Mirth and Metre consisting of Poems, Serious, Humorous, and Satirical; Songs, Sonnets, Ballads & Bagatelles. Written by C. Dibdin, Jun |
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PUCK, NIGHTMARE, AND GHOST. |
 | Mirth and Metre |  |
PUCK, NIGHTMARE, AND GHOST.
My name's Robin Goodfellow, a mischievous loon,
And I play many pranks by the light of the moon;
The sheep I unfold, and the cattle I pound,
And I alter the clock, when the maids sleep sound;
Then when the moon's down, Jack-a-lantern I play,
And laugh at the blockheads I lead astray;
(To Nightmare.)
And I play many pranks by the light of the moon;
The sheep I unfold, and the cattle I pound,
And I alter the clock, when the maids sleep sound;
Then when the moon's down, Jack-a-lantern I play,
And laugh at the blockheads I lead astray;
But, pray, who are you, if the question's fair?
219
Why, I'm the hobgoblin they call the Nightmare!
On the breast of a doctor, if I take my post,
He's certain to dream of a patient's ghost.
(To Ghost.)
But talk of the devil, his imp comes in view,
So, with deference, pray, Mr. Ghost, who are you?
GHOST.
Why, I am the Ghost, sir, such terror who spread,
In the Park, a few nights since, without my head.
PUCK.
But now your head's on—
GHOST.
—But the folks to alarm,
If I please, I can put my head under my arm.
(Takes it off, and puts it under his arm.
ALL THREE.
Then ever we three,
Merry spirits agree,
For mischief's our motto, wherever we be.
NIGHTMARE.
In a frolic last night, I at France took a peep,
Popp'd on Bonaparte's breast, who lay fast asleep;
When he bawl'd out, as dreaming of conscience and crime,
“Mr. Devil, you've come for me 'fore my time.”
PUCK.
I popp'd in upon him too, when in a doze,
And wak'd him politely, by tweaking his nose;
I appear'd in the shape of a flat-bottom'd boat,
Said he, “This my armies to England shall float,
And my flat-bottom'd boats, when the English view,”—
Says I, “I'd not row in the same boat with you.”
220
T'other night, as awake Bony lay, I vow,
I before him appear'd, with my head as 'tis now;
(Under his arm.
Says he, “Whence came you, who yourself here are shewing.”
“From England,” said I—said he, “That's where I'm going.”
“Two words to that bargain,” I cried. “I'm afraid,”
Replied he, “'Tis the worst bargain I ever made,
But th' invasion I'll head, tho' I feel much alarm,
Lest my own head, like yours, should get under my arm.”
TRIO.
Thus all we three
Merry spirits agree
To teaze Britain's foes, wherever we be.
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