YE BALLADE OF YE BISCHOPPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9166, 22 September 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

YE BALLADE OF YE BISCHOPPE.

Of all the towns that are so smart There's none like sunny Auckland ; I am the bishop of that part*, About it I may talk grand. The ladies there are fairer far Than those in other cities ; And in the men a greater share Of wisdom and of wit is. To me they're helpful, one and all. And of such first-class merit, I scarce can find out words so tall As fully to declare it. There's Mrs, M—, the sailors' friend, Who's Riven up to duty ; She works for others without end, And dresses like a beauty. There's Mrs. C—, the friend of E., In lordly mansion dwelling. Such rare uncommon sense has she As scarce admits of telling ; For when she asks us out to dine. My E. and me together, So be the evening clear and fine, Or cold and damp the weather, To take us there, and bring us thence, She always sends her carriage. I hardly think that common sense Can often half so far reach. And so I might run on, run on Until you could not bear it; But take my word that everyone Has most uncommon merit. Yet still the province has some spots Upon its lovely features; In manners there are ugly blots Caused by agnostic teachers. And v.'hen I go to some dark place, The grown-up girls continuing, The marks, 1 find, I can't efface Of Atheistic learning. For e'en when just corHrmed they are, And should be all that's fitting, They 101 l about and rudely stare And greet their bishop sitting. Oh, tie! oh, tie ! you naughty girls ! And you still naughtier teachers; 'Tis hardly right to cast my pearls Before such swinish creatures. The boys, besides, are somewhat rough And don't respect their masters ; They use bad words and oft enough Reject their lawful pastors. So when they come to volunteer, They can't be kept in order. Such men won't drive, I greatly fear, The foe from out our border.* But yet, for all in all, I doubt There is no other bishop, With truth, his diocese about Could such a story dish up. So let us sin" long live the king, And Auckland long live she ; And when she next doth boom abroad, May 1 be there to see. * The word " part" probably refers to the bishops "in pariibua infidelium," formerly appointed by the Roman See.