I LEARNT a simple bit of rhyme—

An easy air to sing;—

I thought the ditty at the time

A rather funny thing.

Of course, as I was green and young,

My judgment might be wrong;

Still, folks applauded when I sung

My only comic song.

Twas all about a Cavalier

Who finds a pair of gloves,

Which implicate, it's very clear,

The lady whom he loves.

That knight incontinently sends

That lady to Hong-Kong—

And thereupon abruptly ends

My only comic song.

'Twas most successful in its way,

For I could understand

Enough of harmony to play

Upon a Collard's grand.

My voice (though never very sweet,

And never very strong)

Possess'd sufficient force to treat

My only comic song.

One evening, anxious to impress

The lady of my choice,

I took some pains about my dress

And more about my voice.

But lo! a miserable man

(My rival all along)

Stept in before me, and began

My only comic song.