• Ballad: Baines Carew, Gentleman Cover
      by LovelyMay In the realm of tender-hearted attorneys, none shone as brightly as Baines Carew, a man whose soul was as sensitive as his legal mind was sharp. Whenever tales of distress reached his ears from clients, his heart would swell with empathy, to the point where accepting payments became a struggle, burdened by his overwhelming compassion. Such sensitivity often came at a personal cost. The duties of his profession, such as foreclosing mortgages, suing, and even the act of distraining for unpaid rent,…
    • Ballad: Babette’s Love Cover
      by LovelyMay Babette was a charming fisher girl from Boulogne, known for her beauty and innocence, spending her days in the Halle or catching shrimp. Her heart is set on marrying an able mariner named Bill, who works for the General Steam-Boat Navigation Company and spends his off-hours dreamily overlooking the port, thoughts possibly adrift to his distant home in Chelsea. Jacot, a customs officer smitten with Babette, confesses his love, only to be rejected as she finds him undesirably thin and declares her affection…
    • Ballad: At A Pantomime.  By A Bilious One Cover
      by LovelyMay In the dim confines of a damp dressing room within the grand Theatre Royal, World, an actor, his face shrouded by a flowing wig and his jaws adorned with a lengthy beard, prepares for his seasonal performance in the cherished pantomime, "HARLEQUIN LIFE AND DEATH." Draped in a gown designed to exaggerate his frail form, he stands ready, urging for the limelight to shine upon the stage, transforming him into the embodiment of jolly Old Christmas. As the curtain rises, the darkness of the stage symbolizes…
    • Ballad: A Discontented Sugar Broker Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A Discontented Sugar Broker" from *The Bab Ballads*, we are introduced to a prominent figure in the East India broking scene, whose identity remains undisclosed out of respect for privacy. This individual enjoys considerable success in his profession, evidenced by his financial stability, a dedicated spouse, a team consisting of a manager, a few boys, six clerks, and seven porters, and a home free from creditors. Despite this outward prosperity, he harbors a personal dissatisfaction stemming from his…
    • Ballad:  The Two Ogres Cover
      by LovelyMay "The Two Ogres" in *The Bab Ballads* spins a whimsical yet moralistic tale, perfectly suited for both obedient and mischievous children. This ballad, set in the magical Wickham Wold, introduces us to two distinct ogres representing the extremes of good and evil. The younger ogre is as virtuous as the elder is vile, embodying the dichotomy of character in fantastical form. James M'Alpine, the elder, is a creature of base desires, indulging his appetite with a ruthless efficiency that targets well-behaved…
    • Ballad:  The Two Majors Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "The Two Majors" from "The Bab Ballads," an insightful look into military life and the complex relationships between officers and their men is presented with both humor and a touch of irony. Major La Guerre and Major Makredi Preper are depicted as the embodiment of the strict yet respected military officer. Both majors are fervent in their lack of praise and abundant in their rebukes, characteristics that paradoxically endear them to their soldiers. Their shared philosophy is that a soldier,…
    • Ballad:  The Sailor Boy To His Lass Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "The Sailor Boy to His Lass," the narrator, a sailor boy, addresses his beloved Matilda as he prepares to set sail. The poem opens with his departure for an undisclosed location, as the captain, Captain Hyde, keeps the destination a secret from the crew. The sailor boy expresses frustration over being kept in the dark due to his lowly position but quickly moves past this grievance to focus on matters of the heart. He eagerly questions Matilda about their future, specifically whether they…
    • Ballad:  The Reverend Simon Magus Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "The Reverend Simon Magus," a wealthy and competitive advowson, sought after by many clergymen, comes to the attention of The Reverend Simon Magus. Desiring to purchase this valuable position, he engages with an agent to discuss acquiring the Cure of Otium-cum-Digge. The agent describes the vicarage as the epitome of comfort, free from duties, with an annual income of fifteen hundred pounds. He hints that the position will soon be available due to the current incumbent's advanced age of…
    • Ballad:  The Perils Of Invisibility Cover
      by LovelyMay In the whimsical ballad "The Perils Of Invisibility," we meet Old Peter, who suffers under the tyranny of a tempestuous wife and battles with his considerable girth, measuring several yards in circumference. One fateful summer day, a diminutive fairy named Picklekin visits Peter, offering him three extraordinary gifts: boundless riches, eternal health, or the power of invisibility. Without a moment's hesitation, Peter opts for invisibility, dreaming of the peace it will bring from his wife's relentless…
    • Ballad:  The Mystic Selvagee Cover
      by LovelyMay Sir Blennerhassett Portico, a renowned Navy Captain, esteemed Baronet, and decorated K.C.B., harbored an unwavering belief—instilled from his formative years—that Lord Rodney was the quintessential naval hero far outshining any other. Sir Portico revered Rodney's naval prowess above all and dedicated himself to emulating the legendary seaman's every habit, from speech to posture. In this pursuit, he managed to uncover Jasper, a weathered sailor who once sailed under Rodney's command during the…
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