The "green carpet" is, of course, the grass, on which the village dance proceeds in the summer-time,[50] and the remains of an ancient "carol" appear in the corrupt rhyme. (3.) To the game of _Marriage_, as played in France and Italy, the following closely corresponds: A boy and girl having been chosen by singing our No. 17, and standing in the centre of the ring, the game proceeds, with imitative motion and gesture-- "Row the boat! Row the boat! Let the boat stand! I think ---- ---- is a handsome young man; I think ---- ---- is as handsome as he, And they shall be married, if they can agree."[51] Such short rhymes are not used independently, but joined to some fragment of a ballad, which they serve to turn into a game, as may be seen in our No. 12. (4.) We take this opportunity to give one or two other familiar examples of kissing rounds: Had I as many eyes as the stars in the skies, And were I as old as Adam, I'd fall on my knees, and kiss whom I please, Your humble servant, madam. In Boston, half a century since, this ran-- As many _wives as the stars in the skies_, And each _as old as Adam_, etc. In Georgia, at the present day-- Many, many stars are in the skies, And _each as old as Adam_, etc. (5.) The following is yet more inane, yet it furnishes a curious example of correspondence-- "---- ---- languishes." "For whom?" "For ---- ----." This is not much more crude than the French equivalent.[52] (6.) We may add that the familiar American game, known as "Pillow," or "Pillows and Keys" (why _keys_?), in which a player kneels on a _pillow_ and solicits a kiss, is no doubt a descendant of the "Cushion Dance," alluded to by old dramatists. FOOTNOTES: [35] The game, half a century since, was played by boys as well as girls. New England variations are numerous; thus for the last line of verse 4, "I'll turn my face another way." For verse 7, "Go through the kitchen and through the hall, and choose the fairest one of all." A New York variety puts the last words into the mouth of the bride: "I'm so happy that I could sing." [36] So in an English variety: "I will give you pots and pans, I will give you brass, I will give you anything for a pretty lass." "No." "I will give you gold and silver, I will give you pearl, I will give you anything for a pretty girl." "Take one, take one, the fairest you may see." Halliwell, "Nursery Rhymes." [37] The ending is like ours-- "Prenez la plus jolie de toutes." "Voilà la plus jolie de toutes." [38] Eco la Nina al campo--fra tanti suoni e canti; Eco la Nina al campo--olà, olà, olà. Faciamo un bel' inchino--profondo al suo rispeto; Faciamo un bel' inchino--olà, olà, olà. [39] A New Hampshire fragment has here, "The _scornful maid_, she won't come out," which seems more genuine.