Part 16 (2/2)

And working very hard himself Amongst his tar and pitch; He soon acc.u.mulated wealth, That made him very rich.

The next to Louis' bed was Will, The biggest Monitor; And though he did pretend a saint, He was as big a cur.

He loved to make them all believe He was opposed to strife, And said he never caused a row, No, never in his life.

He was so fond of singing psalms, And read his testament; So everybody was deceived When he was on mischief bent.

He seldom pa.s.sed a lodger's bed But what he took a glance, Which made them every one suspect He'd rob them if he'd chance.

Now Louis had two flower pots He nourished with much care, But little knew that Willie's eyes Were set upon the pair.

In one there grew an ALSACE Rose, The other a LORAINE, And Willie vowed they once were his And must be his again.

He said his father once lodg'd there, And that the dame did know That Louis predecessors once Had sneaked them in a row.

But in Willie's council was a lad Up to every quirk, To keep him out of mischief, long Dame Europe had her work.

To this smart youth Saint Willie Did whisper his desire One night as they sat smoking, Besides the kitchen fire.

To get them flowers back again, Said Bissy, very low, Meet Louis somewhere on the quiet, And try to cause a row.

But mind the other deputies Don't catch you on the hop, For John and Joseph you must know Your little game would stop.

For Joseph he has not forgot The day you warmed his rig; And christian Denmark still thinks on About his nice Slesvig.

By your advice, my own Dear Mark, I have been guided on, But what about that man i't bunk?

Pointing o'er to John.

He's very plucky too is John, But yet he's very slow, And perhaps he never may perceive Our scheme about the row.

But not another word of this To anybody's ears, The dame she plays the list'ner, I have my doubts and fears.

So let us go up-stairs at once, I think it will be best, And let us pray to Him above, Before we go to rest.

So with a pious countenance, His prayers as usual said, But squinting round the room the while, He spied an empty bed.

What a pity that these empty stocks Should be unoccupied; Do you think my little cousin, Mark, To them could be denied.

'Tis just the very thing, said Mark, Your cousin, sir, and you, Would carry out my scheme first-rate, One at each side of Lue.

The dame being asked did not object If he could pay the rent, And had a decent characterz And Louis would consent.

But I do object to this says Lue, And on this very ground, w.i.l.l.y and his cousins, ma'am, They soon will me surround.

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