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22
THE "BAB" BALLADS.
"What?" said that reverend gent,
"Dance through my hours of leisure?
Smoke?—bathe myself with scent?—
Play croquêt? Oh, with pleasure!
"Wear all my hair in curl?
Stand at my door and wink—so:—
At every passing girl?
My brothers, I should think so!
"For years I've longed for some
Excuse for this revulsion:
Now that excuse has come—
I do it on compulsion!!!"
