"Saltavano le Ninfe bell' e tenere,
"Ei Satiri selvatici

"Facevan balli a modi lor fanatici;
"Il fanciullin di Venere

66

Rallegrava sedend' in un bel frassino,

"Mentre quest' a cantar dolce non lassino."

Part of the above description will apply with as much truth to the fashionable ball-room as to the rustic green. How often do we see, when a handsome couple are whirling round in the giddy circumvolutions of the wanton waltz, that the circle of spectators gradually narrows itself round them,

"Wond'ring with what facility,

"They turn them in such strange agility."

But I beg pardon,-this is a digression; I will therefore exclaim with Lord Byron, Pretty waltzer, adieu, and refer my readers to No. CCCXLIII. for a description of May sports.

LXXVII.

Now is the month of Maying,
When merry lads are playing
Each with his bonny lass,

Upon the greeny grass.

Fa la la.

The spring clad all in gladness,
Doth laugh at winter's sadness;
And to the bagpipe's sound,

The Nymphs tread out their ground.

Fa la la.

Fye, then why sit we musing,
Youth's sweet delight refusing?

Say, dainty Nymphs, and speak,
Shall we play Barley-break ?*

Fa la la.

The English are in the habit of considering the bagpipe as an instrument almost peculiar to Scotland; it was however in constant use at all country jollifications in merry England two hundred and fifty years ago, and I question if Collinet's quadrille band ever put half as much "light "and mettle into the heels" of the dancers.

The music of this Madrigal is, or used to be, sung as a finale in Sheridan's Opera of The Duenna.

LXXIX.

Singing alone, sat my sweet Amarillis,
The Satyrs danced all with joy surprised;
Was never yet such dainty sport devised.

Fa la la.

Come, love, again, sang she, to thy beloved;
Alas! what fear'st thou ? will I not persèver?
Yes, thou art mine, and I am thine for ever.

Fa la la.

LXXX.

What saith my dainty darling,

Shall I now your love obtain?

Fa la.

Long time I sued for grace,

And grace you granted me;

When time should serve, and place;

Can any fitter be?

Fa la.

“When circumstances of time and place, opportunity and importunity shall concur, what will they not effect?" says Burton.

66

"Fair opportunity can win

"The coyest she that is.

"So wisely he takes time, as he 'll

"Be sure he will not miss."

LXXXI.

Thus saith my Galatea,

Love long hath been deluded;

When shall it be concluded?

Fa la la.

The young Nymphs all are wedded,

Ah, then, why do I tarry?

Oh, let me die or marry!

Fa la la.

Galatea seems much afraid of being condemned to lead apes in a certain place unmentionable to polite ears, and reminds me of the lass in some old ditty, (I forget where) who exclaims,

"Mother, I will have a husband,

"And I will have him out of hand:
"Mother, I will sure have one,
"In spite of her that will have none.
"To the town therefore will I gad,
"To get me a husband good or bad.”

Hand in hand uniting, the lovely god we greet.

Lirum lirum.

Lo! triumphing brave comes he

All in pomp and majesty,

Monarch of the world and King.

Let whoso list him,

Dare to resist him.

Lirum lirum.

We our voice uniting, of his high acts will sing.

Lirum lirum.

A translation from the following Ballet of Gastoldi, en titled Gloria d'Amore:

"Vaghi Ninfe e voi Pastor,
"Ch' al mio cant' al dolce suon,

66 Rallegrar solete il cor.

We have an example above of the correct accentuation

of the word triumphing. The past tense triumphed is also