This much-loved Victorian Ballad is the vehicle for a set of three variations. In variation 1 (bar 18) the tune is sprinkled around the various instruments, encouraging players to count rests, as well as play the notes! This leads to a relaxed blues (bar 42) in which the - (long) and • (short) indications should be well observed. At bar 76, the theme returns apparently leading to a mock grandiose finish; but in fact it ends with a delicate pianissimo touch.
