Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/88

 76 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE often received a good sound beating from the hands of his teachers. The important part which the rod played in those days may be seen from a seal, still in existence, of the school of the city of Hoxter, which represents a school- master, dressed in a full robe and round cap, swinging the rod with his right hand over the head of a boy kneeling before him, while he holds his head up by the chin with his left hand. In many places the so-called ' Procession of the Eod ' was held annually. Led by the teachers, and accompanied by half the town, the schoolboys went into the woods, where they themselves procured the materials for their own castigation. When this was done they amused themselves with gymnastic feats and other sports under the trees, and ended up with a feast, given by their parents and teachers, and then returned to the town, laughing and joking and laden with the instruments for their punishment. Here is a specimen of a song composed for such an occasion : Ihr Vater und ihr Mittterlein, Nun sehend, wie wir gehn herein, Mit Birkenholz beladen, Welches uns wohl dienen kann, Zu nutz und nit zu schaden. Euer Will und Gott's Gebot Uns dazu getrieben bot, Dass wir jetzt unsere Ruthe Ueber unserm eignen Leib Tragen mit leichtem Muthe. From all which we see that, in spite of the terror which the rule of the rod spread among the young folk, there was also plenty of unrestrained mirth and fun in the school life. This showed itself also in the frequent theatrical representations, and the festivals of all sorts which were arranged on saints' days and at Christmas time.