_Low Church Verger_. "I DON'T FANCY THERE'S HANY SUCH 'EREABOUTS, M'M.
I THINK IT WAS ONLY THE PEW-OPENER!"]

* * * * *

THE BOOM-DE-AY POET.

["Mr. RICHARD MORTON, the author of "_Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay_,"
has been called to prove what would be a reasonable figure for
the whole proprietary rights of a song."--_Times Law Reports,
Nov. 3rd._]

He came before the public t'other day!--
The Author of "_Ta-ra-ra-Boom-de-ay!_"
'Twas in a case before Judge GRANTHAM brought
(It should have been in Justice "COLLINS'" Court)
When the Inspired Bard the Jury faced.
As he within the witness-box was placed.
He told us how his Pegasus would fly
From plain (two guineas) up to (ten) the sky!
But for the song he wrote for LOTTIE fair
We hope he was a-Lottie'd a large share
In all its earnings. May it not be long
Ere he produce another catching song;
But should he fail, then when the poet's clay
Be laid to rest, it will suffice to say,
"_Vixit_. He wrote '_Ta-ra-ra-Boom-de-ay!_'"

* * * * *