1827/J n Operatic Tragedy. 239 



Stop (musing) no it won't my missus will be thinking 



I kept in naughty company while drinking ; 



And perhaps will say, with apron at her eye, 



Some damsel gave it so I'll let it lie. 



Our wives get now-a-days so plaguy jealous, 



It damps the spirit of us lively fellows. 



[4 roar is heard from behind. 

 Zounds ! close behind I hear my missus roar ; 

 It is a sound I've often heard before! 

 I'll post off home, and into bed I'll creep, 

 And when she comes I'll feign to be asleep. 

 Then if she rows me, starting with a snore, 

 Til swear I've been in bed an hour or more. [Exit. 



[Mrs. LION is heard singing behind the scenes], 

 (Air" Nobody comes to woo"). 



Now, Lion, you seldom come here, 



And take little care of your child ; 

 And poor little Johnny, I swear, 



Is getting uncommonly wild. 

 Last night he said learning 



learning got stale, 



And he would to school go no more ; 

 But his bottom I whipped with my tail, 

 And sent him to bed in a roar. 

 Oh dear, what can the matter be ! 



Oh dear, what shall I do ! 

 Lion, you now won't come after me ; 

 So I must go after you. [Sound ceases. 



[Clock strikes twelve; Ghost of NINNY rises, and dances on the top of 

 the Tomb, singing}. 



(Tune" My Name it is Poor Jack"). 

 1. 



I am a ghost, good lack, 



Just from the tomb set free, 

 With no flesh on my back, 

 Pray what d'ye think of me ? 



Sing tol de rol de ri di do,.&c. 



2. 



When on the earth above, 



Upon a fatal day, 

 On being crossed in love, 



Myself myself did slay. 



Sing tol de rol, &c. 



But steady, boys ! a mortal comes a fool ! 

 He used to beat me black and blue at school. 



Enter PYRAMUS. 



Pyr. Be'st thou a sprite of hell, or goslin damned, 

 Thus from the earth in which we saw thee crammed, 

 To rise ? 



Ghost. Peace, fool ! Thus Ninny your foul nonsense stops ! 

 By giving you a douse upon the chops. . . 



[Lifts his toe, and hicks him in the mouth. 



Pyr. Why, Ninny, zounds! what can you be about ? 

 You stupid fool ! you've knocked a tooth clean out. 



Ghost. You should have held a ghost in greater awe ; 

 He who would keep his teeth must hold his jaw. 



