首页 >出版文学> Songs of a Savoyard>第2章
  Allmustsipthecupofsorrow,Ito—dayandthouto—morrow:
  Thisthecloseofeverysong—
  Dingdong!Dingdong!
  Whatthoughsolemnshadowsfall,Sooner,later,overall?
  Singamerrymadrigal—
  Falla!
  Ballad:TheDukeAndTheDuchess[THEDUKE。]
  SmalltitlesandordersForMayorsandRecordersIget—andthey’rehighlydelighted。
  M。P。sbaronetted,ShamColonelsgazetted,Andsecond—rateAldermenknighted。
  Foundation—stonelayingIfindverypaying,Itaddsalargesumtomymakings。
  AtcharitydinnersThebestofspeech—spinners,Igettenpercentonthetakings!
  [THEDUCHESS。]
  IpresentanyladyWhoseconductisshadyOrsmackingofdoubtfulpropriety;
  WhenVirtuewouldquashherItakeandwhitewashherAndlaunchherinfirst—ratesociety。
  IrecommendacresOfclumsydressmakers—
  Theirfitandtheirfinishingtouches;
  AsuminadditionTheypayforpermissionTosaythattheymakefortheDuchess!
  [THEDUKE。]
  Thosepressingprevailers,Theready—madetailors,Quotemeastheirgreatdouble—barrel;
  Iallowthemtodoso,ThoughROBINSONCRUSOE
  Wouldjibattheirwearingapparel!
  Isit,byselection,UponthedirectionOfseveralCompaniesbubble;
  Assoonasthey’refloatedI’mfreelybank—noted—
  I’mprettywellpaidformytrouble!
  [THEDUCHESS。]
  Atmiddle—classpartyIplayatECARTE—
  AndI’mbynomeansabeginner;
  TooneofmystationTheremuneration—
  Fiveguineasanightandmydinner。
  IwritelettersblatantOnmedicinespatent—
  Anduseanyotheryoumustn’t;
  AndvowmycomplexionDerivesitsperfectionFromsomebody’ssoap—whichitdoesn’t。
  [THEDUKE。]
  We’rereadyaswitnessToanyone’sfitnessTofillanyplaceorpreferment;
  We’reofteninwaitingAtjunketFETING,Andsometimesattendaninterment。
  Inshort,ifyou’dkindleThesparkofaswindle,Luresimpletonsintoyourclutches,Orhoodwinkadebtor,YoucannotdobetterThantrotoutaDukeoraDuchess!
  Ballad:EheuFugaces—!
  Theairischargedwithamatorynumbers—
  Softmadrigals,anddreamylovers’lays。
  Peace,peace,oldheart!WhywakenfromitsslumbersTheachingmemoryoftheold,olddays?
  TimewaswhenLoveandIwerewellacquainted;
  Timewaswhenwewalkedeverhandinhand;
  Asaintlyyouth,withworldlythoughtuntainted,NonebetterlovedthanIinalltheland!
  Timewas,whenmaidensofthenobleststation,Forsakingevenmilitarymen,Wouldgazeuponme,raptinadoration—
  Ahme,Iwasafairyoungcuratethen!
  HadIaheadache?sighedthemaidsassembled;
  HadIacold?welledforththesilenttear;
  DidIlookpale?thenhalfaparishtrembled;
  AndwhenIcoughedallthoughttheendwasnear!
  Ihadnocare—nojealousdoubtshungo’erme—
  ForIwaslovedbeyondallothermen。
  Fledgildeddukesandbeltedearlsbeforeme—
  Ahme,Iwasapaleyoungcuratethen!
  Ballad:They’llNoneOf’EmBeMissedAssomedayitmayhappenthatavictimmustbefound,I’vegotalittlelist—I’vegotalittlelistOfsocialoffenderswhomightwellbeunderground,Andwhoneverwouldbemissed—whoneverwouldbemissed!
