Note 184:A — Chapter VI · (continued 2)
Reading edition
Reed's Shakspeare, vol. ix. p. 334. Act iv. sc. 3.—I believe the custom of choosing a king and queen at the sheep-shearing feast, is still continued in several of our counties; that it was commonly observed, at least, in the time of Thomson, is evident from the following lines, taken from his description of this festival:—
"One, chief, in gracious dignity enthron'd, Shines o'er the rest, the Pas'tral Queen, and rays Her smiles, sweet-beaming on her Shepherd King."
Summer.