Note 553 — Chapter VIII · THE MAY-GAME
Reading edition
Frazer, i. 35; Dyer, 7; Northall, 233. A Lancashire song is sung ‘to draw you these cold winters away,’ and wishes ‘peace and plenty’ to the household. A favourite French May chanson is
‘Étrennez notre épousée, Voici le mois, Le joli mois de Mai, Étrennez notre épousée En bonne étrenne. Voici le mois, Le joli mois de Mai, Qu’on vous amène.’
If the quêteurs come on a churl, they have an ill-wishing variant. The following is characteristic of the French peasantry:
‘J’vous souhaitons autant d’enfants, Qu’y a des pierrettes dans les champs.’
Often more practical tokens of revenge are shown. The Plough Monday ‘bullocks’ in some places consider themselves licensed to plough up the ground before a house where they have been rebuffed.’