The Bab Ballads, vol 3

Book Excerpto her PapaThe air that MARIE sings with BOTHWELLIn NEIDERMEYER'S opera.(Therein a stable boy, it's stated, Devoutly loved a noble dame, Who ardently reciprocatedHis rather injudicious flame.) And then, before the piano closing(He listened coyly at the door), She sang a song of her composing--I give one verse from half a score: BALLADWhy, pretty page, art ever sighing?Is sorrow in thy heartlet lying?Come, set a-ringingThy laugh entrancing, And ever singingAnd ever dancing. Ever singing, Tra! la! la!Ever dancing, Tra! la! la!Ever singing, ever dancing, Ever singing, Tra! la! la!He skipped for joy like little muttons, He danced like Esmeralda's kid.(She did not mean a boy in buttons, Although he fancied that she did.) Poor lad! convinced he thus would win her, He wore out many pairs of soles; He danced when taking down the dinner--He danced when brin