Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/119

The Bishop bowed his head
And, acquiescing, said,
"I've heard your well-meant rage
Against the Modern Stage.

"A modern Theatre, as I heard you say,
Sows seeds of evil broad-cast: well, it may—
But let me ask you, my respected son,
Pray, have you ever ventured into one?"
 
"My Lord," said Micah, "No!
I never, never go!
What! Go and see a play?
My goodness gracious, nay!"

The worthy Bishop said, "My friend, no doubt
The stage may be the place you make it out;
But if, my Reverend Sowls, you never go,
I don't quite understand how you're to know."

"Well, really," Micah said,
"I've often heard and read,
But never go—do you?"
The Bishop said, "I do."

"That proves me wrong," said Micah, in a trice;
"I thought it all frivolity and vice."
The Bishop handed him a counter plain;
"Just take this stall and go to Drury Lane."