TheBishop’sgiftspreadsquicklyround;
  InPETER’Sleft—offclothestheybound(Histhree—and—twentysuitstheyfoundInfairconditionstill)。
  TheBishop’seyeswithwaterfill,QuiteoverjoyedtofindthemstillObedienttohissovereignwill,Andsaid,"GoodRum—ti—Foo!
  Half—wayI’llmeetyou,Ideclare:
  I’lldressmyselfincowriesrare,Andfastenfeathersinmyhair,Anddancethe’Cutch—chi—boo!’"(13)
  AndtoconciliatehisSeeHemarriedPICCADILLILLEE,Theyoungestofhistwenty—three,Tall—neitherfatnorthin。
  (AndthoughthedresshemadeherdonLooksawkwardlyagirlupon,ItwasagreatimprovementonTheonehefoundherin。)
  TheBishopinhisgaycanoe(Hiswife,ofcourse,wentwithhimtoo)
  Tosomeadjacentislandflew,Tospendhishoneymoon。
  SomedayinsunnyRum—ti—FooAlittlePETER’llbeonview;
  Andthat(ifpeopletellmetrue)
  Isliketohappensoon。
  Ballad:THEHAUGHTYACTOR。
  ANactor—GIBBS,ofDruryLane—
  Ofverydecentstation,OncehappenedinaparttogainExcessiveapprobation:
  Itsometimesturnsafellow’sbrainAndmakeshimsingularlyvainWhenhebelievesthathereceivesTremendousapprobation。
  Hisgreatsuccesshalfdrovehimmad,Butnooneseemedtomindhim;
  Well,inanotherpiecehehadAnotherpartassignedhim。
  Thispartwassmaller,byabit,Thanthatinwhichhemadeahit。
  So,muchill—used,hestraightrefusedToplaythepartassignedhim。
  ********
  THATNIGHTTHATACTORSLEPT,ANDI’LLATTEMPT
  TOTELLYOUOFTHEVIVIDDREAMHEDREAMT。
  THEDREAM。
  Infightingwitharobberband(Athinghelovedsincerely)
  AswordstruckGIBBSuponthehand,Andwoundeditseverely。
  Atfirsthedidn’theeditmuch,Hethoughtitwasasimpletouch,Butsoonhefoundtheweapon’sboundHadwoundedhimseverely。
  ToSurgeonCOBBhemadeatrip,Who’djusteffectedfeatlyAnamputationatthehipParticularlyneatly。
  ArisingmanwasSurgeonCOBB
  ButthisextremelyticklishjobHehadachieved(ashebelieved)
  Particularlyneatly。
  Theactorrangthesurgeon’sbell。
  "Observemywoundedfinger,Begoodenoughtostrapitwell,Andpritheedonotlinger。
  ThatI,dearsir,mayfillagainTheTheatreRoyalDruryLane:
  ThisverynightIhavetofight—
  Sopritheedonotlinger。"
  "Idon’tstrapfingersupfordoles,"
  Repliedthehaughtysurgeon;
  "Touseyourcant,Idon’tplayROLES
  Utilitythatvergeon。
  Firstamputation—nothingless—
  Thatismylineofbusiness:
  WesurgeonnobsdespisealljobsUtilitythatvergeon"Wheninyourhiptherelurksdisease"
  (Sodreamtthislivelydreamer),"OrdevastatingCARIES
  InHUMERUSorFEMUR,Ifyoucanpayahandsomefee,Oh,thenyoumayrememberme—
  WithjoyelateI’llamputateYourHUMERUSorFEMUR。"
  ThedisconcertedactorceasedThehaughtyleechtopester,Butwhenthewoundinsizeincreased,Andthenbegantofester,HesoughtalearnedCounsel’slair,AndtoldthatCounsel,thenandthere,HowCOBB’SneglectofhisdefectHadmadehisfingerfester。
  "Oh,bringmyaction,ifyouplease,ThecaseIprayyouurgeon,AndwinmethumpingdamagesFromCOBB,thathaughtysurgeon。
  HeculpablyneglectedmeAlthoughIprofferedhimhisfee,Sopraycomedown,inwigandgown,OnCOBB,thathaughtysurgeon!"
  ThatCounsellearnedinthelaws,Withpassionalmosttrembled。
  HejusthadgainedamightycauseBeforethePeersassembled!
  Saidhe,"HowdareyouhavethefaceTocomewithCommonJurycaseToonewhowingsrhetoricflingsBeforethePeersassembled?"
  Dispiritedbecameourfriend—
  Depressedhismoralpecker—
  "Butstay!athought!—I’llgainmyend,Andsavemypoorexchequer。
  Iwon’tbeplacedupontheshelf,I’lltakeitintoCourtmyself,AndlegalloredisplaybeforeTheCourtoftheExchequer。"
  HefoundaBaron—oneofthoseWhowithourlawssupplyus—
  Inwigandsilkengownandhose,AsifatNISIPRIUS。
  Buthe’djustgiven,offthereel,AfamousjudgmentonAppeal:
  ItscarcebecamehisheightenedfameTositatNISIPRIUS。
  Ourfriendbegan,witheasywit,Thathalfconcealedhisterror:
  "Pooh!"saidtheJudge,"IonlysitInBANCOorinError。
  Canyousuppose,myman,thatI’dO’erNISIPRIUSCourtspreside,OrcondescendmytimetospendOnanythingbutError?"
  "Toobad,"saidGIBBS,"mycasetoshirk!
  Youmustbebadinnately,TosaveyourskillformightyworkBecauseit’svaluedgreatly!"
  Butherehewoke,withsuddenstart。
  ********
  Hewrotetosayhe’dplaythepart。
  I’vebuttotellheplayeditwell—
  Theauthor’swords—hisnativewitCombined,achievedaperfect"hit"—
  Thepaperspraisedhimgreatly。
  Ballad:THETWOMAJORS。
  ANexcellentsoldierwho’sworthythenameLovesofficersdashingandstrict:
  Whengood,he’scontentwithescapingallblame,Whennaughty,helikestobelicked。
  Helikesforafaulttobebulliedandstormed,Orimprisonedforseveraldays,Andhates,foradutycorrectlyperformed,Tobeslaveredwithsickeningpraise。
  NoofficersickenedwithpraiseshisCORPS
  SolittleasMAJORLAGUERRE—
  NoofficersworeathiswarriorsmoreThanMAJORMAKREDIPREPERE。
  Theirsoldiersadoredthem,andeverygradeDelightedtoheartheirabuse;
  ThoughwhenevertheseofficerscameonparadeTheyshiveredandshookintheirshoes。
  For,oh!ifLAGUERREcouldallpraiseswithhold,Why,socouldMAKREDIPREPERE,And,oh!ifMAKREDIcouldblusterandscold,Why,socouldthemightyLAGUERRE。
  "Nodoubtwedeserveit—nomercywecrave—
  Goon—you’reconferringaboon;
  Wewouldratherbeslangedbyawarriorbrave,Thanpraisedbyawretchedpoltroon!"
