They gathered in Hungary, Portugal, Spain, On the banks of the Rhine, Many hogsheads of wine, Which were drunk (so was _he_), but he still cried ‘A drain!’ ’Twas perfectly plain All their labours were vain; He kept on repeating, ‘Go fetch me a drain!’ Then a royal commission his Majesty sent, With his ‘Pass me a glass Of the bitter of Bass!’ To buy all the liquor of Burton-on-Trent. But after they went He wasn’t content, Though he drank all the liquor of Burton-on-Trent. It remained for a Hebrew a cure to propose―― He knew that his highness Was famed for his dryness, And melted him down to make waterproof clo’s! And history shows the fame of him rose―― His dryness made excellent waterproof clo’s! PEMBROKE. _The World._ October 29, 1879. ―――― A parody on the same topic will also be found on page 413 of Mr. F. B. Doveton’s _Sketches in Prose and Verse_, published by Sampson Low & Co., London, in 1886. But a much more amusing imitation of a Bab ballad is that on page 456 of the same volume, which, by Mr. Doveton’s kind permission, is here given:―― THE BISHOP AND THE BALLET. Postures antic Drove him frantic Seized he pen and paper―― “Young men, stop it, Pray you, drop it, Watching damsels caper―― ’Gainst this awful Vain, unlawful Folly set your faces; Though they charm ye, Girls will harm ye More than wine or races!” They replying, Answered, sighing―― Hawing, hemming, humming―― “Not for Joe, sir For you know, sir, Short skirts are becoming! Ballet dancing, Is entrancing, We enjoy it――_rather!_” But stern “London” Thought them undone―― Spoke out like a father. “_Dare_ ye dally With the ballet?” Said the bishop, coldly. “_You_ may see, sir, More than _we_, sir,” Young men answered boldly. “Go along, boys, You are wrong, boys, _I_ have years in plenty; Whilst these lasses, Through my glasses, All seem under twenty!” Dancer clever _Hardly ever_ Finds a _man_ who’ll scold her. Leant one fairy Light and airy, On his lordship’s shoulder; Bishop kissed her Like a sister, When he _should_ have smacked her To delight her, Doffed his mitre, And became an _Actor!_ F. B. DOVETON. [Illustration] LORD TENNYSON’S JUBILEE ODE. [Illustration]