<72.1> A portion of this little poem is quoted in Brand's
POPULAR ANTIQUITIES (edit. 1849, ii. 70), as an illustration
of the custom to which it refers. No second example of such
an usage seems to have been known to Brand and his editors.
<
> P. 183. TO A LADY WITH CHILDE THAT ASK'T AN OLD SHIRT.
The custom to which the Poet here refers, was no doubt common
in his time; although the indefatigable Brand does not appear
to have met with any illustration of it, except in LUCASTA.
But since the note at p. 183 was written, the
following passage in the old morality of THE MARRIAGE OF WIT
AND WISDOM (circa 1570) has come under my notice:--
"INDULGENCE [to her son WIT].
Well, yet before the goest, hold heare
MY BLESSING IN A CLOUTE,
WELL FARE THE MOTHER AT A NEEDE,
Stand to thy tackling stout."
The allusion is to the contemplated marriage of WIT to his
betrothed, WISDOM.
SONG.
I.
In mine one monument I lye,
And in my self am buried;
Sure, the quick lightning of her eye
Melted my soul ith' scabberd dead;
And now like some pale ghost I walk,
And with another's spirit talk.
II.
Nor can her beams a heat convey,
That may my frozen bosome warm,
Unless her smiles have pow'r, as they,
That a cross charm can countercharm.
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