第2章

\"Come,POLTER,\"saidthefiend,\"begin,Andkeepthebowla—flowingon—

AworkingmanneedspintsofginTokeephisclockworkgoingon。\"

BOBshuddered:\"Ah,you’vemadeamissIfyoutakemeforoneofyou:

Youfilthybeast,getoutofthis—

BOBPOLTERdon’twan’tnoneofyou。\"

Thedemongaveadrunkenshriek,Andcreptawayinstealthiness,Andlo!instead,apersonsleek,Whoseemedtoburstwithhealthiness。

\"Inme,asyouradviserhints,OfAbstinenceyou’vegotatype—

OfMR。TWEEDIE’SprettyprintsIamthehappyprototype。

\"Ifyouabjurethesocialtoast,Andpipes,andsuchfrivolities,YoupossiblysomedaymayboastMyprepossessingqualities!\"

BOBrubbedhiseyes,andmade’emblink:

\"Youalmostmakemetremble,you!

IfIabjurefermenteddrink,ShallI,indeed,resembleyou?

\"Andwillmywhiskerscurlsotight?

Mycheeksgrowsmugandmuttony?

Myfacebecomesoredandwhite?

Mycoatsoblueandbuttony?

\"Willtrousers,suchasyours,arrayExtremitiesinferior?

WillchubbinessassertitsswayAllovermyexterior?

\"Inthis,myunenlightenedstate,ToworkinheavybootsIcomes;

WillpumpshenceforwarddecorateMytiddletoddletootsicums?

\"AndshallIgetsoplumpandfresh,Andlooknolongerseedily?

MyskinwillhenceforthfitmyfleshSotightlyandsoTWEEDIE—ly?\"

Thephantomsaid,\"You’llhaveallthis,You’llknownokindofhuffiness,Yourlifewillbeonechubbybliss,Onelongunruffledpuffiness!\"

\"Beoff!\"saidirritatedBOB。

\"Whycomeyouheretobotherone?

Youpharisaicaloldsnob,You’rewussalmostthant’otherone!

\"Itakesmypipe—Itakesmypot,AnddrunkI’mneverseentobe:

I’mnoteetotallerorsot,AndasIamImeantobe!\"

Ballad:THESTORYOFPRINCEAGIB。

STRIKEtheconcertina’smelancholystring!

Blowthespirit—stirringharplikeanything!

Letthepiano’smartialblastRousetheEchoesofthePast,ForofAGIB,PRINCEOFTARTARY,Ising!

OfAGIB,who,amidTartaricscenes,Wrotealotofballetmusicinhisteens:

HisgentlespiritrollsInthemelodyofsouls—

Whichispretty,butIdon’tknowwhatitmeans。

OfAGIB,whocouldreadily,atsight,StrumamarchupontheloudTheodolite。

HewoulddiligentlyplayOntheZoetropeallday,AndblowthegayPantechniconallnight。

Onewinter—Iamshakyinmydates—

CametwostarvingTartarminstrelstohisgates;

Oh,ALLAHbeobeyed,Howinfernallytheyplayed!

Irememberthattheycalledthemselvesthe\"O乤its。\"

Oh!thatdayofsorrow,misery,andrage,IshallcarrytotheCatacombsofAge,PhotographicallylinedOnthetabletofmymind,Whenayesterdayhasfadedfromitspage!

Alas!PRINCEAGIBwentandaskedthemin;

Gavethembeer,andeggs,andsweets,andscent,andtin。

Andwhen(assnobswouldsay)

Theyhad\"putitallaway,\"

Herequestedthemtotuneupandbegin。

Thoughitsicyhorrorchillyoutothecore,IwilltellyouwhatInevertoldbefore,—

TheconsequencestrueOfthatawfulinterview,FORILISTENEDATTHEKEYHOLEINTHEDOOR!

Theyplayedhimasonata—letmesee!

\"MEDULLAOBLONGATA\"—keyofG。

ThentheybegantosingThatextremelylovelything,SCHERZANDO!MANONTROPPO,PPP。\"

Hegavethemmoney,morethantheycouldcount,Scentfromamostingeniouslittlefount,Morebeer,inlittlekegs,Manydozenhard—boiledeggs,Andgoodiestoafabulousamount。

Nowfollowsthedimhorrorofmytale,AndIfeelI’mgrowinggraduallypale,For,evenatthisday,Thoughitsstinghaspassedaway,WhenIventuretorememberit,Iquail!

Theelderofthebrothersgaveasqueal,All—overishitmademefortofeel;

\"Oh,PRINCE,\"hesays,sayshe,\"IFAPRINCEINDEEDYOUBE,I’veamysteryI’mgoingtoreveal!

\"Oh,listen,ifyou’dshunahorriddeath,Towhatthegentwho’sspeakingtoyousaith:

No’O乤its’intrutharewe,Asyoufancythatwebe,For(ter—remble!)IamALECK—thisisBETH!\"

SaidAGIB,\"Oh!accursedofyourkind,Ihaveheardthatyearemenofevilmind!\"

BETHgaveadreadfulshriek—

Butbeforehe’dtimetospeakIwasmercilesslycollaredfrombehind。

Innumbertenortwelve,orevenmore,Theyfastenedmefulllengthuponthefloor。

Onmyfaceextendedflat,IwaswallopedwithacatForlisteningatthekeyholeofadoor。

Oh!thehorrorofthatagonizingthrill!

(Icanfeeltheplaceinfrostyweatherstill)。

ForaweekfromtentofourIwasfastenedtothefloor,WhileamercenarywoppedmewithawillTheybrandedmeandbrokemeonawheel,Andtheyleftmeinanhospitaltoheal;

And,uponmysolemnword,IhaveneverneverheardWhatthoseTartarshaddeterminedtoreveal。

Butthatdayofsorrow,misery,andrage,IshallcarrytotheCatacombsofAge,PhotographicallylinedOnthetabletofmymind,WhenayesterdayhasfadedfromitspageBallad:ELLENMcJONESABERDEEN。

MACPHAIRSONCLONGLOCKETTYANGUSMcCLAN

Wasthesonofanelderlylabouringman;

You’veguessedhimaScotchman,shrewdreader,atsight,Andp’r’apsaltogether,shrewdreader,you’reright。

FromthebonnieblueForthtothelovelyDeeside,RoundbyDingwallandWrathtothemouthoftheClyde,Therewasn’tachildorawomanormanWhocouldpipewithCLONGLOCKETTYANGUSMcCLAN。

Noothercouldwakesuchdetestablegroans,Withreedandwithchaunter—withbagandwithdrones:

AlldayandillnighthedelightedthechielsWithsniggeringpibrochsandjiggetyreels。

He’dclamberamountainandsquatontheground,AndtheneighbouringmaidenswouldgatheraroundTolisttothepipesandtogazeinhiseen,EspeciallyELLENMcJONESABERDEEN。

AlllovedtheirMcCLAN,saveaSassenachbrute,WhocametotheHighlandstofishandtoshoot;

HedressedhimselfupinaHighlanderway,Tho’hisnameitwasPATTISONCORBYTORBAY。

TORBAYhadincurredagooddealofexpenseTomakehimaScotchmanineverysense;

Butthisisamatter,you’llreadilyown,Thatisn’taquestionoftailorsalone。

ASassenachchiefmaybebonilybuilt,Hemaypurchaseasporran,abonnet,andkilt;

Stickaske刵inhishose—wearanacreofstripes—

Buthecannotassumeanaffectionforpipes。

CLONGLOCKETY’SpipingsallnightandalldayQuitefrenziedpoorPATTISONCORBYTORBAY;

Thegirlswereamusedathissingularspleen,EspeciallyELLENMcJONESABERDEEN,\"MACPHAIRSONCLONGLOCKETTYANGUS,mylad,Withpibrochsandreelsyouaredrivingmemad。

Ifyoureallymustplayonthatcursedaffair,Mygoodness!playsomethingresemblinganair。\"

BoiledoverthebloodofMACPHAIRSONMcCLAN—

TheClanofClonglockettyroseasoneman;

Forallwereenragedattheinsult,Iween—

EspeciallyELLENMcJONESABERDEEN。

\"Let’sshow,\"saidMcCLAN,\"tothisSassenachloonThatthebagpipesCANplayhimaregulartune。

Let’ssee,\"saidMcCLAN,ashethoughtfullysat,\"’INMYCOTTAGE’iseasy—I’llpractiseatthat。\"

Heblewathis\"Cottage,\"andblewwithawill,Forayear,sevenmonths,andafortnight,until(You’llhardlybelieveit)McCLAN,Ideclare,Elicitedsomethingresemblinganair。

Itwaswild—itwasfitful—aswildasthebreeze—

Itwanderedaboutintoseveralkeys;

Itwasjerky,spasmodic,andharsh,I’maware;

Butstillitdistinctlysuggestedanair。

TheSassenachscreamed,andtheSassenachdanced;

Heshriekedinhisagony—bellowedandpranced;

Andthemaidenswhogatheredrejoicedatthescene—

EspeciallyELLENMcJONESABERDEEN。

\"Hechgather,hechgather,hechgatheraround;

Andfilla’yelugswi’theexquisitesound。

Anairfra’thebagpipes—beatthatifyecan!

