The Bab Ballads

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Macmillan, 1925 - Ballads, English - 189 pages

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Page 71 - I die, my friend," quoth I, And "Exactly so," quoth he. 'Says he, "Dear JAMES, to murder me Were a foolish thing to do, For don't you see that you can't cook me, While I can — and will — cook you...
Page 5 - The Captain saw the dame that day— Addressed her in his playful way— "And did it want a wedding ring? It was a tempting ickle sing! "Well, well, the chaplain I will seek, We'll all be married this day week At yonder church upon the hill; It is my duty, and I will!" The sisters, cousins, aunts, and niece, And widowed Ma of CAPTAIN REECE, Attended there as they were bid; It was their duty, and they did.
Page 69 - Oh, I am a cook and a captain bold, And the mate of the Nancy brig, And a bo 'sun tight, and a midshipmite, And the crew of the captain's gig.' And he shook his fists and he tore his hair, Till I really felt afraid, For I couldn't help thinking the man had been drinking, And so I simply said...
Page 10 - They went, those minions true, To Assesmilk-cum-Worter, And told their errand to The REVEREND HOPLEY PORTER. "What?" said that reverend gent, "Dance through my hours of leisure? Smoke? — bathe myself with scent? Play croquet? Oh, with pleasure! "Wear all my hair in curl? Stand at my door and wink — so At every passing girl? My brothers, I should think so! "For years I've longed for some Excuse for this revulsion: Now that excuse has come I do it on compulsion!!!
Page 155 - No other could wake such detestable groans, With reed and with chaunter — with bag and with drones: All day and all night he delighted the chiels With sniggering pibrochs and jiggety reels. He'd clamber a mountain and squat on the ground, And the neighbouring maidens would gather around To list to his pipes and to gaze in his e'en, Especially ELLEN M'JONES ABERDEEN.
Page 155 - But this is a matter, you'll readily own, That isn'ta question of tailors alone. A Sassenach chief may be bonily built, He may purchase a sporran, a bonnet, and kilt; Stick a skean in his hose — wear an acre of stripes — But he cannot assume an affection for pipes. Clonglocketty's pipings all night and all day Quite frenzied poor Pattison Corby Torbay ; The girls were amused at his singular spleen, Especially Ellen McJones Aberdeen.
Page 150 - ... weather still). For a week from ten to four I was fastened to the floor, While a mercenary wopped me with a will. They branded me and broke me on a wheel, And they left me in an hospital to heal; And, upon my solemn word, I have never never heard What those Tartars had determined to reveal. But that day of sorrow, misery, and rage, I shall carry to the Catacombs of Age, Photographically lined On the tablet of my mind, When a yesterday has faded from its page.
Page 183 - For shame," said FATHER PAUL, "my erring daughter! On my word This is the most distressing news that I have ever heard. Why, naughty girl, your excellent papa has pledged your hand To a promising young robber, the lieutenant of his band ! "This...
Page 157 - I declare, Elicited something resembling an air. It was wild — it was fitful — as wild as the breeze — It wandered about into several keys; It was jerky, spasmodic, and harsh, I'm aware ; But still it distinctly suggested an air. The Sassenach screamed, and the Sassenach danced...
Page 69 - There was me and the cook and the captain bold, And the mate of the Nancy brig, And the bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite, And the crew of the captain's gig." "For a month we'd neither wittles nor drink, Till a-hungry we did feel, So we drawed a lot, and accordin' shot The captain for our meal.

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