  MAKREDIwouldsaythatinbattle’sfiercerageTruehappinessonlywasmet:
  PoorMAJORMAKREDI,thoughfiftyhisage,Hadneverknownhappinessyet!
  LAGUERREwoulddeclare,"WiththebloodofafoeNotippleisworthytoclink。"
  Poorfellow!hehadn’t,thoughsixtyorso,Yettastedhisfavouritedrink!
  Theyagreedattheirmess—theyagreedintheglass—
  Theyagreedinthechoiceoftheir"set,"
  Andtheyalsoagreedinadoring,alas!
  TheVivandiere,prettyFILLETTE。
  Agreement,yousee,maybecarriedtoofar,AndafteragreeingallroundForyears—inthissoldierly"maidofthebar,"
  Aboneofcontentiontheyfound!
  Itmayseemimpropertocallsuchapet—
  Byametaphor,even—abone;
  Butthoughtheyagreedinadoringher,yetEachwantedtomakeherhisown。
  "Onthedaythatyoumarryher,"mutteredPREPERE
  (Withapistolhequietlyplayed),"I’llscatterthebrainsinyournoddle,Iswear,Alloverthestonyparade!"
  "IcannotdoTHATtoyou,"answeredLAGUERRE,"Whatevereventsmaybefall;
  ButthisICANdo—IFYOUwedher,MONCHER!
  I’lleatyou,moustachiosandall!"
  Therivals,althoughtheywouldneverengage,Yetquarrelledwhenevertheymet;
  Theymetinafuryandleftinarage,ButneithertookprettyFILLETTE。
  "Iamnotafraid,"thoughtMAKREDIPREPERE:
  "ForcountryI’mreadytofall;
  Butnobodywants,foramereVivandiere,Tobeeaten,moustachiosandall!
  "Besides,thoughLAGUERREhashisfaults,I’llallowHe’soneofthebravestofmen:
  Mygoodness!ifIdisagreewithhimnow,Imightdisagreewithhimthen。"
  "NocowardamI,"saidLAGUERRE,"asyouguess—
  Isneeratanenemy’sblade;
  ButIdon’twantPREPEREtogetintoamessForsplashingthestonyparade!"
  OnedayonparadetoPREPEREandLAGUERRE
  CameCORPORALJACOTDEBETTE,Andtremblingallover,heprayedofthemthereTogivehimtheprettyFILLETTE。
  "Yousee,IamwillingtomarrymybrideUntilyou’vearrangedthisaffair;
  IwillblowoutmybrainswhenyourhonoursdecideWhichmarriesthesweetVivandiere!"
  "Well,takeher,’saidbothoftheminaduet(Afavouriteformofreply),"ButwhenIamreadytomarryFILLETTE。
  Rememberyou’vepromisedtodie!"
  Hemarriedherthen:fromthefloweryplainsOfexistencetherosestheycull:
  Helivedandhediedwithhiswife;andhisbrainsArereposinginpeaceinhisskull。
  Ballad:EMILY,JOHN,JAMES,ANDI。ADERBYLEGEND。
  EMILYJANEwasanurserymaid,JAMESwasaboldLifeGuard,JOHNwasaconstable,poorlypaid(AndIamadoggerelbard)。
  AverygoodgirlwasEMILYJANE,JIMMYwasgoodandtrue,JOHNwasaverygoodmaninthemain(AndIamagoodmantoo)。
  RivalsforEMMIEwereJOHNNYandJAMES,ThoughEMILYlikedthemboth;
  Shecouldn’ttellwhichhadthestrongestclaims(AndIcouldn’ttakemyoath)。
  Butsoonerorlateryou’recertaintofindYoursentimentscan’tliehid—
  JANEthoughtitwastimethatshemadeuphermind(AndIthinkitwastimeshedid)。
  SaidJANE,withasmirk,andablushonherface,"I’llpromisetowedtheboyWhotakesmeto—morrowtoEpsomRace!"
  (WhichIwouldhavedone,withjoy)。
  FromJOHNNYescapedanexpressionofpain,ButJimmysaid,"Donewithyou!
  I’lltakeyouwithpleasure,myEMILYJANE!"
  (AndIwouldhavesaidsotoo)。
  JOHNlayontheground,andheroaredlikemad(ForJOHNNYwassoreperplexed),Andhekickedveryhardataverysmalllad(WhichIoftendo,whenvexed)。
  ForJOHNwasondutynextdaywiththeForce,TopunishallEpsomcrimes;
  YoungpeopleWILLcrosswhenthey’reclearingthecourse(Idoitmyself,sometimes)。
  ********
  TheDerbyDaysunglitteredgailyoncads,Onmaidenswithgambogehair,Onsharpersandpickpockets,swindlersandpads,(ForI,withmyharp,wasthere)。
  AndJIMMYwentdownwithhisJANEthatday,AndJOHNbythecollarornapeSeizedeverybodywhocameinhisway(AndIhadanarrowescape)。
  HenoticedhisEMILYJANEwithJIM,Andenviedthewell—madeelf;
  Andpeopleremarkedthathemuttered"Oh,dim!"
  (Ioftensay"dim!"myself)。
  JOHNdoggedthemallday,withoutaskingtheirleaves;
  Forhissergeanthetold,aside,ThatJIMMYandJANEwerenotoriousthieves(AndIthinkhewasjustified)。
  ButJAMESwouldn’tdreamofabstractingafork,AndJENNYwouldblushwithshameAtstealingsomuchasabottleorcork(AbottleIthinkfairgame)。
  But,ah!there’sanothermoreseriouscrime!
