sparkling ale, and cakes in abundance, strewed the festive board. Some racy joke on Bardolph's burning nose had just been fired off, and the company were in high merriment. “Surely,” said Uncle Timothy to himself, “this is a masquerade. I am an unbidden guest; but the Enchanter's wand is over me, and I cannot either advance or retire.” Sir Andrew thrummed his viol-de-gambo; and Sir Toby, having fortified himself with a long draught out of a black jack, with true heartiness of voice and gesture struck up a glee. THE BOAR'S HEAD. Sir Toby. Because some folks are virtuous, Sir John, shall you and I Forswear our wassail, cakes and ale, and sit us down and sigh? The world is still a merry world, and this a merry time; And sack is sack, Sir John, Sir Jack! though in it tastes the lime. The watery eye of Sir John Falstaff twinkled with exquisite delight as he filled himself a cup of sack and responded, There's nothing extant, Sir Toby, but cant. A plague of all cowards! Here, Bardolph, my Trigon! You and I will repent, And keep a lean Lent. Presuming it long, Let us first have a song, And dismally troll It over a bowl, To honesty, manhood, good fellowship bygone. Pistol, my Ancient! Pistol. I'll ne'er prove a stopper, By my sword, that's true steel! Bardolph. By nose, that's true copper! Falstaff. Corporal Nym-- Nym.. In sack let me swim! Falstaff. Gadshill and Peto-- Gadshill & Peto. Sweet wag! take our veto. Falstaff. Motley too-- Clown. My cockscomb to you! Falstaff. Good Justice Shallow-- Shallow. I'm true to you, “Tallow!” Falstaff. Sir Andrew, Sir Hugh-- Sir Andrew & Sir Hugh. We'll drink as you brew! Falstaff. Poins joins! Hal shall! Dame Partlet the hen! Doll! Francis!-- Francis. Anon!-- All. We're all your liege subjects, right glorious Sir John! Chorus. The lawyer's head, and the shark's head, The puritan parson's, and clerk's head, Are all very well For a shot or a shell; Exceedingly fit To fill up a pit! But the head that was rear'd When Christmas cheer'd In the rollicking, frolicking days of yore, When the Lord of Misrule, The Friar and Fool, With Robin and Marian, led the brawl, And the hobby-horse frisk'd in the old-fashion'd hall,