A fair held in cherry-orchards for the sale of the fruit, ‘still kept up in Worcestershire’ (Halliw.); often the scene of boisterous gaiety and licence. Formerly a frequent symbol of the shortness of life and the fleeting nature of its pleasures: cf. cherry-feast (CHERRY sb. 9).
1393. Gower, Conf., Prol. I. 19. For al is but a chery feire This worldes good.
a. 1420. Occleve, De Reg. Princ., clxxxv. (1860), 47. Thy lyfe, my sone, is but a chery feire.
1520. Whitinton, Vulg. (1527), 23. So hasty fruytes be a pleasure … for the tyme, but theyr time is but a chery feyre.
1559. Mirr. Mag., Edw. IV., ii. As a chery fayre ful of woe.
