As some assume disguises. He did it, actuated by A simple love of mystery And fondness for surprises. I need not say he loved a maid The maid, though pleased at first, I know, Her startling lover bored her. and said "good-bye," With laughter dancing in her eye- But ere he went aboard his boat 'T was all he had, poor fellow ! Bab "I often wonder," he would say, When very, very far away, "If ANGELINA wears it! A plan has entered in my head, The news he made a messmate tell : His ANGELINA bore it well, No sign gave she of crazing; But, steady as the Inchcape rock His ANGELINA stood the shock With fortitude amazing. She said, "Some one I must elect From all who wish to harm her. Since worthy CAPTAIN TODD is dead I rather feel inclined to wed A comfortable farmer." A comfortable farmer came (BASSANIO TYLER was his name) Who had no end of treasure: He said, The noble gal did not decline, But simply said, "With pleasure." When this was told to CAPTAIN TODD, At first he thought it rather odd, "I'll not reveal myself," said he, Then suddenly I will appear, At length arrived the wedding day · The worthy clergyman began, And cried, "Behold your TODDY!" Bab The bridegroom, p'r'aps, was terrified, The bridesmaids were affrighted: But ANGELINA, noble soul, And really seemed delighted. "My bride!" said gallant CAPTAIN TODD, "She's mine, uninteresting clod, My own, my darling charmer!" "Oh, dear," said she, "you're just too late, I'm married to, I beg to state, This comfortable farmer!" "Indeed," the farmer said, "she's mine, You've been and cut it far too fine!" "I see," said TODD, "I'm beaten." And so he went to sea once more, And married on her native shore TEMPORA MUTANTUR ETTERS, letters, letters, letters, Some that please and some that bore, L Some that threaten prison fetters (Metaphorically, fetters, Such as bind insolvent debtors) One from CoGSON, WILES, and RAILER, One in FLAGG's disgusting hand. One from EPHRAIM and MOSES, Wanting coin without a doubt, I should like to pull their noses Their uncompromising noses; One from ALICE with the roses, Ah, I know what that's about! |