Читать книгу The Bramleighs of Bishop's Folly - Charles James Lever - Страница 18

“With crests on our harness and breechin,

In a carriage and four we shall roll,

With a splendid French cook in the kitchen,

If we only succeed to find coal,

Coal!

If we only are sure to find coal.”

“A barcarolle, I declare,” said Lord Culduff, entering. “It was a good inspiration led me up here.”

A jolly roar of laughter at his mistake welcomed him; and Cutty, with an aside, cried out, “He's deaf as a post,” and continued,—

“If we marry, we 'll marry a beauty,

If single we 'll try and control

Our tastes within limits of duty,

And make ourselves jolly with coal,

Coal!

And make ourselves jolly with coal.

“They may talk of the mines of Golcondar,

Or the shafts of Puebla del Sol;

But to fill a man's pocket, I wonder

If there's anything equal to coal,

Coal!

If there 's anything equal to coal.

“At Naples we 'll live on the Chiaja,

With our schooner-yacht close to the Mole,

And make daily picknickings to Baja,

If we only come down upon coal,

Coal!

If we only come down upon coal.”

“One of the fishermen's songs,” said Lord Culduff, as he beat time on the table. “I 've passed many a night on the Bay of Naples listening to them.”

And a wild tumultuous laugh now convulsed the company, and Cutbill, himself overwhelmed by the absurdity, rushed to the door, and made his escape without waiting for more.