The Abbot

Chapter 27

The re-appearance of the dignified Chamberlain on the street of the

village was eagerly hailed by the revellers, as a pledge that the

play, or dramatic representation, which had been postponed owing to

his absence, was now full surely to commence. Any thing like an

approach to this most interesting of all amusements, was of recent

origin in Scotland, and engaged public attention in proportion. All

other sports were discontinued. The dance around the Maypole was

arrested--the ring broken up and dispersed, while the dancers, each

leading his partner by the hand, tripped, off to the silvan theatre. A

truce was in like manner achieved betwixt a huge brown bear and

certain mastiffs, who were tugging and pulling at his shaggy coat,

under the mediation of the bear-ward and half a dozen