One day on parade to Prepere and La Guerre
Came Corporal Jacot Debette,
And trembling all over, he prayed of them there
To give him the pretty Fillette.
“You see, I am willing to marry my bride
Until you’ve arranged this affair;
I will blow out my brains when your honours decide
Which marries the sweet Vivandière!”
“Well, take her,” said both of them in a duet
(A favourite form of reply),
“But when I am ready to marry Fillette.
Remember you’ve promised to die!”
He married her then: from the flowery plains
Of existence the roses they cull:
He lived and he died with his wife; and his brains
Are reposing in peace in his skull.
EMILY, JOHN, JAMES, AND I.
A DERBY LEGEND
Emily Jane was a nursery maid,
James was a bold Life Guard,
John was a constable, poorly paid
(And I am a doggerel bard).
A very good girl was Emily Jane,
Jimmy was good and true,
John was a very good man in the main
(And I am a good man too).
Rivals for Emmie were Johnny and James,
Though Emily liked them both;
She couldn’t tell which had the strongest claims
(And I couldn’t take my oath).
But sooner or later you’re certain to find
Your sentiments can’t lie hid—
Jane thought it was time that she made up her mind
(And I think it was time she did).