  TheywickedlystrayeduponThecourse,atacriticalmomentoftime(IpointedthemouttoJOHN)。
  Theconstablefellonthepairinacrack—
  Andthen,withademonsmile,LetJENNYcrossover,butsentJIMMYback(Iplayedonmyharpthewhile)。
  SternJOHNNYtheiragonyloudderidesWithaverytriumphantsneer—
  Theyweepandtheywailfromtheoppositesides(AndIshedasilenttear)。
  AndJENNYiscryingawaylikemad,AndJIMMYisswearinghard;
  AndJOHNNYislookinguncommonlyglad(AndIamadoggerelbard)。
  ButJIMMYheventuredoncrossingagainThescenesofourIsthmianGames—
  JOHNcaughthim,andcollaredhim,givinghimpain(IfeltverymuchforJAMES)。
  JOHNledhimawaywithavictor’shand,AndJIMMYwasshortlyseenInthestation—houseunderthegrandGrandStand(AsmanyatimeI’VEbeen)。
  AndJIMMY,badboy,wasimprisonedforlife,ThoughEMILYpleadedhard;
  AndJOHNNYhadEMILYJANEtowife(AndIamadoggerelbard)。
  Ballad:THEPERILSOFINVISIBILITY。
  OLDPETERledawretchedlife—
  OldPETERhadafuriouswife;
  OldPETERtoowastrulystout,Hemeasuredseveralyardsabout。
  ThelittlefairyPICKLEKIN
  Onesummerafternoonlookedin,Andsaid,"OldPETER,howdedo?
  CanIdoanythingforyou?
  "Ihavethreegifts—thefirstwillgiveUnboundedricheswhileyoulive;
  Thesecondhealthwhere’eryoube;
  Thethird,invisibility。"
  "OlittlefairyPICKLEKIN,"
  OldPETERansweredwithagrin,"Tohesitatewouldbeabsurd,—
  UndoubtedlyIchoosethethird。"
  "’Tisyours,"thefairysaid;"bequiteInvisibletomortalsightWhene’eryouplease。RemembermeMostkindly,pray,toMRS。P。"
  OldMRS。PETERoverheardWeePICKLEKIN’Sconcludingword,And,jealousofhergirlhood’schoice,Said,"Thatwassomeyoungwoman’svoice:
  OldPETERletherscoldandswear—
  OldPETER,blesshim,didn’tcare。
  "Mydear,yourrageiswastedquite—
  Observe,Idisappearfromsight!"
  Awell—bredfairy(soI’veheard)
  Isalwaysfaithfultoherword:
  OldPETERvanishedlikeashot,Putthen—HISSUITOFCLOTHESDIDNOT!
  ForwhenconferredthefairyslimInvisibilityonHIM,Shepoppedawayonfairywings,Withoutreferringtohis"things。"
  Sothereremainedacoatofblue,Avestanddoubleeyeglasstoo,Histail,hisshoes,hissocksaswell,Hispairof—no,Imustnottell。
  OldMRS。PETERsoonbeganToseethefailureofhisplan,Andthenresolved(IquotetheBard)
  To"hoisthimwithhisownpetard。"
  OldPETERwokenextdayanddressed,Putonhiscoat,andshoes,andvest,Hisshirtandstock;BUTCOULDNOTFIND
  HISONLYPAIROF—nevermind!
  OldPETERwasadecentman,Andthoughhetwiggedhislady’splan,Yet,hearingherapproaching,heResumedinvisibility。
  "DearMRS。P。,myonlyjoy,"
  Exclaimedthehorrifiedoldboy,"Now,givethemup,Ibegofyou—
  YouknowwhatI’mreferringto!"
  Butno;thecrossoldladysworeShe’dkeephis—whatIsaidbefore—
  Tomakehimpubliclyabsurd;
  AndMRS。PETERkeptherword。
  Thepooroldfellowhadnorest;
  Hiscoat,hisstick,hisshoes,hisvest,Wereallthatnowmetmortaleye—
  Therest,invisibility!
  "Now,madam,givethemup,Ibeg—
  I’vehadrheumaticsinmyleg;
  Besides,untilyoudo,it’splainIcannotcometosightagain!
  "ForthoughsomemirthitmightaffordToseemyclotheswithouttheirlord,YettherewouldriseindignantoathsIfhewereseenwithouthisclothes!"
  Butno;resolvedtohaveherquiz,Theladyheldherown—andhis—
  AndPETERlefthishumblecotTofindapairof—youknowwhat。
  But—here’stheworstoftheaffair—
  Whene’erhecameacrossapairAlreadyplacedforhimtodon,Hewastoostouttogetthemon!
  Soheresolvedatoncetotrain,Andwalkedandwalkedwithallhismain;
  Foryearshepacedthismortalearth,Tobringhimselftodecentgirth。
  Atnight,whenallaroundisstill,You’llfindhimpoundingupahill;
  Andshriekingpeasantswhomhemeets,Falldowninterroronthepeats!
  OldPETERwalksthroughwindandrain,Resolvedtotrain,andtrain,andtrain,Untilheweighstwelvestone’orso—
  Andwhenhedoes,I’llletyouknow。
  Ballad:THEMYSTICSELVAGEE。
  PERHAPSalreadyyoumayknowSIRBLENNERHASSETPORTICO?
  ACaptainintheNavy,he—
  ABaronetandK。C。B。
  Youdo?Ithoughtso!
  ItwasthatCaptain’sfavouritewhim(Anotionnotconfinedtohim)
  ThatRODNEYwasthegreatesttarWhoeverwieldedcapstan—bar。
  Hehadbeentaughtso。
  "BENBOW!CORNWALLIS!HOOD!—Belay!
  ComparedwithRODNEY"—hewouldsay—
  "Noothertariswortharap!
  ThegreatLORDRODNEYwasthechapTheFrenchtopolish!
  "Though,mindyou,IrespectLORDHOOD;
  CORNWALLIS,too,wasrathergood;
  BENBOWcouldenemiesrepel,LORDNELSON,too,wasprettywell—
  Thatis,tol—lol—ish!"
  SIRBLENNERHASSETspenthisdaysInlearningRODNEY’Slittleways,Andcloselyimitated,too,Hismodeoftalkingtohiscrew—
  Hisportandpaces。
  AnancienttarhetriedtocatchWho’dservedinRODNEY’Sfamousbatch;
  Butsincehistimelongyearshavefled,AndRODNEY’Starsaremostlydead:
  EHEUFUGACES!
