Some whilest they sober were would nothing pay,
But being drunk, would all the shot defray;
Others whilest sober, were as free as any,

But when once drunk, refuse to pay one penny;
Some were for news, and how the state of things
Did stand amongst great potentates and kings;
Some all their friends and neighbours did backbite,
And some in jearing others took delight;
Some of their birth and riches made great boast,
And none but they were fit to rule the roast:
Some filled the room with noise, yet could not speak
One word of English, Latin, French, or Greek,
Or any other language, which one might
Put into sense, and understand aright;

Some laught until their eyes did run on water,
And neither they nor others knew the matter;
Some so mischievous were, they without fear,
Would give their chiefest friend a box on th' ear;
Some were so holy, that they would not hear
Words either that profane or smutty were:
Some in melancholy posture laid,

Others did cry, What, is the reckoning paid?
Some burnt their hats, others the windows broke
Some cry'd, more liquor, we are like to choake;
Lame gouty men, did dance about so spritely,
A boy of fifteen scarce could skip so lightly:
Old crampy caps, that scarce a sword could draw,
Swore now they'd keep the King of France in awe;
And new commissions get to raise more men,
For now they swore they were grown young again;
Off went their perriwigs, coats, and rapers,
Out went the candles, noses for tapers

Serv'd to give light, whilst they did dance around,
Drinking full healths with cups upon the ground:
And still as they did dance their roundelays,
They all did cry, this drink deserves the bays
Above all liquors we have ever tasted:
It's a pity that a drop of it were wasted;
A stranger coming by, did hear the noise,
He step'd into the house to see the boys;
Such sights he saw, as he ne'er see before,
Which made him laugh untill his sides were sore;
His horse did follow, and saw the quaffing,

He neigh'd aloud, and broke his girts with laughing.
These antick sights made Bacchus to admire,

And then he did begin for to enquire

What privileges were bestowed upon
This famous Ale Town of Northallerton;
The answer was that it was known

To have four fairs i'th' year, a borough town,
One market every week, and that was all:
This mov'd Bacchus presently to call

For a great jug, which held about five quarts,
And filling it to the brim; Come, here, my hearts,
Said he, we'll drink about this merry health,

To the honour of the town, their state and wealth;

For by the essence of this drink I swear,
This town is famous for strong ale and beer;
And for the sake of this good nappy ale,

Of my great favour it shall never fail ;
For to promote the quick return of trade,
For all strong ale and beer that here is made.

So to't they went, and drank full healths about,
Till they drunk money, wit, and senses out:
For whilst one drop of ale was to be had,
They quaft, and drunk it round about like mad.
When all was off, then out they pull'd the taps,
And stuck the spiddocks finely in their hats;
And so triumphantly away they went,
But they did all agree, with one consent,
To Easingwold they then away would pass,
With Nanny Driffield there to drink a glass;

Then they to famous York would haste away,
For thither they'd adjourn the court that day:
The horses were led out, they mounted all,
And each of them did for a flagon call;
Well sirs, said they, we yield, the days your own,
Wee'l try again next time we come to town.
Agree'd, the townsmen said, come when you will,
You'l find us true blue fubling bullies still;
They drank about, the townsmen pledg'd the same,
So took their leaves till they should meet again;
At parting they did kiss, and Bacchus swore
He never met with such boon blades before.
Well, noble boys, said he, before 't be long
I hope our lott will be to sing a song:

Great Bacchus, when you come, the townsmen said,
Come well prepar'd, for we are not afraid.
Farewell, good lads, said he, and so away
They took their journey unto York that day.
When they to York were come, they rov'd about
From house to house, to find such nectar out
As they had tasted last, at length they heard
Of Parker's coffee-house i'th' Minster yard;
The several sorts of strong ale there would find,
Some of which ale would surely please their mind:
Unto this place they went, and crowded in;
Come wench, said they, with strong ale we'll begin :
Sirs, said the girl, we've ale that's strong and old,
Both from Northallerton and Easingwold,
From Sutton, Thirsk, likewise Rascal Town,
We've ale also that's call'd Knocker-down,
Well bring a tankard of each in, you maid,
We'll taste them every one, the courtiers said.
The ale came in, each man a tankard had,
They tasted all and swore they were full glad,
Such stingo, nappy, pure ale they had found:
Let's lose no time, said they, but drink around;
And chear our spirits up with this good creature,
For miser est qui nummos admiratur.
About and about it went full merrily,

Till some could neither go, stand, sit, nor see.
Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur; if true,

The wisest in the company is you,

Said one, to 's opposite beyond the table,

Who was so drunk, to speak he was not able.

