PREFACE。
  THE"BABBALLADS"appearedoriginallyinthecolumnsof"FUN,"
  whenthatperiodicalwasundertheeditorshipofthelateTOMHOOD。
  Theyweresubsequentlyrepublishedintwovolumes,onecalled"THE
  BABBALLADS,"theother"MOREBABBALLADS。"Theperiodduringwhichtheywerewrittenextendedoversomethreeorfouryears;
  many,however,werecomposedhastily,andunderthediscomfortingnecessityofhavingtoturnoutaquantityoflivelyversebyacertaindayineveryweek。Asitseemedtome(andtoothers)thatthevolumesweredisfiguredbythepresenceofthesehastilywrittenimpostors,IthoughtitbettertowithdrawfrombothvolumessuchBalladsasseemedtoshowevidenceofcarelessnessorunduehaste,andtopublishtheremainderinthecompactformunderwhichtheyarenowpresentedtothereader。
  Itmayinterestsometoknowthatthefirstoftheseries,"TheYarnoftheNANCYBELL,"wasoriginallyofferedto"PUNCH,"—towhichIwas,atthattime,anoccasionalcontributor。Itwas,however,declinedbythethenEditor,onthegroundthatitwas"toocannibalisticforhisreaders’tastes。"
  W。S。GILBERT。
  24THEBOLTONS,SOUTHKENSINGTON,AUGUST,1876。
  Ballad:CAPTAINREECE。
  OFalltheshipsupontheblue,NoshipcontainedabettercrewThanthatofworthyCAPTAINREECE,CommandingofTHEMANTELPIECE。
  Hewasadoredbyallhismen,ForworthyCAPTAINREECE,R。N。,DidallthatlaywithinhimtoPromotethecomfortofhiscrew。
  Ifevertheyweredullorsad,Theircaptaindancedtothemlikemad,Ortold,tomakethetimepassby,Drolllegendsofhisinfancy。
  Afeatherbedhadeveryman,Warmslippersandhot—watercan,Brownwindsorfromthecaptain’sstore,Avalet,too,toeveryfour。
  Didtheywiththirstinsummerburn,Lo,seltzogenesateveryturn,AndonallverysultrydaysCreamiceshandedroundontrays。
  ThencurrantwineandgingerpopsStoodhandilyonallthe"tops;"
  Andalso,withamusementrife,A"Zoetrope,orWheelofLife。"
  NewvolumescameacrosstheseaFromMISTERMUDIE’Slibraree;
  THETIMESandSATURDAYREVIEW
  Beguiledtheleisureofthecrew。
  Kind—heartedCAPTAINREECE,R。N。,Wasquitedevotedtohismen;
  Inpointoffact,goodCAPTAINREECE
  BeatifiedTHEMANTELPIECE。
  Onesummereve,athalf—pastten,Hesaid(addressingallhismen):
  "Come,tellme,please,whatIcandoTopleaseandgratifymycrew。
  "ByanyreasonableplanI’llmakeyouhappyifIcan;
  MyownconveniencecountasNIL:
  Itismyduty,andIwill。"
  ThenupandansweredWILLIAMLEE
  (Thekindlycaptain’scoxswainhe,Anervous,shy,low—spokenman),Heclearedhisthroatandthusbegan:
  "Youhaveadaughter,CAPTAINREECE,Tenfemalecousinsandaniece,AMa,ifwhatI’mtoldistrue,Sixsisters,andanauntortwo。
  "Now,somehow,sir,itseemstome,Morefriendly—likeweallshouldbe,Ifyouunitedof’emtoUnmarriedmembersofthecrew。
  "Ifyou’dameliorateourlife,Leteachselectfromthemawife;
  Andasfornervousme,oldpal,Givemeyourownenchantinggal!"
  GoodCAPTAINREECE,thatworthyman,Debatedonhiscoxswain’splan:
  "Iquiteagree,"hesaid,"OBILL;
  Itismyduty,andIwill。
  "Mydaughter,thatenchantinggurl,HasjustbeenpromisedtoanEarl,AndallmyotherfamileeTopeersofvariousdegree。
  "ButwhataredukesandviscountstoThehappinessofallmycrew?
  ThewordIgaveyouI’llfulfil;
  Itismyduty,andIwill。
  "Asyoudesireitshallbefall,I’llsettlethousandsonyouall,AndIshallbe,despitemyhoard,Theonlybacheloronboard。"
  TheboatswainofTHEMANTELPIECE,HeblushedandspoketoCAPTAINREECE:
  "Ibegyourhonour’sleave,"hesaid;
  "Ifyouwouldwishtogoandwed,"IhaveawidowedmotherwhoWouldbetheverythingforyou—
  Shelonghaslovedyoufromafar:
  Shewashesforyou,CAPTAINR。"
  TheCaptainsawthedamethatday—
  Addressedherinhisplayfulway—
  "Anddiditwantaweddingring?
  Itwasatemptingicklesing!
  "Well,well,thechaplainIwillseek,We’llallbemarriedthisdayweekAtyonderchurchuponthehill;
  Itismyduty,andIwill!"
  Thesisters,cousins,aunts,andniece,AndwidowedMaofCAPTAINREECE,Attendedthereastheywerebid;
  Itwastheirduty,andtheydid。
  Ballad:THERIVALCURATES。
  LISTwhilethepoettrollsOfMR。CLAYTONHOOPER,WhohadacureofsoulsAtSpiffton—extra—Sooper。
  Helivedoncurdsandwhey,Anddailysangtheirpraises,Andthenhe’dgoandplayWithbuttercupsanddaisies。
  WildcroquetHOOPERbanned,AndallthesportsofMammon,Hewarredwithcribbage,andHeexorcisedbackgammon。
  HishelmetwasaglanceThatspokeofholygladness;
  Asaintlysmilehislance;
  Hisshieldatearofsadness。
  HisVicarsmiledtoseeThisarmouronhimbuckled:
  WithpardonablegleeHeblessedhimselfandchuckled。
  "InmildnesstoaboundMycurate’ssoledesignis;
  InallthecountryroundThere’snonesomildasmineis!"
  AndHOOPER,disinclinedHistrumpettobeblowing,Yetdidn’tthinkyou’dfindAmildercurategoing。
  AfriendarrivedonedayAtSpiffton—extra—Sooper,AndinthisshamefulwayHespoketoMr。HOOPER:
  "YouthinkyourfamousnameFormildnesscan’tbeshaken,Thatnonecanblotyourfame—
  But,HOOPER,you’remistaken!
  "YourmindisnotasblankAsthatofHOPLEYPORTER,Whoholdsacurate’srankAtAssesmilk—cum—Worter。
  "HEplaystheairyflute,Andlooksdepressedandblighted,Dovesroundabouthim’toot,’
  Andlambkinsdancedelighted。
  "HElaboursmorethanyouAtworstedwork,andframesit;
  Inoldmaids’albums,too,Sticksseaweed—yes,andnamesit!"
  Thetemptersaidhissay,Whichpiercedhimlikeaneedle—
  HesummonedstraightawayHissextonandhisbeadle。
  (ThesemenweremenwhocouldHoldliberalopinions:
  OnSundaystheyweregood—
  Onweek—daystheywereminions。)
  "ToHOPLEYPORTERgo,YourfareIwillaffordyou—
  Dealhimadeadlyblow,Andblessingsshallrewardyou。
  "Butstay—IdonotlikeUndueassassination,Andsobeforeyoustrike,Makethiscommunication:
  "I’llgivehimthisonechance—
  Ifhe’llmoregailybearhim,Playcroquet,smoke,anddance,Iwillinglywillsparehim。"
  Theywent,thoseminionstrue,ToAssesmilk—cum—Worter,AndtoldtheirerrandtoTheREVERENDHOPLEYPORTER。
  "What?"saidthatreverendgent,"Dancethroughmyhoursofleisure?
  Smoke?—bathemyselfwithscent?—
  Playcroquet?Oh,withpleasure!
  "Wearallmyhairincurl?
  Standatmydoorandwink—so—
  Ateverypassinggirl?
