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THE WELFORD WEDDING, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Susan and charlotte and letty and all
Last Line: Susan and charlotte and letty and all.
Alternate Author Name(s): Thomas, Mrs. Elizabeth
Subject(s): Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


SUSAN and Charlotte and Letty and all
Jump and skip and caper and brawl,
Frisk in the drawing-room, romp in the hall,
Susan and Charlotte and Letty and all.
Hark! the fiddle each gay spirit moves;
See, the beaux have all drawn on their gloves.
Mr. Archer will dance,
And Jack Hobland will prance,
And Jack Shirley'll advance,
If my Lady approves.
Chorus: Susan and Charlotte and Letty and all &c.

'Make Parson Strother stand up for a post!'
Poor fat wretch, his breath will be lost:
Do but consider what sweat it will cost,
If we make Parson Strother stand up for a post,
Black's his coat, and all grey his huge wig,
D'ye think he can move to cotillon or jig?
No, no, he will pout,
And he'll dance like a lout,
And he'll put us all out
With his carcase so big.
Cho. Susan and Charlotte &c.

'Sweet Lady Bustle, come, you're to call next.'
No, you're out, I'm sure you'll be vexed.
Good Mr. Parson, pray stick to your text,
For indeed Lady Bustle is not to call next.
Smart Jack Hobland shall dance an allemand;
So lightly he foots it, by none he's outdone.
Besides, the 'Bath Gate'
I have called for, and wait,
But the man's dunny pate
Makes him play it all wrong.
Cho. Susan and Charlotte &c.

Oh, could we but foot it to dear Warner's harp,
Tinkle cum tinkle, and sweet flat and sharp;
At our turnings and windings sour critics might curse,
If we could but foot it to dear Warner's harp.
Oh, my stars! all the couples are out!
See, pray see, what confusion and rout.
Mrs. Abdy, come here,
Sister Charlotte turn there,
Mr. Shirley don't stare,
But mind what you're about.
Cho. Susan and Charlotte &c.

Oh, my dear Charlotte, our dance we give o'er:
The supper-bell rings, and we can call no more;
And Shepherd stands bowing and holding the door,
So you see, my dear Charlotte, we can dance no more.
See, the servants in grand cavalcade,
Fruits-compost and sweet crust colonnade.
See, some carry rusk in,
And turkey al-buskin,
And chickens al-gruskin
In order are laid.
Cho. Susan and Charlotte &c.

Dear Lady Mary, don't kill us with treats,
Pates de veau and transmogrified meats;
Of fish, soup and ven'son the fat Parson eats,
Till indeed, Lady Mary, you'll kill us with treats.
Mark how clear the choice burgundy flows;
Brisk champagne sparkles under one's nose.
The toasts of the day
Make us all blithe and gay.
Hark to mirth, hark away,
Ne'er think of repose.
Cho. Susan and Charlotte &c.

Health, love and joy to the sweet smiling bride:
Bless her, kind heaven, with all bliss beside.
May the hours all laughing serene round her glide,
And give health and joy to the sweet smiling bride.
Guard dear Charlotte too, safe from all harms,
While time moving gently improves all her charms.
May prudence direct her,
Till some kind protector,
Like Hobland or Hector,
Shall fly to her arms.
Susan and Charlotte and Letty and all
Jump and skip and caper and brawl,
Frisk in the drawing-room, romp in the hall,
Susan and Charlotte and Letty and all.





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