"A child of freshest clay
Doth at our table stay:
Hey! Hey!"--
with which students usually welcome a new arrival. This was followed by
"Ca, Ca! be merry,"
in which the words
"Edite, bibite"
had been paraphrased into "eating it, beating it." This introduction of
university civilization into the retreats of village life was the work
of Constantine. The boys were very proud of their new songs. Ivo joined
in, lest he should appear "stuck up."
The three comrades were well drilled. Peter sang the air; and, though
he had a fine voice, he spoiled it by bawling,--for peasants when they
sing, and parsons when they preach, are equally apt to suppose that an
overstrained voice is more beautiful and impressive than a natural one.
Constantine always moved up and down as he sang, clenching his fists
and buffeting the air. Florian rested his elbows on the table and sang
with closed eyes, to exclude all outside distraction.
The first pint having been despatched in short order, the college chap
cried, "Babbett, one more of them: it takes two legs to walk on," and
then sang,--
"Wine, ho! Wine, ho!
Or I'll stagger to and fro.
I won't stagger, and I can't stand,
And I won't be a Lutherand.
Wine, ho! Wine, ho!
Or I'll stagger so."