Page:Ballads of a Bohemian.djvu/47

Rh And they laughed, they did, when I opened the lid, and out there popped Lucille.

Oh, the Prince was glad, I could soon see that, and the Princess she was too; And Lucille waltzed round on the tablecloth as she often used to do. And the Prince pulled out a purse of gold, and he put it in my hand; And he says: “It was worth all that, I’m told, to stay in that nasty land.” And then he turned with a sudden cry, and he clutched at his royal beard; And the Princess screamed, and well she might—for Lucille had disappeared.

“She must be here,” said his Noble Nibbs, so we hunted all around; Oh, we searched that place, but never a trace of the little beast we found. So I shook my head, and I glumly said: “Gol darn the saucy cuss! It’s mighty queer, but she isn’t here; so… she must be on one of us. You’ll pardon me if I make so free, but—there’s just one thing to do: If you’ll kindly go for a half a mo’ I’ll search me garments through.” Then all alone on the shiny throne I stripped from head to heel;