Barley-break, or the Last Couple in Hell, was a game played by six people, three of each sex, who were coupled by lot. A piece of ground was then chosen, and divided into three compartments, of which the middle one was called Hell. It was the object of the couple condemned to this division to catch the others who advanced from the two extremities (figs. 1, 2), in which case a change of situation took place, and Hell was filled by the couple who were excluded by pre-occupation from the other place (fig. 3). In this catching, however, there was some difficulty, as by the regulations of the game the middle couple were not to separate before they had succeeded, while the others might break hands whenever they found themselves hard pressed. When all had been taken in turn, the last couple was said to be “in Hell,” and the game ended.—Dekker’s _Works_, iv. 434. Jamieson calls this “a game generally played by young people in a corn-yard. Hence called _barla-bracks about the stacks_, S. B.” (_i. e._, in the North of Scotland). “One stack is fixed on as the _dule_ or goal; and one person is appointed to catch the rest of the company, who run out from the _dule_. He does not leave it till they are all out of sight. Then he sets off to catch them. Any one who is taken cannot run out again with his former associates, being accounted a prisoner; but is obliged to assist his captor in pursuing the rest. When all are taken the game is finished; and he who was first taken is bound to act as catcher in the next game. This innocent sport seems to be almost entirely forgotten in the South of Scotland. It is also falling into desuetude in the North.” (_b_) The following description of Barley-break, written by Sir Philip Sidney, is taken from the song of Lamon, in the first volume of the _Arcadia_, where he relates the passion of Claius and Strephon for the beautiful Urania:— She went abroad, thereby, At _barley-brake_ her sweet, swift foot to try. . . . Afield they go, where many lookers be. Then couples three be straight allotted there, They of both ends, the middle two, do fly; The two that in mid-place Hell called were Must strive, with waiting foot and watching eye, To catch of them, and them to hell to bear, That they, as well as they, may hell supply; Like some that seek to salve their blotted name Will others blot, till all do taste of shame. There may you see, soon as the middle two Do, coupled, towards either couple make, They, false and fearful, do their hands undo; Brother his brother, friend doth friend forsake, Heeding himself, cares not how fellow do, But of a stranger mutual help doth take; As perjured cowards in adversity, With sight of fear, from friends to friends do fly.