Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/114

 At doings every morn,
 * With sheer delight his mother cried;

And contemptuous scorn
 * Filled his mamma with proper pride.

But powers began to fail—
 * His constitution was not strong—

And, who once was stout and hale,
 * Grew thin from shouting all day long.

Their mothers saw them pale and wan,
 * Maternal anguish tore each breast,

And so they met to find a plan
 * To set their offsprings' minds at rest.



Said, "Of course I shrinks
 * From bloodshed, ma'am, as you're aware,

But still they'd better meet, I thinks."
 * "Assurément!" said.