Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/480

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BILLY DIP.
Forbid it, Love!" She scarce had spoke, When Cupid laid a trap;For at the chamber-door was heard A soft and gentle rap.
Cried Betty, "Who is at the door?" "Ay tell," quoth Chloe, "trueWhen straight a tender voice replied, "Dear ma'am, I dye for you."
"What's that!" she said, "O Betty, say! A man! and die for me!And can I see the youth expire— Oh, no!—it must not be.
"Haste, Betty—open quick the door 'Tis done; and, lo! to view,A little man with bundle stood, In sleeves and apron blue.
"Ye powers!" cried Chloe, "what is this? What vision do I see?Is this the man, 0 mighty Love— The man that dies for me?"
"Yes ma'am; your ladyship is right," The figure straight replied;"And hard for me it would have been If I had never dyed.
"La! ma'am, you must have heard of me, Although I'm no highflyer;I live just by at No. 1, I'm Billy Dip, the dyer.
"'Twas I, ma'am, Betty there employed To dye your lustring gown;And I not only dye for you, But dye for all the town."
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