  Mybrothers,Ishouldthinkso!
  "ForyearsI’velongedforsomeExcuseforthisrevulsion:
  Nowthatexcusehascome—
  Idoitoncompulsion!!!"
  Hesmokedandwinkedaway—
  ThisREVERENDHOPLEYPORTER—
  ThedeucetherewastopayAtAssesmilk—cum—Worter。
  AndHOOPERholdshisground,Inmildnessdailygrowing—
  Theythinkhim,allaround,Themildestcurategoing。
  Ballad:ONLYADANCINGGIRL。
  ONLYadancinggirl,Withanunromanticstyle,Withborrowedcolourandcurl,Withfixedmechanicalsmile,Withmanyahackneyedwile,Withungrammaticallips,Andcornsthatmarhertrips。
  Hungfromthe"flies"inair,Sheactsapalpablelie,She’saslittleafairythereAsunpoeticalI!
  Ihearyouasking,Why—
  WhyintheworldIsingThistawdry,tinselledthing?
  Noairyfairyshe,AsshehangsinarsenicgreenFromahighlyimpossibletreeInahighlyimpossiblescene(Herselfnotover—clean)。
  Forfaysdon’tsuffer,I’mtold,Frombunions,coughs,orcold。
  AndstatelydamesthatbringTheirdaughterstheretosee,Pronouncethe"dancingthing"
  Nobetterthansheshouldbe,Withherskirtathershamefulknee,Andherpainted,taintedphiz:
  Ah,matron,whichofusis?
  (And,insooth,itoftoccursThatwhilethesematronssigh,Theirdressesarelowerthanhers,Andsometimeshalfashigh;
  Andtheirhairishairtheybuy,Andtheyusetheirglasses,too,Inawayshe’dblushtodo。)
  ButchangehergoldandgreenForacoarsemerinogown,AndseeheruponthesceneOfherhome,whencoaxingdownHerdrunkenfather’sfrown,Inhissqualidcheerlessden:
  She’safairytruly,then!
  Ballad:TOALITTLEMAID—BYAPOLICEMAN。
  COMEwithme,littlemaid,Nay,shrinknot,thusafraid—
  I’llharmtheenot!
  Flynot,mylove,fromme—
  Ihaveahomeforthee—
  Afairygrot,WheremortaleyeCanrarelypry,Thereshallthydwellingbe!
  Listtome,whileItellThepleasuresofthatcell,Oh,littlemaid!
  Whatthoughitscouchberude,HomelytheonlyfoodWithinitsshade?
  NothoughtofcareCanenterthere,Novulgarswainintrude!
  Comewithme,littlemaid,CometotherockyshadeIlovetosing;
  Livewithus,maidenrare—
  Come,forwe"want"theethere,Thouelfinthing,Toworkthyspell,InsomecoolcellInstatelyPentonville!
  Ballad:THETROUBADOUR。
  ATROUBADOURheplayedWithoutacastlewall,Within,ahaplessmaidRespondedtohiscall。
  "Oh,willow,woeisme!
  Alackandwell—a—day!
  IfIwereonlyfreeI’dhiemefaraway!"
  Unknownherfaceandname,Butthisheknewrightwell,Themaiden’swailingcameFromoutadungeoncell。
  AhaplesswomanlayWithinthatdungeongrim—
  Thatfact,I’veheardhimsay,Wasquiteenoughforhim。
  "Iwillnotsitorlie,Oreatordrink,Ivow,TillthouartfreeasI,OrIaspentasthou。"
  Hertearsthenceasedtoflow,Herwailsnolongerrang,AndtunefulinherwoeTheprisonedmaidensang:
  "Oh,stranger,asyouplay,Irecognizeyourtouch;
  AndallthatIcansayIs,thankyouverymuch。"
  Heseizedhisclarionstraight,Andblewthereat,untilAwardenopedthegate。
  "Oh,whatmightbeyourwill?"
  "I’vecome,SirKnave,toseeThemasterofthesehalls:
  AmaidunwillinglyLiesprisonedintheirwalls。"’
  WithbarelystifledsighThatporterdroopedhishead,Withteardropsinhiseye,"Amany,sir,"hesaid。
  Hestayedtohearnomore,Butpushedthatporterby,AndshortlystoodbeforeSIRHUGHDEPECKHAMRYE。
  SIRHUGHhedarklyfrowned,"Whatwouldyou,sir,withme?"
  ThetroubadourhedownedUponhisbendedknee。
  "I’vecome,DEPECKHAMRYE,TodoaChristiantask;
  YouaskmewhatwouldI?
  ItisnotmuchIask。
  "Releasethesemaidens,sir,Whomyoudominiono’er—
  ParticularlyherUponthesecondfloor。
  "Andifyoudon’t,mylord"—
  Heherestoodboltupright,Andtappedatailor’ssword—
  "Comeout,youcad,andfight!"
  SIRHUGHhecalled—andranThewardenfromthegate:
  "Go,showthisgentlemanThemaidinForty—eight。"
  Bymanyacelltheypast,AndstoppedatlengthbeforeAportal,boltedfast:
  Themanunlockedthedoor。
  HecalledinsidethegateWithcoarseandbrutalshout,"Come,stepit,Forty—eight!"
  AndForty—eightsteppedout。
  "Theygetsitprettyhot,Themaidenswhatwecotch—
  Twoyearsthislady’sgotForcollaringawotch。"
  "Oh,ah!—indeed—Isee,"
  Thetroubadourexclaimed—
  "IfImaymakesofree,Howisthiscastlenamed?
  Thewarden’seyelidsfill,Andsighing,hereplied,"OfgloomyPentonvilleThisisthefemaleside!"
  TheminstreldidnotwaitTheWardenstouttothank,ButrecollectedstraightHe’dbusinessattheBank。
  Ballad:FERDINANDOANDELVIRA;OR,THEGENTLEPIEMAN。
  PARTI。
  ATapleasanteveningpartyIhadtakendowntosupperOnewhomIwillcallELVIRA,andwetalkedofloveandTUPPER,MR。TUPPERandthePoets,verylightlywiththemdealing,ForI’vealwaysbeendistinguishedforastrongpoeticfeeling。
  Thenweletoffpapercrackers,eachofwhichcontainedamotto,AndshelistenedwhileIreadthem,tillhermothertoldhernotto。
  Thenshewhispered,"Totheball—roomwehadbetter,dear,bewalking;
  Ifwestopdownheremuchlonger,reallypeoplewillbetalking。"
  Therewerenoblemenincoronets,andmilitarycousins,Therewerecaptainsbythehundred,therewerebaronetsbydozens。
  Yetsheheedednottheiroffers,butdismissedthemwithablessing,Thensheletdownallherbackhair,whichhadtakenlongindressing。
  Thenshehadconvulsivesobbingsinheragitatedthrottle,Thenshewipedherprettyeyesandsmeltherprettysmelling—
  bottle。
  SoIwhispered,"DearELVIRA,say,—whatcanthematterbewithyou?
  Doesanythingyou’veeaten,darlingPOPSY,disagreewithyou?"
  ButspiteofallIsaid,hersobsgrewmoreandmoredistressing,Andshetoreherprettybackhair,whichhadtakenlongindressing。
  Thenshegazeduponthecarpet,attheceiling,thenaboveme,Andshewhispered,"FERDINANDO,doyoureally,REALLYloveme?"
  "Loveyou?"saidI,thenIsighed,andthenIgazeduponhersweetly—
  ForIthinkIdothissortofthingparticularlyneatly。
  "SendmetotheArcticregions,orillimitableazure,Onascientificgoose—chase,withmyCOXWELLormyGLAISHER!
  "TellmewhitherImayhieme—tellme,dearone,thatImayknow—
  IsitupthehighestAndes?downahorriblevolcano?"
  Butshesaid,"Itisn’tpolarbears,orhotvolcanicgrottoes:
  Onlyfindoutwhoitisthatwritesthoselovelycrackermottoes!"
  PARTII。
  "Tellme,HENRYWADSWORTH,ALFREDPOETCLOSE,orMISTERTUPPER,DoyouwritethebonbonmottoesmyELVIRApullsatsupper?"
