BARLEY-BREAK

barley-break, an old english country game frequently mentioned by the poets of the 17th and 18th centuries. it was played by three pairs composed of one of each sex, who were stationed in three bases or plots, contiguous to each other. the couple occupying the middle base, called _hell_ or _prison_, endeavoured to catch the other two, who, when chased, might _break_ to avoid being caught. if one was overtaken, he and his companion were condemned to _hell_. from this game was taken the expression "the last couple in hell," often used in old plays.