  Butaftersearchingnearandfar,AtlasthefoundanancienttarWhoservedwithRODNEYandhiscrewAgainsttheFrenchin’Eighty—two,(Thatgainedthepeerage)。
  Hegavehimfiftypoundsayear,Hisrum,hisbaccy,andhisbeer;
  AndhadacomfortabledenRiggedupinwhat,bymerchantmen,Iscalledthesteerage。
  "Now,JASPER"—’twasthatsailor’sname—
  "Don’tfearthatyou’llincurmyblameBysaying,whenitseemstoyou,ThatthereisanythingIdoThatRODNEYwouldn’t。"
  Theancientsailorturnedhisquid,Preparedtodoashewasbid:
  "Ay,ay,yerhonour;tobegin,You’vedoneawaywith’swiftingin’—
  Well,sir,youshouldn’t!
  "UponyoursparsIseeyou’veclappedPeakhalliardblocks,alliron—capped。
  Iwouldnotchristenthatacrime,But’twasnotdoneinRODNEY’Stime。
  Itlookshalf—witted!
  Uponyourmaintop—stay,Isee,Youalwaysclapaselvagee!
  Yourstays,Isee,areequalized—
  Novessel,suchasRODNEYprized,Wouldthusbefitted!
  "AndRODNEY,honouredsir,wouldgrinToseeyouturningdeadeyesin,NotUP,asintheancientway,Butdownwards,likeacutter’sstay—
  Youdidn’toughter;
  Besides,inseizingshroudsonboard,Breastbackstaysyouhavequiteignored;
  GreatRODNEYkeptuntothelastBreastbackstaysontopgallantmast—
  Theymakeittauter。"
  SIRBLENNERHASSET"swiftedin,"
  Turneddeadeyesup,andlentafinTostrip(astoldbyJASPERKNOX)
  Theironcappingfromhisblocks,Wheretherewasany。
  SIRBLENNERHASSETdoesaway,Withselvageesfrommaintop—stay;
  Andthoughitmakeshissailorsstare,Herigsbreastbackstayseverywhere—
  Infact,toomany。
  Onemorning,whenthesaucycraftLaycalmed,oldJASPERtoddledaft。
  "Mymindmisgivesme,sir,thatweWerewrongaboutthatselvagee—
  Ishouldrestoreit。"
  "Good,"saidtheCaptain,andthatdayRestoredittothemaintop—stay。
  Well—practisedsailorsoftenmakeAmuchmoreseriousmistake,Andthenignoreit。
  NextdayoldJASPERcameoncemore:
  "Ithink,sir,Iwasrightbefore。"
  Well,upthemastthesailorsskipped,Theselvageewassoonunshipped,Andallweremerry。
  Againaday,andJASPERcame:
  "Ip’r’apsdeserveyourhonour’sblame,Ican’tmakeupmymind,"saidhe,"Aboutthatcursedselvagee—
  It’sfoolish—very。
  "OnMondaynightIcouldhaveswornThatmaintop—stayitshouldadorn,OnTuesdaymorningIcouldswearThatselvageeshouldnotbethere。
  Theknot’sarasper!"
  "Oh,youbehanged,"saidCAPTAINP。,"Here,goashoreatCaribbee。
  Getout—goodbye—shoveoff—allright!"
  OldJASPERsoonwasoutofsight—
  Farewell,oldJASPER!
  Ballad:PHRENOLOGY。
  "COME,collarthisbadman—
  AroundthethroatheknottedmeTillItochokebegan—
  Inpointoffact,garottedme!"
  SospakeSIRHERBERTWRITE
  ToJAMES,PolicemanThirty—two—
  AllruffledwithhisfightSIRHERBERTwas,anddirtytoo。
  Policemannothingsaid(Thoughhehadmuchtosayonit),Butfromthebadman’sheadHetookthecapthatlayonit。
  "No,greatSIRHERBERTWHITE—
  Impossibletotakehimup。
  Thismanishonestquite—
  Whereverdidyourakehimup?
  "ForBurglars,Thieves,andCo。,Indeed,I’mnoapologist,ButI,someyearsago,AssistedaPhrenologist。
  "Observehisvariousbumps,HisheadasIuncoverit:
  HismoralslieinlumpsAllroundaboutandoverit。"
  "Nowtakehim,"saidSIRWHITE,"Oryouwillsoonberueingit;
  Blessme!Imustberight,—
  Icaughtthefellowdoingit!"
  Policemancalmlysmiled,"Indeedyouaremistaken,sir,You’reagitated—riled—
  Andverybadlyshaken,sir。
  "Sitdown,andI’llexplainMysystemofPhrenology,Asecond,please,remain"—
  (Asecondishorology)。
  Policemanlefthisbeat—
  (TheBart。,nolongerfurious,Satdownuponaseat,Observing,"Thisiscurious!")
  "Oh,surely,herearesignsShouldsoftenyourrigidity:
  ThisgentlemancombinesPolitenesswithtimidity。
  "OfShynesshere’salump—
  AholeforAnimosity—
  AndlikemyfisthisbumpOfImpecuniosity。
  "JustherethebumpappearsOfInnocentHilarity,AndjustbehindhisearsAreFaith,andHope,andCharity。
  HeoftrueChristianwaysAsbrightexamplesentusis—
  Thismaximheobeys,’SORTETUACONTENTUSSIS。’
  "There,lethimgohisways,Heneedsnosternadmonishing。"
  TheBart。,inblankamaze,Exclaimed,"Thisisastonishing!
  "IMUSThavemadeamull,ThismatterI’vebeenblindinit:
  Examine,please,MYskull,Andtellmewhatyoufindinit。"
  ThatCrusherlooked,andsaid,Withunimpairedurbanity,"SIRHERBERT,you’veaheadThatteemswithinhumanity。
  "Here’sMurder,Envy,Strife(Propensitytokillany),AndLiesaslargeaslife,AndheapsofSocialVillany。
  "Here’sLoveofBran—NewClothes,Embezzling—Arson—Deism—
  AtasteforSlangandOaths,AndFraudulentTrusteeism。
  "Here’sLoveofGroundlessCharge—
  Here’sMalice,too,andTrickery,UnusuallylargeYourbumpofPocket—Pickery—"
  "Stop!"saidtheBart。,"mycupIsfull—I’mworsethanhiminall;
  Policeman,takemeup—
  NodoubtIamsomecriminal!"
