Perhaps and this was very likely too— Proposed a toast Than when the honoured and the grateful wit At all events the truth remains to say That Garrick felt the slight, and slipped away He was not missed until a cry was heard- That rose and fell. My lords and gentlemen, without a word, And so they listened silently; but after A little while they knew the sound was laughter. And, curious to know What was the cause of such hilarious pother, Down to the open place. And there they saw a little Afric boy, Black as an ebon toy, A turbaned slave with earrings large and round, To split. With sidling gait, between a strut and hobble, A turkey-cock. He stopped, perceiving all his friends draw near, And bowing with an air that made him tall My dusky little friend, you see, has paid Such unenforced applause as fame and salary. 'Twas growing plaguey dull, 'twixt you and me; Nor tired, though no stickleback e'en have they caught. But Tom-that unromantic boy Vows he his tea would much enjoy ; And Nellie's reluctantly forced to decline On gooseberries purely ideal to dine. So to gudgeon and gooseberries, well-a-day! The fruit so ideal, They must e'en bid farewell awhile-Charlie and May. But out in the punt on the indolent stream The happy young couple have dreamt their dream; Are now fiancés ; For hearts, not for gudgeon, they angled, I deem. To Charlie call a brother 's glad; While Nellie just wonders to whom will occur Oh, gudgeon and gooseberries, pray you, purvey, The fruit not ideal, At the glad wedding-breakfast of Charlie and May! |