DEBORAH DENT AND HER DONKEY; AND MADAM FIG’s GALA.

Deborah Dent had a Donkey so fine! Marrowbones, cherrystones, Bundle’em jig. Cried Debby, I’ll kiss this sweet Donkey of mine, For sure the dear creature is almost divine; Look at his eyes, how they sparkle and shine! He’s an ambling, scambling, Braying-sweet, turn-up feet, Mane-cropt, tail-lopt, High-bred, thistle-fed, Merry old Bundle’em jig.

In a car the fair ladies at Brighton he drew, Marrowbones, cherrystones, Bundle’em jig. And jogging along with a jolly fat crew, Quite into the sea for coolness he flew, And made some fine pastime for dandies to view. Like an ambling, scambling, Braying-sweet, turn-up feet, Mane-cropt, tail-lopt, High-bred, thistle-fed, Merry old Bundle’em jig.

To the stump of his tail some gay ribands she bound, Marrowbones, cherrystones, Bundle’em jig. And then at the races he tript o’er the ground, And bore off the prize, ’ere a flea could hop round: Though the slowest of Donkeys the winner is found, He’s an ambling, scambling, Braying-sweet, turn-up feet, Mane-cropt, tail-lopt, High-bred, thistle-fed, Merry old Bundle’em jig.

Cries the dame, Pray turn Doctor, my honey,—d’ye see? Marrowbones, cherrystones, Bundle’em jig. You’ll get high in practice, and pocket a fee: Since many a jackass (all parties agree) For physic is famous, though silly as thee; Who art an ambling, scambling, Braying-sweet, turn-up feet, Mane-cropt, tail lopt, High-bred, thistle-fed, Merry old Bundle’em jig.

Says Deborah, Wherefore, since learning’s the rage, Marrowbones, cherrystones, Bundle’em jig, Should not my dear Donkey teach children their page? Pray set up a school, and be one of the sage, In this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful age, Like an ambling, scambling, Braying-sweet, turn-up feet, Mane-cropt, tail lopt, High-bred, thistle-fed, Merry old Bundle’em jig.

She sent for a barber, her Donkey to shave, Marrowbones, cherrystones, Bundle’em jig. Cried Frizzle,—O, sir, what a strong beard you have! This counsellor’s wig will make you look grave, And then at the bar you may bellow and rave Like an ambling, scambling, Braying-sweet, turn-up feet, Mane-cropt, tail-lopt, High-bred, thistle-fed, Merry old Bundle’em jig.

And now, since your talents are gen’ral, you know, Marrowbones, cherrystones, Bundle’em jig. Set up an artist, take portraits also. The Ass took the hint—daub’d a canvas or so, But found that his genius was lazy and slow. Like an ambling, scambling, Braying-sweet, turn-up feet, Mane-cropt, tail-lopt, High-bred, thistle-fed, Merry old Bundle’em jig.

My tale to conclude: he draws sand in a cart, Marrowbones, cherrystones, Bundle’em jig. Having failed to get credit in science or art, And angry old Deb, with her crutch makes him smart, Because he’d creep slowly, and not bear his part, But remain an ambling, scambling, Braying-sweet, turn-up feet, Mane-cropt, tail-lopt, High-bred, thistle-fed, Merry old Bundle’em jig.