252 COMIC PIECES. 



But in his noddle weak as any baby, 



In fact, a GABY.* 

 And such a. glutton when you came to feed him, 



That Wantley's dragon, which " ate barns and churches 



As if they were geese and turhies," 

 So says the ballad, scarcely could exceed him. 



One morn she had prepared a monstrous bowl 



Of cream like nectar, 

 And would'nt go to church (good careful soul !) 



Till she had left it safe with a protector ; 

 So she gave strict injunctions to the Gascon, 

 To watch it while his mistress was to mass gone. 



fWatch it he did, he never took his eyes off, 



But licked his upper then his under lip, 

 And doubled up his fist to drive the flies off, 

 Begrudging them the smallest sip, 



Which if they got, 



Like my Lord Salisbury, he heaved a sigh, 

 And cried, " O happy, happy fly, 



How I do envy you your lot !" 



Each moment did his appetite grow stronger ; 



His stomach yearn' d, 

 At length he could not bear it any longer, 



But on all sides his looks he turn'd, 

 And finding that the coast was clear, he quaffed 



The whole up at a draught. 

 Scudding from church, the farmer's wife 



Flew to the dairy 

 But stood aghast, and could not, for her life, 



One sentence mutter, 



Until she summon'd breath enough to utter, 

 J" Oh ! St. Mary !" 



And shortly with a face of scarlet, 

 The vixen (for she was a vixen) flew 

 Upon the varlet, 



* A suspension of the voice is requisite after " fact," to render 

 " GABY " more emphatic. 



f This line requires a slow but emphatic utterance. 



j This ejaculation should be uttered with raised hands and eyes, 

 and a look of astonishment. 



