Chorus._ And a mumming we will go, will go,
And a mumming we will go,
With a bright cockade in all our hats, we'll go with a gallant show.

[_Disperse, and stand aside._]

[_Enter_ FATHER CHRISTMAS.]

FATHER CHRISTMAS Here comes I, old Father Christmas;
Welcome, or welcome not,
I hope poor old Father Christmas
Will never be forgot!
My head is white, my back is bent,
My knees are weak, my stren