other, in token of his affection. A number of young men and women advanced, some draw- ing, and others dancing round, a floral car; and having placed a crown of flowers on Ma- tilda's head, they saluted her Queen of the May, and drew her to the place appointed for the rural sports.
A hogshead of ale was abroach under an oak, and a fire was blazing in an open space before the trees, to roast the fat deer which the foresters brought. The sports com- menced: and after an agreeable series of bowling, coiting, pitching, hurling, racing, leaping, grinning, wrestling or friendly dislo- cation of joints, and cudgel-playing or ami- cable cracking of skulls, the trial of archery ensued. The conqueror was to be rewarded with a golden arrow from the hand of the Queen of the May, who was to be his partner in the dance till the close of the feast. This