  ButHENRYWADSWORTHsmiled,andsaidhehadnothadthathonour;
  AndALFRED,too,disclaimedthewordsthattoldsomuchuponher。
  "MISTERMARTINTUPPER,POETCLOSE,Ibegofyouinformus;"
  Butmyquestionseemedtothrowthembothintoarageenormous。
  MISTERCLOSEexpressedawishthathecouldonlygetanightome;
  AndMISTERMARTINTUPPERsentthefollowingreplytome:
  "Afoolisbentuponatwig,butwisemendreadabandit,"—
  WhichIknowwasveryclever;butIdidn’tunderstandit。
  SevenwearyyearsIwandered—Patagonia,China,Norway,TillatlastIsankexhaustedatapastrycookhisdoorway。
  Therewerefuchsiasandgeraniums,anddaffodilsandmyrtle,SoIentered,andIorderedhalfabasinofmockturtle。
  Hewasplumpandhewaschubby,hewassmoothandhewasrosy,Andhislittlewifewasprettyandparticularlycosy。
  Andhechirpedandsang,andskippedabout,andlaughedwithlaughterhearty—
  Hewaswonderfullyactiveforsoverystoutaparty。
  AndIsaid,"Ogentlepieman,whysovery,verymerry?
  Isitpurityofconscience,oryourone—and—sevensherry?"
  Butheanswered,"I’msohappy—noprofessioncouldbedearer—
  IfIamnothumming’Tra!la!la!’I’msinging’Tirer,lirer!’
  "FirstIgoandmakethepatties,andthepuddings,andthejellies,ThenImakeasugarbird—cage,whichuponatableswellis;
  "ThenIpolishallthesilver,whichasupper—tablelacquers;
  ThenIwritetheprettymottoeswhichyoufindinsidethecrackers。"—
  "Foundatlast!"Imadlyshouted。"Gentlepieman,youastoundme!"
  ThenIwavedtheturtlesoupenthusiasticallyroundme。
  AndIshoutedandIdanceduntilhe’dquiteacrowdaroundhim—
  AndIrushedawayexclaiming,"Ihavefoundhim!Ihavefoundhim!"
  AndIheardthegentlepiemanintheroadbehindmetrilling,"’Tira,lira!’stophim,stophim!’Tra!la!la!’thesoup’sashilling!"
  ButuntilIreachedELVIRA’Shome,Inever,neverwaited,AndELVIRAtoherFERDINAND’Sirrevocablymated!
  Ballad:TOMYBRIDE—(WHOEVERSHEMAYBE。)
  OH!littlemaid!—(IdonotknowyournameOrwhoyouare,so,asasafeprecautionI’lladd)—Oh,buxomwidow!marrieddame!
  (Asoneofthesemustbeyourpresentportion)
  Listen,whileIunveilpropheticloreforyou,AndsingthefatethatFortunehasinstoreforyou。
  You’llmarrysoon—withinayearortwain—
  AbachelorofCIRCAtwoandthirty:
  Tall,gentlemanly,butextremelyplain,Andwhenyou’reintimate,you’llcallhim"BERTIE。"
  Neat—dresseswell;histemperhasbeenclassifiedAshasty;buthe’sveryquicklypacified。
  You’llfindhimworkingmildlyattheBar,Afteratouchattwoorthreeprofessions,Fromeasyaffluenceextremelyfar,AbriefortwoonCircuit—"soup"atSessions;
  Apoundortwofromwhistandbackinghorses,And,saythreehundredfromhisownresources。
  Quietinharness;freefromseriousvice,Hisfaultsarenotparticularlyshady,You’llneverfindhim"SHY"—for,onceortwiceAlready,he’sbeendrivenbyalady,Whopartswithhim—perhapsapoorexcuseforhim—
  Becauseshehasn’tanyfurtheruseforhim。
  Oh!brideofmine—tall,dumpy,dark,orfair!
  Oh!widow—wife,maybe,orblushingmaiden,I’vetoldYOURfortune;solvedthegravestcareWithwhichyourmindhashithertobeenladen。
  I’veprophesiedcorrectly,neverdoubtit;
  Nowtellmemine—andpleasebequickaboutit!
  You—onlyyou—cantellme,an’youwill,TowhomI’mdestinedshortlytobemated,WillsherunupaheavyMODISTE’Sbill?
  Ifso,Iwanttohearherincomestated(Thisisapointwhichinterestsmegreatly)。
  Toquotethebard,"Oh!haveIseenherlately?"
  Say,mustIwaittillhusbandnumberoneIscomfortablystowedawayatWoking?
  Howisherhairmostusuallydone?
  Andtellme,please,willsheobjecttosmoking?
  Thecolourofhereyes,too,youmaymention:
  Come,Sibyl,prophesy—I’mallattention。
  Ballad:SIRMACKLIN。
  OFalltheyouthsIeversawNoneweresowicked,vain,orsilly,SolosttoshameandSabbathlaw,AsworldlyTOM,andBOB,andBILLY。
  ForeverySabbathdaytheywalked(Suchwastheirgayandthoughtlessnatur)
  Inparksorgardens,wheretheytalkedFromthreetosix,orevenlater。
  SIRMACKLINwasapriestsevereInconductandinconversation,ItdidasinnergoodtohearHimdealinratiocination。
  HecouldineveryactionshowSomesin,andnobodycoulddoubthim。
  Hearguedhigh,hearguedlow,Healsoarguedroundabouthim。
  HewepttothinkeachthoughtlessyouthContainedofwickednessaskinful,Andburnttoteachtheawfultruth,ThatwalkingoutonSunday’ssinful。
  "Oh,youths,"saidhe,"IgrievetofindThecourseoflifeyou’vebeenandhiton—
  Sitdown,"saidhe,"andnevermindThepenniesforthechairsyousiton。
  "Myopeningheadis’Kensington,’
  Howwalkingtherethesinnerhardens,WhichwhenIhaveenlargedupon,Igoto’Secondly’—its’Gardens。’
  "My’Thirdly’comprehendeth’Hyde,’
  OfSecresytheguiltsandshameses;
  My’Fourthly’—’Park’—itsverdurewide—
  My’Fifthly’comprehends’St。James’s。’
  "Thatmattersettled,IshallreachThe’Sixthly’inmysolemntether,Andshowthatwhatistrueofeach,Isalsotrueofall,together。
  "ThenIshalldemonstratetoyou,AccordingtotherulesofWHATELY,Thatwhatistrueofall,istrueOfeach,consideredseparately。"
  Inlavishstreamhisaccentsflow,TOM,BOB,andBILLYdarenotflouthim;
  Hearguedhigh,hearguedlow,Healsoarguedroundabouthim。
  "Ha,ha!"hesaid,"youloatheyourways,Youwritheatthesemywordsofwarning,Inagonyyourhandsyouraise。"
  (Andsotheydid,fortheywereyawning。)
  To"Twenty—firstly"ontheygo,Theladsdonotattempttoscouthim;
  Hearguedhigh,hearguedlow,Healsoarguedroundabouthim。
  "Ho,ho!"hecries,"youbowyourcrests—
  Myeloquencehassetyouweeping;
  Inshameyoubenduponyourbreasts!"
