1847 Oxford night caps (4th edition)

41

LAMBS WOOL,

Kext crowne the bowle full With gentle Lambs wooll,

Adde sugar, nutmeg, and ginger,

With store of ale too, And thus ye must doe

To make the Wassaile a swinger.

Twelfth Night, or King and Queen,

Herrick' 's

Lambs Wool is merely a variety of the Wassail Bowl, and although not common in Oxford, is a great favourite in some parts of England. The following is the origin of the term Lambs Wool, as applied to this particular beverage. Formerly the first day of November was dedicated to the Angel presiding over fruits, &c. and was therefore named La mas The day of the apple fruit, and being pronounced lamasool, our country people have corrupted it to Lambs Wool f . seeds, ubal, that is,

f See Col. Valiancy, Collect, de Reb. Hibern. iii. 441.