BALLAD. (I'm jolly Dick the lamplighter)

I'm jolly Dick the lamplighter, They says the sun's my dad, And truly I believe it, sir, For I'm a pretty lad.

Father and I the world delight, And make it look so gay, The difference is I lights by night, And father lights by day.

But father's not the likes of I For knowing life and fun, For I queer tricks and fancies spy Folks never shew the sun:

Rogues, owls, and bats can't bear the light, I've heard your wise ones say, And so d'ye mind I sees at night Things never seen by day.

At night men lay aside all art, As quite a useless task, And many a face, and many a heart Will then pull off the mask;

Each formal prude and holy wight Will throw disguise away, And sin it openly all night, Who sainted it all day.

His darling hoard the miser views, Misses from friends decamp, And many a statesman mischief brews To his country o'er his lamp:

So father and I, d'ye take me right, Are just on the same lay, I bare-fac'd sinners light by night, And he false saints by day.