Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/480
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BILLY DIP.
Forbid it, Love!" She scarce had spoke,
When Cupid laid a trap;
For at the chamber-door was heard
A soft and gentle rap.
When Cupid laid a trap;
For at the chamber-door was heard
A soft and gentle rap.
Cried Betty, "Who is at the door?"
"Ay tell," quoth Chloe, "true
When straight a tender voice replied,
"Dear ma'am, I dye for you."
"Ay tell," quoth Chloe, "true
When straight a tender voice replied,
"Dear ma'am, I dye for you."
"What's that!" she said, "O Betty, say!
A man! and die for me!
And can I see the youth expire—
Oh, no!—it must not be.
A man! and die for me!
And can I see the youth expire—
Oh, no!—it must not be.
"Haste, Betty—open quick the door
'Tis done; and, lo! to view,
A little man with bundle stood,
In sleeves and apron blue.
'Tis done; and, lo! to view,
A little man with bundle stood,
In sleeves and apron blue.
"Ye powers!" cried Chloe, "what is this?
What vision do I see?
Is this the man, 0 mighty Love—
The man that dies for me?"
What vision do I see?
Is this the man, 0 mighty Love—
The man that dies for me?"
"Yes ma'am; your ladyship is right,"
The figure straight replied;
"And hard for me it would have been
If I had never dyed.
The figure straight replied;
"And hard for me it would have been
If I had never dyed.
"La! ma'am, you must have heard of me,
Although I'm no highflyer;
I live just by at No. 1,
I'm Billy Dip, the dyer.
Although I'm no highflyer;
I live just by at No. 1,
I'm Billy Dip, the dyer.
"'Twas I, ma'am, Betty there employed
To dye your lustring gown;
And I not only dye for you,
But dye for all the town."
To dye your lustring gown;
And I not only dye for you,
But dye for all the town."
