All things around me seem involved in doubt, I only know that I've been, dining out. I've made some blunder, sure--but how I've made it Is from my dizzy pate quite dissipated. A light upon my understanding breaks-- I must be drunk! Or what is it thus makes My head to stoop and butt the ground incline, Unless the butt of beer or stoop of wine? Now, to go on--so--Ganem, my boy, steady-- I can't go far--I'm too far gone already. Ah! could I swarm this lime, I might, _sans doute_, Learn from its friendly branch my proper route. In other places we read:-- A needlewoman's life's, at best, but _sew-sew_ (which is as true as it is witty); _Alkalomb._ He had the freedom, sir, to squeeze me. _Giaffar._ Yes, You wouldn't check the freedom of the _press_. _Caliph._ In his affections I stand no competitor (_squaring up_), And for that _belle's life_ you'll find I'm a _head-hitter_. _Malevola._ I'm her abettor in the plucky course. _Caliph._ You couldn't, ma'am, _abet her_ in a _worse_. "Abon Hassan" is less freely endowed with verbal pleasantry, but it has its fair share of puns, and the songs are numerous and bright. At the close, the hero, addressing the audience, allows himself to drop into the reflective mood:-- In mine, read a too common history-- How many an unfortunate, like me, With feverish haste the cup of pleasure begs, To find experience in its bitter dregs! The wretched man sips at the draught now hated. Unless, like me, he gets _a-man-sip-hated_. Beware, then, how you mix and make your cup,-- I'll give you a receipt for it: boil up In a clean vessel--say your own clay crock-- As much good humour as will form your stock; Throw in to others' faults a modest blindness, Adding a quart of milk of human kindness; Scrape up a few acquaintances, but you Had better take care they're your wife's friends too: Omit the mother-in-law, if you've the power, As apt to turn the milk aforesaid sour! Skim off bad habits from the surface: you'll Then let it stand--'tis better taken cool; Or, should you be in love a far-gone coon, Stir the whole gently with a virtuous "spoon"; In which case, flavour with a dash of sentiment, Garnish with smiles, and drink it with contentment![31] [31] Another burlesque on the same story, entitled "Abon Hassan, or An Arabian Knight's Entertainment," was brought out at the Charing Cross Theatre in 1869. The author's name was Arthur O'Neil, and the cast included Miss Emily Fowler as the hero, and Mr. Flockton as Haroun Alraschid.