HurrahforCLONGLOCKETTYANGUSMcCLAN!\"

Thefameofhispipingspreadovertheland:

Respectablewidowsproposedforhishand,Andmaidenscameflockingtositonthegreen—

EspeciallyELLENMcJONESABERDEEN。

OnemorningthefidgetySassenachsworeHe’dstanditnolonger—hedrewhisclaymore,And(thiswas,Ithink,inextremelybadtaste)

DividedCLONGLOCKETTYclosetothewaist。

Oh!loudwerethewailingsforANGUSMcCLAN,Oh!deepwasthegriefforthatexcellentman;

Themaidsstoodaghastatthehorriblescene—

EspeciallyELLENMcJONESABERDEEN。

ItsorrowedpoorPATTISONCORBYTORBAY

Tofindthem\"takeon\"inthisseriousway;

Hepitiedthepoorlittleflutteringbirds,Andsolacedtheirsoulswiththefollowingwords:

\"Oh,maidens,\"saidPATTISON,touchinghishat,\"Don’tblubber,mydears,forafellowlikethat;

Observe,I’maverysuperiorman,AmuchbetterfellowthanANGUSMcCLAN。\"

Theysmiledwhenhewinkedandaddressedthemas\"dears,\"

Andtheyallofthemvowed,astheydrieduptheirtears,Apleasantergentlemanneverwasseen—

EspeciallyELLENMcJONESABERDEEN。

Ballad:PETERTHEWAG。

POLICEMANPETERFORTHIdragFromhisobscureretreat:

Hewasamerrygenialwag,Wholovedamadconceit。

Ifhewereaskedthetimeofday,Bycountrybumpkinsgreen,Henotunfrequentlywouldsay,\"Aquarterpastthirteen。\"

IfeveryoubywordofmouthInquiredofMISTERFORTH

ThewaytosomewhereintheSouth,HealwayssentyouNorth。

WithlittleboyshisbeatalongHelovedtostopandplay;

Helovedtosendoldladieswrong,Andteachtheirfeettostray。

Hewouldinfrolicmoments,whenSuchmischiefbentupon,TakeBishopsupasbettingmen—

BidMinistersmoveon。

ThenalltheworthyboysheknewHeregularlylicked,AndalwayscollaredpeoplewhoHadhadtheirpocketspicked。

Hewasnotnaturallybad,Orviciouslyinclined,ButfromhisearlyyouthhehadAwaggishturnofmind。

TheMenofLondongrimlyscowledWithindignationwild;

TheMenofLondongrufflygrowled,ButPETERcalmlysmiled。

AgainstthisminionoftheCrownTheswellingmurmursgrew—

FromCamberwelltoKentishTown—

FromRotherhithetoKew。

Stillhumouredhehiswagsometurn,AndfedinvariouswaysThecowardragethatdaredtoburn,Butdidnotdaretoblaze。

Still,Retributionhasherday,Althoughherflightisslow:

ONEDAYTHATCRUSHERLOSTHISWAY

NEARPOLANDSTREET,SOHO。

Thehaughtyboy,tooproudtoask,Tofindhiswayresolved,AndinthetangleofhistaskGotmoreandmoreinvolved。

TheMenofLondon,overjoyed,Cametheretojeertheirfoe,AndflockingcrowdscompletelycloyedThemazesofSoho。

ThenewsontelegraphicwiresSpedswiftlyo’erthelea,ExcursiontrainsfromdistantshiresBroughtmyriadstosee。

Forweekshetrodhisself—madebeatsThroughNewport—Gerrard—Bear—

Greek—Rupert—Frith—Dean—Poland—Streets,AndintoGoldenSquare。

Butall,alas!invain,forwhenHetriedtolearnthewayOflittleboysorgrown—upmen,Theynoneofthemwouldsay。

Theireyeswouldflash—theirteethwouldgrind—

Theirlipswouldtightlycurl—

They’dsay,\"Thywaythyselfmustfind,Thoumisdirectingchurl!\"

And,similarly,also,whenHetriedaforeignfriend;

Italiansanswered,\"ILBALEN\"—

TheFrench,\"Nocomprehend。\"

TheRusswouldsaywithgleamingeye\"Sevastopol!\"andgroan。

TheGreeksaid,[GREEKTEXTWHICHCANNOT

BEREPRODUCED]。\"

TowanderthusformanyayearThatCrusherneverceased—

TheMenofLondondroppedatear,TheirangerwasappeasedAtlengthexploringgangsweresentTofindpoorFORTH’Sremains—

AhandsomegrantbyParliamentWasvotedfortheirpains。

ToseekthepoorpolicemanoutBoldspiritsvolunteered,Andwhentheysworethey’dsolvethedoubt,TheMenofLondoncheered。

Andinayard,dark,dank,anddrear,Theyfoundhim,onthefloor—

ItleadsfromRichmondBuildings—nearTheRoyaltystage—door。

WithbrandycoldandbrandyhotTheypliedhim,starvedandwet,Andmadehimsergeantonthespot—

TheMenofLondon’spet!

Ballad:TOTHETERRESTRIALGLOBE。BYAMISERABLEWRETCH。

ROLLon,thouball,rollon!

ThroughpathlessrealmsofSpaceRollon!

WhatthoughI’minasorrycase?

WhatthoughIcannotmeetmybills?

WhatthoughIsuffertoothache’sills?

WhatthoughIswallowcountlesspills?

NeverYOUmind!

Rollon!

Rollon,thouball,rollon!

ThroughseasofinkyairRollon!

It’strueI’vegotnoshirtstowear;

It’struemybutcher’sbillisdue;

It’struemyprospectsalllookblue—

Butdon’tletthatunsettleyou!

NeverYOUmind!

Rollon!

[ITROLLSON。

Ballad:GENTLEALICEBROWN。

ITwasarobber’sdaughter,andhernamewasALICEBROWN,HerfatherwastheterrorofasmallItaliantown;

Hermotherwasafoolish,weak,butamiableoldthing;

Butitisn’tofherparentsthatI’mgoingfortosing。

AsALICEwasa—sittingatherwindow—silloneday,Abeautifulyounggentlemanhechancedtopassthatway;

Shecasthereyesuponhim,andhelookedsogoodandtrue,Thatshethought,\"Icouldbehappywithagentlemanlikeyou!\"

Andeverymorningpassedherhousethatcreamofgentlemen,Sheknewshemightexpecthimataquarteruntoten;

AsorterintheCustom—house,itwashisdailyroad(TheCustom—housewasfifteenminutes’walkfromherabode)。

ButALICEwasapiousgirl,whoknewitwasn’twiseTolookatstrangeyoungsorterswithexpressivepurpleeyes;

Soshesoughtthevillagepriesttowhomherfamilyconfessed,Thepriestbywhomtheirlittlesinswerecarefullyassessed。

\"Oh,holyfather,\"ALICEsaid,\"’twouldgrieveyou,woulditnot,TodiscoverthatIwasamostdisreputablelot?

OfallunhappysinnersI’mthemostunhappyone!\"

Thepadresaid,\"Whateverhaveyoubeenandgoneanddone?\"

\"Ihavehelpedmammatostealalittlekiddyfromitsdad,I’veassisteddearpapaincuttingupalittlelad,I’veplannedalittleburglaryandforgedalittlecheque,Andslainalittlebabyforthecoralonitsneck!\"

Theworthypastorheavedasigh,anddroppedasilenttear,Andsaid,\"Youmustn’tjudgeyourselftooheavily,mydear:

It’swrongtomurderbabies,littlecoralsfortofleece;

Butsinsliketheseoneexpiatesathalf—a—crownapiece。

\"Girlswillbegirls—you’reveryyoung,andflightyinyourmind;

Oldheadsuponyoungshoulderswemustnotexpecttofind:

Wemustn’tbetoohardupontheselittlegirlishtricks—

Let’ssee—fivecrimesathalf—a—crown—exactlytwelve—and—six。\"

\"Oh,father,\"littleAlicecried,\"yourkindnessmakesmeweep,Youdotheselittlethingsformesosingularlycheap—

YourthoughtfulliberalityInevercanforget;

But,oh!thereisanothercrimeIhaven’tmentionedyet!

\"Apleasant—lookinggentleman,withprettypurpleeyes,I’venoticedatmywindow,asI’vesata—catchingflies;

Hepassesbyiteverydayascertainascanbe—

IblushtosayI’vewinkedathim,andhehaswinkedatme!\"

\"Forshame!\"saidFATHERPAUL,\"myerringdaughter!OnmywordThisisthemostdistressingnewsthatIhaveeverheard。

Why,naughtygirl,yourexcellentpapahaspledgedyourhandToapromisingyoungrobber,thelieutenantofhisband!

\"Thisdreadfulpieceofnewswillpainyourworthyparentsso!

TheyarethemostremunerativecustomersIknow;

Formanymanyyearsthey’vekeptstarvationfrommydoors:

Ineverknewsocriminalafamilyasyours!

\"ThecommoncountryfolkinthisinsipidneighbourhoodHavenothingtoconfess,they’resoridiculouslygood;

Andifyoumarryanyonerespectableatall,Why,you’llreform,andwhatwillthenbecomeofFATHERPAUL?\"

Theworthypriest,heupanddrewhiscowluponhiscrown,AndstartedoffinhastetotellthenewstoROBBERBROWN—

Totellhimhowhisdaughter,whowasnowformarriagefit,Hadwinkeduponasorter,whoreciprocatedit。

GoodROBBERBROWNhemuffleduphisangerprettywell:

Hesaid,\"Ihaveanotion,andthatnotionIwilltell;

Iwillnabthisgayyoungsorter,terrifyhimintofits,Andgetmygentlewifetochophimintolittlebits。

\"I’vestudiedhumannature,andIknowathingortwo:

Thoughagirlmayfondlylovealivinggent,asmanydo—

AfeelingofdisgustuponhersensestherewillfallWhenshelooksuponhisbodychoppedparticularlysmall。\"

Hetracedthatgallantsortertoastillsuburbansquare;

Hewatchedhisopportunity,andseizedhimunaware;

Hetookalife—preserverandhehithimonthehead,AndMRS。BROWNdissectedhimbeforeshewenttobed。

AndprettylittleALICEgrewmoresettledinhermind,Shenevermorewasguiltyofaweaknessofthekind,UntilatlengthgoodROBBERBROWNbestowedherprettyhandOnthepromisingyoungrobber,thelieutenantofhisband。

Ballad:MISTERWILLIAM。

OH,listentothetaleofMISTERWILLIAM,ifyouplease,Whomnaughty,naughtyjudgessentawaybeyondtheseas。

Heforgedaparty’swill,whichcausedanxietyandstrife,Resultinginhisgettingpenalservitudeforlife。

Hewasakindlygoodlyman,andnaturallyprone,Insteadoftakingothers’gold,togiveawayhisown。

ButhehadheardofVice,andlongedforonlyoncetostrike—

ToplanONElittlewickedness—toseewhatitwaslike。

Hearguedwithhimself,andsaid,\"AspotlessmanamI;

Ican’tbemorerespectable,howeverhardItry!

