n work it?"--"Nobody knows.
They will be here anon. Better ask Will.
He's the magician!"--"Ah, here comes Dame Dimpling!"
And, into the rollicking chaos our good Dame
--A Dame of only two and thirty springs--
All lavender and roses and white kerchief,
Bustled, to lay the tables.

Fletcher flung
His arm around her waist and kissed her cheek.
But all she said was, "_One--two--three--four--five--
Six at a pinch, in yonder window-seat._"
"A health to our Dame Dimpling," Beaumont cried,
And Dekker, leaping on the old black settle,
Led all their tumult into a song again:--

What is the Mermaid's merriest toast?
Our hostess--good Dame Dimpling!
Who is it rules the Mermaid roast?
Who is it bangs the Mermaid host,
Tho' her hands be soft as her heart almost?
Dame Dimpling!

She stands at the board in her fresh blue gown
With the sleeves tucked up--Dame Dimpling!
She rolls the white dough up and down
And her pies are crisp, and her eyes are brown.
So--she is the Queen of all this town,--
Dame Dimpling!

Her sheets are white as black-thorn bloom,
White as her neck, Dame Dimpling!
Her lavender sprigs in the London gloom
Make every little bridal-room
A country nook of fresh perfume,--
Dame Dimpling!

She wears white lace on her dark brown hair:
And a rose on her breast, Dame Dimpling!
And who can show you a foot as fair
Or an ankle as neat when she climbs the stair,
Taper in hand, and head in the air,
And a rose in her cheek?--O, past compare,
Dame Dimpling!

"But don't forget those oyster-pies," cried Lyly.
"Nor the roast beef," roared Dekker. "Prove yourself
The Muse of meat and drink."

There was a shout
In Bread Street, and our windows all swung wide,
Six heads at each.

Nat Field bestrode our sign
And kissed the painted Mermaid on her lips,
Then waved his tankard.

"Here they come," he cried.
"Camden and Selden, Chapman and Marston, too,
And half Will's company with our big Ben
Riding upon their shoulders."

"Look!" cried Dekker,
"But where is Atlas now? O, let them have it!
A thumping chorus, lads! Let th