第2章

类别:其他 作者:W.S.Gilbert字数:27734更新时间:19/01/02 09:09:05
\"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。