* *

THE "WITLER" AND THE "WASSER-MAIDEN."

_A Ballad of Bungdom._ (_After Hans Breitmann's Ballad of the Mermaid._)

[Illustration]

Der noble Witler[A] BUNGO
Von Schvillenschviggenop,
Rode out mit shpeer und helmet,
Und he coom to de panks of de Schlopp,

[A] Licensed Victualler.

Und oop dere rose a Meer-maid
Vot hadn't got nodings on.
Und she say, "Oh, Witler BUNGO,
Vhere you goes mit yourself alone?"

Und he says, "I rides mine high-horse,
Mit helmet und mit shpeer,
Till I gooms unto mine Gasthaus,[B]
Vhere I sells goot wine und peer."

[B] Tavern, or Wine Shop.

Und den outspoke de Maiden
Vot hadn't got nodings on:
"I ton't dink mooch of beoplesh
Dat cares for demselfs alone.

You'd petter coom down to de Wasser,--
'Tis de pest trink ash you'll see,--
Und haf a wholesome tinner
Mit Schlopp-Vash, along mit me."

"Dere you sees de fisch a-schwimmin!
Und dere healthy efery one."
So sang dis Wasser-Maiden,
Vot hadn't got nodings on.

"Your shtrong tipplesh cost mooch money,
Dere ish death in de trinks you've sold;
Und you helps yourself, by doonder,
To de Vorkmansh hard-earned gold.

"Shoost look at doze sodden wretches,
Vhite schlafes of de Witler Rings!
From dere 'trunks' you vill your pockets,
Und you rob dem like efery dings.

"Vot _dey_ vantsh mit your schnaps[C] und lager,
Vitrioled gin and doctored wine?
Smash your pottles, and preak your parrels,
Und try dese Schlopps of mine!"

[C] Drams, drinks.

* * *

Vill _dat_ fetch him! He standsh as shpellbound!
She vould pool his coat-tails down.
She von't draw _him_ oonder der Wasser--
Dat Maiden mit nodings on!

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

Thank you, Mrs. HUNGERFORD (says the Baron, bowing his very best to the
talented authoress), for one of the cheeriest, freshest, and
sweetest--if I may be allowed to use the epithet--of one-volume'd
stories I've read for many a day. The three daughters are delightful. I
question whether you couldn't have done better with "two only, as are
generally necessary;" but perhaps this is ungrateful on my part. Anyway,
two out of the three lovers are scarcely worth mentioning, so I don't
think I am far wrong, for the team was a bit unmanageable, well as you
had them in hand. Excellent, too, is the sketch of _Dad_, thou