  There’sthepestilentialnuisanceswhowriteforautographs—
  Allpeoplewhohaveflabbyhandsandirritatinglaughs—
  Allchildrenwhoareupindates,andflooryouwith’emflat—
  Allpersonswhoinshakinghands,shakehandswithyoulikeTHAT—
  AndallthirdpersonswhoonspoilingTETE—E—TETESinsist—
  They’dnoneof’embemissed—they’dnoneof’embemissed!
  There’stheniggerserenader,andtheothersofhisrace,Andthepianoorganist—I’vegothimonthelist!
  Andthepeoplewhoeatpeppermintandpuffitinyourface,Theyneverwouldbemissed—theyneverwouldbemissed!
  Thentheidiotwhopraises,withenthusiastictone,Allcenturiesbutthis,andeverycountrybuthisown;
  Andtheladyfromtheprovinces,whodresseslikeaguy,Andwho"doesn’tthinkshewaltzes,butwouldratherliketotry";
  AndthatFIN—DE—SIECLEanomaly,thescorchingmotorist—
  Idon’tthinkhe’dbemissed—I’mSUREhe’dnotbemissed!
  AndthatNISIPRIUSnuisance,whojustnowisratherrife,TheJudicialhumorist—I’vegotHIMonthelist!
  Allfunnyfellows,comicmen,andclownsofprivatelife—
  They’dnoneof’embemissed—they’dnoneof’embemissed!
  Andapologeticstatesmenofthecompromisingkind,Suchas—What—d’ye—call—him—Thing’em—Bob,andlikewise—Never—
  mind,And’St—’st—’st—andWhat’s—his—name,andalso—You—know—who—
  (ThetaskoffillinguptheblanksI’dratherleavetoYOU!)
  Butitreallydoesn’tmatterwhomyouputuponthelist,Forthey’dnoneof’embemissed—they’dnoneof’embemissed!
  Ballad:GirlGraduatesTheyintendtosendawireTothemoon;
  Andthey’llsettheThamesonfireVerysoon;
  ThentheylearntomakesilkpursesWiththeirrigsFromtheearsofLADYCIRCE’S
  Piggy—wigs。
  AndweaselsattheirslumbersThey’lltrepan;
  TogetsunbeamsfromcuCUMbersThey’veaplan。
  They’veafirmlyrootednotionTheycancrossthePolarOcean,Andthey’llfindPerpetualMotionIftheycan!
  ThesearethephenomenaThateveryprettydominaHopesthatweshallseeAtthisUniversitee!
  Asforfashion,theyforswearit,Sotheysay,Andthecircle—theywillsquareitSomefineday;
  Thenthelittlepigsthey’reteachingFortofly;
  Andtheniggersthey’llbebleachingBy—and—by!
  EachnewlyjoinedaspirantTotheclanMustrepudiatethetyrantKnownasMan;
  Theymockathimandflouthim,Fortheydonotcareabouthim,Andthey’re"goingtodowithouthim"
  Iftheycan!
  ThesearethephenomenaThateveryprettydominaHopesthatweshallseeAtthisUniversitee!
  Ballad:BraidTheRavenHairBraidtheravenhair,Weavethesuppletress,DeckthemaidenfairInherloveliness;
  Painttheprettyface,Dyethecorallip,EmphasisethegraceOfherladyship!
  Artandnature,thusallied,Gotomakeaprettybride!
  Sitwithdowncasteye,Letitbrimwithdew;
  Tryifyoucancry,Wewilldoso,too。
  Whenyou’resummoned,startLikeafrightenedroe;
  Flutter,littleheart,Colour,comeandgo!
  ModestyatmarriagetideWellbecomesaprettybride!
  Ballad:TheWorkingMonarchRisingearlyinthemorning,Weproceedtolightthefire,ThenourMajestyadorningInitswork—a—dayattire,WeembarkwithoutdelayOnthedutiesoftheday。
  First,wepolishoffsomebatchesOfpoliticaldespatches,Andforeignpoliticianscircumvent;
  Then,ifbusinessisn’theavy,WemayholdaRoyalLEVEE,OrratifysomeActsofParliament:
  Thenweprobablyreviewthehouseholdtroops—
  Withtheusual"Shalloohumps"and"Shalloohoops!"