ForsixandthirtyyearsI’vealwaysbeenasgoodasgold,AndnowforhalfanhourI’llplaninfamyuntold!

\"Ababywhoiswickedattheearlyageofone,Andthenreforms—anddiesatthirty—sixaspotlessson,Isnever,neversaddledwithhisbabyhood’sdefect,Butearnsfromworthymenconsiderationandrespect。

\"SoonewhoneverrevelledindiscreditabletricksUntilhereachedthecomfortableageofthirty—six,Maythenforhalfanhourperpetrateadeedofshame,Withoutincurringpermanentdisgrace,orevenblame。

\"Thatbabiesdon’tcommitsuchcrimesasforgeryistrue,Butlittlesinsdevelop,ifyouleave’emtoaccrue;

Andhewhoshunsallvicesassuccessiveseasonsroll,Shouldreapatlengththebenefitofsomuchself—control。

\"Thecommonsinofbabyhood—objectingtobedrest—

Ifyouleaveittoaccumulateatcompoundinterest,Foranythingyouknow,mayrepresent,ifyou’realive,Aburglaryormurderattheageofthirty—five。

\"Still,Iwouldn’ttakeadvantageofthisfact,butbecontentWithsomepardonablefolly—it’samereexperiment。

Thegreaterthetemptationtogowrong,thelessthesin;

Sowithsomethingthat’sparticularlytemptingI’llbegin。

\"Iwouldnotstealapenny,formyincome’sveryfair—

Idonotwantapenny—Ihavepenniesandtospare—

AndifIstoleapennyfromamoney—bagortill,Thesinwouldbeenormous—thetemptationbeingNIL。

\"ButifIbrokeasunderallsuchpettifoggingbounds,Andforgedaparty’sWillfor(say)FiveHundredThousandPounds,Withsuchanirresistibletemptationtoahaul,Ofcoursethesinmustbeinfinitesimallysmall。

\"There’sWILSONwhoisdying—hehaswealthfromStockandrent—

IfIdiverthisrichesfromtheirnaturaldescent,I’mplacedinapositiontoindulgeeachlittlewhim。\"

Sohedivertedthem—andthey,inturn,divertedhim。

Unfortunately,though,bysomeunpardonableflaw,Temptationisn’trecognizedbyBritain’sCommonLaw;

Menfoundhimoutbysomepeculiarityoftouch,AndWILLIAMgota\"lifer,\"whichannoyedhimverymuch。

For,ah!heneverreconciledhimselftolifeingaol,Hefrettedandhepined,andgrewdispiritedandpale;

Hewasnumberedlikeacabman,too,whichtolduponhimsoThathisspirits,oncesobuoyant,grewuncomfortablylow。

Andsympatheticgaolerswouldremark,\"It’sverytrue,Heain’tbeenbroughtupcommon,likethelikesofmeandyou。\"

Sotheytookhimintohospital,andgavehimmuttonchops,Andchocolate,andarrowroot,andbuns,andmaltandhops。

KindClergymen,besides,grewinterestedinhisfate,Affectedbythedetailsofhispitiablestate。

TheywaitedontheSecretary,somewhereinWhitehall,Whosaidhewouldreceivethemanydaytheylikedtocall。

\"Consider,sir,thehardshipofthisinterestingcase:

Aprisonlifebringswithitsomethingverylikedisgrace;

It’stellingonyoungWILLIAM,who’sreducedtoskinandbone—

Rememberhe’sagentleman,withmoneyofhisown。

\"Hehadanampleincome,andofcoursehestandsinneedOfsherrywithhisdinner,andhiscustomaryweed;

Nodelicaciesnowcanpasshisgentlemanlylips—

Hemisseshissea—bathingandhiscontinentaltrips。

\"Hesaystheotherprisonersarecommonplaceandrude;

Hesayshecannotrelishuncongenialprisonfood。

WhenquiteaboytheytaughthimtodistinguishGoodfromBad,Andothereducationaladvantageshe’shad。

\"Aburglarorgarotter,or,indeed,acommonthiefIsverygladtobattenonpotatoesandonbeef,Oranything,inshort,thatprisonkitchenscanafford,—

Acutabovethedietinacommonworkhouseward。

\"Butbeefandmutton—brothdon’tseemtosuitourWILLIAM’Swhim,Aboontootherprisoners—apunishmenttohim。

ItneverwasintendedthatthedisciplineofgaolShoulddashaconvict’sspirits,sir,ormakehimthinorpale。\"

\"GoodGraciousMe!\"thatsympatheticSecretarycried,\"SupposeinprisonfettersMISTERWILLIAMshouldhavedied!

Dearme,ofcourse!ImprisonmentforLIFEhissentencesaith:

I’mverygladyoumentionedit—itmighthavebeenForDeath!

\"Releasehimwithaticket—he’llbebetterthen,nodoubt,AndtellhimIapologize。\"SoMISTERWILLIAM’Sout。

Ihopehewillbecarefulinhismanuscripts,I’msure,Andnotbeginexperimentalizinganymore。

Ballad:THEBUMBOATWOMAN’SSTORY。

I’Mold,mydears,andshrivelledwithage,andwork,andgrief,Myeyesaregone,andmyteethhavebeendrawnbyTime,theThief!

ForterriblesightsI’veseen,anddangersgreatI’verun—

I’mnearlyseventynow,andmyworkisalmostdone!

Ah!I’vebeenyounginmytime,andI’veplayedthedeucewithmen!

I’mspeakingoftenyearspast—Iwasbarelysixtythen:

Mycheeksweremellowandsoft,andmyeyeswerelargeandsweet,POLLPINEAPPLE’SeyeswerethestandingtoastoftheRoyalFleet!

AbumboatwomanwasI,andIfaithfullyservedtheshipsWithapplesandcakes,andfowls,andbeer,andhalfpennydips,Andbeefforthegenerousmess,wheretheofficersdineatnights,Andfinefreshpeppermintdropsfortherollickingmidshipmites。

OfallthekindcommanderswhoanchoredinPortsmouthBay,ByfarthesweetestofallwaskindLIEUTENANTBELAYE。’

LIEUTENANTBELAYEcommandedthegunboatHOTCROSSBUN,Shewassevenandthirtyfeetinlength,andshecarriedagun。

Withalaudableviewofenhancinghiscountry’snavalpride,Whenpeopleinquiredhersize,LIEUTENANTBELAYEreplied,\"Oh,myship,myshipisthefirstoftheHundredandSeventy—

ones!\"

Whichmeanthertonnage,butpeopleimagineditmeantherguns。

WheneverIwentonboardhewouldbeckonmedownbelow,\"Comedown,LittleButtercup,come\"(forhelovedtocallmeso),Andhe’dtellofthefightsatseainwhichhe’dtakenapart,AndsoLIEUTENANTBELAYEwonpoorPOLLPINEAPPLE’Sheart!

Butatlengthhisorderscame,andhesaidoneday,saidhe,\"I’morderedtosailwiththeHOTCROSSBUNtotheGermanSea。\"

AndthePortsmouthmaidensweptwhentheylearnttheevilday,ForeveryPortsmouthmaidlovedgoodLIEUTENANTBELAYE。

AndIwenttoabackbackstreet,withplentyofcheapcheapshops,AndIboughtanoilskinhatandasecond—handsuitofslops,AndIwenttoLIEUTENANTBELAYE(andheneversuspectedME!)

AndIenteredmyselfasachapaswantedtogotosea。

Wesailedthatafternoonatthemystichourofone,—

RemarkablyniceyoungmenwerethecrewoftheHOTCROSSBUN,I’msorrytosaythatI’veheardthatsailorssometimesswear,ButIneveryetheardaBUNsayanythingwrong,Ideclare。

WhenJackTarsmeet,theymeetwitha\"Messmate,ho!Whatcheer?\"

Buthere,ontheHOTCROSSBUN,itwas\"Howdoyoudo,mydear?\"

WhenJackTarsgrowl,IbelievetheygrowlwithabigbigD—

ButthestrongestoathoftheHOTCROSSBUNSwasamild\"Dearme!\"

Yet,thoughtheywereallwell—bred,youcouldscarcelycallthemslick:

Wheneveraseawason,theywereallextremelysick;

Andwhenevertheweatherwascalm,andthewindwaslightandfair,Theyspentmoretimethanasailorshouldonhisbackbackhair。

Theycertainlyshiveredandshookwhenorderedalofttorun,AndtheyscreamedwhenLIEUTENANTBELAYEdischargedhisonlygun。

Andashewasproudofhisgun—suchprideishardlywrong—

TheLieutenantwasblazingawayatintervalsalldaylong。

Theyallagreedverywell,thoughattimesyouhearditsaidThatBILLhadawayofhisownofmakinghislipslookred—

ThatJOElookedquitehisage—orsomebodymightdeclareThatBARNACLE’Slongpig—tailwasneverhisownownhair。

BELAYEwouldadmitthathismenwereofnogreatusetohim,\"But,then,\"hewouldsay,\"thereislittletodoonagunboattrimIcanhand,andreef,andsteer,andfiremybigguntoo—

AnditISsuchatreattosailwithagentlewell—bredcrew。\"

Isawhimeveryday。Howthehappymomentssped!

Reeftopsails!Makealltaut!There’sdirtyweatherahead!

(IdonotmeanthattempeststhreatenedtheHOTCROSSBUN:

InTHATcase,Idon’tknowwhateverweSHOULDhavedone!)

Afterafortnight’scruise,weputintoportoneday,AndoffonleaveforaweekwentkindLIEUTENANTBELAYE,Andafteralonglongweekhadpassed(anditseemedlikealife),LIEUTENANTBELAYEreturnedtohisshipwithafairyoungwife!

