That shall drive Bertha to a fainting fit! When the time comes, don't feel the least alarm, But lift her from the ground, and swiftly flit Back to your palace. * * * LIX. 66 What shall I do with that same book?" merely Lay it on Bertha's table, close beside "Why Her work-box, and 'twill help your purpose dearly; I say no more." "Or good or ill betide, Through the wide air to Kent this morn I glide!" Exclaim'd the Emperor, "When I return, Ask what you will,—I 'll give you my new bride! And take some more wine, Hum;-0, Heavens! I burn To be upon the wing! Now, now, that minx I spurn!" LX. "Leave her to me," rejoin'd the magian: "But how shall I account, illustrious fay! For thine imperial absence? Pho! I can Say you are very sick, and bar the way To your so loving courtiers for one day; If either of their two Archbishops' graces Should talk of extreme unction, I shall say You do not like cold pig with Latin phrases, Which never should be used but in alarming cases. LXI. 66 Open the window, Hum; I'm ready now! "Zooks!" exclaim'd Hum, as up the sash he drew, 'Behold, your majesty, upon the brow Of yonder hill, what crowds of people!" "Where? Too tight, the book!-my wand!-so, nothing is forgot." LXII. 66 "Wounds! how they shout!" said Hum, and there, see, see, Th' ambassador's return'd from Pigmio! The morning's very fine,-uncommonly! The sable-pointed heads of firs and pines They dip, move on, and with them moves a glow Along the forest side! Now amber lines Reach the hill top, and now throughout the valley shines." LXIII. "Why, Hum, you 're getting quite poetical! Those nows you managed in a special style." "If ever you have leisure, sire, you shall See scraps of mine will make it worth your while, Tit-bits for Phoebus !-yes, you well may smile. Hark! hark! the bells!' "A little further yet, Good Hum, and let me view this mighty coil." His elbow for a prop, and snuff'd his mignionette." LXIV. The morn is full of holiday; loud bells Comes from the northern suburbs; rich attire Freckles with red and gold the moving swarm; While here and there clear trumpets blow a keen alarm. LXV. And now the fairy escort was seen clear, Like the old pageant of Aurora's train, Above a pearl-built minster, hovering near; Then black gnomes scattering sixpences like rain; LXVI. Gentlemen pensioners next; and after them, Then slaves, as presents bearing many a gem; Then Lords in waiting; then (what head not reels For pleasure ?)—the fair Princess in full view, Borne upon wings,-and very pleased she feels To have such splendour dance attendance at her heels. LXVII. For there was more magnificence behind : She waved her handkerchief. 66 Ah, very grand! Cried Elfinan, and closed the window-blind; "And, Hum, we must not shilly-shally stand,Adieu! adieu! I'm off for Angle-land! I say, old Hocus, have you such a thing About you,-feel your pockets, I command, I want, this instant, an invisible ring,Thank you, old mummy!-now securely I take wing." LXVIII. Then Elfinan swift vaulted from the floor, He bow'd at Bellanaine, and said-" Poor Bell! Farewell! farewell! and if for ever! still For ever fare thee well!"-and then he fell A laughing!-snapp'd his fingers!-shame it is to tell! LXIX. "By'r Lady! he is gone!" cries Hum, "and I,(I own it,)—have made too free with his wine; Old Crafticant will smoke me, by-the-bye! This room is full of jewels as a mine,— Dear valuable creatures, how ye shine! Sometime to-day I must contrive a minute, If Mercury propitiously incline, To examine his scrutoire, and see what's in it, For of superfluous diamonds I as well may thin it. LXX. "The Emperor's horrid bad; yes, that's my cue!" Some histories say that this was Hum's last speech; That, being fuddled, he went reeling through The corridor, and scarce upright could reach The stair-head; that being glutted as a leach, And used, as we ourselves have just now said, To manage stairs reversely, like a peach Too ripe, he fell, being puzzled in his head. With liquor and the staircase: verdict-found stone dead. |