  OrreceivewithceremonialandstateAninterestingEasternPotentate。
  AfterthatwegenerallyGoanddressourprivateVALET—
  (It’sarathernervousduty—heatouchylittleman)—
  WritesomelettersliteraryForourprivatesecretary—
  (Heisshakyinhisspelling,sowehelphimifwecan。)
  Then,inviewofcravingsinner,Wegodownandorderdinner;
  OrwepolishtheRegaliaandtheCoronationPlate—
  SpendanhourintitivatingAllourGentlemen—in—Waiting;
  OrwerunonlittleerrandsfortheMinistersofState。
  Oh,philosophersmaysingOfthetroublesofaKing,Yetthedutiesaredelightful,andtheprivilegesgreat;
  ButtheprivilegeandpleasureThatwetreasurebeyondmeasureIstorunonlittleerrandsfortheMinistersofState!
  Afterluncheon(makingmerryOnabunandglassofsherry),Ifwe’venothinginparticulartodo,WemaymakeaProclamation,OrreceiveaDeputation—
  ThenwepossiblycreateaPeerortwo。
  Thenwehelpafellow—creatureonhispathWiththeGarterortheThistleortheBath:
  Orwedressandtoddleoffinsemi—StateToafestival,afunction,oraFETE。
  ThenwegoandstandassentryAtthePalace(privateentry),Marchinghither,marchingthither,upanddownandtoandfro,WhilethewarriorondutyGoesinsearchofbeerandbeauty(Anditgenerallyhappensthathehasn’tfartogo)。
  Herelievesus,ifhe’sable,Justintimetolaythetable。
  Thenwedineandservethecoffee;andathalf—pasttwelveorone,Withapleasurethat’semphatic;
  ThenweseekourlittleatticWiththegratifyingfeelingthatourdutyhasbeendone。
  Oh,philosophersmaysingOfthetroublesofaKing,Butofpleasurestherearemanyandoftroublestherearenone;
  AndtheculminatingpleasureThatwetreasurebeyondmeasureIsthegratifyingfeelingthatourdutyhasbeendone!
  Ballad:TheApeAndTheLadyALADYfair,oflineagehigh,WaslovedbyanApe,inthedaysgoneby—
  TheMaidwasradiantasthesun,TheApewasamostunsightlyone—
  Soitwouldnotdo—
  Hisschemefellthrough;
  FortheMaid,whenhislovetookformalshape,ExpressedsuchterrorAthismonstrouserror,Thathestammeredanapologyandmadehis’scape,ThepictureofadisconcertedApe。
  Withaviewtoriseinthesocialscale,Heshavedhisbristles,andhedockedhistail,Hegrewmoustachios,andhetookhistub,Andhepaidaguineatoatoiletclub。
  Butitwouldnotdo,Theschemefellthrough—
  FortheMaidwasBeauty’sfairestQueen,Withgoldentresses,Likearealprincess’s,WhiletheApe,despitehisrazorkeen,WastheapiestApethateverwasseen!
  Heboughtwhiteties,andheboughtdresssuits,Hecrammedhisfeetintobrighttightboots,Andtostarthislifeonabrand—newplan,HechristenedhimselfDarwinianMan!
  Butitwouldnotdo,Theschemefellthrough—
  FortheMaidenfair,whomthemonkeycraved,WasaradiantBeing,Withabrainfar—seeing—
  WhileaMan,howeverwell—behaved,Atbestisonlyamonkeyshaved!
  Ballad:OnlyRosesToagardenfullofposiesComethonetogatherflowers;
  AndhewandersthroughitsbowersToyingwiththewantonroses,Who,uprisingfromtheirbeds,HoldonhightheirshamelessheadsWiththeirprettylipsa—pouting,Neverdoubting—neverdoubtingThatforCythereanposiesHewouldgatheraughtbutroses。
  Inanestofweedsandnettles,Layaviolet,halfhidden;
  HopingthathisglanceunbiddenYetmightfalluponherpetals。
  Thoughshelivedalone,apart,Hopelaynestlingatherheart,But,alas!thecruelawakingSetherlittlehearta—breaking,ForhegatheredforhisposiesOnlyroses—onlyroses!
