Charles Larkyns (encouragingly). "Try back, Verdant: never mind."
Mr. Verdant Green (tries back, with increased confusion of ideas, resulting principally from the milk-punch and tobacco). "I dreamt that I dwe-elt in mar-arble halls, with vassals and serfs at my si-hi-hide; and - and - I beg your pardon, gentlemen, I really forget - oh, I know! - and I also dre-eamt, which ple-eased me most - no, that's not it" -
Mr. Bouncer (who does not particularly care for the words of a song, but only appreciates the chorus) - "That'll do, old feller! We ain't pertickler,- (rushes with great deliberation and noise to the chorus) "That you lo-oved me sti-ill the sa-ha-hame - chorus, gentlemen!"
Omnes (in various keys and time). "That you lo-oved me sti-ill the same."
Mr. Bouncer (to Mr. Green, alluding remotely to the opera). "Now my Bohemian gal, can't you come out to-night? Spit us out a yard or two more, Gig-lamps."
Mr. Verdant Green (who has again taken the opportunity to clear his throat). "I dreamt that I dwe-elt in mar-arble- no! I beg pardon! sang that (desperately) - that sui-uitors sou-ught my hand, that knights on their (hic) ben-ended kne-e-ee - had (hic) riches too gre-eat to" - (Mr. Verdant Green smiles benignantly upon the company) - "Don't rec'lect anymo."
Mr. Bouncer (who is not to be defrauded of the chorus). "Chorus, gentlemen! - That you'll lo-ove me sti-ill the sa-a-hame!"
Omnes (ad libitum). "That you'll lo-ove me sti-ill the same!"
Though our hero had ceased to sing, he was still continuing to clear his throat by the aid of the milk-punch, and was again industriously sucking his cigar, which he had not yet succeeded in getting half through, although he had re-lighted it about twenty times. All this was observed by the watchful eyes of Mr. Bouncer, who, whispering to his neighbour, and bestowing a distributive wink on the company generally, rose and made the following remarks:-
"Mr. Smalls, and gents all: I don't often get on my pins to trouble you with a neat and appropriate speech; but on an occasion like the present, when we are honoured with the presence of a party who has just delighted us with what I may call a flood of harmony (hear, hear), - and has pitched it so uncommon strong in the vocal line, as to considerably take the shine out of the woodpecker-tapping, that we've read of in the pages of history (hear, hear: "Go it again, Bouncer!"), - when, gentlemen, I see before me this old original Little Wobbler, - need I say that I allude to Mr. Verdant Green? - (vociferous cheers)- I feel it a sort of, what you call a privilege, d'ye see, to stand on my pins, and propose that respected party's jolly good health (renewed cheers). Mr. Verdant Green, gentlemen, has but lately come among us, and is, in point of fact, what you call a freshman; but, gentlemen, we've already seen enough of him to feel aware that - that Brazenface has gained an acquisition, which - which - (cries of "Tally-ho! Yoicks! Hark forrud!") Exactly so, gentlemen: so, as I see you are all anxious to do honour to our freshman, I beg, without further preface, to give you the health of Mr. Verdant Green! With all the honours. Chorus, gents!