Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/24

 "What?" said that reverend gent, &emsp;"Dance through my hours of leisure? Smoke?—bathe myself with scent?— &emsp;Play croquêt? Oh, with pleasure!

"Wear all my hair in curl? &emsp;Stand at my door and wink—so:— At every passing girl? &emsp;My brothers, I should think so!



"For years I've longed for some &emsp;Excuse for this revulsion: Now that excuse has come— &emsp;I do it on compulsion!!!"