  Ballad:TheRover’sApologyOh,gentlemen,listen,Ipray;
  ThoughIownthatmyhearthasbeenranging,OfnaturethelawsIobey,Fornatureisconstantlychanging。
  Themooninherphasesisfound,Thetimeandthewindandtheweather,Themonthsinsuccessioncomeround,Andyoudon’tfindtwoMondaystogether。
  Considerthemoral,Ipray,Norbringayoungfellowtosorrow,Wholovesthisyoungladyto—day,Andlovesthatyoungladyto—morrow!
  Youcannoteatbreakfastallday。
  Norisittheactofasinner,Whenbreakfastistakenaway,Toturnyourattentiontodinner;
  Andit’snotintherangeofbeliefThatyoucouldholdhimasaglutton,Who,whenheistiredofbeef,Determinestotacklethemutton。
  ButthisIamreadytosay,Ifitwilldiminishtheirsorrow,I’llmarrythisladyto—day,AndI’llmarrythatladyto—morrow!
  Ballad:AnAppealOh!istherenotonemaidenbreastWhichdoesnotfeelthemoralbeautyOfmakingworldlyinterestSubordinatetosenseofduty?
  WhowouldnotgiveupwillinglyAllmatrimonialambitionTorescuesuchaoneasI
  Fromhisunfortunateposition?
  Oh,istherenotonemaidenhere,WhosehomelyfaceandbadcomplexionHavecausedallhopestodisappearOfeverwinningman’saffection?
  Tosuchaone,ifsuchtherebe,Iswearbyheaven’sarchaboveyou,Ifyouwillcastyoureyesonme,—
  Howeverplainyoube—I’llloveyou!
  Ballad:TheRewardOfMeritDR。BELVILLEwasregardedastheCRICHTONofhisage:
  Histragedieswerereckonedmuchtoothoughtfulforthestage;
  Hispoemsheldanoblerank,althoughit’sverytrueThat,beingveryproper,theywerereadbyveryfew。
  HewasafamousPainter,too,andshoneuponthe"line,"
  AndevenMR。RUSKINcameandworshippedathisshrine;
  But,alas,theschoolhefollowedwasheroicallyhigh—
  ThekindofArtmenraveabout,butveryseldombuy;
  Andeverybodysaid"Howcanheberepaid—
  Thisverygreat—thisverygood—thisverygiftedman?"
  Butnobodycouldhituponapracticableplan!
  HewasagreatInventor,anddiscovered,allalone,Aplanformakingeverybody’sfortunebuthisown;
  For,inbusiness,anInventor’slittlebetterthanafool,Andmyhighly—giftedfriendwasnoexceptiontotherule。
  Hispoems—peoplereadthemintheQuarterlyReviews—
  Hispictures—theyengravedthemintheILLUSTRATEDNEWS—
  Hisinventions—they,perhaps,mighthaveenrichedhimbydegrees,ButallhislittleincomewentinPatentOfficefees;
  Andeverybodysaid"Howcanheberepaid—
  Thisverygreat—thisverygood—thisverygiftedman?"
  Butnobodycouldhituponapracticableplan!
  Atlastthepointwasgivenupinabsolutedespair,Whenadistantcousindied,andhebecameamillionaire,WithacountyseatinParliament,amoorortwoofgrouse,AndatasteformakinginconvenientspeechesintheHouse!
  THENitflasheduponBritanniathatthefittestofrewardsWas,totakehimfromtheCommonsandtoputhimintheLords!
  Andwhosofittositinit,denyitifyoucan,Asthisverygreat—thisverygood—thisverygiftedman?
  (ThoughI’mmorethanhalfafraidThatitsometimesmaybesaidThatwenevershouldhaverevelledinthatsourceofproperpride,Howevergreathismerits—ifhiscousinhadn’tdied!)
