And when his work was over, they would ramble o'er the lea, And sit beneath the frondage of an elderberry tree; And ANNIE'S simple prattle entertained him on his walk, For public executions formed the subject of her talk. And sometimes he'd explain to her, which charmed her very much, How famous operators vary very much in touch, And then, perhaps, he'd show how he himself performed the trick, And illustrate his meaning with a poppy and a stick. [Illustration] Or, if it rained, the little maid would stop at home, and look At his favourable notices, all pasted in a book, And then her cheek would flush--her swimming eyes would dance with joy In a glow of admiration at the prowess of her boy. One summer eve, at supper-time, the gentle GILBERT said (As he helped his pretty ANNIE to a slice of collared head), "This collared head reminds me that to-morrow is the day When I decapitate your former lover, PETER GRAY." He saw his ANNIE tremble and he saw his ANNIE start, Her changing colour trumpeted the flutter at her heart; Young GILBERT'S manly bosom rose and sank with jealous fear, And he said, "O gentle ANNIE, what's the meaning of this here?" [Illustration] And ANNIE answered, blushing in an interesting way, "You think, no doubt, I'm sighing for that felon PETER GRAY: That I was his young woman is unquestionably true, But not since I began a-keeping company with you." Then GILBERT, who was irritable, rose and loudly swore He'd know the reason why if she refused to tell him more; And she answered (all the woman in her flashing from her eyes), "You mustn't ask no questions, and you won't be told no lies! "Few lovers have the privilege enjoyed, my dear, by you, Of chopping off a rival's head and quartering him too! Of vengeance, dear, to-morrow you will surely take your fill!" And GILBERT ground his molars as he answered her, "I will!" Young GILBERT rose from table with a stern determined look, And, frowning, took an inexpensive hatchet from its hook; And ANNIE watched his movements with an interested air-- For the morrow--for the morrow he was going to prepare! He chipped it with a hammer and he chopped it with a bill, He poured sulphuric acid on the edge of it, until This terrible Avenger of the Majesty of Law Was far less like a hatchet than a dissipated saw. And ANNIE said, "O GILBERT, dear, I do not understand Why ever you are injuring that hatchet in your hand?" He said, "It is intended for to lacerate and flay The neck of that unmitigated villain PETER GRAY!" "Now, GILBERT," ANNIE answered, "wicked headsman just beware-- I won't have PETER tortured with that horrible affair; If you attempt to flay him, you will surely rue the day." But Gilbert said, "Oh, shall I?" which was just his nasty way.