• Ballad: Sir Macklin Cover
      by LovelyMay Sir Macklin is a tale from "The Bab Ballads" focusing on the stern, moralizing efforts of Sir Macklin, a priest determined to correct the wayward paths of three young men: Tom, Bob, and Billy. These youths, known for their vain and carefree dispositions, habitually spent their Sundays strolling and chatting in various parks and gardens, blatantly ignoring the Sabbath law and the principles of decency and restraint that Sir Macklin vehemently espoused. Sir Macklin, described as a priest of severe demeanor…
    • Ballad: The Folly Of Brown — By A General Agent Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Folly of Brown - By A General Agent," the narrator recounts his experiences with a man named Brown, a simple farmer who unexpectedly came into a fortune of two hundred thousand. Despite this windfall, Brown's demeanor and lifestyle remain unchanged, embodying the essence of a clown – not in the theatrical sense but reflecting a lack of sophistication and education. The newfound wealth leaves Brown unfazed, his ignorance evident as he continues to live a simple life, uninterested in the luxuries…
    • 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: Lorenzo De Lardy Cover
      by LovelyMay "The Bab Ballads" presents a humorous and whimsical tale in the ballad of "Lorenzo De Lardy." Dalilah De Dardy, wealthy but aging, falls deeply for the charming and handsome Lorenzo De Lardy, a prestigious lord serving in Her Majesty's Guards. Despite Lorenzo's good looks and charm, attracting many a maiden's gaze, he is plagued by financial woes, primarily owing to considerable debts. His financial desperation leads him to frequent escapes to Paris, seeking respite and perhaps fortune in the city's…
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      PART II.

      PART II. Cover
      by LovelyMay In this whimsical and adventurous chapter of "The Bab Ballads," the narrator embarks on an eccentric quest to discover the author of the charming and elusive cracker mottoes that captivate his Elvira. His journey takes him to celebrated poets—Henry Wadsworth, Alfred Poet Close, and Mister Martin Tupper—in hopes that one of them might be the creator of these witty verses. Each poet, however, denies involvement with the cracker mottoes, and Tupper responds with a cryptic message, illustrating the…
    • Ballad: The Troubadour Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "The Troubadour" from *The Bab Ballads*, a narrative unfolds outside a castle, where a dedicated troubadour plays his music. Within the castle's dismal dungeon, a maiden, trapped and despairing, hears his songs and responds, her heart heavy with sorrow. Despite not knowing her face or name, the troubadour vows not to rest until she is freed, motivated simply by her sad plight. Encouraged by his resolve, the maiden halts her tears and wails, singing gratefully in response to his…
    • Ballad: The Bishop And The ‘Busman Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Bishop and The 'Busman," a whimsical ballad from "The Bab Ballads," we encounter a narrative set in London, centered around a stout, zealous Bishop and a Jewish 'busman named Hash Baz Ben—who also bears the names Jedediah, Solomon, and Zabulon. The Bishop, determined to convert the 'busman to Christianity, embarks on a daily journey with him, riding the Putney bus from Fulham town, proclaiming the 'busman's Jewish identity and religious practices to the amusement and later, the annoyance, of…
    • Chapter

      Ballad: Haunted

      Ballad: Haunted Cover
      by LovelyMay "The earth holds here a social case, Haunted in life by too much surface." In this chapter, we're introduced to a man haunted not by the traditional ghosts of folklore but by the specters of social obligations and faux pas. The author engages us with a portrayal of hauntings of a peculiar kind—ones that society bestows. From Black Monday and its associated dread of school days with their loathsome routines, to the haunting memories of a love lost at seventeen to an "elderly Colonel," the narrative…
    • Ballad: Sir Guy The Crusader Cover
      by LovelyMay In the spirited ballad titled "Sir Guy The Crusader," we are introduced to Sir Guy, a valiant and muscular knight celebrated as a crusader. Dedicated to fighting and invasion, he was a favorite of Dickey de Lion and stood as a symbol of valor and determination. Within this tale of chivalry and love, we encounter Lenore, a stunning Saracen maiden with a remarkable beauty that captivated all. Despite her allure, Lenore faced domestic strife, under the harsh rule of her father, a bagman from Aden, and the odd…
    • Ballad: The Rival Curates Cover
      by LovelyMay Be sure of provocation: Wait till he calls you 'snob,' Or something else as naughty - Then you can do the job, And welcome back to Spiffton!" Thus on his foes he set His minions most observant, 'Twas a most curious bet, Yet, made in all good fervent. But when they reached the spot, They found, instead of strife, A scene that spoke of what's More beautiful in life. HOPLEY, with flute in hand, Played melodies enticing; Around him, o'er the land, Creatures their joy voicing. His curate's garb aside, He wore…
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