  Ballad:TheMagnetAndTheChurnAMAGNEThunginahardwareshop,AndallaroundwasalovingcropOfscissorsandneedles,nailsandknives,Offeringloveforalltheirlives;
  ButforirontheMagnetfeltnowhim,Thoughhecharmediron,itcharmednothim,Fromneedlesandnailsandkniveshe’dturn,Forhe’dsethisloveonaSilverChurn!
  Hismostaesthetic,VerymagneticFancytookthisturn—
  "IfIcanwheedleAknifeorneedle,WhynotaSilverChurn?"
  AndIronandSteelexpressedsurprise,Theneedlesopenedtheirwell—drilledeyes,Thepen—knivesfelt"shutup,"nodoubt,Thescissorsdeclaredthemselves"cutout,"
  Thekettlestheyboiledwithrage,’tissaid,Whileeverynailwentoffitshead,Andhitherandthitherbegantoroam,Tillahammercameup—anddroveithome,WhilethismagneticPeripateticLoverhelivedtolearn,Bynoendeavour,CanMagneteverAttractaSilverChurn!
  Ballad:TheFamilyFoolOh!aprivatebuffoonisalight—heartedloon,Ifyoulistentopopularrumour;
  Frommorningtonighthe’ssojoyousandbright,Andhebubbleswithwitandgoodhumour!
  He’ssoquaintandsoterse,bothinproseandinverse;
  Yetthoughpeopleforgivehistransgression,ThereareoneortworulesthatallFamilyFoolsMustobserve,iftheylovetheirprofession。
  Thereareoneortworules,Half—a—dozen,maybe,Thatallfamilyfools,Ofwhateverdegree,Mustobserveiftheylovetheirprofession。
  Ifyouwishtosucceedasajester,you’llneedToconsidereachperson’sauricular:
  WhatisallrightforBwouldquitescandaliseC
  (ForCissoveryparticular);
  AndDmaybedull,andE’sverythickskullIsasemptyofbrainsasaladle;
  WhileFisFsharp,andwillcrywithacarp,Thathe’sknownyourbestjokefromhiscradle!
  Whenyourhumourtheyflout,Youcan’tletyourselfgo;
  AnditDOESputyououtWhenapersonsays,"Oh!
  Ihaveknownthatoldjokefrommycradle!"
  Ifyourmasterissurly,fromgettingupearly(Andtempersareshortinthemorning),AninopportunejokeisenoughtoprovokeHimtogiveyou,atonce,amonth’swarning。
  Thenifyourefrain,heisatyouagain,Forhelikestogetvalueformoney:
  He’llaskthenandthere,withaninsolentstare,"Ifyouknowthatyou’repaidtobefunny?"
  ItaddstothetasksOfamerryman’splace,Whenyourprincipalasks,Withascowlonhisface,Ifyouknowthatyou’repaidtobefunny?
  ComesaBishop,maybe,orasolemnD。D。—
  Oh,bewareofhisangerprovoking!
  Betternotpullhishair—don’tstickpinsinhischair;
  Hewon’tunderstandpracticaljoking。
  Ifthejeststhatyoucrackhaveanorthodoxsmack,Youmaygetablandsmilefromthesesages;
  Butshouldit,bychance,beimportedfromFrance,Half—a—crownisstoppedoutofyourwages!
  It’sageneralrule,Thoughyourzealitmayquench,IftheFamilyFoolMakesajokethat’sTOOFrench,Half—a—crownisstoppedoutofhiswages!
  Thoughyourheaditmayrackwithabiliousattack,Andyoursenseswithtoothacheyou’relosing,Andyou’remopyandflat—theydon’tfineyouforthatIfyou’reproperlyquaintandamusing!
  Thoughyourwiferanawaywithasoldierthatday,Andtookwithheryourtrifleofmoney;
  Blessyourheart,theydon’tmind—they’reexceedinglykind—
  Theydon’tblameyou—aslongasyou’refunny!