The Black Man: XI. Peg a Ramsey

Tune: Peg a Ramsey

The Gents return

Gentleman 1: Our sentinel keeps well his standing

The Black Man: (under sheet) Ho, ho! [traditionally the call of the devil]

Gentleman 2: But has not done to our commanding!

The Black Man: Ho, ho!

Gentleman 1: Wherefore did he leave his mumming?

Gentleman 2: The reason was of our not coming.

Gentleman 1: This house is haunted surely, brother!

Enter Thumpkin covered in blacking

Gentleman 2: See, here comes just such another!

Gentleman 1: Brother, I think it is the devil!

Gentleman 2: He’s come to plague us for our evil!

The Black Man: A kind young man you have abused,

Thumpkin: And in troth, his love misused,

The Black Man: Your furious weapons straight deliver

Thumpkin: See how the rascals quake and quiver!

Gentlemen: We do, we do—here, pray sirs, take ’em!

(dropping their swords)

The Black Man: Our looks do like an ague shake em!

Gentlemen: It does, it does, pray leave your roaring!

Thumpkin: Be gone, and say y’ave scaped a scouring!

Thumpkin and The Black Man chase the Gents away