  (Andsotheydid,fortheyweresleeping。)
  Heprovedthemthis—heprovedthemthat—
  Thisgoodbutwearisomeascetic;
  Hejumpedandthumpeduponhishat,Hewassoveryenergetic。
  HisBishopatthismomentchancedTopass,andfoundtheroadencumbered;
  HenoticedhowtheChurchmandanced,Andhowhiscongregationslumbered。
  ThehundredandeleventhheadThepriestcompletedofhisstricture;
  "Oh,bosh!"theworthyBishopsaid,Andwalkedhimoffasinthepicture。
  Ballad:THEYARNOFTHE"NANCYBELL。"(1)
  ’TWASontheshoresthatroundourcoastFromDealtoRamsgatespan,ThatIfoundaloneonapieceofstoneAnelderlynavalman。
  Hishairwasweedy,hisbeardwaslong,Andweedyandlongwashe,AndIheardthiswightontheshorerecite,Inasingularminorkey:
  "Oh,Iamacookandacaptainbold,AndthemateoftheNANCYbrig,Andabo’suntight,andamidshipmite,Andthecrewofthecaptain’sgig。"
  Andheshookhisfistsandhetorehishair,TillIreallyfeltafraid,ForIcouldn’thelpthinkingthemanhadbeendrinking,AndsoIsimplysaid:
  "Oh,elderlyman,it’slittleIknowOfthedutiesofmenofthesea,AndI’lleatmyhandifIunderstandHoweveryoucanbe"Atonceacook,andacaptainbold,AndthemateoftheNANCYbrig,Andabo’suntight,andamidshipmite,Andthecrewofthecaptain’sgig。"
  Thenhegaveahitchtohistrousers,whichIsatrickallseamenlarn,Andhavinggotridofathumpingquid,Hespunthispainfulyarn:
  "’TwasinthegoodshipNANCYBELL
  ThatwesailedtotheIndianSea,Andthereonareefwecometogrief,Whichhasoftenoccurredtome。
  "Andprettynighallthecrewwasdrowned(Therewasseventy—seveno’soul),AndonlytenoftheNANCY’SmenSaid’Here!’tothemuster—roll。
  "Therewasmeandthecookandthecaptainbold,AndthemateoftheNANCYbrig,Andthebo’suntight,andamidshipmite,Andthecrewofthecaptain’sgig。
  "Foramonthwe’dneitherwittlesnordrink,Tilla—hungrywedidfeel,Sowedrawedalot,and,accordin’shotThecaptainforourmeal。
  "ThenextlotfelltotheNANCY’Smate,Andadelicatedishhemade;
  ThenourappetitewiththemidshipmiteWesevensurvivorsstayed。
  "Andthenwemurderedthebo’suntight,Andhemuchresembledpig;
  Thenwewittledfree,didthecookandme,Onthecrewofthecaptain’sgig。
  "Thenonlythecookandmewasleft,Andthedelicatequestion,’WhichOfustwogoestothekettle?’arose,Andweargueditoutassich。
  "ForIlovedthatcookasabrother,Idid,Andthecookheworshippedme;
  Butwe’dbothbeblowedifwe’deitherbestowedIntheotherchap’shold,yousee。
  "’I’llbeeatifyoudinesoffme,’saysTOM;
  ’Yes,that,’saysI,’you’llbe,—
  ’I’mboiledifIdie,myfriend,’quothI;
  And’Exactlyso,’quothhe。
  "Sayshe,’DearJAMES,tomurdermeWereafoolishthingtodo,Fordon’tyouseethatyoucan’tcookME,WhileIcan—andwill—cookYOU!’
  "Soheboilsthewater,andtakesthesaltAndthepepperinportionstrue(Whichheneverforgot),andsomechoppedshalot。
  Andsomesageandparsleytoo。
  "’Comehere,’sayshe,withaproperpride,Whichhissmilingfeaturestell,’’TwillsoothingbeifIletyouseeHowextremelyniceyou’llsmell。’
  "Andhestirreditroundandroundandround,Andhesniffedatthefoamingfroth;
  WhenIupswithhisheels,andsmothershissquealsInthescumoftheboilingbroth。
  "AndIeatthatcookinaweekorless,And—asIeatingbeThelastofhischops,why,Ialmostdrops,ForawesselinsightIsee!
  ****
  "AndIneverlarf,andIneversmile,AndIneverlarknorplay,Butsitandcroak,andasinglejokeIhave—whichistosay:
  "Oh,Iamacookandacaptainbold,AndthemateoftheNANCYbrig,Andabo’suntight,andamidshipmite,Andthecrewofthecaptain’sgig!’"
  Ballad:THEBISHOPOFRUM—TI—FOO。
  FROMeastandsouththeholyclanOfBishopsgatheredtoaman;
  ToSynod,calledPan—Anglican,Inflockingcrowdstheycame。
  AmongthemwasaBishop,whoHadlatelybeenappointedtoThebalmyisleofRum—ti—Foo,AndPETERwashisname。
  Hispeople—twenty—threeinsum—
  Theyplayedtheeloquenttum—tum,Andlivedonscalpsservedup,inrum—
  Theonlysaucetheyknew。
  WhenfirstgoodBISHOPPETERcame(ForPETERwasthatBishop’sname),Tohumourthem,hedidthesameAstheyofRum—ti—Foo。
  Hisflock,I’veoftenheardhimtell,(HisnamewasPETER)lovedhimwell,And,summonedbythesoundofbell,Incrowdstogethercame。
  "Oh,massa,whyyougoaway?
  Oh,MASSAPETER,pleasetostay。"
  (TheycalledhimPETER,peoplesay,Becauseitwashisname。)
  Hetoldthemallgoodboystobe,Andsailedawayacrossthesea,AtLondonBridgethatBishopheArrivedoneTuesdaynight;
  AndasthatnighthehomewardstrodeTohisPan—Anglicanabode,HepassedalongtheBoroughRoad,Andsawagruesomesight。
  HesawacrowdassembledroundApersondancingontheground,WhostraightbegantoleapandboundWithallhismightandmain。
  Toseethatdancingmanhestopped,Whotwirledandwriggled,skippedandhopped,Thendownincontinentlydropped,Andthensprangupagain。
  TheBishopchuckledatthesight。
  "ThisstyleofdancingwoulddelightAsimpleRum—ti—Foozleite。
  I’lllearnitifIcan,TopleasethetribewhenIgetback。"
  Hebeggedthemantoteachhisknack。
  "RightReverendSir,inhalfacrack!
  Repliedthatdancingman。
  Thedancingmanheworkedaway,AndtaughttheBishopeveryday—
  Thedancerskippedlikeanyfay—
  GoodPETERdidthesame。
  TheBishopbuckledtohistask,WithBATTEMENTS,andPASDEBASQUE。
  (I’lltellyou,ifyoucaretoask,ThatPETERwashisname。)
  "Come,walklikethis,"thedancersaid,"Stickoutyourtoes—stickinyourhead,Stalkonwithquick,galvanictread—
  Yourfingersthusextend;
  Theattitude’sconsideredquaint。"
  ThewearyBishop,feelingfaint,Replied,"Idonotsayitain’t,But’Time!’myChristianfriend!"
  "Wenowproceedtosomethingnew—
  DanceasthePAYNESandLAURISdo,Likethis—one,two—one,two—one,two。"
  TheBishop,neverproud,Butinanoverwhelmingheat(HisnamewasPETER,Irepeat)
  PerformedthePAYNEandLAURIfeat,Andpuffedhisthanksaloud。
  Anothergamethedancerplanned—
  "Justtakeyourankleinyourhand,Andtry,mylord,ifyoucanstand—
  Yourbodystiffandstark。
  If,whenrevisitingyoursee,Youlearnttohoponshore—likeme—
  Thenoveltywouldstrikingbe,Andmustattractremark。"
  "No,"saidtheworthyBishop,"no;
  Thatisalengthtowhich,Itrow,ColonialBishopscannotgo。
  YoumayexpresssurpriseAtfindingBishopsdealinpride—
  ButifthattrickIevertried,IshouldappearundignifiedInRum—ti—Foozle’seyes。
  "TheislandersofRum—ti—FooArewell—conductedpersons,whoApproveajokeasmuchasyou,Andlaughatitassuch;
  ButiftheysawtheirBishopland,Hislegsupportedinhishand,Thejoketheywouldn’tunderstand—
  ’Twouldpainthemverymuch!"
  Ballad:THEPRECOCIOUSBABY。AVERYTRUETALE。
  (TOBESUNGTOTHEAIROFTHE"WHISTLINGOYSTER。")
  ANelderlyperson—aprophetbytrade—
  WithhisquipsandtipsOnwitheredoldlips,Hemarriedayoungandabeautifulmaid;
  Thecunningoldblade!
