This song was no mere dance of rustics; the children at least kept up the usage of the day when a pleasing popular poetry was the heritage of all ranks. The spirit of the strain carries us back to that "carolling" of ladies which was, in the time of Chaucer, no less than the gay green of the meadow or the melody of the birds, an accompaniment of summer. No. 5. _I'll Give to You a Paper of Pins._ This pretty and interesting, hitherto imprinted, children's song is more or less familiar throughout the Middle States. We have heard it with many variations from persons of all classes and ages. It may often be listened to in the upper part of the city of New York, as it is sung (with a mere apology for a melody) by three or four girls, walking with arms entwined, or crooned by mere infants seated on the casks which, in the poorer quarters, often encumber the sidewalk. There are also English and Scotch versions, generally inferior as regards poetical merit and antiquity of language. The English form, however, seems to contain the primitive idea, where the wooer appears as a prince, who by splendid presents overcomes the objections of a lady. This mercenary character being repugnant to modern taste, the Scotch rhyme represents the suitor as the Evil One in person; while in the United States the hero is, in his turn, made to cast off the avaricious fair, or else the lady to demand only love for love. The numerous couplets of the American rhyme are completely in the ballad style. A "paper of pins" is substituted for a "pennorth of pins." The "easy-chair" is modern, but the verse itself ancient, combing golden hair being a world-old occupation of beauties. The gown "trimmed with golden thread," or "set off with a golden crown," refers to the attire of olden times. The mediæval bride wore a crown on the head and flowing hair; a costume also mentioned in old ballads as the usual dress of a demoiselle of rank arrayed for the dance. "I'll give to you a paper of pins, And that's the way my love begins; If you will marry me, me, me, If you will marry me." "I don't accept your paper of pins, If that's the way your love begins; For I won't marry you, you, you, For I won't marry you." "I'll give to you an easy-chair, To sit in and comb your golden hair. "I'll give to you a silver spoon, To feed your babe in the afternoon. "I'll give to you a dress of green, To make you look like any queen.[41] "I'll give to you the key of my heart, For you to lock and never to part. "I'll give to you the key of my chest, For you to have money at your request." "I _do_ accept the key of your chest, For me to have money at my request; And I will marry you, you, you, And I will marry you." "Ha, ha, ha, money is all, And I won't marry you at all; For I won't marry you, you, you, For I won't marry you."