They called and drank till they were all high flown,

And could not find their way into the town,

They staggar'd to and fro, had such light heads
That they were guided all into their beds:

And in the morning when they did awake,

They curs'd and swore that all their heads did ach; O Yorkshire, Yorkshire! thy ale it is so strong, That it will kill us all if we stay long.

So they agreed a journey for to make
Into the south, some respit there to take,

But in short space again, they said, they'd come
And taste some more of this said Yorkshire hum:
Nay Bacchus swore to come he would not fail,
And glut himself with Yorkshire nappy ale;
It is so pleasant, mellow too, and fine,

That Bacchus swore he'd never more drink wine.

THE CONCLUSION.

Now I have done, and will hold a piece on't,
That, nil hic nisi carmina desunt.

Some men will say, perhaps, here is no wit,
Let such then know, ex nihilo nihil fit.

To this poem is added a Yorkshire Dialogue, in its pure natural dialect, as is now commonly spoken in the north parts of Yorkshire. Being a Miscellaneous Discourse or Hotch-Potch of several Country Affairs, begun by a Daughter and her Mother, and continued by the Father, Son, Uncle, Niece, and Landlord. After which follows a Scold between Bess and Nell, two Yorkshire women. With the addition of some Observations concerning the Dialect and various Pronunciations of Words in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Together with a Collection of significant and useful Proverbs. York: Printed by John White, for Francis Hildyard, at the Sign of the Bible, in Stone Gate.

ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA.

Page 1.-Add Sessay to the Shire.

Page 25.-Read Bernard de Baliol, nephew of Guy de Baliol.

Page 95.-At the commencement of the page insert the following additional passage from the Liber Vitæ Dunelm :

"Has supra scriptas terras habet Sanctus Confessor Cuthbertus in Euueruic scire ex dono regum et principum antiquorum, scilicet in Grisibi iii carrucatas terræ, in Dictune v, in Herleseie v, in Bromtune xxiv, in Osmunderle iii, in Alrebec iv, in Foxtune iii, in Niwetune v, et ecclesiam in Kirchebi, in Siggestuneii bovatas, in Cheuetune viii carrucatas, in Aluertunescire, et ii carrucatas in Bruchewrche scira, in Creic v car., in Segege v, in Hornbotebi iii, in Hotune xii, in Holm vi, in Nortune vi, in Hograue ii car. Hæc omnia ab antiquitate pertinent ad dominicam tabulam sancti prædicti. Post hæc moderno tempore &c."

Page 96.-Henry I. at his coronation seized the manor of Alverton from bishop Flambard, but afterwards restored it to him.-See the Charter in Dugdale's Monasticon.

Page 125.-When cutting through the Castle Hills in 1838, a stone was found, bearing the following inscription:

This inscription reads that: Being present (or attendant) Flavius Hyronimianus, Legate or Lieutenant of the Sixth Legion, Victorious.

Page 141.-Bp. Carileph granted to his convent at Durham "has ecclesias in Alvertune scire in villis istis, scilicet, ecclesiam de Alvertona eadem, ecclesiam de Siggestune, et ecclesiam de Bruntune, cum omnibus tenuris eorum et pertinentiis, liberas et quietas in perpetuum, tam a me, quam ab omnibus successoribus meis, cum omnibus decimis de ipsis dominiis meis, in præsencia domini mei Regis Willielmi, qui Alvertonscire Sancto Cuthberto et omnibus Episcopis ipsius dedit, pro salute tam animæ quam corporis ejusdem domini mei Regis, et Willielmi patris ejus, et Matildis Reginæ matris ipsius, et fratrum et omnium parentum illius.”—Hist. Dunelm, Script. tres. xxii.

