tly Expressions, together
with Postures of their Bodies, as I omit to write them, as being their
shame in acting, and would be mine in rehearsing. For he is at that
time most renowned that behaves himself most shamelesly and beast-like.

[For the filthiness of it forbid by the King.] This filthy Solemnity
was formerly much in use among them; and even the King himself hath
spent time in it, but now lately he hath absolutely forbidden it under
penalty of a forfeiture of Money. So that now the practice hereof is
quite left off.

[A cunning stratagem of an Officer.] But tho it is thus gone into
dis-use, yet out of the great delight the People had in it, they of
Gompala would revive it again; and did. Which coming to the King's
ear, he sent one of his Noblemen to take a Fine from them for it. The
Nobleman knew the People would not come to pay a Fine, and therefore
was fain to go to work by a Stratagem. Pitching therefore his Tents
by a Pond, he gave order to call all the People to his assistance
to catch Fish for the King's use. Which they were very ready to do,
hoping to have the refuse Fish for themselves. And when they were all
thus assembled together with their Tools, and necessary Instruments
for that purpose, the Nobleman charged them all in the King's Name
according to the Countries fashion, which was by pulling off his Cap,
and falling down upon the ground three times, that not a man of them
should budge till they had paid such a Sum of Money, which was so
much a piece, for reviving that Play that the King had forbid. Which
they were forced to do before they departed from the Pond side. And
the Money was carried into the King's Exchequer.

[Tricks and feats of Activity.] When they would be merry, and
particularly at their great Festival in the New Moon of June or July
(before mentioned;) they have People that shew pretty tricks and feats
of Activity before them. A man sets a Pole of seven or eight foot long
upon his Breast; a Boy gets to the top of this Pole, and leans with
his Belly upon the end of it; and thus the man danceth with the Pole
on his Breast, and the Boy on it, and but little holding the Pole. A
man takes four Arrows with blades about a foot long, they are tied
one cross another, and so laid upon the end of a Pole, which rests
upon the man's Breast. On a sudden he squatts down upon the ground,
and the four Arrows all fall on the four sides of him, sticking in the
ground. Two Cross-bows stand bent one