  Thoughratherdecayed,Hemarriedabeautiful,beautifulmaid。
  Shewasonlyeighteen,andasfairascouldbe,WithhertemptingsmilesAndmaidenlywiles,Andhewasatriflepastseventy—three:
  NowwhatshecouldseeIsapuzzletome,Inaprophetofseventy—seventy—three!
  Ofalltheiracquaintancesbidden(orbad)
  WiththeirloudhighjinksAndunderbredwinks,Nonethoughtthey’dafamilyhave—buttheyhad;
  AdearlittleladWhodrove’emhalfmad,Forheturnedoutahorriblyfastlittlecad。
  Forwhenhewasbornheastonishedallby,Withtheir"Law,dearme!"
  "Dideveryousee?"
  He’dapipeinhismouthandaglassinhiseye,Ahatallawry—
  Anoctagontie—
  Andaminiature—miniatureglassinhiseye。
  Hegrumbledatwearingafrockandacap,Withhis"Oh,dear,oh!"
  Andhis"Hangit!’ooknow!"
  Andheturneduphisnoseathisexcellentpap—
  "Myfriends,it’satapDatisnotworfarap。"
  (Nowthiswasremarkablyexcellentpap。)
  He’dchuckhisnurseunderthechin,andhe’dsay,Withhis"Fal,lal,lal"—
  "’Oodoosedfinegal!"
  Thisshockingprecocitydrove’emaway:
  "Amonthfromto—dayIsaslongasI’llstay—
  ThenI’dwish,ifyouplease,fortotoddleaway。"
  Hisfather,asimpleoldgentleman,heWithnurseryrhymeAnd"Onceonatime,"
  Wouldtellhimthestoryof"LittleBo—P,"
  "Soprettywasshe,Soprettyandwee,Aspretty,aspretty,asprettycouldbe。"
  Butthebabe,withadigthatwouldstartleanox,Withhis"C’ck!Oh,my!—
  Goalongwiz’oo,fie!"
  Wouldexclaim,"I’mafraid’ooasockingolefox。"
  Nowafatheritshocks,Anditwhitenshislocks,Whenhislittlebabecallshimashockingoldfox。
  Thenameofhisfatherhe’dcoupleandpair(Withhisill—bredlaugh,Andinsolentchaff)
  Withthoseofthenurseryheroinesrare—
  VirginiatheFair,OrGoodGoldenhair,Tillthenuisancewasmorethanaprophetcouldbear。
  "There’sJillandWhiteCat"(saidtheboldlittlebrat,Withhisloud,"Ha,ha!")
  "’OoslyicklePa!
  Wiz’ooBeauty,Bo—Peep,and’ooMrs。JackSprat!
  I’venoticed’oopatMYprettyWhiteCat—
  Isinkdearmammaoughttoknowaboutdat!"
  Heearlydeterminedtomarryandwive,ForbetterorworseWithhiselderlynurse—
  Whichthepoorlittleboydidn’tlivetocontrive:
  Hishearthdidn’tthrive—
  Nolongeralive,Hediedanenfeebledolddotardatfive!
  MORAL。
  Now,elderlymenofthebachelorcrew,WithwrinkledhoseAndspectaclednose,Don’tmarryatall—youmaytakeitastrueIfeveryoudoThestepyouwillrue,Foryourbabeswillbeelderly—elderlytoo。
  Ballad:TOPHOEBE。(2)
  "GENTLE,modestlittleflower,SweetepitomeofMay,Lovemebutforhalfanhour,Loveme,loveme,littlefay。"
  SentencessofiercelyflamingInyourtinyshell—likeear,IshouldalwaysbeexclaimingIfIlovedyou,PHOEBEdear。
  "SmilesthatthrillfromanydistanceSheduponmewhileIsing!
  Pleaseecstaticizeexistence,Loveme,oh,thoufairything!"
  Wordslikethese,outpouringsadlyYou’dperpetuallyhear,IfIlovedyoufondly,madly;—
  ButIdonot,PHOEBEdear。
  Ballad:BAINESCAREW,GENTLEMAN。
  OFallthegoodattorneyswhoHaveplacedtheirnamesupontheroll,ButfewcouldequalBAINESCAREW
  Fortender—heartednessandsoul。
  Whene’erheheardataleofwoeFromclientAorclientB,HisgriefwouldovercomehimsoHe’dscarcehavestrengthtotakehisfee。
  Itlaidhimupformanydays,Whendutyledhimtodistrain,Andservingwrits,althoughitpays,Gavehimexcruciatingpain。
  Hemadeoutcosts,distrainedforrent,Foreclosedandsued,withmoistenedeye—
  NobillofcostscouldrepresentThevalueofsuchsympathy。
  NochargescanapproximateTheworthofsympathywithwoe;—
  AlthoughIthinkIoughttostateHedidhisbesttomakethemso。
  OfallthemanyclientswhoHadmusteredroundhislegalflag,NosingleclientofthecrewWashalfsodearasCAPTAINBAGG。
  Now,CAPTAINBAGGhadbowedhimtoAheavymatrimonialyoke—
  Hiswifeyhadoffaultsafew—
  Shenevercouldresistajoke。
  Herchaffatfirsthemeeklybore,Tillunendurableitgrew。
  "TostopthispersecutionsoreIwillconsultmyfriendCAREW。
  "AndwhenCAREW’SadviceI’vegot,DivorceAMENSAIshalltry。"
  (Alegalseparation—notAVINCULOCONJUGII。)
  "Oh,BAINESCAREW,mywoeI’vekeptAsecrethitherto,youknow;"—
  (AndBAINESCAREW,ESQUIRE,heweptTohearthatBAGGHADanywoe。)
  "Mycase,indeed,ispassingsad。
  Mywife—whomIconsideredtrue—
  Withbrutalconductdrivesmemad。"
  "Iamappalled,"saidBAINESCAREW。
  "What!soundthematrimonialknellOfworthypeoplesuchasthese!
  WhywasIanattorney?Well—
  GoontotheSAEVITIA,please。"
  "Domesticblisshasprovedmybane,—
  Ahardercaseyouneverheard,Mywife(inothermatterssane)
  PretendsthatI’maDickybird!
  "Shemakesmesing,’Too—whit,too—wee!’
  Andstanduponaroundedstick,AndalwaysintroducesmeToeveryoneas’PrettyDick’!"
  "Oh,dear,"saidweepingBAINESCAREW,"ThisisthedirestcaseIknow。"
  "I’mgrieved,"saidBAGG,"atpainingyou—
  "ToCOBBandPOLTHERTHWAITEI’llgo—
  "ToCOBB’Scold,calculatingear,MygruesomesorrowsI’llimpart"—
  "No;stop,"saidBAINES,"I’lldrymytear,Andsteelmysympatheticheart。"
  "Shemakesmeperchuponatree,Rewardingmewith’Sweety—nice!’
  AndthreatenstoexhibitmeWithfourorfiveperformingmice。"
  "RestrainmytearsIwishIcould"
  (SaidBAINES),"Idon’tknowwhattodo。"
  SaidCAPTAINBAGG,"You’reverygood。"
  "Oh,notatall,"saidBAINESCAREW。
  "Shemakesmefireagun,"saidBAGG;
  "And,atapreconcertedword,Climbupaladderwithaflag,Likeanystreetperformingbird。
  "Sheplacessugarinmyway—
  Inpublicplacescallsme’Sweet!’
  Shegivesmegroundseleveryday,Andhardcanary—seedtoeat。"
  "Oh,woe!oh,sad!oh,diretotell!"
  (SaidBAINES)。"Begoodenoughtostop。"
  Andsenselessonthefloorhefell,Withunpremeditatedflop!
  SaidCAPTAINBAGG,"Well,reallyI
  Amgrievedtothinkitpainsyouso。
  Ithankyouforyoursympathy;
  But,hangit!—come—Isay,youknow!"
