HE. PRITHEE, pretty maiden--prithee, tell me true (Hey, but I'm doleful, willow, willow waly!) Have you e'er a lover a-dangling after you? Hey, willow waly O! I would fain discover If you have a lover? Hey, willow waly O! SHE. Gentle sir, my heart is frolicsome and free-- (Hey, but he's doleful, willow, willow waly!) Nobody I care for comes a-courting me-- Hey, willow waly O! Nobody I care for Comes a-courting--therefore, Hey, willow waly O! HE. Prithee, pretty maiden, will you marry me? (Hey, but I'm hopeful, willow, willow waly!) I may say, at once, I'm a man of propertee-- Hey, willow waly O! Money, I despise it, But many people prize it, Hey, willow waly O! SHE. Gentle sir, although to marry I design-- (Hey, but he's hopeful, willow, willow waly!) As yet I do not know you, and so I must decline. Hey, willow waly O! To other maidens go you-- As yet I do not know you, Hey, willow waly O! [Illustration] [Illustration] THE TWO MAJORS An excellent soldier who's worthy the name, Loves officers dashing and strict: When good, he's content with escaping all blame, When naughty, he likes to be licked. He likes for a fault to be bullied and stormed, Or imprisoned for several days; And hates, for a duty correctly performed, To be slavered with sickening praise. No officer sickened with praises his corps So little as MAJOR LA GUERRE-- No officers swore at his warriors more Than MAJOR MAKREDI PREPERE. Their soldiers adored them, and every grade Delighted to hear them abuse; Though whenever these officers came on parade, They shivered and shook in their shoes. "No doubt we deserve it--no mercy we crave-- Go on--you're conferring a boon; We would rather be slanged by a warrior brave Than praised by a wretched poltroon!" MAKREDI would say that in battle's fierce rage True happiness only was met: Poor MAJOR MAKREDI, though fifty his age, Had never known happiness yet! LA GUERRE would declare, "With the blood of a foe No tipple is worthy to clink." Poor fellow! he hadn't, though sixty or so, Yet tasted his favourite drink! They agreed at their mess--they agreed in the glass-- They agreed in the choice of their "set," And they also agreed in adoring, alas! The Vivandière, pretty FILLETTE.