Houghton-le-Spring Houghton Feast

POEM EXTRACTS

"Clown, beau, and belle, came feastward trooping forth,
"The grave, the gay, the handsome, and the witty."

Now comes the season round again,
When joy and mirth seize every swain,
When damsels doff their clouted shoon,
The apron check and linsey gown,
To sport new dresses, ribbons blue,
White, red and green, of every hue;
This season near Saint Michael's day,
Devoted long to mirth and play,
When sombre Houghton, all alive,
From yearly torpor will revive,
And hail the day with joy sincere
That brings her shows and races here.

From Lumley, Lambton, Shiney-row,
They come new-clad from top to toe;-
From Raintons, Pittington, Belmont,
From Haswell, Hetton Downs, as wont;-
From Penshers twain, both old and new,
From Offerton and Hylton too;-
From Usworth, Wrekenton, Black Fell,
Oxclose and Washington as well;-
With Wapping last, where pigs are rife
All times, and ready for the knife.

Sing, Muse of sprightly mien and grace,
The varied sights in Market-place.

There stalls innumerous meet the eye,
While flags and banners flaunt on high;
Shows by the score arrest the sense,
And what's worth pounds is seen for pence.