Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/119


 * The Bishop bowed his head
 * And, acquiescing, said,
 * "I've heard your well-meant rage
 * Against the Modern Stage.

"A modern Theatre, as I heard you say, Sows seeds of evil broad-cast: well, it may— But let me ask you, my respected son, Pray, have you ever ventured into one?"
 * "My Lord," said, "No!
 * I never, never go!
 * What! Go and see a play?
 * My goodness gracious, nay!"

The worthy Bishop said, "My friend, no doubt The stage may be the place you make it out; But if, my, you never go, I don't quite understand how you're to know."


 * "Well, really," said,
 * "I've often heard and read,
 * But never go—do you?"
 * The Bishop said, "I do."

"That proves me wrong," said, in a trice; "I thought it all frivolity and vice." The Bishop handed him a counter plain; "Just take this stall and go to Drury Lane."