Absurd Ditties

Excerpt for Dittie #2: THAT OF THE LATE MR. BROWN. Life has its little ups, and downs, As has been very truly said, And Mr. Brown, Of Camden Town (Alas the gentleman is dead), Found out how quickly Fortune's smile May turn to Fortune's frown; And how a sudden rise in life May bring a person down. He lived-as I remarked before- Within a highly genteel square At Camden Town, Did Mr. Brown (He had been born and brought up there); But-waxing richer year by year- Grew prosperous and fat, And left the square at Camden Town To take a West End flat. It was a very stylish flat, With such appointments on each floor As Mr. Brown At Camden Town Had never, never seen before: Electric lights; hydraulic lifts, To take one up and down; And telephones to everywhere. (These quite bewildered Brown.) The elevator pleased him most; To ride in it was perfect bliss. "I say " cried Brown, "At Camden Town We'd nothing half as good as this." From early morn till dewy eve He spent his time-did Brown- In being elevated up, And elevated down.