Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/75

 Quiet in harness; free from serious vice,
 * His faults are not particularly shady,

You'll never find him "shy"—for, once or twice
 * Already, he's been driven by a lady,
 * Who parts with him—perhaps a poor excuse for him—
 * Because she hasn't any further use for him.

Oh! bride of mine—tall, dumpy, dark or fair!
 * Oh! widow—wife, maybe, or blushing maiden,

I've told your fortune; solved the gravest care
 * With which your mind has hitherto been laden.
 * I've prophesied correctly, never doubt it;
 * Now tell me mine—and please be quick about it!

You—only you—can tell me, an' you will,
 * To whom I'm destined shortly to be mated.

Will she run up a heavy modiste's bill?
 * If so, I want to hear her income stated.
 * (This is a point which interests me greatly),
 * To quote the bard, "Oh! have I seen her lately?"

Say, must I wait till husband number one
 * Is comfortably stowed away at Woking?

How is her hair most usually done?
 * And tell me, please, will she object to smoking?
 * The colour of her eyes, too, you may mention:
 * Come, SybilSibyl [sic], prophesy—I'm all attention.