Mother beside the fire Sat, her nightcap in; Father, in easy chair, Gloomily napping, When at the window-sill Came a light tapping! And a pale countenance Looked through the casement, Loud beat the mother's heart, Sick with amazement, And at the vision which Came to surprise her, Shrieked in an agony"Lor'! it's Elizar!" Yes, 'twas Elizabeth Yes, 'twas their girl; Pale was her cheek, and her Hair out of curl. "Mother," the loving one, Blushing exclaimed, "Let not your innocent Lizzy be blamed. "Yesterday, going to Aunt Jones's to tea, Mother, dear mother, I Forgot the door-key! And as the night was cold And the way steep, Mrs. Jones kept me to Breakfast and sleep." Whether her Pa and Ma Stern they received her; Cruel, though short, night Sent her to bed without Tea for a fortnight. A Ballade of Ballade-Mongers MORAL Hey diddle diddlety, Cat and the fiddlety, Maidens of England, take caution by she! Let love and suicide Never tempt you aside, And always remember to take the door-key. 441 W. M. Thackeray. A BALLADE OF BALLADE-MONGERS AFTER THE MANNER OF MASTER FRANÇOIS VILLON OF PARIS Can you reap the tret as well as the tare? What has become of the ring I tossed In the lap of my mistress false and fair? And who is possessed of Stella's hair? And what became of the knee I crossed, And the rod and the child they would not spare? When herring are sold at three halfpence a pair? Like Clarence, for love of liquor there? And who was the Man in the Iron Mask? ENVOY Poets, your readers have much to bear, you If do not remember, I don't much care Augustus M. Moore. VIII BATHOS THE CONFESSION THERE'S somewhat on my breast, father, 'Tis not the lack of gold, father, My lands are broad, and fair to see, 'Tis not that Janet's false, father, 'Tis not her coldness, father, I ate, and can't digest. Richard Harris Barham. IF YOU HAVE SEEN GOOD reader! if you e'er have seen, Floats wild along the winding shore: Thomas Moore. CIRCUMSTANCE THE ORANGE Ir ripen'd by the river banks, Where, mask and moonlight aiding, Dons Blas and Juan play their pranks, Dark Donnas serenading. By Moorish damsel it was pluck'd, By swain 'twas then in London suck'd- He could not know in Pimlico, That I should reel upon that peel, And-wish them at the devil! Frederick Locker-Lampson. |