  ThatPleeceman’sscorngrewlarge(Phrenologyhadnettledit),HetookthatBart。incharge—
  Idon’tknowhowtheysettledit。
  Ballad:THEFAIRYCURATE。
  ONCEafairyLightandairyMarriedwithamortal;
  Men,however,Never,neverPassthefairyportal。
  Slylystealing,ShetoEalingMadeadailyjourney;
  Thereshefoundhim,Clientsroundhim(Hewasanattorney)。
  Longtheytarried,Thentheymarried。
  WhentheceremonyOncewasended,OfftheywendedOntheirmoonofhoney。
  Twelvemonth,maybe,Sawababy(Friendsperformedanorgie)。
  Muchtheyprizedhim,AndbaptizedhimBythenameofGEORGIE,GEORGIEgrewup;
  ThenheflewupTohisfairymother。
  Happymeeting—
  Pleasantgreeting—
  Kissingoneanother。
  "ChooseacallingMostenthralling,Isincerelyurgeye。"
  "Mother,"saidhe(Rev’rencemadehe),"Iwouldjointheclergy。
  "GivepermissionInaddition—
  Pawillletmedoit:
  There’salivingInhisgiving—
  He’llappointmetoit。
  Dreamsofcoff’ring,Easteroff’ring,Titheandrentandpew—rate,Soinflameme(Donotblameme),ThatI’llbeacurate。"
  She,withpleasure,Said,"Mytreasure,’Tismywishprecisely。
  Doyourduty,There’sabeauty;
  Youhavechosenwisely。
  TellyourfatherIwouldratherAsachurchmanrankyou。
  You,inclover,I’llwatchover。"
  GEORGIEsaid,"Oh,thankyou!"
  GEORGIEscudded,Wentandstudied,Madeallpreparations,Andwithcredit(Thoughhesaidit)
  Passedexaminations。
  (DonotquarrelWithhim,moral,Scrupulousdigestions—
  ’Twashismother,Andnoother,Answeredallthequestions。)
  Timeproceeded;
  LittleneededGEORGIEadmonition:
  He,elated,VindicatedClergyman’sposition。
  PeopleroundhimAlwaysfoundhimPlainandunpretending;
  Kindlyteaching,Plainlypreaching,Allhismoneylending。
  Sothefairy,Wiseandwary,Feltnosorrowrising—
  NooccasionForpersuasion,Warning,oradvising。
  He,resumingFairypluming(That’snotEnglish,isit?)
  Oftwouldflyup,Totheskyup,Paymammaavisit。
  ********
  Timeprogressing,GEORGIE’SblessingGrewmoreRitualistic—
  Popishscandals,Tonsures—sandals—
  Genuflectionsmystic;
  Gushingmeetings—
  Bosom—beatings—
  Heavenlyecstatics—
  Broideredspencers—
  Copesandcensers—
  Rochetsanddalmatics。
  ThisquandaryVexedthefairy—
  FlewshedowntoEaling。
  "GEORGIE,stopit!
  Prayyou,dropit;
  Harktomyappealing:
  TothisfoolishPapalrule—ishTwaddleputanending;
  ThisaswerveisFromourServicePlainandunpretending。"
  He,replying,Answered,sighing,Hawing,hemming,humming,"It’sapity—
  They’resopritty;
  Yetinmodebecoming,Mothertender,I’llsurrender—
  I’llbeunaffected—"
  ButhisBishopIntoHISshopEnteredunexpected!
  "Whoisthis,sir,—
  Balletmiss,sir?"
  SaidtheBishopcoldly。
  "’Tismymother,Andnoother,"
  GEORGIEansweredboldly。
  "Goalong,sir!
  Youarewrong,sir;
  Youhaveyearsinplenty,Whilethishussy(Graciousmussy!)
  Isn’ttwoandtwenty!"
  (FairiescleverNever,neverGrowinvisageolder;
  Andthefairy,Allunwary,Leantuponhisshoulder!)
  Bishopgrievedhim,Disbelievedhim;
  GEORGEthepointgrewwarmon;
  Changedreligion,Likeapigeon,(14)
  AndbecameaMormon!
  Ballad:THEWAYOFWOOING。
  AMAIDENsatatherwindowwide,PrettyenoughforaPrince’sbride,Yetnobodycametoclaimher。
  Shesatlikeabeautifulpicturethere,Withprettybluebellsandrosesfair,Andjasmine—leavestoframeher。
  Andwhyshesattherenobodyknows;
  Butthisshesangasshepluckedarose,Theleavesaroundherstrewing:
  "I’vetimetoloseandpowertochoose;
  ’Tisnotsomuchthegallantwhowoos,Butthegallant’sWAYofwooing!"
  Alovercameridingbyawhile,Awealthyloverwashe,whosesmileSomemaidswouldvaluegreatly—
  Aformallover,whobowedandbent,Withmanyahigh—flowncompliment,Andcolddemeanourstately,"You’vestill,"saidshetohersuitorstern,"The’prentice—workofyourcrafttolearn,Ifthusyoucomea—cooing。
  I’vetimetoloseandpowertochoose;
  ’Tisnotsomuchthegallantwhowoos,Asthegallant’sWAYofwooing!"
  Asecondlovercameamblingby—
  AtimidladwithafrightenedeyeAndacolourmantlinghighly。
  Hemutteredtheerrandonwhichhe’dcome,Thenonlychuckledandbithisthumb,Andsimpered,simperedshyly。
  "No,"saidthemaiden,"goyourway;
  Youdarebutthinkwhatamanwouldsay,Yetdaretocomea—suing!
  I’vetimetoloseandpowertochoose;
  ’Tisnotsomuchthegallantwhowoos,Asthegallant’sWAYofwooing!"
  Athirdrodeupatastartlingpace—
  Asuitorpoor,withahomelyface—
  Nodoubtsappearedtobindhim。
  Hekissedherlipsandhepressedherwaist,Andoffherodewiththemaiden,placedOnapillionsafebehindhim。
  AndsheheardthesuitorboldconfideThisgoldenhinttothepriestwhotiedTheknotthere’snoundoing;
  Withprettyyoungmaidenswhocanchoose,’Tisnotsomuchthegallantwhowoos,Asthegallant’sWAYofwooing!"
