{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/wikisource_The_Reciter_Billy_Dip/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/wikisource_The_Reciter_Billy_Dip","id":"wikisource_The_Reciter_Billy_Dip","license":"Public Domain / CC-BY-SA (see source)","rights_basis":"wikisource_site_inclusion_policy","source":"wikisource","source_url":"https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Reciter/Billy_Dip","summary":null,"tags":["Chapbooks","Headers_applying_DefaultSort_key","Marriage","Pages_with_contributor","Scottish_poetry","Subpages","Works_using_categories_parameter"],"text":"\u2014\u2014\u2014\n\nBILLY DIP.\n\nChloe, a maid at fifty-five,\n\nWas at her toilette dressing\u00a0;\n\nHer waiting-maid, with iron hot,\n\nEach paper'd curl was pressing.\nThe looking-glass her eyes engross,\n\nWhile Betty humm'd a ditty;\n\nShe gazed so much upon her face,\n\nShe really thought it pretty.\n\nHer painted cheeks and pencil brows,\n\nShe could not but approve.\n\nHer thoughts on various subjects turn'd,\n\nAt length they fix'd on love:\n\n\"And shall,\" said she, \"a virgin life\n\nAwait these pleasing charms?\n\nAnd will no sighing blooming youth\n\nReceive me to his arms?-\n\nForbid it, Love!\" She scarce had spoke,\n\nWhen Cupid laid a trap;\n\nFor, at the chamber door was heard\n\nA soft and gentle rap:\n\nCried Betty, \"who is at the door?\"\n\n\"Aye tell,\" quoth Chloe, \"true:\"\n\nWhen straight a tender voice replied,\n\n\"Dear ma'am, I dye for you\n\n\"What's that,\u201d she said, \"O, Betty, say!\n\nA man! and die for me!\n\nAnd can I see the youth expire---\n\nOh, no! it must not be!\n\nHaste, Betty,---open quick the door:\"\n\n'Tis done\u00a0; and, lo! to view,\n\nA little man with bundle stood,\n\nIn sleeves and apron blue\n\nYe Powers!\" cried Chloe, \"what is this?\n\nWhat vision do I see?\n\nIs this the man, oh, mighty Love!---\n\n\u0422he man that dies for me?\"\n\n\"Yes ma'am; your ladyship is right,\"\n\nThe figure straight replied;\n\n\"And hard for me it would have been\n\nIf I had never dyed.\nLa! ma'am, you must have heard of me,\n\nAlthough I'm no highflyer;\n\nI live just by at No. 1,\n\nI'm Billy Dip, the dyer.\n\nTwas I, ma'am, Betty there employed\n\nTo dye your lustering gown;\n\nAnd I not only dye for you\n\nBut I dye for the whole town.\"","title":"The Reciter/Billy Dip","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":285}