Heup,andhesays,sayshe,\"OcrewoftheHOTCROSSBUN,Hereisthewifeofmyheart,fortheChurchhasmadeusone!\"

Andasheutteredtheword,thecrewwentoutoftheirwits,Andallfelldowninsomanyseparatefainting—fits。

Andthentheirhaircamedown,oroff,asthecasemightbe,Andlo!therestofthecrewweresimplegirls,likeme,Whoallhadfledfromtheirhomesinasailor’sbluearray,TofollowtheshiftingfateofkindLIEUTENANTBELAYE。

********

It’sstrangetothinkthatIshouldeverhavelovedyoungmen,ButI’mspeakingoftenyearspast—Iwasbarelysixtythen,Andnowmycheeksarefurrowedwithgriefandage,Itrow!

AndpoorPOLLPINEAPPLE’Seyeshavelosttheirlustrenow!

Ballad:LOSTMR。BLAKE。

MR。BLAKEwasaregularout—and—outhardenedsinner,WhowasquiteoutofthepaleofChristianity,sotospeak,HewasinthehabitofsmokingalongpipeanddrinkingaglassofgrogonaSundayafterdinner,Andseldomthoughtofgoingtochurchmorethantwiceor—ifGoodFridayorChristmasDayhappenedtocomeinit—threetimesaweek。

HewasquiteindifferentastotheparticularkindsofdressesThattheclergymanworeatchurchwhereheusedtogotopray,Andwhateverhedidinthewayofrelievingachap’sdistresses,Healwaysdidinanasty,sneaking,underhanded,hole—and—cornersortofway。

Ihaveknownhimindulgeinprofane,ungentlemanlyemphatics,WhentheProtestantChurchhasbeendividedonthesubjectoftheproperwidthofachasuble’shem;

Ihaveevenknownhimtosneeratalbs—andasfordalmatics,Wordscan’tconveyanideaofthecontemptheexpressedforTHEM。

Hedidn’tbelieveinpersonswho,notbeingwelloffthemselves,areobligedtoconfinetheircharitableexertionstocollectingmoneyfromwealthierpeople,Andlookeduponindividualsoftheformerclassasecclesiasticalhawks;

Heusedtosaythathewouldnomorethinkofinterferingwithhispriest’srobesthanwithhischurchorhissteeple,Andthathedidnotconsiderhissoulimperilledbecausesomebodyoverwhomhehadnoinfluencewhatever,chosetodresshimselfuplikeanexaggeratedGUYFAWKES。

ThisshockingoldvagabondwassounutterablyshamelessThatheactuallywenta—courtingaveryrespectableandpiousmiddle—agedsister,bythenameofBIGGS。

Shewasaratherattractivewidow,whoselifeassuchhadalwaysbeenparticularlyblameless;

Herfirsthusbandhadleftherasecurebutmoderatecompetence,owingtosomefortunatespeculationsinthematteroffigs。

Shewasanexcellentpersonineveryway—andwontherespectevenofMRS。GRUNDY,Shewasagoodhousewife,too,andwouldn’thavewastedapennyifshehadownedtheKoh—i—noor。

ShewasjustasstrictashewaslaxinherobservanceofSunday,Andbeingagoodeconomist,andcharitablebesides,shetookallthebonesandcoldpotatoesandbrokenpie—crustsandcandle—ends(whenshehadquitedonewiththem),andmadethemintoanexcellentsoupforthedeservingpoor。

IamsorrytosaythatsherathertooktoBLAKE—thatoutcastofsociety,Andwhenrespectablebrotherswhowerefondofherbegantolookdubiousandtocough,Shewouldsay,\"Oh,myfriends,it’sbecauseIhopetobringthispoorbenightedsoulbacktovirtueandpropriety,Andbesides,thepoorbenightedsoul,withallhisfaults,wasuncommonlywelloff。

AndwhenMR。BLAKE’Sdissipatedfriendscalledhisattentiontothefrownorthepoutofher,Wheneverhedidanythingwhichappearedtohertosavourofanunmentionableplace,Hewouldsaythat\"shewouldbeaverydecentoldgirlwhenallthatnonsensewasknockedoutofher,\"

Andhismethodofknockingitoutofherisonethatcoveredhimwithdisgrace。

ShewasfondofgoingtochurchservicesfourtimeseverySunday,and,fourorfivetimesintheweek,andneverseemedtopallofthem,Sohehuntedoutallthechurcheswithinaconvenientdistancethathadservicesatdifferenthours,sotospeak;

Andwhenhehadmarriedherhepositivelyinsistedupontheirgoingtoallofthem,SotheycontrivedtodoabouttwelvechurcheseverySunday,and,iftheyhadluck,fromtwenty—twototwenty—threeinthecourseoftheweek。

Shewasfondofdroppinghissovereignsostentatiouslyintotheplate,andshelikedtoseethemstandoutratherconspicuouslyagainstthecommonplacehalf—crownsandshillings,Sohetookhertoallthecharitysermons,andifbyanyextraordinarychancetherewasn’tacharitysermonanywhere,hewoulddropacoupleofsovereigns(oneforhimandoneforher)

intothepoor—boxatthedoor;

Andashealwaysdeductedthesumsthusgivenincharityfromthehousekeepingmoney,andthemoneyheallowedherforherbonnetsandfrillings,Shesoonbegantofindthatevencharity,ifyouallowittointerferewithyourpersonalluxuries,becomesanintolerablebore。

OnSundaysshewasalwaysmelancholyandanythingbutgoodsociety,Forthatdayinherhouseholdwasadayofsighingsandsobbingsandwringingofhandsandshakingofheads:

Shewouldn’thearofabuttonbeingsewnonaglove,becauseitwasaworkneitherofnecessitynorofpiety,Andstrictlyprohibitedherservantsfromamusingthemselves,orindeeddoinganythingatallexceptdustingthedrawing—rooms,cleaningthebootsandshoes,cookingtheparlourdinner,waitinggenerallyonthefamily,andmakingthebeds。

ButBLAKEevenwentfurtherthanthat,andsaidthatpeopleshoulddotheirownworksofnecessity,andnotdelegatethemtopersonsinamenialsituation,Sohewouldn’tallowhisservantstodosomuchasevenanswerabell。

Hereheismakinghiswifecarryupthewaterforherbathtothesecondfloor,muchagainstherinclination,—

AndwhyintheworldthegentlemanwhoillustratestheseballadshasputhiminacockedhatismorethanIcantell。

Afteraboutthreemonthsofthissortofthing,takingthesmoothwiththeroughofit,(Blackingherownbootsandpeelingherownpotatoeswasnothernotionofconnubialbliss),MRS。BLAKEbegantofindthatshehadprettynearlyhadenoughofit,Andcame,incourseoftime,tothinkthatBLAKE’Sownoriginallineofconductwasn’tsomuchamiss。

Andnowthatwickedperson—thatdetestablesinner(\"BELIALBLAKE\"

hisfriendsandwell—wisherscallhimforhisatrocities),Andhispoordeludedvictim,whomallherChristianbrothersdislikeandpityso,GototheparishchurchonlyonSundaymorningandafternoonandoccasionallyonaweek—day,andspendtheireveningsinconnubialfondlingsandaffectionatereciprocities,AndIshouldliketoknowwhereintheworld(orrather,outofit)

theyexpecttogo!

Ballad:THEBABY’SVENGEANCE。

WEARYatheartandextremelyillWasPALEYVOLLAIREofBromptonville,Inadirtylodging,withfeverdown,ClosetothePolygon,SomersTown。

PALEYVOLLAIREwasanonlyson(Forwhy?Hismotherhadhadbutone),AndPALEYinheritedgoldandgroundsWorthseveralhundredthousandpounds。

Buthe,likemanyarichyoungman,Throughthismagnificentfortuneran,AndnothingwasleftforhisdailyneedsButduplicatecopiesofmortgage—deeds。

Shabbyandsorryandsorelysick,Heslept,anddreamtthattheclock’s\"tick,tick,\"

WasoneoftheFates,withalongsharpknife,Snickingoffbitsofhisshortenedlife。

Hewokeandcountedthepipsonthewalls,Theoutdoorpassengers’loudfootfalls,Andreckonedallover,andreckonedagain,Thelittlewhitetuftsonhiscounterpane。

Amedicalmantohisbedsidecame。

(Ican’trememberthatdoctor’sname),Andsaid,\"You’lldieinaveryshortwhileIfyoudon’tsetsailforMadeira’sisle。\"

\"GotoMadeira?goodnessme!

Ihaven’tthemoneytopayyourfee!\"

\"Then,PALEYVOLLAIRE,\"saidtheleech,\"goodbye;

I’llcomenomore,foryour’resuretodie。\"

Hesighedandhegroanedandsmotehisbreast;

\"Oh,send,\"saidhe,\"forFREDERICKWEST,Eresensesfadeormyeyesgrowdim:

I’veaterribletaletowhisperhim!\"

PoorwasFREDERICK’Slotinlife,—

Adustmanhewithafairyoungwife,Aworthymanwithahard—earnedstore,Ahundredandseventypounds—ormore。

FREDERICKcame,andhesaid,\"MaybeYou’llsaywhatyouhappenedtowantwithme?\"

\"Wrongedboy,\"saidPALEYVOLLAIRE,\"Iwill,Butdon’tyoufidgetyourself—sitstill。\"

THETERRIBLETALE。

\"’Tisnowsomethirty—sevenyearsagoSincefirstbegantheplotthatI’mrevealing,Afineyoungwoman,whomyououghttoknow,LivedwithherhusbanddowninDrumLane,Ealing。

Herselfbymeansofmanglingreimbursing,Andnowandthen(atintervals)wet—nursing。

\"Twolittlebabesdweltintheirhumblecot:

Onewasherown—theotheronlylenttoher:

HEROWNSHESLIGHTED。TemptedbyalotOfgoldandsilverregularlysenttoher,SheministereduntothelittleotherInthecapacityoffoster—mother。

\"IWASHEROWN。Oh!howIlayandsobbedInmypoorcradle—deeply,deeplycursingTherichman’spamperedbantling,whohadrobbedMyonlybirthright—anattentivenursing!