  Ballad:HONGREEANDMAHRY。ARECOLLECTIONOFASURREYMELODRAMA。
  THEsunwassettinginitswontedwest,WhenHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores,MetMAHRYDAUBIGNY,theVillageRose,UndertheWizard’sOak—oldtrysting—placeOfthosewholovedinrosyAquitaine。
  Theythoughtthemselvesunwatched,buttheywerenot;
  ForHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores,FoundinLIEUTENANT—COLONELJOOLESDUBOSC
  Arival,enviousandunscrupulous,Whothoughtitnotfoulscorntododgehissteps,Andlisten,unperceived,toallthatpassedBetweenthesimplelittleVillageRoseAndHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores。
  Aclumsybarrack—bullywasDUBOSC,Quiteunfamiliarwiththewell—bredtactThatanimatesapropergentlemanIndealingwithagirlofhumblerank。
  You’llunderstandhiscoarsenesswhenIsayHewouldhavemarriedMAHRYDAUBIGNY,AnddraggedtheunsophisticatedgirlIntothewhirloffashionablelife,Forwhichhersingularlyrusticways,Herbreeding(moral,butextremelyrude),Herlanguage(chaste,butungrammatical),Wouldabsolutelyhaveunfittedher。
  HowdifferenttothisunreflectingboorWasHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores。
  ContemporarywiththeincidentRelatedinouropeningparagraph,Wasthatsadwar’twixtGalliaandourselvesThatfollowedonthetreatysignedatTroyes;
  AndsoLIEUTENANT—COLONELJOOLESDUBOSC
  (Bravesoldier,he,withallhisfaultsofstyle)
  AndHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores,WeresentbyCHARLESofFranceagainstthelinesOfourSixthHENRY(Fourteentwenty—nine),TodrivehislegionsoutofAquitaine。
  WhenHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores,Returned,suspectingnothing,tohiscamp,AfterhismeetingwiththeVillageRose,Hefoundinsidehisbarrackletter—boxAnotefromthecommandingofficer,Requiringhisattendanceathead—quarters。
  Hewent,andfoundLIEUTENANT—COLONELJOOLES。
  "YoungHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores,ThisnightweshallattacktheEnglishcamp:
  Bethe’forlornhope’yours—you’llleadit,sir,Andleadittoowithcredit,I’venodoubt。
  Aseverymanmustcertainlybekilled(Foryouaretwenty’gainsttwothousandmen),Itisnotlikelythatyouwillreturn。
  Butwhatofthat?you’llhavethebenefitOfknowingthatyoudieasoldier’sdeath。"
  ObediencewasyoungHONGREE’Sstrongestpoint,ButheimaginedthatheonlyowedAllegiancetohisMAHRYandhisKing。
  "IfMAHRYbademeleadthesefatedmen,I’dleadthem—butIdonotthinkshewould。
  IfCHARLES,myKing,said,’Go,myson,anddie,’
  I’dgo,ofcourse—mydutywouldbeclear。
  ButMAHRYisinbedasleep,Ihope,AndCHARLES,myKing,ahundredleaguesfromthis。
  AsforLIEUTENANT—COLONELJOOLESDUBOSC,HowknowIthatourmonarchwouldapproveTheorderhehasgivenmeto—night?
  MyKingI’vesworninallthingstoobey—
  I’llonlytakemyordersfrommyKing!"
  ThusHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores,Interpretedthetermsofhiscommission。
  AndHONGREE,whowaswiseashewasgood,Disguisedhimselfthatnightinamplecloak,Roundflappinghat,andvizormaskofblack,Andmade,unnoticed,fortheEnglishcamp。
  Hepassedtheunsuspectingsentinels(WholittlethoughtamaninthisdisguiseCouldbeaproperobjectofsuspicion),Anderethecurfewbellhadboomed"lightsout,"
  HefoundinaudienceBedford’shaughtyDuke。
  "YourGrace,"hesaid,"startnot—benotalarmed,AlthoughaFrenchmanstandsbeforeyoureyes。
  I’mHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores。
  MyColonelwillattackyourcampto—night,Andordersmetoleadthehopeforlorn。
  NowIamsureourexcellentKINGCHARLES
  Wouldnotapproveofthis;buthe’sawayAhundredleagues,andrathermorethanthat。
  So,utterlydevotedtomyKing,Blindedbymyattachmenttothethrone,Andhavingbutitsinterestatheart,IfeelitismydutytodiscloseAllschemesthatemanatefromCOLONELJOOLES,IfIbelievethattheyarenotthekindOfschemesthatourgoodmonarchwouldapprove。"
  "Buthow,"saidBedford’sDuke,"doyouproposeThatweshouldoverthrowyourColonel’sscheme?"
  AndHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores,Repliedatoncewithnever—failingtact:
  "Oh,sir,Iknowthiscursedcountrywell。
  Entrustyourselfandallyourhosttome;
  I’llleadyousafelybyasecretpathIntotheheartofCOLONELJOOLES’array,Andyoucanthenattackthemunprepared,Andslaymyfellow—countrymenunarmed。"
  Thethingwasdone。TheDUKEofBEDFORDgaveTheorder,andtwothousandfightingmenCreptsilentlyintotheGalliccamp,AndslewtheFrenchmenastheylayasleep;
  AndBedford’shaughtyDukeslewCOLONELJOOLES,AndgavefairMAHRY,prideofAquitaine,ToHONGREE,Sub—LieutenantofChassoores。
  Ballad:ETIQUETTE。(15)
  THEBALLYSHANNONfounderedoffthecoastofCariboo,Anddowninfathomsmanywentthecaptainandthecrew;
  Downwenttheowners—greedymenwhomhopeofgainallured:
  Oh,drythestartingtear,fortheywereheavilyinsured。
  Besidesthecaptainandthemate,theownersandthecrew,Thepassengerswerealsodrownedexceptingonlytwo:
  YoungPETERGRAY,whotastedteasforBAKER,CROOP,ANDCO。,AndSOMERS,whofromEasternshoresimportedindigo。
  Thesepassengers,byreasonoftheirclingingtoamast,Uponadesertislandwereeventuallycast。
  Theyhuntedfortheirmeals,asALEXANDERSELKIRKused,Buttheycouldn’tchattogether—theyhadnotbeenintroduced。
  ForPETERGRAY,andSOMERStoo,thoughcertainlyintrade,Wereproperlyparticularaboutthefriendstheymade;
  Andsomehowthustheysettleditwithoutawordofmouth—
  ThatGRAYshouldtakethenorthernhalf,whileSOMERStookthesouth。
  OnPETER’Sportionoystersgrew—adelicacyrare,ButoysterswereadelicacyPETERcouldn’tbear。
  OnSOMERS’sidewasturtle,ontheshinglelyingthick,WhichSOMERScouldn’teat,becauseitalwaysmadehimsick。
  GRAYgnashedhisteethwithenvyashesawamightystoreOfturtleunmolestedonhisfellow—creature’sshore。
  Theoystersathisfeetasideimpatientlyheshoved,Forturtleandhismotherweretheonlythingsheloved。
  AndSOMERSsighedinsorrowashesettledinthesouth,ForthethoughtofPETER’Soystersbroughtthewatertohismouth。
  Helongedtolayhimdownupontheshellybed,andstuff:
  Hehadofteneatenoysters,buthadneverhadenough。
  HowtheywishedanintroductiontoeachothertheyhadhadWhenonboardtheBALLYSHANNON!AnditdrovethemnearlymadTothinkhowveryfriendlywitheachothertheymightget,Ifitwasn’tforthearbitraryruleofetiquette!
