human
I say, Master Stapleton, suppose we were to knock out half a port, observed old Tom, after a silence of two minutes;
gpt
Stapleton gave a nod of assent, and I rose and put the upper window down a few inches.
human
Ay, that's right, Jacob; now we shall see what Miss Mary and he are about. You've been enjoying the lady all to yourself, master,
gpt
Verily and truly, replied the Dominie,
human
Never heard of him.
gpt
I presume not; still, Jacob will tell thee that the history is to be found in Ovid's Metamorphoses.
human
Never heard of the country, master.
gpt
Nay, friend Dux, it is a book, not a country, in which thou may'st read how Jupiter at first descended unto Semele in a cloud.
human
And pray, where did he come from, master?
gpt
He came from heaven.
human
The devil he did. Well, if ever I gets there, I mean to stay.
gpt
It was love, all-powerful love, which induced him, maiden,
human
Human natur',
gpt
Not the first vessels that have run foul in a fog,
human
No, boy; but generally there ar'n't much love between them at those times. But, come, now that we can breathe again, suppose I give you a song. What shall it be, young woman, a sea ditty, or something _spooney_?
gpt
Oh, something about love, if you've no objection, sir,
human
Nay, it pleaseth me maiden, and I am of thy mind. Friend Dux, let it be Anacreontic.
gpt
What the devil's that?
human
Nothing of your own, father, that's clear; but something to borrow, for it's to be _on tick_,
gpt
Nay, boy, I would have been understood that the song should refer to women or wine.
human
Both of which are to his fancy,
gpt
Oh! the days are gone when beauty bright My heart's chain wove, When my dream of life from morn to night Was Love--still Love. New hope may bloom, and days may come, Of milder, calmer beam, But there's nothing half so sweet in life As Love's young dream; Oh! there's nothing half so sweet in life, As Love's young dream.
human
Boys! boys! said the Dominie, starting up,
gpt
Though the bard to a purer fame may soar When wild youth's past, Though he win the wise, who frowned before, To smile at last, He'll never meet a joy so sweet In all his noon of fame, As when first he sung to woman's ear His soul-felt flame; And at every close she blush'd to hear The once-lov'd name.
human
Eheu! Mary.
gpt
Did you speak to me, sir?
human
Speak, maiden? nay, I spoke not; yet thou mayest give me my pipe, which apparently hath been abducted while I was listening to the song.
gpt
Abducted! that's a new word; but it means smashed into twenty pieces, I suppose, observed young Tom.
human
At all events, your pipe is, for you let it fall between your legs.
gpt
Never mind, said Mary, rising from her chair, and going to the cupboard;
human
Well, master, am I to finish, or have you had enough of it?
gpt
Proceed, friend Dux, proceed; and believe that I am all attention.
human
Oh, that hallowed form is ne'er forgot Which first love trac'd, Still it lingering haunts the greenest spot On memory's waste. 'Twas odour fled as soon as shed, 'Twas memory's winged dream, 'Twas a light that ne'er can shine again On life's dull stream; Oh, 'twas light that ne'er can shine again On life's dull stream.
gpt
Nay, said the Dominie, again abstracted,
human
You don't mean to leave us, sir?
gpt
Even so, fair maiden, for it waxeth late, and I have my duties to perform,
human
Then you will promise to come again.
gpt
Peradventure I may.
human
If you do not promise me that you will, I will not let you go now.
gpt
Verily, maiden--
human
Promise,
gpt
Truly, maiden--
human
Promise,
gpt
In good sooth, maiden--
human
Promise,
gpt
Nay, then, I do promise, since thou wilt have it so,
human
And when will you come?
gpt
I will not tarry, replied the Dominie;