Sometimesinhatredofmyfoster—brother,Ignashedmygums—whichterrifiedmymother。

\"Oneday—itwasquiteearlyintheweek—

IINMYCRADLEHAVINGPLACEDTHEBANTLING—

Creptintohis!Hehadnotlearnttospeak,ButIcouldseehisfacewithangermantling。

Itwasimprudent—well,disgracefulmaybe,For,oh!Iwasabad,blackheartedbaby!

\"Sogreataluxurywasfood,IthinkNowickednessbutIwasgametotryforit。

NOWifIwantedanythingtodrinkAtanytime,Ionlyhadtocryforit!

ONCE,ifIdaredtoweep,thebottlelacking,Myblubberinginvolvedaserioussmacking!

\"Wegrewupintheusualway—myfriend,Myfoster—brother,dailygrowingthinner,WhilegraduallyIbegantomend,Andthrivedamazinglyondoubledinner。

Andeveryone,besidesmyfoster—mother,Believedthateitherofuswastheother。

\"IcameintoHISwealth—IboreHISname,Ibearitstill—HISpropertyIsquandered—

Imortgagedeverything—andnow(oh,shame!)

IntoaSomersTownshake—downI’vewandered!

IamnoPALEY—no,VOLLAIRE—it’strue,myboy!

TheonlyrightfulPALEYV。isYOU,myboy!

\"AndallIhaveisyours—andyoursismine。

Istillmayplaceyouinyourtrueposition:

Givemethepoundsyou’vesaved,andI’llresignMynoblename,myrank,andmycondition。

SofarmywickednessinfalselyowningYourvastywealth,Iamatlastatoning!\"

*******

FREDERICKhewasasimplesoul,Hepulledfromhispocketabulkyroll,AndgavetoPALEYhishard—earnedstore,Ahundredandseventypoundsormore。

PALEYVOLLAIRE,withmanyagroan,GaveFREDERICKallthathecalledhisown,—

Twoshirtsandasock,andavestofjean,AWellingtonbootandabamboocane。

AndFRED(entitledtoallthingsthere)

HetookthefeverfromMR。VOLLAIRE,WhichkilledpoorFREDERICKWEST。MeanwhileVOLLAIREsailedofftoMadeira’sisle。

Ballad:THECAPTAINANDTHEMERMAIDS。

ISINGalegendofthesea,Sohard—a—portuponyourlee!

Ashiponstarboardtack!

She’sbounduponaprivatecruise—

(ThisisthekindofspiceIuseTogiveasalt—seasmack)。

Behold,oneveryafternoon(SaveinagaleorstrongMonsoon)

GreatCAPTAINCAPELCLEGGS

(Greatmorally,thoughrathershort)

Satatanopenweather—portAndairedhisshapelylegs。

AndMermaidshungaroundinflocks,Oncablechainsanddistantrocks,Togazeuponthoselimbs;

Forlegslikethose,offleshandbone,Arethings\"notgenerallyknown\"

ToanyMermanTIMBS。

ButMermendidn’tseemtocareMuchtime(asfarasI’maware)

WithCLEGGS’Slegstospend;

ThoughMermaidsswamaroundalldayAndgazed,exclaiming,\"THAT’SthewayAgentlemanshouldend!

\"Apairoflegswithwell—cutknees,AndcalvesandanklessuchastheseWhichweinrapturehail,Arefarmoreeloquent,it’sclear(Whenclothedinsilkandkerseymere),Thananynastytail。\"

AndCLEGGS—aworthykindoldboy—

Rejoicedtoaddtoothers’joy,And,whenthedaywasdry,Becauseitpleasedthelookers—on,Hesatfrommorntillnight—thoughcon—

Stitutionallyshy。

AtfirsttheMermenlaughed,\"Pooh!pooh!\"

Butfinallytheyjealousgrew,Andsoundedloudrecalls;

Butvainly。SothesefishymalesDeclaredtheytoowouldclothetheirtailsInsilkenhoseandsmalls。

Theysettowork,thesewater—men,Andmadetheirnetherrobes—butwhenTheydrewwithdaintytouchThekerseymereupontheirtails,Theyfounditscrapedagainsttheirscales,Andhurtthemverymuch。

Thesilk,besides,withwhichtheychoseTodecktheirtailsbywayofhose(Theyneverthoughtofshoon),Forsuchausewasmuchtoothin,—

Ittoreagainstthecaudalfin,And\"wentinladders\"soon。

Sotheydesignedanotherplan:

TheysenttheirmostseductivemanThisnotetohimtoshow—

\"OurMonarchsendstoCAPTAINCLEGGS

Hishumblecompliments,andbegsHe’lljoinhimdownbelow;

\"We’vepleasanthomesbelowthesea—

Besides,ifCAPTAINCLEGGSshouldbe(Asouradvicessay)

AjudgeofMermaids,hewillfindOurlady—fishofeverykindInspectionwillrepay。\"

GoodCAPELsentakindreply,ForCAPELthoughthecoulddescryAnadmirableplanTostudyalltheirwaysandlaws—

(Butnottheirlady—fish,becauseHewasamarriedman)。

TheMermansank—theCaptaintooJumpedoverboard,anddroppedfromviewLikestonefromcatapult;

AndwhenhereachedtheMerman’slair,Hecertainlywaswelcomedthere,But,ah!withwhatresult?

Theydidn’tlethimlearntheirlaw,Ormakeanoteofwhathesaw,Orinterestingmem。:

Thelady—fishhecouldn’tfind,Butthat,ofcourse,hedidn’tmind—

Hedidn’tcomeforthem。

Forthough,whenCAPTAINCAPELsank,TheMermendrawnindoublerankGavehimaheartyhail,YetwhensecureofCAPTAINCLEGGS,Theycutoffbothhislovelylegs,AndgavehimSUCHatail!

WhenCAPTAINCLEGGSreturnedaboard,Hisblithesomecrewconvulsiveroar’d,Toseehimalteredso。

TheAdmiraltydidinsistThatheupontheHalf—payListImmediatelyshouldgo。

Invaindeclaredthepooroldsalt,\"It’smymisfortune—notmyfault,\"

Withtearandtremblinglip—

InvainpoorCAPELbeggedandbegged。

\"AmanmustbecompletelyleggedWhorulesaBritishship。\"

SospakethesternFirstLordaloud—

Hewasawag,thoughveryproud,Andmuchrejoicedtosay,\"You’reonlyhalfacaptainnow—

Andso,myworthyfriend,IvowYou’llonlygethalf—pay!\"

Ballad:ANNIEPROTHEROE。ALEGENDOFSTRATFORD—LE—BOW。

OH!listentothetaleoflittleANNIEPROTHEROE。

Shekeptasmallpost—officeintheneighbourhoodofBOW;

Shelovedaskilledmechanic,whowasfamousinhisday—

AgentleexecutionerwhosenamewasGILBERTCLAY。

IthinkIhearyousay,\"Adreadfulsubjectforyourrhymes!\"

Oreader,donotshrink—hedidn’tliveinmoderntimes!

Helivedsolongago(thesketchwillshowitataglance)

Thatallhisactionsglitterwiththelime—lightofRomance。

Inbusytimeshelabouredathisgentlecraftallday—

\"NodoubtyoumeanhisCal—craft,\"youamusinglywillsay—

But,no—hedidn’toperatewithcommonbitsofstring,HewasaPublicHeadsman,whichisquiteanotherthing。

Andwhenhisworkwasover,theywouldrambleo’erthelea,Andsitbeneaththefrondageofanelderberrytree,AndANNIE’Ssimpleprattleentertainedhimonhiswalk,Forpublicexecutionsformedthesubjectofhertalk。

Andsometimeshe’dexplaintoher,whichcharmedherverymuch,Howfamousoperatorsvaryverymuchintouch,Andthen,perhaps,he’dshowhowhehimselfperformedthetrick,Andillustratehismeaningwithapoppyandastick。

Or,ifitrained,thelittlemaidwouldstopathome,andlookAthisfavourablenotices,allpastedinabook,Andthenhercheekwouldflush—herswimmingeyeswoulddancewithjoyInaglowofadmirationattheprowessofherboy。

Onesummereve,atsupper—time,thegentleGILBERTsaid(AshehelpedhisprettyANNIEtoasliceofcollaredhead),\"ThisremindsmeImustsettleonthenextensuingdayThehashofthatunmitigatedvillainPETERGRAY。\"

HesawhisANNIEtrembleandhesawhisANNIEstart,Herchangingcolourtrumpetedtheflutteratherheart;

YoungGILBERT’Smanlybosomroseandsankwithjealousfear,Andhesaid,\"OgentleANNIE,what’sthemeaningofthishere?\"

AndANNIEanswered,blushinginaninterestingway,\"Youthink,nodoubt,I’msighingforthatfelonPETERGRAY:

ThatIwashisyoungwomanisunquestionablytrue,ButnotsinceIbegana—keepingcompanywithyou。\"

ThenGILBERT,whowasirritable,roseandloudlysworeHe’dknowthereasonwhyifsherefusedtotellhimmore;

Andsheanswered(allthewomaninherflashingfromhereyes)

\"Youmustn’tasknoquestions,andyouwon’tbetoldnolies!

\"Fewlovershavetheprivilegeenjoyed,mydear,byyou,Ofchoppingoffarival’sheadandquarteringhimtoo!

Ofvengeance,dear,to—morrowyouwillsurelytakeyourfill!\"

AndGILBERTgroundhismolarsasheansweredher,\"Iwill!\"

YoungGILBERTrosefromtablewithasterndeterminedlook,And,frowning,tookaninexpensivehatchetfromitshook;

AndANNIEwatchedhismovementswithaninterestedair—

Forthemorrow—forthemorrowhewasgoingtoprepare!