  ButBAINESlayflatuponthefloor,Convulsedwithsympatheticsob;—
  TheCaptaintoddledoffnextdoor,AndgavethecasetoMR。COBB。
  Ballad:THOMASWINTERBOTTOMHANCE。
  INallthetownsandcitiesfairOnMerryEngland’sbroadexpanse,NoswordsmanevercouldcompareWithTHOMASWINTERBOTTOMHANCE。
  ThedauntlessladcouldfairlyhewAsilkenhandkerchiefintwain,Dividealegofmuttontoo—
  Andthiswithoutunwholesomestrain。
  Onwholehalf—sheep,withcunningtrick,Hissabresometimeshe’demploy—
  Nobaroflead,howeverthick,Hadterrorsforthestalwartboy。
  AtDoverdailyhe’dprepareTohewandslash,behind,before—
  WhichaggravatedMONSIEURPIERRE,WhowatchedhimfromtheCalaisshore。
  ItcausedgoodPIERREtoswearanddance,Thesightannoyedandvexedhimso;
  HewasthebravestmaninFrance—
  Hesaidso,andheoughttoknow。
  "Regardezdonc,cecochongros—
  Cepolisson!Oh,sacrebleu!
  Sonsabre,sonplomb,etsesgigotsCommecelam’ennuye,enfin,monDieu!
  "IlsaitquelesfoulardsdesoieGivenoretaliatingwhack—
  Lesgigotsmortsn’ontpasdequoi—
  Leplombdon’teverhityouback。"
  ButeverydaytheheadstrongladCutleadandmuttonmoreandmore;
  AndeverydaypoorPIERRE,halfmad,Shriekedlouddefiancefromhisshore。
  HANCEhadamother,poorandold,Asimple,harmlessvillagedame,WhocrowedandclappedaspeopletoldOfWINTERBOTTOM’Srisingfame。
  Shesaid,"I’llbeuponthespotToseemyTOMMY’Ssabre—play;"
  Andsosheleftherleafycot,AndwalkedtoDoverinaday。
  PIERREhadadoatingmother,whoHadheardofhisdefiantrage;
  HISMawasnearlyninety—two,Andratherdressyforherage。
  AtHANCE’Sdoingseverymorn,WithsheerdelightHISmothercried;
  AndMONSIEURPIERRE’ScontemptuousscornFilledHISmammawithproperpride。
  ButHANCE’Spowersbegantofail—
  Hisconstitutionwasnotstrong—
  AndPIERRE,whooncewasstoutandhale,Grewthinfromshoutingalldaylong。
  Theirmotherssawthempaleandwan,Maternalanguishtoreeachbreast,AndsotheymettofindaplanTosettheiroffsprings’mindsatrest。
  SaidMRS。HANCE,"OfcourseIshrinksFrombloodshed,ma’am,asyou’reaware,Butstillthey’dbettermeet,Ithinks。"
  "Assurement!"saidMADAMEPIERRE。
  AsunnyspotinsunnyFranceWashituponforthisaffair;
  ThegroundwaspickedbyMRS。HANCE,ThestakeswerepitchedbyMADAMEPIERRE。
  SaidMRS。H。,"Yourworkyousee—
  Goin,mynobleboy,andwin。"
  "Engarde,monfils!"saidMADAMEP。
  "Allons!""Goon!""Engarde!""Begin!"
  (Themotherswereofdecentsize,Thoughnotparticularlytall;
  ButinthesketchthatmeetsyoureyesI’vebeenobligedtodrawthemsmall。)
  LoudsneeredthedoughtymanofFrance,"Ho!ho!Ho!ho!Ha!ha!Ha!ha!
  "TheFrenchfor’Pish’"saidTHOMASHANCE。
  SaidPIERRE,"L’Anglais,Monsieur,pour’Bah。’"
  SaidMRS。H。,"Come,one!two!three!—
  We’resittin’heretoseeallfair。"
  "C’estmagnifique!"saidMADAMEP。,"Mais,parbleu!cen’estpaslaguerre!"
  "Jescornunfoesilachequevous,"
  SaidPIERRE,thedoughtysonofFrance。
  "Ifightnotcowardfoelikeyou!"
  SaidourundauntedTOMMYHANCE。
  "TheFrenchfor’Pooh!’"ourTOMMYcried。
  "L’Anglaispour’Va!’"theFrenchmancrowed。
  Andso,withundiminishedpride,Eachwentonhisrespectiveroad。
  Ballad:ADISCONTENTEDSUGARBROKER。
  AGENTLEMANofCityfameNowclaimsyourkindattention;
  EastIndiabrokingwashisgame,HisnameIshallnotmention:
  Nooneoffinely—pointedsenseWouldviolateaconfidence,AndshallIgoAnddoit?No!
  HisnameIshallnotmention。
  Hehadatrustywifeandtrue,Andverycosyquarters,Amanager,aboyortwo,Sixclerks,andsevenporters。
  Abrokermustbedoingwell(Asanylunaticcantell)
  WhocanemployAnactiveboy,Sixclerks,andsevenporters。
  Hisknockeradvertisednodun,Nolossesmadehimsulky,Hehadonesorrow—onlyone—
  Hewasextremelybulky。
  Amanmustbe,Ibegtostate,ExceptionallyfortunateWhoownshischiefAndonlygriefIs—beingverybulky。
  "Thisload,"he’dsay,"Icannotbear;
  I’mnineteenstoneortwenty!
  HenceforwardI’llgoinforairAndexerciseinplenty。"
  Mostpeoplethinkthat,shoulditcome,TheycanreduceabulgingtumTomeasuresfairBytakingairAndexerciseinplenty。
  Ineveryweather,everyday,Dry,muddy,wet,orgritty,HetooktodancingallthewayFromBromptontotheCity。
  YoudonotoftengetthechanceOfseeingsugarbrokersdanceFromtheirabodeInFulhamRoadThroughBromptontotheCity。
  HebravedthegayandguilelesslaughOfchildrenwiththeirnusses,ThelouduneducatedchaffOfclerksonomnibuses。
  AgainstallminorthingsthatrackAnicely—balancedmind,I’llbackThenoisychaffAndill—bredlaughOfclerksonomnibuses。
  Hisfriends,whoheardhismoneychink,Andsawthehouseherented,Andknewhiswife,couldneverthinkWhatmadehimdiscontented。
  ItneverenteredtheirpuremindsThatfadsareofeccentrickinds,NorwouldtheyownThatfataloneCouldmakeonediscontented。
  "Yourrichesknownokindofpause,Yourtradeisfastadvancing;
  Youdance—butnotforjoy,becauseYouweepasyouaredancing。
  Todanceimpliesthatmanisglad,Toweepimpliesthatmanissad;
  ButhereareyouWhodothetwo—
  Youweepasyouaredancing!"
  HismaniasoongotnoisedaboutAndintoallthepapers;
  HissizeincreasedbeyondadoubtForallhisrecklesscapers:
  Itmayseemsingulartoyou,Butallhisfriendsadmitittrue—
  ThemorehefoundHisfigureround,Themorehecuthiscapers。
  Hisbulkincreased—nomatterthat—
  Hetriedthemoretotossit—
  Heneverspokeofitas"fat,"
  But"adiposedeposit。"
  Uponmyword,itseemstomeUnpardonablevanity(Andworsethanthat)
  TocallyourfatAn"adiposedeposit。"
  Atlengthhisbrawnykneesgaveway,Andonthecarpetsinking,UponhisshapelessbackhelayAndkickedawaylikewinking。
  InsteadofseeinginhisstateThefingerofunswervingFate,HelabouredstillToworkhiswill,Andkickedawaylikewinking。
  Hisfriends,disgustedwithhimnow,Awayinsilencewended—
  IhardlyliketotellyouhowThisdreadfulstoryended。
  Theshockingsequeltoimpart,Imustemploythelimner’sart—
  Ifyouwouldknow,ThissketchwillshowHowhisexertionsended。
  MORAL。
  Ihatetopreach—Ihatetoprate—
  —I’mnofanaticcroaker,ButlearncontentmentfromthefateOfthisEastIndiabroker。
  He’deverythingamanoftasteCouldeverwant,exceptawaist;
  AnddiscontentHissizeanent,Andbootlessperseveranceblind,CompletelywreckedthepeaceofmindOfthisEastIndiabroker。
  Ballad:THEPANTOMIME"SUPER"TOHISMASK。
  VASTemptyshell!
