us._ Croak, croak.

BACCHUS. My dear little bull-frog, do prithee be still.
'Tis a sorry vocation--that reiteration,
(I speak on, my honour, most musical nation,)
Of croak, croak.

LEADER (_maestoso._) When the sun rides in glory and makes a bright day,
Mid lilies and plants of the water I stray;
Or when the sky darkens with tempest and rain,
I sink like a pearl in my watery domain:
Yet, sinking or swimming. I lift up a song,
Or I drive a gay dance with my eloquent throng,
Then hey bubble, bubble--
For a knave's petty trouble,
Shall I my high charter and birth-right revoke?
Nay, my efforts I'll double,
And drive him like stubbie
Before me, with--

_Chorus_. Croak, croak, croak.

BACCHUS. I'm ribs of steel, I'm heart of oak,
Let us see if a note
May be found in this throat
To answer their croak, croak, croak.
(_Croaks loudly_.)

LEADER. Poor vanity's son--
And dost think me outdone,
With a clamour no bigger
Than a maiden's first snigger?
(_To Chorus_) But strike up a tune,
He shall not forget soon

(_Chorus_.) Of our croak, croak, croak,

(_Croak, with a discordant crash of music_.)

BACCHUS. I'm cinder, I'm coke,
I have had my death-stroke;
O, that ever I woke
To be gall'd by the yoke
Of this croak, croak, croak, croak.

LEADER. Friend, friend, I may not be still:
My destinies high I must needs fulfil,
And the march of creation--despite reprobation
Must proceed with--(_To Chor._) my lads, must I make application
For a--

_Chorus_. Croak, croak, croak.

BACCHUS (_in a minor key._) Nay, nay--take your own way,
I've said out my say,
And care naught, by my fai',
For your croak, croak, croak.

LEADER. Care or care not, 'tis the same thing to me,
My voice is my own and my actions are free;
I have but one note, and I'll chant it with glee,
And from morning to night that note it shall be--

_Chorus_. Croak, croak, croak.

BACCHUS. Nay then, old rebel, but I'll stop your treble,
With a poke, poke, poke:
Take this from my rudder--(_dashing at the frogs_)--and that from my oar,
And now let us see if you'll trouble us more
With your croak, croak, croak.

LEADER. You may batter and bore,
You may thunder and roar,
Yet I'll never give o'er
Till I'm hard at death's door,
--(This