―――― “THE BROBDIGNAG BONNETS” OF BLUE.――A PARODY. (_Dedicated most respectfully to the Play-going Ladies of the Pit._) “If the following playful little parody should obtain a smile or two from some of the lady readers of the Mirror, the writer will feel amply rewarded. It will in some degree make up for the smiles of which he has been often deprived at the theatre, by having just before him three or four bonnets, three feet by two, or somewhere thereabout. He speaks feelingly, even if he has not written so.” Here’s health to the ladies at home Here’s health to the ladies awa’, And wha winna pledge it wi’ a’ their soul, May they ne’er be smiled on at a’. It’s guid to be pretty and fair, It’s guid to be smilin’ like you; It’s guid to be stealin’ the gentlemen’s hearts,―― But na by broad bonnets of blue. Awa’ wi’ those bonnets of blue, Those Brobdignag bonnets of blue! It’s guid to be stealin’ the gentlemen’s hearts,―― But nae by sic bonnets of blue. Here’s health to the bright eyes at hame, Here’s health to the bright eyes awa’, Here’s health to the beauties of every clime,―― But na to their bonnets at a’. I’ve a bracelet for her wha is wed, For the maiden a sweet _billet-doux_: Dear darlings, I’d give them whate’er they might ask,―― Except a broad bonnet of blue. Then hence wi’ those bonnets of blue, Those Brobdignag bonnets of blue! Oh bright eyes beam brighter from bonnets when sma’, Than hid by broad bonnets of blue. _The Mirror_, Vol. II., March 1828. See Dr. Charles Mackay’s “_Jacobite Songs and Ballads of Scotland_,” London and Glasgow, 1861. ――――:o:―――― WE TWA HAE DUNE A LITTLE BILL. AIR――“_Auld Lang Syne._” Should auld acceptance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acceptance be forgot, All drawn, endorsed, and signed? Endorsed, drawn, and signed, my friend, Endorsed, drawn, and signed: And noo ’tis time to tak’ it up, The siller we must find! We twa hae dune a little bill, To raise the bonnie wind, And, tak’ the matter hoo we will, That document will bind. Endorsed, &c. And SHADRACH will nae time alloo, And therefore a’m inclined To think that we had better do Anither o’ the kind. Endorsed, &c. And surely ye’ll be your bit stamp, And I’ll nae be behind, And we’ll do a richt gude billie-wacht The needfu’ cash to find. Endorsed, drawn, and signed, my friend, Endorsed, drawn, and signed, We’ll do anither billie yet, Just the wherewitha’ to find! _Punch_, 1848. ――――