Gentle chief, my words may frolicsome have been (Hey, but it’s surprising, willow, willow, waly!) Yet to such a length I did not go, I ween. Hey, willow, waly, oh! There was nought indecent, In my speech so recent, Hey, willow, waly, oh! _Mr. Gladstone_―― Prithee, Vernon Harcourt, will you _sell_ to me (Hey, but I’m anxious, willow, willow, waly!), The paper, where reported, I your speech shall see? Hey, willow, waly, oh! Anything, I’ll pay you; What’s your price? Come, say you; Hey, willow, waly, oh! _Sir W. Vernon Harcourt_―― Gentle chief, although to purchase you design (Hey, but it’s tempting, willow, willow, waly!) My paper’s not for sale, so I fear I must decline; Hey, willow, waly, oh! Money will not buy it, It’s no good to try it; Hey, willow, waly oh! (_Together._) _Sir W. V. Harcourt_―― Though to use such words would very wicked be. _Mr. Gladstone_―― (Hey, but it’s shameful, willow, willow, waly!) Printed in _The Times_, they’d most amusing be! _Sir W. V. Harcourt_―― Hey, willow, waly, oh! I shall get a chaffing, All the world is laughing; Hey, willow, waly, oh! _The Sporting Times._ January 28, 1882. ―――― A DUET OF THE DAY. (In consequence of the numerous applications which have been made at the Home Office for an appointment to the place of public executioner, the Secretary of State has published a statement that it is neither his right, nor his duty, to make such appointment, as the selection in reality rests with the Sheriffs.) _Candidate_―― Prithee, Secretary, what’s the latest news? (Hey, but I’m eager, willow, willow waly!) Has another Marwood stepped into _his_ shoes? Hey, willow waly, O! Never mind the pang, man―― _Have_ they got a hangman? Hey, willow waly, O! _Secretary of State_―― Gentle sir, the post unoccupied you see―― (Hey, but he’s eager, willow, willow waly!) But you’ll p’raps explain now why you’re teasing _me_―― Hey, willow waly, O! Kindly, please, inform one Why you come and storm one, Hey, willow waly, O! _Candidate_―― Prithee, Secretary, give the place to me―― (Hey, but I’m hopeful, willow willow waly!) I may say, at once, I shall scrag ’em properlee―― Hey, willow waly, O! Only deign to try me, Come, you can’t deny me, Hey, willow waly, O! _Secretary of State_――