Again, in Low German and in Anglo-Saxon there is another name for yeast, having the form "barm," or "beorm"; and, in the Midland Counties, "barm" is the name by which yeast is still best known.

Again, in Low German and in Anglo-Saxon there is another name for yeast, having the form "barm," or "beorm"; and, in the Midland Counties, "barm" is the name by which yeast is still best known.

Thus "hefe" is derived from "heben," to raise; "barm" from "beren" or "bären," to bear up; "yeast," "yst," and "gist," have all to do with seething and foam, with "yeasty" waves, and "gusty" breezes.

Go to that barm-froth poet, and to him say, He quite hath lost the title of his play; His calf-skin jests from hence are clean exil'd.

A MELANCHOLY SONG Trip upon trenchers, And dance upon dishes, My mother sent me for some barm, some barm; She bid me go lightly, And come again quickly, For fear the young men should do me some harm.

A MELANCHOLY SONG Trip upon trenchers, And dance upon dishes, My mother sent me for some barm, some barm; She bid me go lightly, And come again quickly, For fear the young men should do me some harm.

[From the Millere's Tale.] Fayre was this yongë wif, and therwithal As any wesel hire body gent and smal A seint she werëd, barrëd al of silk, A barm-cloth[50] eke as white as morne milk Upon hire lendës ful of many a gore, White was hire smok, and brouded al before And eke behind on hire colére aboute Of cole-black silk within and eke withoute.

She bade it suck, and it wold, For it was nigh dead for cold. Anon, fire she a-light, And warmed it well aplight, She gave it suck upon her barm,

I have done Toys in my time of some note; old as I am, I think my brains will work without barm; Take up the Books.

Again, divination was practised by means of a cake called barm-breac, in which a nut and a ring were baked.