I went to see the Pantomime this Christmas in our town.
We laughed enough the opening night to bring the theatre down.
The piece was _Burleybumbo_, _the Old Giant, and his Men_;
_Fairy Starlight, Little Popsey, and the Demon of the Glen_.
The Supers were collected from the local talent round,
And for _Burleybumbo's_ servant the Blacksmith, JOHN, they found;
A stalwart varlet was required to carry off his foes
To Burleybumbo Castle, where he ate them as he chose.
His minions, who wore hideous masks, had nothing much to say,
So an IRVING was not wanted to do their part of the play.
On this eventful night the house was packed from roof to pit,
And the Manager was jubilant at having made a hit.
The Curtain drawing slowly up, revealed a flowery glade,
In which the _Fairy Starlight_ and her lovely maidens played.
The wicked Demon then came on, and round the stage did glower;
No mortal man could e'er withstand his wrath or evil power.
Last of all came _Burleybumbo_ with his crew, a motley horde,
Our old friend, Blacksmith JOHN, was in attendance on his lord.
They were singing and carousing, when a man rushed in to say
That a dozen wealthy travellers were coming down that way.
The band dispersed, and hid themselves, in hopes that they might plunder
The unsuspecting wayfarers. Alas! now came the blunder:
Old JOHN he wouldn't hide himself, but coolly walked about
Advancing to the footlights, he looked around--but hark! a shout:--
"Confound you! Dash my--! Just come off! Hi, you! Who are you? JOHN!"
"Not if I knowsh it, jolly old pal! I've only just come on!"
Thus saying, he lumbered round the stage. The Prompter's heart had sunk:
No doubt about the matter--_Burleybumbo's_ man is drunk!
"Come off! Come off!" from every wing was now the angry cry.