Hechippeditwithahammerandhechoppeditwithabill,Hepouredsulphuricacidontheedgeofit,untilThisterribleAvengeroftheMajestyofLawWasfarlesslikeahatchetthanadissipatedsaw。

AndANNIEsaid,\"OGILBERT,dear,IdonotunderstandWhyeveryouareinjuringthathatchetinyourhand?’

Hesaid,\"ItisintendedfortolacerateandflayTheneckofthatunmitigatedvillainPETERGRAY!\"

\"Now,GILBERT,\"ANNIEanswered,\"wickedheadsman,justbeware—

Iwon’thavePETERtorturedwiththathorribleaffair;

Ifyouappearwiththat,youmaydependyou’llruetheday。\"

ButGILBERTsaid,\"Oh,shallI?\"whichwasjusthisnastyway。

Hesawalookofangerfromhereyesdistinctlydart,ForANNIEwasawoman,andhadpityinherheart!

Shewishedhimagoodevening—heansweredwithaglare;

Sheonlysaid,\"Remember,foryourANNIEwillbethere!\"

********

ThemorrowGILBERTboldlyonthescaffoldtookhisstand,Withavizoronhisfaceandwithahatchetinhishand,AndallthepeoplenoticedthattheEngineoftheLawWasfarlesslikeahatchetthanadissipatedsaw。

Thefelonverycoollyloosedhiscollarandhisstock,Andplacedhiswickedheaduponthehandylittleblock。

ThehatchetwasupliftedfortosettlePETERGRAY,WhenGILBERTplainlyheardawoman’svoiceexclaiming,\"Stay!\"

’TwasANNIE,gentleANNIE,asyou’lleasilybelieve。

\"OGILBERT,youmustsparehim,forIbringhimareprieve,ItcamefromourHomeSecretarymanyweeksago,Andpassedthroughthatpost—officewhichIusedtokeepatBow。

\"Ilovedyou,lovedyoumadly,andyouknowit,GILBERTCLAY,AndasI’dquitesurrenderedallideaofPETERGRAY,Iquietlysuppressedit,asyou’llclearlyunderstand,ForIthoughtitmightbeawkwardifhecameandclaimedmyhand。

\"Inangeratmysecret(whichIcouldnottellbefore),TolaceratepoorPETERGRAYvindictivelyyouswore;

Itoldyouifyouusedthatbluntedaxeyou’druetheday,Andsoyouwill,youngGILBERT,forI’llmarryPETERGRAY!\"

[ANDSOSHEDID。

Ballad:ANUNFORTUNATELIKENESS。

I’VEpaintedSHAKESPEAREallmylife—

\"Aninfant\"(eventhenat\"play\"!)

\"Aboy,\"withstage—ambitionrife,Then\"MarriedtoANNHATHAWAY。\"

\"Thebard’sfirstticketnight\"(or\"ben。\"),His\"Firstappearanceonthestage,\"

His\"Callbeforethecurtain\"—then\"Rejoicingswhenhecameofage。\"

Thebardplay—writinginhisroom,Thebardahumblelawyer’sclerk。

Thebardalawyer(3)—parson(4)—groom(5)—

Thebarddeer—stealing,afterdark。

Thebardatradesman(6)—andaJew(7)—

Thebardabotanist(8)—abeak(9)—

Thebardaskilledmusician(10)too—

Asheriff(11)andasurgeon(12)eke!

Yetcriticssay(afriendlystock)

That,thoughit’sevidentItry,YetevenIcanbarelymockTheglimmerofhiswondrouseye!

OnemorningasaworkIframed,Therepassedaperson,walkinghard:

\"Mygraciousgoodness,\"Iexclaimed,\"Howverylikemydearoldbard!

\"Oh,whatamodelhewouldmake!\"

Irushedoutside—impulsiveme!—

\"ForgivethelibertyItake,Butyou’resovery\"—\"Stop!\"saidhe。

\"Youneedn’twasteyourbreathortime,—

Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay,—

Thatyou’reanartist,andthatI’mRemarkablylikeSHAKESPEARE。Eh?

\"YouwishthatIwouldsittoyou?\"

Iclaspedhimmadlyroundthewaist,Andbreathlesslyreplied,\"Ido!\"

\"Allright,\"saidhe,\"butpleasemakehaste。\"

Iledhimbyhishallowedsleeve,Andworkedawayathimapace,Ipaintedhimtilldewyeve,—

Thereneverwasanoblerface!

\"Oh,sir,\"Isaid,\"afortunegrandIsyours,bydintofmerestchance,—

TosportHISbrowatsecond—hand,TowearHIScast—offcountenance!

\"TorubHISeyeswhene’ertheyache—

TowearHISbaldnessereyou’reold—

TocleanHISteethwhenyouawake—

ToblowHISnosewhenyou’veacold!\"

Hiseyeballsglistenedinhiseyes—

Isatandwatchedandsmokedmypipe;

\"Bravo!\"Isaid,\"IrecognizeThephrensyofyourprototype!\"

Hisscantyhairhewildlytore:

\"That’sright,\"saidI,\"itshowsyourbreed。\"

Hedanced—hestamped—hewildlyswore—

\"Blessme,that’sveryfineindeed!\"

\"Sir,\"saidthegrandShakesperianboy(Continuingtoblazeaway),\"Youthinkmyfaceasourceofjoy;

Thatshowsyouknownotwhatyousay。

\"Forgivetheseyellsandcellar—flaps:

I’malwaysthrowninsomesuchstateWhenonhisfacewell—meaningchapsThiswretchedmancongratulate。

\"For,oh!thisface—thispointedchin—

Thisnose—thisbrow—theseeyeballstoo,HavealwaysbeentheoriginOfallthewoesIeverknew!

\"IftotheplaymywayIfind,ToseeagrandShakesperianpiece,Ihavenorest,noeaseofmindUntiltheauthor’spuppetscease。

\"Mennudgeeachother—thus—andsay,’ThiscertainlyisSHAKESPEARE’Sson,’

Andmerrywags(ofcourseinplay)

Cry’Author!’whenthepieceisdone。

\"Inchurchthepeoplestareatme,Theirsoulthesermonneverbinds;

Icatchthemlookingroundtosee,AndthoughtsofSHAKESPEAREfilltheirminds。

\"Andsculptors,fraughtwithcunningwile,WhofinditdifficulttocrownAbustwithBROWN’Sinsipidsmile,OrTOMKINS’Sunmanneredfrown,\"Yetboldlymakemyfacetheirown,When(oh,presumption!)theyrequireToanimateapaving—stoneWithSHAKESPEARE’Sintellectualfire。

\"Atpartieswhereyoungladiesgaze,AndIattempttospeakmyjoy,’Hush,pray,’somelovelycreaturesays,’Thefondillusiondon’tdestroy!’

\"Whene’erIspeak,mysouliswrungWiththeseorsomesuchwhisperings:

’’TispitythataSHAKESPEARE’StongueShouldsaysuchun—Shakesperianthings!’

\"IshouldnotthusbecriticisedHadIafaceofcommonwont:

Don’tenvyme—now,beadvised!\"

And,nowIthinkofit,Idon’t!

Ballad:THEKINGOFCANOODLE—DUM。

THEstoryofFREDERICKGOWLER,Amarinerofthesea,Whoquittedhisship,theHOWLER,A—sailinginCaribbee。

Formanyadayhewandered,TillhemetinastateofrumCALAMITYPOPVONPEPPERMINTDROP,TheKingofCanoodle—Dum。

Thatmonarchaddressedhimgaily,\"Hum!Gollydedoto—day?

Hum!Lily—whiteBuckraSailee\"—

(Younoticehisplayfulway?)—

\"Whatdickensyoudoin’here,sar?

Whydebbilyouwanttocome?

Hum!Picaninnee,dereisn’tnoseaInCityCanoodle—Dum!\"

AndGOWLERheansweredsadly,\"Oh,mineisadolefultale!

They’vetreatedmewerrybadlyInLunnon,fromwhereIhail。

I’moneoftheFamilyRoyal—

NocommonJackTaryousee;

I’mWILLIAMTHEFOURTH,farupintheNorth,AKinginmyowncountree!\"

Bang—bang!Howthetom—tomsthundered!

Bang—bang!Howtheythumpedthisgongs!

Bang—bang!Howthepeoplewondered!

Bang—bang!Atithammerandtongs!

AlliancewithKingsofEuropeIsanhonourCanoodlersseek,Hermonarchsdon’tstopwithPEPPERMINTDROP

Everydayintheweek!

FREDtoldthemthathewasundone,Forhispeopleallwentinsane,AndfiredtheTowerofLondon,AndGrinnidge’sNavalFane。

AndsomeofthemrackedSt。James’s,AndventedtheirrageuponTheChurchofSt。Paul,theFishmongers’Hall,AndtheAngelatIslington。

CALAMITYPOPimploredhimInhiscapitaltoremainTillthosepeopleofhisrestoredhimTopowerandrankagain。

CALAMITYPOPhemadehimAPrinceofCanoodle—Dum,Withacoupleofcaves,somebeautifulslaves,Andtherunoftheroyalrum。

Popgavehimhisonlydaughter,HUMPICKETYWIMPLETIP:

FREDvowedthatifoverthewaterHewent,inanEnglishship,He’dmakeherhisQueen,—thoughtrulyItisanunusualthingForaCaribbeebratwho’sasblackasyourhatTobewifeofanEnglishKing。

AndalltheCanoodle—DummersTheycopiedhisrollingwalk,Hismethodofdrainingrummers,Hisemblematicaltalk。

Forhisdressandhisgracefulbreeding,Hisdelicatetasteinrum,Andhisnauticalway,werethetalkofthedayIntheCourtofCanoodle—Dum。

CALAMITYPOPmostwiselyDeterminedineverythingTomodelhisCourtpreciselyOnthatoftheEnglishKing;

AndorderedthateveryladyAndeverylady’slordShouldmasticatejacky(akindoftobaccy),Andscatteritsjuiceabroad。

TheysignifiedwonderroundlyAtanyastoundingyarn,Bydarningtheirdeareyesroundly(’Twasalltheyhadtodarn)。

They\"hoistedtheirslacks,\"adjustingGarmentsofplantain—leavesWithnauticaltwitches(asiftheyworebreeches,InsteadofadresslikeEVE’S!)

