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 Forbid it, Love! "She scarce had spoke,

When Cupid laid a trap;

For, at the chamber door was heard

A soft and gentle rap:

Cried Betty, "who is at the door?"

"Aye tell," quoth Chloe, "true:"

When straight a tender voice replied,

"Dear ma'am I dye for you."

"What's that," she said, "O says Betty,

A man! and die for me!

And can I see the youth expire-

Oh, no! it must not be!

Haste, Betty,—open quick the door:"

'Tis done; and, lo! to view,

A little man with bundle stood,

In sleeves and apron blue.

"Ye Powers!" cried Chloe, "what is this?

What' vision do I see?

Is this the man, oh, mighty Love!—

The man that dies for me?"

"Yes, ma'am; your ladyship is right,"

The figure straight replied;

"And hard for me it would have been

If I had never dyed.

La! ma'am, you must have heard of me.

Although I'm no highflyer;

I live just by at No. 1,

I'm Billy Dip, the dyer

'Twas I ma'am, Betty there employed

To dye your lustering gown;

And I not only dye for you.

But I dye for the whole town."