Of your own accord you will freely swear,
A gammon of bacon you shall receive,
And beare it hence with love and good leave,
For this is our custom at Dunmow well known,
Though the sport be ours, the bacon's your own."

For the custom of riding the black ram, and the penal rhyme thereto
attached, we refer the reader to the _Spectator,_ No. 614.

The following rhyming wills have been proved in the Prerogative Court of
Canterbury:

"The fifth of May,
Being airy and gay
And to hip not inclined,
But of vigorous mind,
And my body in health.
I'll dispose of my wealth,
And all I'm to leave
On this side the grave,
To some one or other,
And I think to my brother;
Because I foresaw
That my brethren in law,
If I did not take care,
Would come in for their share,
Which I nowise intended,
'Till their manners are mended,
And of that God knows there's no sign.
I do therefore enjoin,