No More Learning

it is a merry meeting 430
As ever was in Christendom.

The owls have hardly sung their last,
While our four travellers homeward wend;
The owls have hooted all night long,
And with the owls began my song, 435
And with the owls must end.

For while they all were travelling home,
Cried Betty, "Tell us, Johnny, do,
Where all this long night you have been,
What you have heard, what you have seen: 440
And, Johnny, mind you tell us true. "

Now Johnny all night long had heard
The owls in tuneful concert strive;
No doubt too he the moon had seen;
For in the moonlight he had been 445
From eight o'clock till five.

And thus, to Betty's question, he
Made answer, like a traveller bold,
(His very words I give to you,)
"The cocks did crow to-whoo, to-whoo, 450
And the sun did shine so cold! "
--Thus answered Johnny in his glory,
And that was all his travel's story.


* * * * *

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1827.

He shouts from . . . 1798. ]


[Variant 2: Inserted in the editions 1798 to 1820.

Beneath the moon that shines so bright,
Till she is tired, let Betty Foy
With girt and stirrup fiddle-faddle;
But wherefore set upon a saddle
Him whom she loves, her idiot boy? ]


[Variant 3:

1836.

There's scarce a soul that's out of bed; 1798.
]


[Variant 4: Inserted in the editions 1798 to 1820.

The world will say 'tis very idle,
Bethink you of the time of night;
There's not a mother, no not one,
But when she hears what you have done,
Oh! Betty she'll be in a fright. ]


[Variant 5:

1836.

Has up upon the saddle set, 1798. ]


[Variant 6:

1820.

. . . that's in the dale, 1798. ]


[Variant 7:

1827.

. . . bough's . .