【英文原著类】50 bab ballads(50篇巴布歌谣).pdf

Fifty "Bab" Ballads - Much Sound and Little Sense
Fifty "Bab" Ballads -
Much Sound and Little
Sense
W. S. Gilbert
1
Fifty "Bab" Ballads - Much Sound and Little Sense
PREFACE.
THE "BAB BALLADS" appeared originally in the columns of "FUN,"
when that periodical was under the editorship of the late TOM HOOD.
They were subsequently republished in two volumes, one called "THE
BAB BALLADS," the other "MORE BAB BALLADS." The period
during which they were written extended over some three or four years;
many, however, posed hastily, and under the forting
necessity of having to turn out a quantity of lively verse by a certain day in
every week. As it seemed to me (and to others) that the volumes were
disfigured by the presence of these hastily written impostors, I thought it
better to withdraw from both volumes such Ballads as seemed to show
evidence of carelessness or undue haste, and to publish the remainder in
pact form under which they are now presented to the reader.
It may interest some to know that the first of the series, "The Yarn of
the NANCY BELL," was originally offered to "PUNCH," - to which I was,
at that time, an occasional contributor. It was, however, declined by the
then Editor, on the ground that it was "too cannibalistic for his readers'
tastes."
W. S. GILBERT.
24 THE BOLTONS, SOUTH KENSINGTON, AUGUST, 1876.
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Fifty "Bab" Ballads - Much Sound and Little Sense
Ballad: CAPTAIN REECE.
OF all the ships upon the blue, No ship contained a better crew Than
that of worthy CAPTAIN REECE, Commanding of THE
MANTELPIECE.
He was adored by all his men, For worthy CAPTAIN REECE, .,
Did all that lay within him to Promote fort of his crew.
If ever they were dull or sad, Their captain danced to them like mad,
Or told, to make the time pass by, Droll legends of his infancy.
A feather bed had every man, Warm slippers and hot-water can, Brown
windsor from the captain's store, A valet, too, to every four.
Did they with th