r Romulus, Remus, bricklayers, maidens, and others_.

_Rom._.,
'Tis done. The proud usurper bites the dust.
_Rem_.
(It's took us ten good years to do it. That's the wust.)
_Rom_.
The tyrant's ashes moulder on the plain.
_Rem_. (You've said that once before. Say it again.)
_Rom_. Remus, my blackguard brother, hold thy tongue.
_Rem_. Romulus, may I be spared to see thee hung.
_Maidens_.
Alas! to see two brothers bicker thus is sad,
Let's laugh and sport and turn to something glad.
_Mary Ann (blushing_).
I'll sing you a simple ballad if you like.
(_All shuddering_). Good gracious! (_Aside_) Certainly, by all
means.
_Mary Ann_.
How doth each naughty little lad
Delight to snarl and bite,
And kick and scratch, It's very bad,
It isn't at all right.
Oh, don't do this; oh, don't do that,
Don't tear each other's hair,
But shout and play with ball and bat,
Or dance with maidens fair;
Play tennis, cricket, kiss-in-the-ring,
Rounders or golf or catch,
Play baseball, rounders--anything, But please don't fight and scratch.

Run quarter miles, or hurdle race,
Jump high or low or wide;
Try football tricks, both drop and place,
Join us in seek and hide.
But _please_ don't squabble, dear boys,
It isn't nice to squall;
It looks so bad, makes such a noise,
It quite upsets us all.

_All_.
Enough, dear Mary Ann, enough, enough;
(Did ever mortal hear such stupid stuff?)
Who's going to fight? We're here to play,
Reserve your lectures for some other day.

(_Athletic sports begin. The crowd looks on, as Chorus_)

_Chorus_.
Clear the course, ring the bell,
Toe the line, start them well.
Go it, cripples! on you go!
This man's gaining, that's dropped slow!
Mind the corner! keep your side!
Save your wind! Well run! well tried!
One more lap! Stick to it there!
Now for a spurt! He's leading clear--
No, neck-and-neck! No, leader's done!
The best man wins! Well run! well run!
Now for the jump--four feet, all clear.
Up inch by inch. Ah, very near!
Another try. What, missed again?
He's not the winning man, that's plain.
Up, four foot six! Bravo! Well jumped!
See, number four is getting pumped.
Good, number six! He's all on springs!
Another inch! The tug begins!
Up, up, and up! Three men still in -
Now only two! Which is to win? Up higher!
Ah, there's one miss more! Well jump