The Lazy Minstrel. Ashby-Sterry Joseph

by Medmenham Ferry!

      And she answered with joy,

      She would like a convoy,

      And would love to employ

      A bold pilot so merry:

      How I bawled, "Ship, ahoy!"

      Hard by Medmenham Ferry!

THE VOYAGE

      'Neath the trees gold and red,

      In that bright autumn weather,

      When our white sails were spread,

      O'er the waters we sped —

      What was it she said?

      When we drifted together!

      'Neath the trees gold and red,

      In that bright autumn weather!

THE HAVEN

      Ah! the moments flew fast,

      But our trip too soon ended!

      When we reached land at last,

      And our craft was made fast,

      It was six or half-past —

      And Mama looked offended!

      Ah! the moments flew fast,

      But our trip too soon ended!

      A STUDY

      MADE IN "BRADSHAW" AT CARNFORTH JUNCTION

      MISS DIMPLECHEEK,

      Your winsome face,

      Your figure full of girlish grace,

      Is quite unique!

      Your pretty, poutful, childlike charm,

      All criticism must disarm,

      Miss Dimplecheek!

      Miss Dimplecheek,

      Ah! well-a-day,

      I watch your pretty roses play

      At hide and seek!

      While York to Lancaster gives place,

      And sweeter grows your pretty face —

      Miss Dimplecheek!

      Miss Dimplecheek,

      I wonder if

      You ever revel in a tiff,

      Or pout in pique

      Or droop those pretty eyelids down,

      Or shake your shoulders, stamp, or frown,

      Miss Dimplecheek?

      Miss Dimplecheek,

      I gaze, and then —

      The most cantankerous of men

      Grows mild and meek.

      Your faults? Perchance you may have some —

      But to your faults I'm blind and dumb —

      Miss Dimplecheek.

      Miss Dimplecheek,

      If I but knew

      Who was the proud papa of you

      I'd quickly speak:

      And get an introduction, so

      Eventually I might know

      Miss Dimplecheek.

      Miss Dimplecheek,

      I leave you here,

      For I am off to Windermere,

      To stay a week:

      I p'r'aps may ne'er see you again —

      But – there's the bell, and here's my train —

      Miss Dimplecheek!

      DOCTOR BRIGHTON

      "One of the best physicians our city ever knew is kind, cheerful, merry, Doctor Brighton." – The Newcomes.

Scene. – King's Road, BrightonThe Colonel. Beryl (His Niece)The Colonel

      THOUGH long it is since Titmarsh wrote;

      His good advice we still remember,

      When bad catarrh and rugged throat

      Are rife in town in grey November!

      So, if your temper's short or bad,

      Or of engagements you are full, man;

      Or if you're feeling bored or sad,

      Make haste and get aboard the Pullman

      And throw all physic to the dogs —

      If life's sad burden you would lighten —

      Run quick away from London fogs

      And call in cheerful Doctor Brighton!

Beryl

      Good Doctor Brighton, a mighty magician is,

      See him at once, howe'er bad you may be!

      Take his advice – there no better physician is —

      Naught is his physic but Sunshine and Sea!

      Come down at once then! Leave London in hazy time,

      Leave it enshrouded in yellow and brown!

      Come here and revel in exquisite lazy time,

      Flee from the turmoil and taint of the town!

      Blue is the sky and the sunshine is glorious,

      Charged is the air with delicious ozone:

      Gay is the cliff and most gentle is Boreas,

      Come down at once and recover your "tone!"

The Colonel

      Though many years have passed away,

      And countless cares to not a few come,

      The place is bright as in the day

      Of Ethel, Clive, and Colonel Newcome:

      The East Street shops are just as gay,

      The turtle still as good at Mutton's;

      The buns at Streeter's – so they say —

      As well-beloved by tiny gluttons!

      You still can gallop o'er the Down,

      Or swim at Brill's just like a Triton.

      A smile will supersede your frown

      When you consult kind Doctor Brighton!

Beryl

      Here is Mama looking anxious and serious:

      List to the patter of smartly shod feet!

      Dainty young damsels, whose faces ne'er weary us,

      Tailor-made dresses delightfully neat!

      Angular ladies in gloomy æsthetic coats,

      Maudle and dawdle the afternoon through;

      Graceful girlettes in the shortest of petticoats,

      Flutter their frills as they walk two-and-two.

      Fur-coated beauties in carriages roll about,

      Jaded M.P.'s try to trot away cares,

      Dandies and poets and loungers here stroll about,

      Dignified dowagers bask in Bath-chairs!

The Colonel

      Though cynics swear all pleasures fade,

      And cry, O tempora mutantur!

      The bonny laughing Light Brigade,

      Still on the King's Road gaily canter!

      And yet upon the Lawns and Pier,

      Do lots of pleasant folk commingle:

      While