Page 145.-1218. Gualo, the pope's legate, summoned the clergy of the neighborhood to appear before him in North Allerton church, at Easter, where he gave absolution to some who satisfied his demands, obliged some to repair to the court at Rome, and passed on others sentences of suspension or deposition on the different degrees of obstinacy in the persons accused, or his own views of gain dictated.-Ridpath's Border History.

Page 150.-1446. Inventarium Bonorum mobilium et immobilium seseque movencium prioratus Dunelmensis in novitate magistri Willielmi Ebchestre prioris Dunelmensis secundum formam statuti super hoc editi factum diebus et mensibus in subscriptione notarii hic inferius recitatis anno domini Millesimo Quadringentisimo Quadragesimo Sexto.

Brompton. Heredes Willielmi Tempest tenent ibidem libere duo mesuagia et octo bovatas terræ, et reddunt per annum xvs. Johannes Thompson tenet ibidem ad firmam unum toftum et croftum et reddit per annum iijs. vjd. Orreum decimale ibidem in manu Domini; tamen reddere solebat per annum iijs. vjd. Vasta iijs. vjd.

Alverton. Quatuor cotagia in eadem villa reddunt per annum xvjs. Decima parochie de Alverton. Alverton xiijl. vjs. iijd. Brompton xiijl. vjs. viijd. Dighton cvjs. viijd. Romondby vjl. xiijs. iiijd. Summa xxxviijl. xiijs. iijd.-Hist. Dunelm. Script. tres.

Page 151.-During the alterations in the church in 1787, a massive stone coffin was dug up, when levelling the ground, towards the west end of the nave, in which was the remains of a human body, nearly all reduced to dust; the coffin is at present placed on the west side of the porch, and is used to contain the rain water.

Page 151.-Previous to the rebuilding of the chancel in 1779, appeared on the north wall this inscription :

:

MARGERI RE: GIST: ICI A: VOUS:
JHU CRI : MERCI :

+ VOUS: KI: PASSEZ PAR: ICI : PRIEZ :
LALME KE: FU: MARGERI :

PUR

Of which the following is a literal translation:

Margery Re gist ici,

+ A vous, Jesu, cri mercy!
Vous qui passez par ici,

Priez pour l'ame qui fut Margery!
Here lies Margery Ree (or Ray),
To you, Jesu, she cries mercy;
+ All you who go by this way,
Pray for the soul that was Margery!

Page 155.-The engraver here has made an unfortunate mistake in figuring a circular capital; the correct form is given in the annexed cut.

Page 159.-Michael Pemberton, of North Allerton, was chief of his family and father of John Pemberton, of Blackwell, who sold his manor of Aislaby to Robert Raikes, esq., of N. A. His daughters and co-heiresses died unmarried, but, of his sisters, Alice married Mr. Patinson, of Norton, and Mary was wife of James Meeke, of North Allerton.

The male representation fell back to the descendants of John Pemberton, the younger brother of Michael, and their heiress married James Allan, of Blackwell Grange, esq. The Pembertons of Barnes claim descent from John Pemberton, an uncle of Michael Pemberton.

Page 166.-The Syriac characters on Todd's monument read thus:

Sown in dishonour,

Raised in glory. (I. Cor., xv., 43.) For the type and translation I am indebted to the kindness of Messrs. Samuel Bagster and Sons, of 15, Paternoster Row.

Page 174.-MARK METCALFE, Vicar of N.A., of Bellerby, 4th son of Lucas Metcalfe, of Bedale, by his wife Katherine, 2nd daughter of Robert Jackson, of Bedale, mar. Elizabeth, daughter of Antony Tomlinson, of Galeside, co. Durham, gent., by whom he had issue, Maria, aged 8 years in 1585; Martha 7; and Magdalen.-Glover's Visitation.