And fiercely he rode to his castle, And sat himself down to dine: And this is the fearful legend Of the terrible Heinz Von Stein. * * * * * The closing stanza of the old English ballad called “The Rural Dance about the May-pole” is as follows: “Let’s kiss,” says Jane; “Content,” says Nan, And so says every she; “How many?” says Batt; “Why, three,” says Matt, “For that’s a maiden’s fee.” But they, instead of three, Did give them half a score, And they in kindness gave ’em, gave ’em, Gave ’em as many more. * * * * * There is a song of the reign of Queen Anne beginning: “Go from my window, go, Or something at you I may throw:” to which a lover replies,— “Throw me or blow me a kiss, And nothing can then come amiss.” * * * * * From the old Scotch ballad, “The Souter and his Sow,” we take the following stanza: The souter gae his sow a kiss. “Grumph” (quo’ the sow) “it’s for my birse;” “And wha gae ye sae sweet a mou’?” Quo’ the souter to the sow. “Grumph” (quo’ the sow) “and wha gae ye A tongue sae sleekit and sae slee?” * * * * * Some of our readers will remember the humorous old Scotch song in which these verses occur: “Auld wifie, auld wifie, will ye go a-shearing?” “Speak a little louder, sir, I’m unco dull o’ hearing.” “Auld wifie, auld wifie, will ye let me kiss ye?” “I hear a little better, sir, may a’ the warld bless ye.” In Cheshire and Staffordshire the lines run thus: “Old woman, old woman, may I come and kiss you?” “Yes, and thank you kindly, sir, and may Heaven bless you.” * * * * * Many will recognize these old verses: Some say that kissing’s a sin, But I think it’s nane ava; For kissing has wonn’d in this warld Since ever there was twa. Oh, if it wasna lawfu’, Lawyers wadna allow it; If it wasna holy, Ministers wadna do it. If it wasna modest, Maidens wadna tak it; If it wasna plenty, Puir folks wadna get it. KING KEDER. The only account of this apocryphal monarch is a poetic myth relating to an amorous design, from the frustration of which was named the town of Kidderminster: King Keder saw a pretty girl, King Keder would have kissed her, The damsel nimbly slipped aside, and so King Keder missed her, Keder missed her. * * * * * Shakspeare, in his “Venus and Adonis,” gives this picture of tantalizing caprice: Upon this promise did he raise his chin, Like a dive dapper peering through a wave, Who, being looked on, ducks as quickly in; So offers he to give what she did crave; But when her lips were ready for his pay, He winks, and turns his lips another way. * * * * *