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Bromptonville； In a dirty lodging； with fever down； Close to the Polygon；
Somers Town。
PALEY VOLLAIRE was an only son （For why？ His mother had had
but one）； And PALEY inherited gold and grounds Worth several hundred
thousand pounds。
But he； like many a rich young man； Through this magnificent fortune
ran； And nothing was left for his daily needs But duplicate copies of
mortgage…deeds。
Shabby and sorry and sorely sick； He slept； and dreamt that the clock's
〃tick； tick；〃 Was one of the Fates； with a long sharp knife； Snicking off bits
of his shortened life。
He woke and counted the pips on the walls； The outdoor passengers'
loud footfalls； And reckoned all over； and reckoned again； The little white
tufts on his counterpane。
A medical man to his bedside came。 （I can't remember that doctor's
name）； And said； 〃You'll die in a very short while If you don't set sail for
Madeira's isle。〃
〃Go to Madeira？ goodness me！ I haven't the money to pay your fee！〃
〃Then； PALEY VOLLAIRE；〃 said the leech； 〃good bye； I'll come no more；
for your're sure to die。〃
He sighed and he groaned and smote his breast； 〃Oh； send；〃 said he；
〃for FREDERICK WEST； Ere senses fade or my eyes grow dim： I've a
terrible tale to whisper him！〃
Poor was FREDERICK'S lot in life； … A dustman he with a fair young
wife； A worthy man with a hard…earned store； A hundred and seventy
pounds … or more。
FREDERICK came； and he said； 〃Maybe You'll say what you
happened to want with me？〃 〃Wronged boy；〃 said PALEY VOLLAIRE； 〃I
will； But don't you fidget yourself … sit still。〃
THE TERRIBLE TALE。
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The Bab Ballads
〃'Tis now some thirty…seven years ago Since first began the plot that
I'm revealing； A fine young woman； whom you ought to know； Lived with
her husband down in Drum Lane； Ealing。 Herself by means of mangling
reimbursing； And now and then （at intervals） wet…nursing。
〃Two little babes dwelt in their humble cot： One was her own … the
other only lent to her： HER OWN SHE SLIGHTED。 Tempted by a lot
Of gold and silver regularly sent to her； She ministered unto the little other
In the capacity of foster…mother。
〃I WAS HER OWN。 Oh！ how I lay and sobbed In my poor cradle …
deeply； deeply cursing The rich man's pampered bantling； who had robbed
My only birthright … an attentive nursing！ Sometimes in hatred of my
foster…brother； I gnashed my gums … which terrified my mother。
〃One day … it was quite early in the week … I IN MY CRADLE
HAVING PLACED THE BANTLING … Crept into his！ He had not
learnt to speak； But I could see his face with anger mantling。 It was
imprudent … well； disgraceful maybe； For； oh！ I was a bad； blackhearted
baby！
〃So great a luxury was food； I think No wickedness but I was game to
try for it。 NOW if I wanted anything to drink At any time； I only had to cry
for it！ ONCE； if I dared to weep； the bottle lacking； My blubbering
involved a serious smacking！
〃We grew up in the usual way … my friend； My foster…brother； daily
growing thinner； While gradually I began to mend； And thrived amazingly
on double dinner。 And every one； besides my foster…mother； Believed that
either of us was the other。
〃I came into HIS wealth … I bore HIS name； I bear it still … HIS
property I squandered … I mortgaged everything … and now （oh； shame！）
Into a Somers Town shake…down I've wandered！ I am no PALEY … no；
VOLLAIRE … it's true； my boy！ The only rightful PALEY V。 is YOU； my
boy！
〃And all I have is yours … and yours is mine。 I still may place you in
your true position： Give me the pounds you've saved； and I'll resign My
noble name； my rank； and my condition。 So far my wickedness in falsely
owning Your vasty wealth； I am at last atoning！〃
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The Bab Ballads
* * * * * * *
FREDERICK he was a simple soul； He pulled from his pocket a bulky
roll； And gave to PALEY his hard…earned store； A hundred and seventy
pounds or more。
PALEY VOLLAIRE； with many a groan； Gave FREDERICK all that
he called his own； … Two shirts and a sock； and a vest of jean； A Wellington
boot and a bamboo cane。
And FRED （entitled to all things there） He took the fever from MR。
VOLLAIRE； Which killed poor FREDERICK WEST。 Meanwhile
VOLLAIRE sailed off to Madeira's isle。
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The Bab Ballads
Ballad： The Captain And The
Mermaids
I sing a legend of the sea； So hard…a…port upon your lee！ A ship on
starboard tack！ She's bound upon a private cruise … （This is the kind of
spice I use To give a salt…sea smack）。
Behold； on every afternoon （Save in a gale or strong Monsoon） Great
CAPTAIN CAPEL CLEGGS （Great morally； though rather short） Sat at
an open weather…port And aired his shapely legs。
And Mermaids hung around in flocks； On cable chains and distant
rocks； To gaze upon those limbs； For legs like those； of flesh and bone；
Are things 〃not generally known〃 To any Merman TIMBS。
But Mermen didn't seem to care Much time （as far as I'm aware） With
CLEGGS'S legs to spend； Though Mermaids swam around all day And
gazed； exclaiming； 〃THAT'S the way A gentleman should end！
〃A pair of legs with well…cut knees； And calves and ankles such as
these Which we in rapture hail； Are far more eloquent； it's clear （When
clothed in silk and kerseymere）； Than any nasty tail。〃
And CLEGGS … a worthy kind old boy … Rejoiced to add to others' joy；
And； when the day was dry； Because it pleased the lookers…on； He sat from
morn till night … though con… Stitutionally shy。
At first the Mermen laughed； 〃Pooh！ pooh！〃 But finally they jealous
grew； And sounded loud recalls； But vainly。 So these fishy males
Declared they too would clothe their tails In silken hose and smalls。
They set to work； these water…men； And made their nether robes … but
when They drew with dainty touch The kerseymere upon their tails； They
found