I Stole the Prince

I stole the Prince, and I brought him here
And left him gaily prattling
With a highly respectable gondolier
Who promised the Royal babe to rear
And teach him the trade of a timoneer
With his own beloved bratling!
Both of the babes were strong and stout
And, considering all things, clever!
Of that there is no manner of doubt –
No probable, possible shadow of doubt –
No possible doubt whatever!

But owing, I'm much disposed to fear
To his terrible taste for tippling
That highly respectable gondolier
Could never declare with a mind sincere
Which of the two was his offspring dear
And which the Royal stripling!
Which was which he could never make out
Despite his best endeavour1
Of that there is no manner of doubt –
No probable, possible shadow of doubt –
No possible doubt whatever!

Time sped, and when at the end of a year
I sought that infant cherished
That highly respectable gondolier
Was lying a corpse on his humble bier –
I dropped a Grand Inquisitor's tear –
That gondolier had perished!
A taste for drink, combined with gout!
Had doubled him up for ever!
Of that there is no manner of doubt –
No probable, possible shadow of doubt –
No possible doubt whatever!

The children followed his old career –
(This statement can't be parried!)
Of a highly respectable gondolier:
Well, one of the two (who will soon be here) –
But which of the two is not quite clear –
Is the Royal Prince you married!
Search in and out and round about
And you'll discover never
A tale so free from every doubt –
All probable, possible shadow of doubt –
All possible doubt whatever!

A tale so free from every doubt –
All probable, possible shadow of doubt –
All possible doubt whatever!