Theyshiveredtheirtimbersproudly,Ataphantomforelockdragged,AndcalledforahornpipeloudlyWheneveramusementflagged。

\"Hum!Golly!himPOPresemble,HimBritishersov’reign,hum!

CALAMITYPOPVONPEPPERMINTDROP,DeKingofCanoodle—Dum!\"

Themariner’slively\"Hollo!\"

EnlivenedCanoodle’splain(ForblessingsunnumberedfollowInCivilization’strain)。

ButFortune,wholovesabathos,Aterribleendingplanned,ForADMIRALD。CHICKABIDDY,C。B。,PlacedfootonCanoodleland!

Thatrebel,heseizedKINGGOWLER,Hethreatenedhisroyalbrains,AndputhimaboardtheHOWLER,Andfastenedhimdownwithchains。

TheHOWLERsheweighedheranchor,WithFREDERICKnicelynailed,AndofftotheNorthwithWILLIAMTHEFOURTH

Thesehorriblepiratessailed。

CALAMITYsaid(withfolly),\"Hum!nebberwanthimagain—

Himcivilizeallofus,golly!

CALAMITYsuckhimbrain!\"

Thepeople,however,werepainedwhenTheysawhimaboardhisship,ButnoneofthemweptfortheirFREDDY,exceptHUMPICKETYWIMPLETIP。

Ballad:THEMARTINET。

SOMEtimeago,insimpleverseIsangthestorytrueOfCAPTAINREECE,theMANTELPIECE,Andallherhappycrew。

IshowedhowanycaptainmayAttachhismentohim,Ifhebutheedstheirsmallestneeds,Andstudieseverywhim。

Nowmarkhow,byDraconicruleAndHAUTEURill—advised,ThenoblestcrewupontheBlueMaybedemoralized。

WhenhisungratefulcountryplacedKindREECEuponhalf—pay,WithoutmuchclaimSIRBERKELYcame,Andtookcommandoneday。

SIRBERKELYwasamartinet—

Asternunyieldingsoul—

WhoruledhisshipbydintofwhipAndhorribleblack—hole。

AsailorwhowasovercomeFromhavingfreelydined,Andchancedtoreelwhenatthewheel,Heinstantlyconfined!

Andtarswho,whenanactionraged,Appearedalarmedorscared,Andthosebelowwhowishedtogo,Heveryseldomspared。

E’enhewhosmotehisofficerForpunishmentwasbooked,AndmutiniesupontheseasHerarelyoverlooked。

Inshort,thehappyMANTELPIECE,Whereallhadgonesowell,BeneaththatfoolSIRBERKELY’SruleBecameafloatinghell。

WhenfirstSIRBERKELYcameaboardHereadaspeechtoall,Andtoldthemhowhe’dmadeavowToactonduty’scall。

ThenWILLIAMLEE,heupandsaid(TheCaptain’scoxswainhe),\"We’veheardthespeechyourhonour’smade,Andwerrypleasedwebe。

\"Wewon’tpretend,mylad,ashowWe’regladtoloseourREECE;

Urbane,polite,hesuitedquiteThesaucyMANTELPIECE。

\"ButifyourhonourgivesyourmindTostudyallourways,Withdanceandsongwe’lljogalongAsinthosehappydays。

\"Ilikeyourhonour’slooks,andfeelYou’reworthyofyoursword。

Yourhand,mylad—I’mdoosidgladTowelcomeyouaboard!\"

SIRBERKELYlookedamazed,asthoughHedidn’tunderstand。

\"Don’tshakeyourhead,\"goodWILLIAMsaid,\"Itisanhonesthand。

\"It’sgraspedabetterhandthanyourn—

Come,gov’nor,Iinsist!\"

TheCaptainstared—thecoxswainglared—

Thehandbecameafist!

\"Down,upstart!\"saidthehardysalt;

ButBERKELYdodgedhisaim,Andmadehimgoinchainsbelow:

Theseamenmurmured\"Shame!\"

Hestoppedallsongsat12p。m。,Stoppedhornpipeswhenatsea,Andsworehiscot(orbunk)shouldnotBeusedbyaughtthanhe。

Heneverjoinedtheirdailymess,Noraskedthemtohisown,ButchaffedingayandsocialwayTheofficersalone。

HisFirstLieutenant,PETER,wasAsuselessascouldbe,Ahelplessstick,andalwayssickWhentherewasanysea。

ThisFirstLieutenantprovedtobeHisfoster—sisterMAY,WhowenttoseaforloveofheInmasculinearray。

Andwhenhelearntthecuriousfact,Didheemotionshow,OrdryhertearsorendherfearsBymarryingher?No!

OrdidheeventrytosootheThismaideninherteens?

Oh,no!—insteadhemadeherwedTheSergeantofMarines!

OfcoursesuchSpartandisciplineWouldmakeanangelfret;

Theydrewalot,andWILLIAMshotThisfearfulmartinet。

TheAdmiraltysawhowillThey’dtreatedCAPTAINREECE;

HewasrestoredoncemoreaboardThesaucyMANTELPIECE。

Ballad:THESAILORBOYTOHISLASS。

IGOawaythisblessedday,Tosailacrossthesea,MATILDA!

MyvesselstartsforvariouspartsAttwentyafterthree,MATILDA。

Ihardlyknowwherewemaygo,Orifit’snearorfar,MATILDA,ForCAPTAINHYDEdoesnotconfideInany’fore—masttar,MATILDA!

BeneathmybanthatmysticmanShallsuffer,COUTEQUICOUTE,MATILDA!

WhatrighthashetokeepfrommeTheAdmiraltyroute,MATILDA?

Because,forsooth!IamayouthOfcommonsailors’lot,MATILDA!

AmIamanonhumanplanDesigned,oramInot,MATILDA?

Butthere,mylass,we’llletthatpass!

WithanxiousloveIburn,MATILDA。

IwanttoknowifweshallgoTochurchwhenIreturn,MATILDA?

Youreyesarered,youbowyourhead;

It’sprettyclearyouthirst,MATILDA,Tonametheday—What’sthatyousay?

—\"You’llseemefurtherfirst,\"MATILDA?

Ican’tmistakethesignsyoumake,Althoughyoubarelyspeak,MATILDA;

Thoughpureandyoung,youthrustyourtongueRightinyourprettycheek,MATILDA!

Mydear,IfearIhearyousneer—

Ido—I’msureIdo,MATILDA!

Withsimplegraceyoumakeaface,Ejaculating,\"Ugh!\"MATILDA。

Oh,pausetothinkbeforeyoudrinkThedregsofLethe’scup,MATILDA!

Remember,do,whatI’vegonethrough,Beforeyougivemeup,MATILDA!

RecallagainthementalpainOfwhatI’vehadtodo,MATILDA!

AndbeassuredthatI’veenduredIt,allalongofyou,MATILDA!

Doyouforget,myblithesomepet,Howoncewithjealousrage,MATILDA,IwatchedyouwalkandgailytalkWithsomeonethriceyourage,MATILDA?

Yousquattedfreeuponhisknee,Asightthatmademesad,MATILDA!

Youpinchedhischeekwithfriendlytweak,Whichalmostdrovememad,MATILDA!

Iknewhimnot,buthopedtospotSomemanyouthoughttowed,MATILDA!

Itookagun,mydarlingone,Andshothimthroughthehead,MATILDA!

I’mmadeofstuffthat’sroughandgruffEnough,Iown;but,ah,MATILDA!

ItDIDannoyyoursailorboyTofinditwasyourpa,MATILDA!

I’vepassedalifeoftoilandstrife,Anddisappointmentsdeep,MATILDA;

I’velainawakewithdentalacheUntilIfellasleep,MATILDA!

AttimesagainI’vemissedatrain,Orp’rhapsrunshortoftin,MATILDA,Andwornabootoncornsthatshoot,Or,shaving,cutmychin,MATILDA。

But,oh!notrains—nodentalpains—

BelievemewhenIsay,MATILDA,Nocornsthatshoot—nopinchingbootUponasummerday,MATILDA—

It’smybelief,couldcausesuchgriefAsthatI’vesufferedfor,MATILDA,MyhavingshotinvitalspotYouroldprogenitor,MATILDA。

BethinkyouhowI’vekeptthevowImadeonewinterday,MATILDA—

That,comewhatcould,IneverwouldRemaintoolongaway,MATILDA。

And,oh!thecrimeswithwhich,attimes,I’vechargedmygentlemind,MATILDA,TokeepthevowImade—andnowYoutreatmesounkind,MATILDA!

Forwhenatsea,offCaribbee,Ifeltmypassionburn,MATILDA,Bypassionegged,IwentandbeggedThecaptaintoreturn,MATILDA。

Andwhen,mypet,Icouldn’tgetThatcaptaintoagree,MATILDA,RightthroughasortofopenportIpitchedhiminthesea,MATILDA!

Remember,too,howallthecrewWithindignationblind,MATILDA,Distinctlysworetheyne’erbeforeHadthoughtmesounkind,MATILDA。

Andhowthey’dshunmeonebyone—

Anunforgivinggroup,MATILDA—

IstoppedtheirhowlsandsulkyscowlsBypizeningtheirsoup,MATILDA!

Sopausetothink,beforeyoudrinkThedregsofLethe’scup,MATILDA;

Remember,do,whatI’vegonethrough,Beforeyougivemeup,MATILDA。

RecallagainthementalpainOfwhatI’vehadtodo,MATILDA,AndbeassuredthatI’veenduredIt,allalongofyou,MATILDA!

