Re-enter Judy with the Child.
Judy. Here's the child. Pretty dear! It knows its papa. Take the child.
Punch. (holding out his hands) Give it me—pretty littel thing! How like its sweet mamma!
Judy. How awkward you are!
Punch. Give it me: I know how to nurse it so well as you do. (she gives it him) Get away! (Exit Judy. Punch nursing the Child in his arms) What a pretty baby it is! was it sleepy then? Hush-a-by, by, by. (sings to the tune of "Rest thee, Babe")[1]
Oh, rest thee, my baby,
Thy daddy is here:
Thy mammy's a gaby,
And that's very clear.
Oh, rest thee, my darling,
Thy mother will come,
With a voice like a starling;—
I wish she was dumb!
Poor dear littel thing! it cannot get to sleep: by, by; by, by, hush-a-by. Well, then, it shan't, (dances the Child, and then sets it on his lap, between his knees, and sings the common nursery ditty,)
Dancy baby diddy;
What shall daddy do widdy?
Sit on his lap,
Give it some pap;
Dancy, baby, diddy.[2]
- ↑ Evidently an interpolation since "Guy Mannering" was brought upon the stage. For what song this parody was substituted, cannot now be ascertained.
- ↑ The admirers of "the antiquities of nursery literature," (to use the words of the "Quarterly Review," which wisely devoted some sheets to the subject,) may like to see a different version of this "delicate and simple ditty," which we have on the highest authority. It runs thus:
"Dancy, baby, dancy,
How it shall gallop and prancy!
Sit on my knee;
Now kissy me:
Dancy, baby, dancy."