  Impertinent,preposterousabortion!
  Withvacantstare,Andraggedhair,Andeveryfeatureoutofallproportion!
  Embodimentofechoinginanity!
  Excellenttypeofsimperinginsanity!
  Unwieldy,clumsynightmareofhumanity!
  Iringthyknell!
  To—nightthoudiest,Beastthatdestroy’stmyheaven—bornidentity!
  Nineweeksofnights,Beforethelights,Swampedinthineownpreposterousnonentity,I’vebeenill—treated,cursed,andthrasheddiurnally,Creditedforthesmileyouwearexternally—
  Ifeeldisposedtosmashthyface,infernally,Astherethouliest!
  I’vebeenthybrain:
  I’VEbeenthebrainthatlitthydullconcavity!
  ThehumanraceInvestMYfaceWiththineexpressionofuncheckeddepravity,Investedwithaghastlyreciprocity,I’VEbeenresponsibleforthymonstrosity,I,forthywanton,blunderingferocity—
  Butnotagain!
  ’TistimetotollThyknell,andthatoffolliespantomimical:
  Anineweeks’run,AndthouhastdoneAllthoucanstdotomakethyselfinimical。
  Adieu,embodimentofallinanity!
  Excellenttypeofsimperinginsanity!
  Unwieldy,clumsynightmareofhumanity!
  Freedisthysoul!
  (THEMASKRESPONDETH。)
  Oh!mastermine,Lookthouwithinthee,ereagainill—usingme。
  ArtthouawareOfnothingthereWhichmightabusethee,asthouartabusingme?
  AbrainthatmournsTHINEunredeemedrascality?
  AsoulthatweepsatTHYthreadbaremorality?
  BothgrievingthatTHEIRindividualityIsmergedinthine?
  Ballad:THEGHOST,THEGALLANT,THEGAEL,ANDTHEGOBLIN。
  O’ERunreclaimedsuburbanclaysSomeyearsagowerehobblin’
  Anelderlyghostofeasyways,Andaninfluentialgoblin。
  Theghostwasasombrespectralshape,Afineoldfive—actfogy,Thegoblinimp,alitheyoungape,Afinelow—comedybogy。
  Andastheyexercisedtheirjoints,Promotingquickdigestion,Theytalkedonseveralcuriouspoints,Andraisedthisdelicatequestion:
  "WhichofustwoisNumberOne—
  Theghostie,orthegoblin?"
  Ando’erthepointtheyraisedinfunTheyfairlyfella—squabblin’。
  They’dbarelyspeak,andeach,infine,Grewmoreandmorereflective:
  EachthoughthisownparticularlineBychalksthemoreeffective。
  AtlengththeysettledsomeoneshouldByeachofthembehaunted,AndsoarrangethateithercouldExerthisprowessvaunted。
  "TheQuaintagainsttheStatuesque"—
  Bycompetitionlawful—
  ThegoblinbackedtheQuaintGrotesque,TheghosttheGrandlyAwful。
  "Now,"saidthegoblin,"here’smyplan—
  Inattitudecommanding,IseeastalwartEnglishmanByyondertailor’sstanding。
  "TheveryfittestmanonearthMyinfluencetotryon—
  Ofgentle,p’r’apsofnoblebirth,Anddauntlessasalion!
  Nowwrapyourselfwithinyourshroud—
  Remainineasyhearing—
  Observe—you’llhearhimscreamaloudWhenIbeginappearing!
  Theimpwithyellunearthly—wild—
  Threwoffhisdarkenclosure:
  HisdauntlessvictimlookedandsmiledWithsingularcomposure。
  Forhourshetriedtodaunttheyouth,Fordays,indeed,butvainly—
  Thestriplingsmiled!—totellthetruth,Thestriplingsmiledinanely。
  Forweeksthegoblinweirdandwild,Thatnoblestriplinghaunted;
  Forweeksthestriplingstoodandsmiled,Unmovedandallundaunted。
  Thesombreghostexclaimed,"YourplanHasfailedyou,goblin,plainly:
  NowwatchyonhardyHielandman,Sostalwartandungainly。
  "Thesearethemenwhochasetheroe,Whosefootstepsneverfalter,Whobringwiththem,where’ertheygo,AsmackofoldSIRWALTER。
  Ofsuchashe,themensublimeWholeadtheirtroopsvictorious,Whosedeedsgodowntoafter—time,Enshrinedinannalsglorious!
  "Ofsuchashethebardhassaid’Hechthrawfu’raltierorkie!
  Wi’thechtta’croonieclapperheadAndfash’wi’uncopawkie!’
  He’llfaintawaywhenIappear,Uponhisnativeheather;
  Orp’r’apshe’llonlyscreamwithfear,Orp’r’apsthetwotogether。"
  Thespectreshowedhimself,alone,Todohisghostlybattling,Withcurdlinggroananddismalmoan,Andlotsofchainsa—rattling!
  Butno—thechiel’sstoutGaelicstuffWithstoodallghostlyharrying;
  HisfingerscloseduponthesnuffWhichupwardshewascarrying。
  Fordaysthatghostdeclinedtostir,Afoggyshapelessgiant—
  ForweeksthatsplendidofficerStaredbackagaindefiant。
  JustastheEnglishmanreturnedThegoblin’svulgarstaring,JustsotheScotchmanboldlyspurnedTheghost’sunmanneredscaring。
  ForseveralyearstheghostlytwainTheseBritonsboldhavehaunted,Butalltheireffortsareinvain—
  Theirvictimsstandundaunted。
  Thisverydaytheimp,andghost,Whosepowerstheimpderided,Standeachathisallottedpost—
  Thebetisundecided。
  Ballad:THEPHANTOMCURATE。AFABLE。
  ABISHOPonce—Iwillnotnamehissee—
  Annoyedhisclergyinthemodeconventional;
  Frompulpitshacklesneversetthemfree,Andfoundasinwheresinwasunintentional。
  Allpleasuresendedinabuseauricular—
  TheBishopwassoterriblyparticular。
  Though,onthewhole,awiseanduprightman,Hesoughttomakeofhumanpleasuresclearances;
  Andformhispriestsonthatmuch—laudedplanWhichpaysundueattentiontoappearances。
  Hecouldn’tdogooddeedswithoutapsalmin’em,Although,intruth,heboreawaythepalmin’em。
  Enragedtofindadeaconatadance,Orcatchacurateatsomemildfrivolity,HesoughtbyopencensuretoenhanceTheirdreadofjoiningharmlesssocialjollity。
  Yetheenjoyed(afactofnotoriety)
  Theordinarypleasuresofsociety。
  Oneevening,sittingatapantomime(Forbiddentreattothosewhostoodinfearofhim),Roaringatjokes,SANSmetre,sense,orrhyme,Heturned,andsawimmediatelyinrearofhim,Hispeaceofmindupsetting,andannoyingit,Acurate,alsoheartilyenjoyingit。
  Again,’twasChristmasEve,andtoenhanceHischildren’spleasureintheirharmlessrollicking,He,likeagoodoldfellow,stoodtodance;
  Whensomethingcheckedthecurrentofhisfrolicking:
  Thatcurate,withamaidhetreatedlover—ly,Stoodupandfiguredwithhiminthe"Coverley!"
  Once,yieldingtoanuniversalchoice(Thecompany’sdemandwasanemphaticone,FortheoldBishophadagloriousvoice),Inaquartethejoined—anoperaticone。
  Harmlessenough,thoughne’erawordofgraceinit,When,lo!thatcuratecameandtookthebassinit!
  Oneday,whenpassingthroughaquietstreet,HestoppedawhileandjoinedaPunch’sgathering;
  Andchuckledmorethansolemnfolkthinkmeet,ToseethatgentlemanhisJudylathering;
  Andheard,asPunchwasbeingtreatedpenalty,Thatphantomcuratelaughingallhyaenally。
  Nowatapicnic,’midfairgoldencurls,Brighteyes,strawhats,BOTTINESthatfitamazingly,Acroquet—boutisplannedbyallthegirls;
  Andhe,consenting,speaksofcroquetpraisingly;
  Butsuddenlydeclinestoplayatallinit—
  Thecuratefiendhascometotakeaballinit!
