The Wassail Bowl was sometimes composed of ale instead of wine; with
nutmeg, sugar, toast, ginger, and roasted crabs; in this way the
nut-brown beverage is still prepared in some old families, and round the
hearths of substantial farmers at Christmas. It is also called Lambs'
Wool, and is celebrated by Herrick in his "Twelfth Night:"
"Next crowne the bowle full
With gentle Lambs' Wool,
Add sugar, nutmeg, and ginger,
With store of ale too;
And thus ye must doe
To make the Wassaile a swinger."]
[Footnote 8: NOTE H.
The custom of drinking out of the same cup gave place to each having his
cup. When the steward came to the doore with the Wassel, he was to cry
three times, Wassel, Wassel, Wassel, and then the chappel (chaplain) was
to answer with a song.--Archaeologia.]
[Footnote 9: NOTE I.
At Christmasse there was in the Kings's house, wheresoever hee was
lodged, a lorde of misrule, or mayster of merry disportes; and the like
had ye in the house of every nobleman of honour, or good worshippe, were
he spirituall or temporall.--Stow.]
[Footnote 10: NOTE J.
Maskings or mummeries were favourite sports at Christmas in old times;
and the wardrobes at halls and manor-houses were often laid under
contribution to furnish dresses and fantastic disguisings. I strongly
suspect Master Simon to have taken the idea of his from Ben Jonson's
"Masque of Christmas.
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