  Oneday,whenouta—huntingfortheMUSRIDICULUS,GRAYoverheardhisfellow—mansoliloquizingthus:
  "Iwonderhowtheplaymatesofmyyoutharegettingon,M’CONNELL,S。B。WALTERS,PADDYBYLES,andROBINSON?"
  ThesesimplewordsmadePETERasdelightedascouldbe,OldchummiesattheCharterhousewereROBINSONandhe!
  HewalkedstraightuptoSOMERS,thenheturnedextremelyred,Hesitated,hummedandhawedabit,thenclearedhisthroat,andsaid:
  Ibegyourpardon—prayforgivemeifIseemtoobold,ButyouhavebreathedanameIknewfamiliarlyofold。
  YouspokealoudofROBINSON—Ihappenedtobeby。
  Youknowhim?""Yes,extremelywell。""Allowme,sodoI。"
  Itwasenough:theyfelttheycouldmorepleasantlygeton,For(ah,themagicofthefact!)theyeachknewROBINSON!
  AndMr。SOMERS’turtlewasatPETER’Sservicequite,AndMr。SOMERSpunishedPETER’Soyster—bedsallnight。
  Theysoonbecamelikebrothersfromcommunityofwrongs:
  Theywroteeachotherlittleodesandsangeachothersongs;
  Theytoldeachotheranecdotesdisparagingtheirwives;
  Onseveraloccasions,too,theysavedeachother’slives。
  Theyfeltquitemelancholywhentheypartedforthenight,Andgotupinthemorningsoonaseveritwaslight;
  Eachother’spleasantcompanytheyreckonedsoupon,AndallbecauseithappenedthattheybothknewROBINSON!
  Theylivedformanyyearsonthatinhospitableshore,Anddaybydaytheylearnedtoloveeachothermoreandmore。
  Atlast,totheirastonishment,ongettinguponeday,Theysawafrigateanchoredintheoffingofthebay。
  ToPETERanideaoccurred。"Supposewecrossthemain?
  Sogoodanopportunitymaynotbefoundagain。"
  AndSOMERSthoughtaminute,thenejaculated,"Done!
  IwonderhowmybusinessintheCity’sgettingon?"
  "Butstay,"saidMr。PETER:"wheninEngland,asyouknow,IearnedalivingtastingteasforBAKER,CROOP,ANDCO。,Imaybesuperseded—myemployersthinkmedead!"
  "Thencomewithme,"saidSOMERS,"andtasteindigoinstead。"
  ButalltheirplanswerescatteredinamomentwhentheyfoundThevesselwasaconvictshipfromPortland,outwardbound;
  Whenaboatcameofftofetchthem,thoughtheyfeltitverykind,Togoonboardtheyfirmlybutrespectfullydeclined。
  Asboththehappysettlersroaredwithlaughteratthejoke,Theyrecognizedagentlemanlyfellowpullingstroke:
  ’TwasROBINSON—aconvict,inanunbecomingfrock!
  Condemnedtosevenyearsformisappropriatingstock!!!
  Theylaughednomore,forSOMERSthoughthehadbeenratherrashInknowingonewhosefriendhadmisappropriatedcash;
  AndPETERthoughtafoolishtackhemusthavegoneuponInmakingtheacquaintanceofafriendofROBINSON。
  Atfirsttheydidn’tquarrelveryopenly,I’veheard;
  Theynoddedwhentheymet,andnowandthenexchangedaword:
  Thewordgrewrare,andrarerstillthenoddingofthehead,Andwhentheymeeteachothernow,theycuteachotherdead。
  Toallocatetheislandtheyagreedbywordofmouth,AndPETERtakesthenorthagain,andSOMERStakesthesouth;
  AndPETERhastheoysters,whichhehates,inlayersthick,AndSOMERShastheturtle—turtlealwaysmakeshimsick。
  Ballad:ATAPANTOMIME。BYABILIOUSONE。
  ANActorsitsindoubtfulgloom,Hisstock—in—tradeunfurled,Inadampfunerealdressing—roomIntheTheatreRoyal,World。
  HecomestotownatChristmas—time,Andbravesitsicybreath,Toplayinthatfavouritepantomime,HARLEQUINLIFEANDDEATH。
  AhoaryflowingwighisweirdUnearthlycraniumcaps,HehangsalongbenevolentbeardOnapairofemptychaps。
  TosmoothhisghastlyfeaturesdownTheactor’sarthecribs,—
  Alongandaflowingpaddedgown。
  Bedeckshisrattlingribs。
  Hecries,"Goon—begin,begin!
  Turnonthelightoflime—
  I’mdressedforjollyOldChristmas,inAfavouritepantomime!"
  Thecurtain’sup—thestageallblack—
  Timeandtheyearnighsped—
  Timeasanadvertisingquack—
  TheOldYearnearlydead。
  ThewandofTimeiswaved,andlo!
