Yes, on reconsideration, there are customs of that nation Which are not in strict accordance with the habits of our day, And when I come to codify, their rules I mean to modify, Or Mrs. Grundy, p'r'aps, may have a word or two to say. For they hadn't macintoshes or umbrellas or goloshes— And a shower with their dresses must have played the very deuce, And it must have been unpleasing when they caught a fit of sneezing, For, it seems, of pocket-handkerchiefs they didn't know the use. They wore little underclothing—scarcely anything—or nothing— And their dress of Coan silk was quite transparent in design— Well, in fact, in summer weather, something like the "altogether" And it's there, I rather fancy, I shall have to draw the line! (Confidentially to audience.) And again I wish to mention That this erudition sham Is but classical pretension, The result of steady "cram." Yet my classic lore aggressive (If you'll pardon the possessive) Is exceedingly impressive When you're passing an exam. CHORUS. Yet his classic lore, etc. [Exeunt Chorus. Manent LUDWIG, JULIA, and LISA. LUD. (recit.). Yes, Ludwig and his Julia are mated! For when an obscure comedian, whom the law backs, To sovereign rank is promptly elevated, He takes it with its incidental drawbacks! So Julia and I are duly mated! (LISA, through this, has expressed intense distress at having to surrender LUDWIG.) SONG—LISA. Take care of him—he's much too good to live, With him you must be very gentle: Poor fellow, he's so highly sensitive, And O, so sentimental! Be sure you never let him sit up late In chilly open air conversing— Poor darling, he's extremely delicate, And wants a deal of nursing! LUD. I want a deal of nursing! LISA. And O, remember this— When he is cross with pain, A flower and a kiss— A simple flower—a tender kiss Will bring him round again! His moods you must assiduously watch: When he succumbs to sorrow tragic, Some hardbake or a bit of butter-scotch Will work on him like magic. To contradict a character so rich In trusting love were simple blindness— He's one of those exalted natures which Will only yield to kindness! LUD. I only yield to kindness!