Ballad—in Will of the Wisp

I AM one of those pretty, tonish smarts, my good old man, Who under love's sweet contribution lay all the fair O, I make them die, and sigh, And consent, and repent, With a ran, dan, dan— Why I have a hundred times had the felicity, so sweet, Of seeing some yielding easy daughter, or wife. Begging, and imploring at my feet— "Hey, sir! how often did you say you had this felicity?" 'Never in the whole course of my life, With a ran, dan, dare O.'

Then, since amours are nothing without confidents, my good old man, How oft when bursting with good fortune and success, so rare O, Hare I, to my friends, told stories of yielding nieces, and aunts, With a ran, dan, dan, Dressed out in all their facinating charms, With all their simperings, and whimperings, Their fond love to disguise, While they were longing to fly to my arms— "And pray was all this truth that you told your friends?" 'Oh, no, a parcel of infernal lies! With a ran, dan, dare O.'

Why would you believe that with the lovely Myrtilla it chanced to hap, my good old man, Who seemed as if all the powers of virtue made her their care O, That I should contrive, while those pretty, watchful guardians were taking a nap, With a ran, dan, dan— To kneel, pant, entreat, implore, heave sigh, start tear, And address, with all the force of eloquence and grace, Till struggling in my arms at last she—Oh dear! "Well, what did she do? 'Why gave me a slap in the face, With a ran, dan, dare O.'

Another time, when I was flatly refused, my good old man, Oh, 'tis a business that will make you stare O! Every one of the family round I fairly abused, With a ran, dan, dan— Hamstrung the pigs, pulled the spiggot out of the ale, Poisoned the lap dog, killed the canary birds, put jalap in the tea, Threw the cat out of the window, cut off the monkey's tail— "Go on, sir, go on." 'Kicked the husband—Oh no, damme, he kicked me! With a ran, dan, dare O.'