  RevealedOldChristmasstands,Andlittlechildrenchuckleandcrow,Andlaughandclaptheirhands。
  ThecrueloldscoundrelbrightensupAtthedeathoftheOldenYear,Andhewavesagorgeousgoldencup,Andbidstheworldgoodcheer。
  ThelittleoneshailthefestiveKing,—
  Nothoughtcanmakethemsad。
  Theirlaughtercomeswithasoundingring,Theyclapandcrowlikemad!
  TheyonlyseeinthehumbugoldAholidayeveryyear,Andhandsomegifts,andjoysuntold,Andunaccustomedcheer。
  Theoldones,palsied,blear,andhoar,Theirbreastsinanguishbeat—
  They’veseenhimseventytimesbefore,Howwelltheyknowthecheat!
  They’veseenthatghastlypantomime,They’vefeltitsblightingbreath,TheyknowthatrollickingChristmas—timeMeantColdandWantandDeath,—
  Starvation—PoorLawUnionfare—
  Anddeadlycrampsandchills,Andillness—illnesseverywhere,Andcrime,andChristmasbills。
  TheyknowOldChristmaswell,Iween,Thosemenofripenedage;
  They’veoften,often,oftenseenThatActoroffthestage!
  TheyseeinhisgayrotundityAclumsystuffed—outdress—
  TheyseeinthecuphewavesonhighAtinselledemptiness。
  Thoseagedmensoleanandwan,They’veseenitallbefore,Theyknowthey’llseethecharlatanButtwiceorthreetimesmore。
  Andsotheybearwithdanceandsong,Andcrimsonfoilandgreen,Theywearilysit,andgrimlylongFortheTransformationScene。
  Ballad:HAUNTED。
  HAUNTED?Ay,inasocialwayByabodyofghostsindreadarray;
  Butnoconventionalspectresthey—
  Appalling,grim,andtricky:
  IquailatmineasI’dneverquailAtafinetraditionalspectrepale,Withaturnipheadandaghostlywail,Andasplashofbloodonthedickey!
  Minearehorrible,socialghosts,—
  Speechesandwomenandguestsandhosts,Weddingsandmorningcallsandtoasts,Ineverybadvariety:
  GhostswhohoveraboutthegraveOfallthat’smanly,free,andbrave:
  You’llfindtheirnamesonthearchitraveOfthatcharnel—house,Society。
  BlackMonday—blackasitsschool—roomink—
  WithitsdismalboysthatsnivelandthinkOfitsnauseousmessestoeatanddrink,Anditsfrozentanktowashin。
  Thatwasthefirstthatbroughtmegrief,Andmademeweep,tillIsoughtreliefInanemblematicalhandkerchief,Tochokesuchbabyboshin。
  Firstandworstinthegrimarray—
  Ghostsofghoststhathavegonetheirway,WhichIwouldn’treviveforasingledayForallthewealthofPLUTUS—
  Arethehorribleghoststhatschool—daysscared:
  IftheclassicalghostthatBRUTUSdaredWastheghostofhis"Caesar"unprepared,I’msureIpityBRUTUS。
  Ipasstocriticalseventeen;
  Theghostofthatterribleweddingscene,WhenanelderlyColonelstolemyQueen,Andwokemydreamofheaven。
  Noschoolgirldeckedinhernurse—roomcurlsWasmygushinginnocentQueenofPearls;
  Ifshewasn’tagirlofathousandgirls,Shewasoneofforty—seven!
  Iseetheghostofmyfirstcigar,Ofthethence—arisingfamilyjar—
  Ofmymaidenbrief(IwasattheBar,AndIcalledtheJudge"Yourwushup!")
  Ofrecklessdaysandrecklessnights,Withwrenched—offknockers,extinguishedlights,Unholysongsandtipsyfights,WhichIstroveinvaintohushup。
  Ghostsoffraudulentjoint—stockbanks,Ghostsof"copy,declinedwiththanks,"
  Ofnovelsreturnedinendlessranks,Andthousandsmore,Isuffer。
  TheonlylinetofitlygraceMyhumbletomb,whenI’verunmyrace,Is,"Reader,thisistheresting—placeOfanunsuccessfulduffer。"
  I’vefoughtthemall,theseghostsofmine,ButtheweaponsI’veusedaresighsandbrine,AndnowthatI’mnearlyforty—nine,Oldageismychiefestbogy;
  Formyhairisthinningawayatthecrown,Andthesilverfightswiththeworn—outbrown;
  AndageneralverdictsetsmedownAsanirreclaimablefogy。
  Footnotes:
  (1)AversionofthisballadispublishedasaSong,byMr。
  Jeffreys,SohoSquare。
  (2)ThisballadispublishedasaSong,underthetitle"If,"byMessrs。CramerandCo。
  (3)"GowithmetoaNotary—sealmethereYoursinglebond。"—MERCHANTOFVENICE,ActI。,sc。3。
  (4)"Andthereshallshe,atFriarLawrence’cell,Beshrivedandmarried。"—ROMEOANDJULIET,ActII。,sc。4。
  (5)"Andgivethefastinghorsesprovender。"—HENRYTHEFIFTH,ActIV。,sc。2。
  (6)"Letus,likemerchants,showourfoulestwares。"—TROILUSAND
  CRESSIDA,ActI。,sc。3。
  (7)"ThenmusttheJewbemerciful。"—MERCHANTOFVENICE,ActIV。,sc。1。
  (8)"Thespring,thesummer,Thechillingautumn,angrywinter,changeTheirwontedliveries。"—MIDSUMMERNIGHTDREAM,ActIV。,sc。1。
  (9)"InthecountyofGlo’ster,justiceofthepeaceandCORAM。"
  MERRYWIVESOFWINDSOR,ActI。,sc。1。
  (10)"Whatlustytrumpetthusdothsummonus?"—KINGJOHN,ActV。,sc。2。
  (11)"AndI’llprovidehisexecutioner。"—HENRYTHESIXTH(SecondPart),ActIII。,sc。1。
  (12)"Thelionesshadtornsomefleshaway,Whichallthiswhilehadbled。"—ASYOULIKEIT,ActIV。,sc。3。
  (13)DescribedbyMUNGOPARK。
  (14)"Likeabird。"—SLANGEXPRESSION。
  (15)Reprintedfromthe"TheGraphic,"bypermissionoftheproprietors。