Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 26, 1915.djvu/176

 1 66 Collectanea.

Mr. Gearing, who for the last twenty-five years has been "bishop" of Lewes, informed me that the "bishop" is elected annually at a public meeting which is convened by the borough authorities. It is required of him that he should make a speech of an anti-papal character. Mr. Gearing gave me the bonfire-boys' " prayers," as follows :

Remember, remember the fifth of November, The Gunpowder Treason and Plot, I know no reason why Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent To blow up the King and the Parliament. Four score barrels of powder below, Poor old England to overthrow. By God's providence he was catched With a dark lantern and burning match. Holler, boys ! Holler, boys ! Ring, boys ring ! Holler, boys ! Holler, boys ! God save the Queen ! Hip ! hip ! hurrah !

A penny loaf to feed old Pope,

A farthing cheese to choke him.

Pint of beer to wash it down.

Faggot stick to burn him.

Burn him in a tub of tar.

Burn him in a flaming star,

Burn his body from his head,

Then we'll say old Pope is dead. (1899.)

The Bonfire Boys of Lewes are selected by the Bonfire Societies of the town ; some of the boys are workmen, some tradesmen's sons, and some gentlemen ; all join as equals to do the work.

(Mrs. Wright, Newhaven, 1899.)

6th November [1S99] I saw the festival at Lewes. Some of the fancy dresses were exceedingly pretty, and the torchlight proces- sions with flaming tar-barrels were very effective. There was a certain lack of crowding and of noise amongst the spectators which, I was told, was probably owing to the fact that many men of the Army Reserve had been called out of Lewes. A little before 6 p.m. lighted tar-barrels were pitched in front of the County Hall, and then the crowd assembled around them chanted the song already noted. The evening was spent similarly to the