  Next,whenatquietsea—sidevillage,freedFromcaresepiscopalandtiesmonarchical,Hegrowshisbeard,andsmokeshisfragrantweed,Inmanneranythingbuthierarchical—
  Hesees—andfixesanunearthlystareonit—
  Thatcurate’sface,withhalfayardofhaironit!
  Atlengthhegaveacharge,andspakethisword:
  "Vicars,yourcuratestoenjoymenturgeyemay;
  Tochecktheirharmlesspleasuring’sabsurd;
  Whatlaymendowithoutreproach,myclergymay。"
  Hespake,andlo!atthisconcludingwordofhim,Thecuratevanished—noonesincehasheardofhim。
  Ballad:KINGBORRIABUNGALEEBOO。
  KINGBORRIABUNGALEEBOO
  Wasaman—eatingAfricanswell;
  Hissighwasahullaballoo,Hiswhisperahorribleyell—
  Ahorrible,horribleyell!
  Foursubjects,andallofthemmale,ToBORRIAdoubledtheknee,Theywereonceonafarlargerscale,Buthe’deatenthebalance,yousee("Scale"and"balance"ispunning,yousee)。
  TherewashaughtyPISH—TUSH—POOH—BAH,TherewaslumberingDOODLE—DUM—DEY,DespairingALACK—A—DEY—AH,AndgoodlittleTOOTLE—TUM—TEH—
  ExemplaryTOOTLE—TUM—TEH。
  Onedaytherewasgriefinthecrew,Fortheyhadn’tamorselofmeat,AndBORRIABUNGALEEBOO
  Wasdyingforsomethingtoeat—
  "Come,providemewithsomethingtoeat!
  "ALACK—A—DEY,famishedIfeel;
  Oh,goodlittleTOOTLE—TUM—TEH,WhereonearthshallIlookforameal?
  ForIhaven’tnodinnerto—day!—
  Notamorselofdinnerto—day!
  "DearTOOTLE—TUM,whatshallwedo?
  Come,getusameal,or,intruth,Ifyoudon’t,weshallhavetoeatyou,Oh,adorablefriendofouryouth!
  Thoubelovedlittlefriendofouryouth!"
  Andheanswered,"Oh,BUNGALEEBOO,ForamomentIhopeyouwillwait,—
  TIPPY—WIPPITYTOL—THE—ROL—LOO
  IstheQueenofaneighbouringstate—
  Aremarkablyneighbouringstate。
  "TIPPY—WIPPITYTOL—THE—ROL—LOO,Shewouldpickledeliciouslycold—
  AndherfourprettyAmazons,too,Areenticing,andnotveryold—
  Twenty—sevenisnotveryold。
  "ThereisneatlittleTITTY—FOL—LEH,ThereisrollickingTRAL—THE—RAL—LAH,ThereisjocularWAGGETY—WEH,ThereismusicalDOH—REH—MI—FAH—
  There’sthenightingaleDOH—REH—MI—FAH!"
  SotheforcesofBUNGALEEBOO
  Marchedforthinaterriblerow,AndtheladieswhofoughtforQUEENLOO
  Preparedtoencounterthefoe—
  Thisdreadful,insatiatefoe!
  Buttheysharpenednoweaponsatall,Andtheypoisonednoarrows—notthey!
  TheymadereadytoconquerorfallInatotallydifferentway—
  Anentirelydifferentway。
  Withacrimsonandpearly—whitedyeTheyendeavouredtomakethemselvesfair,Withblacktheyencircledeacheye,Andwithyellowtheypaintedtheirhair(Itwaswool,buttheythoughtitwashair)。
  Andtheforcestheymetinthefield:—
  AndthemenofKINGBORRIAsaid,"Amazonians,immediatelyyield!"
  Andtheirarrowstheydrewtothehead—
  Yes,drewthemrightuptothehead。
  ButjocularWAGGETY—WEH
  OgledDOODLE—DUM—DEY(whichwaswrong),AndneatlittleTITTY—FOL—LEH
  Said,"TOOTLE—TUM,yougoalong!
  Younaughtyolddear,goalong!"
  AndrollickingTRAL—THE—RAL—LAH
  TappedALACK—A—DEY—AHwithherfan;
  AndmusicalDOH—REH—MI—FAH
  Said,"PISH,goaway,youbadman!
  Goaway,youdelightfulyoungman!"
  AndtheAmazonssimperedandsighed,Andtheyogled,andgiggled,andflushed,Andtheyopenedtheirprettyeyeswide,Andtheychuckled,andflirted,andblushed(Atleast,iftheycould,they’dhaveblushed)。
  ButhaughtyPISH—TUSH—POOH—BAH
  Said,"ALACK—A—DEY,whatdoesthismean?"
  AnddespairingALACK—A—DEY—AH
  Said,"Theythinkusuncommonlygreen!
  Ha!ha!mostuncommonlygreen!"
  EvenblunderingDOODLE—DUM—DEY
  Wasinsensiblequitetotheirleers,AndsaidgoodlittleTOOTLE—TUM—TEH,"It’syourbloodwedesire,prettydears—
  Wehavecomeforourdinners,mydears!"
  AndtheQueenoftheAmazonsfellToBORRIABUNGALEEBOO,—
  Inamouthfulhegulped,withayell,TIPPY—WIPPITYTOL—THE—ROL—LOO—
  TheprettyQUEENTOL—THE—ROL—LOO。
  AndneatlittleTITTY—FOL—LEH
  WaseatenbyPISH—POOH—BAH,Andlight—heartedWAGGETY—WEH
  BydismalALACK—A—DEY—AH—
  DespairingALACK—A—DEY—AH。
  AndrollickingTRAL—THE—RAL—LAH
  WaseatenbyDOODLE—DUM—DEY,AndmusicalDOH—REH—MI—FAH
  BygoodlittleTOOTLE—DUM—TEH—
  ExemplaryTOOTLE—TUM—TEH!
  Ballad:BOBPOLTER。
  BOBPOLTERwasanavvy,andHishandswerecoarse,anddirtytoo,Hishomelyfacewasroughandtanned,Histimeoflifewasthirty—two。
  Helivedamongaworkingclan(Awifehehadn’tgotatall),Adecent,steady,soberman—
  Nosaint,however—notatall。
  Hesmoked,butinamodestway,Becausehethoughtheneededit;
  Hedrankapotofbeeraday,Andsometimesheexceededit。
  Attimeshe’dpasswithothermenAloudconvivialnightortwo,With,verylikely,nowandthen,OnSaturdays,afightortwo。
  Butstillhewasasobersoul,Alabour—never—shirkingman,Whopaidhisway—uponthewholeAdecentEnglishworkingman。
  Oneday,whenattheNelson’sHead(Forwhichhemaybeblamedofyou),Aholymanappeared,andsaid,"Oh,ROBERT,I’mashamedofyou。"
  HelaidhishandonROBERT’SbeerBeforehecoulddrinkupany,Andonthefloor,withsighandtear,Hepouredthepotof"thruppenny。"
  "Oh,ROBERT,atthisverybarAtruthyou’llbediscovering,AgoodandevilgeniusareAroundyournoddlehovering。
  "TheybothareheretobidyoushunTheotherone’ssociety,ForTotalAbstinenceisone,Theother,Inebriety。"
  Hewavedhishand—avapourcame—
  AwizardPOLTERreckonedhim;
  Abogyroseandcalledhisname,Andwithhisfingerbeckonedhim。
  Themonster’ssalientpointstosum,—
  Hisheavybreathwasportery:
  Hisglowingnosesuggestedrum:
  Hiseyesweregin—and—WORtery。
  Hisdresswastorn—fordregsofaleAndslopsofginhadrustedit;
  Hispimpledfacewaswanandpale,Wherefilthhadnotencrustedit。