Ballad:THEREVERENDSIMONMAGUS。

ARICHadvowson,highlyprized,Forprivatesalewasadvertised;

Andmanyaparsonmadeabid;

TheREVERENDSIMONMAGUSdid。

Hesoughttheagent’s:\"Agent,I

Havecomepreparedatoncetobuy(Ifyourdemandisnottoobig)

TheCureofOtium—cum—Digge。\"

\"Ah!\"saidtheagent,\"THERE’Saberth—

Thesnuggestvicarageonearth;

Nosortofduty(soIhear),Andfifteenhundredpoundsayear!

\"Ifonthepriceweshouldagree,Thelivingsoonwillvacantbe;

Thegoodincumbent’sninetyfive,Andcannotverylongsurvive。

See—here’shisphotograph—yousee,He’sinhisdotage。\"\"Ah,dearme!

Poorsoul!\"saidSIMON。\"HisdeceaseWouldbeamercifulrelease!\"

Theagentlaughed—theagentblinked—

Theagentblewhisnoseandwinked—

Andpokedtheparson’sribsinplay—

Itwasthatagent’svulgarway。

TheREVERENDSIMONfrowned:\"IgrieveThislightdemeanourtoperceive;

It’sscarcelyCOMMEILFAUT,Ithink:

Now—prayobligeme—donotwink。

\"Don’tdigmywaistcoatintoholes—

YourmissionistosellthesoulsOfhumansheepandhumankidsTothatdivinewhohighestbids。

\"Dowellinthis,andonyourheadUnnumberedhonourswillbeshed。\"

Theagentsaid,\"Well,truthtotell,IHAVEbeendoingverywell。\"

\"Youshould,\"saidSIMON,\"atyourage;

Butnowabouttheparsonage。

Howmanyroomsdoesitcontain?

Showmethephotographagain。

\"Apoorapostle’shumblehouseMustnotbetooluxurious;

Nostatelyhallswithoakenfloor—

Itshouldbedecentandnomore。

\"Nobilliard—rooms—nostatelytrees—

Nocroquet—groundsorpineries。\"

\"Ah!\"sighedtheagent,\"verytrue:

Thispropertywon’tdoforyou。\"

\"Alltheseaboutthehouseyou’llfind。\"—

\"Well,\"saidtheparson,\"nevermind;

I’llmanagetosubmittotheseLuxurioussuperfluities。

\"AclergymanwhodoesnotshirkThevariouscallsofChristianwork,WillhavenoleisuretoemployThese’commonforms’ofworldlyjoy。

\"TopreachthreetimesonSabbathdays—

Toweanthelostfromwickedways—

Thesicktosoothe—thesanetowed—

Thepoortofeedwithmeatandbread;

\"ThesearethevariouswholesomewaysInwhichI’llspendmynightsanddays:

MyzealwillhavenotimetocoolAtcroquet,archery,orpool。\"

Theagentsaid,\"FromwhatIhear,Thislivingwillnotsuit,Ifear—

Therearenopoor,nosickatall;

Forservicesthereisnocall。\"

Thereverendgentlookedgrave,\"Dearme!

ThenthereisNO’society’?—

Imean,ofcourse,nosinnersthereWhosesoulswillbemyspecialcare?\"

Thecunningagentshookhishead,\"No,none—except\"—(theagentsaid)—

\"TheDUKEOFA。,theEARLOFB。,TheMARQUISC。,andVISCOUNTD。

\"Butyouwillnotbequitealone,Forthoughthey’vechaplainsoftheirown,Ofcoursethisnoblewell—bredclanReceivetheparishclergyman。\"

\"Oh,silence,sir!\"saidSIMONM。,\"Dukes—Earls!WhatshouldIcareforthem?

TheseworldlyranksIscornandflout!\"

\"Ofcourse,\"theagentsaid,\"nodoubt!\"

\"YetImightshowthesemenofbirthThehollownessofrankonearth。\"

Theagentanswered,\"Verytrue—

ButIshouldnot,ifIwereyou。\"

\"Whosellsthisrichadvowson,pray?\"

Theagentwinked—itwashisway—

\"HisnameisHART;’twixtmeandyou,Heis,I’mgrievedtosay,aJew!\"

\"AJew?\"saidSIMON,\"happyfind!

Ipurchasethisadvowson,mind。

MylifeshallbedevotedtoConvertingthatunhappyJew!\"

Ballad:MYDREAM。

THEothernight,fromcaresexempt,Islept—andwhatd’youthinkIdreamt?

IdreamtthatsomehowIhadcomeTodwellinTopsy—Turveydom—

Whereviceisvirtue—virtue,vice:

Whereniceisnasty—nasty,nice:

Whererightiswrongandwrongisright—

Wherewhiteisblackandblackiswhite。

Wherebabies,muchtotheirsurprise,Arebornastonishinglywise;

WitheveryScienceontheirlips,AndArtatalltheirfinger—tips。

For,astheirnursesdandlethemTheycrowbinomialtheorem,Withviews(itseemsabsurdtous)

Ondifferentialcalculus。

Butthoughababe,asIhavesaid,Isbornwithlearninginhishead,Hemustforgetit,ifhecan,Beforehecallshimselfaman。

Forthatwhichwecallfollyhere,Iswisdominthatfavouredsphere;

ThewisdomwesohighlyprizeIsblatantfollyintheireyes。

Aboy,ifhewouldpushhisway,Mustlearnsomenonsenseeveryday;

Andcut,tocarryoutthisview,Hiswisdomteethandwisdomtoo。

Historiansburntheirmidnightoils,Intentongiant—killers’toils;

AndsagesclosetheiragedeyesToothersages’lullabies。

Ourmagistrates,indutybound,Commitallrobberswhoarefound;

ButtheretheBeaks(sopeoplesaid)

Commitallrobberiesinstead。

OurJudges,pureandwiseintone,Knowcrimefromtheoryalone,AndgleanthemotivesofathiefFrombooksandpopularbelief。

Butthere,aJudgewhowantstoprimeHismindwithtrueideasofcrime,DerivesthemfromthecommonsenseOfpracticalexperience。

PolicemenmarchallfolksawayWhopractisevirtueeveryday—

Ofcourse,Imeantosay,youknow,Whatwecallvirtueherebelow。

ForonlyscoundrelsdaretodoWhatweconsiderjustandtrue,Andonlygoodmendo,infact,Whatweshouldthinkadirtyact。

Butstrangestofthesesocialtwirls,Thegirlsareboys—theboysaregirls!

Themenarewomen,too—butthen,PERCONTRA,womenallaremen。

ToonewhototraditionclingsThisseemsanawkwardstateofthings,Butiftothinkitoutyoutry,Itdoesn’treallysignify。

Withthem,assurelyascanbe,Asailorshouldbesickatsea,AndnotapassengermaysailWhocannotsmokerightthroughagale。

Asoldier(savebyrarestluck)

Isalwaysshotforshowingpluck(Thatis,ifotherscanbefoundWithpluckenoughtofirearound)。

\"Howstrange!\"IsaidtooneIsaw;

\"Youquiteupsetoureverylaw。

HowevercanyougetalongSosystematicallywrong?\"

\"Dearme!\"mymadinformantsaid,\"Haveyounoeyeswithinyourhead?

Yousneerwhenyouyourhatshoulddoff:

Why,webeginwhereyouleaveoff!

\"YourwisestmenareveryfarLesslearnedthanourbabiesare!\"

Imusedawhile—andthen,ohme!

Iframedthisbrilliantrepartee:

\"AlthoughyourbabesarewiserfarThanourmostvaluedsagesare,Yoursages,withtheirtoysandcots,Aredullerthanouridiots!\"

Butthisremark,Igrievetostate,CamejustalittlebittoolateForasIframeditinmyhead,Iwokeandfoundmyselfinbed。

StillIcouldwishthat,’steadofhere,Mylotwereinthatfavouredsphere!—

WheregreatestfoolsbearoffthebellIoughttodoextremelywell。

Ballad:THEBISHOPOFRUM—TI—FOOAGAIN。

IOFTENwonderwhetheryouThinksometimesofthatBishop,whoFromblackbutbalmyRum—ti—FooLastsummertwelvemonthcame。

UntoyourmindIp’r’apsmaybringRemembranceofthemanIsingTo—day,bysimplymentioningThatPETERwashisname。

RememberhowthatholymanCamewiththegreatColonialclanToSynod,calledPan—Anglican;

AndkindlyrecollectHow,havingcrossedtheoceanwide,TopleasehisflockallmeanshetriedConsistentwithaproperprideAndmanlyself—respect。

Heonly,ofthereverendpackWhoministertoChristiansblack,BroughtanyusefulknowledgebackTohisColonialfold。

InconsequenceaplaceIclaimFor\"PETER\"onthescrollofFame(ForPETERwasthatBishop’sname,AsI’vealreadytold)。

HecarriedArt,heoftensaid,Toplaceswherethattimidmaid(SavebyColonialBishops’aid)

Couldneverhopetoroam。

ThePayne—cum—LaurifeathetaughtAshehadlearntit;forhethoughtThechoicestfruitsofProgressoughtToblesstheNegro’shome。

Andhehadotherworktodo,For,whilehetossedupontheBlue,TheislandersofRum—ti—FooForgottheirkindlyfriend。

Theirdecentclothestheylearnttotear—

Theylearnttosay,\"Idonotcare,\"

Thoughthey,ofcourse,werewellawareHowfolks,whosayso,end。

Somesailors,whomhedidnotknow,Hadlandedtherenotlongago,Andtaughtthem\"Bother!\"also,\"Blow!\"

(Ofwickednessthegerms)。

Noneedtouseacasuist’spenToprovethattheyweremerchantmen;

NosailoroftheRoyalN。

Wouldusesuchawfulterms。

Andso,whenBISHOPPETERcame(ThatwasthekindlyBishop’sname),Heheardthesedreadfuloathswithshame,Andchidtheirwantofdress。

(Exceptashell—abanglerare—

Afeatherhere—afeatherthereTheSouthPacificNegroeswearTheirnativenothingness。)

HetaughtthemthataBishoploathesTolistentodisgracefuloaths,Hegavethemallhisleft—offclothes—

Theybentthemtohiswill。