Part 16 (1/2)

Since rowling Joe's tuck'd up with Moll, And Moll's tuck'd up with Joe.

[1: tramping; pick-pocket]

[2: pickpocket]

[3: paid for]

[4: woman, girl]

[5: jilted]

[6: man; woman]

[7: money]

[8: wh.o.r.es]

[9: spirit; spend our guineas]

[10: drink; food]

[11: drinking-house]

THE BUNTER'S CHRISTENING. [Notes]

[1789]

[By GEORGE PARKER in _Life's Painter of Variegated Characters_].

I

Bess Tatter, of Hedge-lane, To ragman Joey's joy, The cull with whom she snooz'd [1]

Brought forth a chopping boy: Which was, as one might say, The moral of his dad, sir; And at the christ'ning oft, A merry bout they had, sir.

II

For, when 'twas four weeks old, Long Ned, and dust-cart Chloe, To give the kid a name, Invited were by Joey; With whom came muzzy Tom, [2]

And sneaking Snip, the boozer, [3]

Bag-picking, blear-ey'd Ciss, And squinting Jack, the bruiser. [4]

III

Likewise came bullying Sam, With cat's-and-dog's-meat Nelly, Young s.m.u.t, the chimney-sweep, And smiling snick-snack w.i.l.l.y; Peg Swig and Jenny Gog, The brims, with birdlime fingers, [5]

Brought warbling, seedy d.i.c.k, The prince of ballad-singers.

IV

The guests now being met, The first thing that was done, sir, Was handling round the kid, That all might smack his muns, sir; [6]

A _flash of lightning_ next, [7]

Bess tipt each cull and frow, sir, [8]

Ere they to church did pad, [9]

To have it christen'd Joe, sir.

V

Away they then did trudge; But such a queer procession, Of seedy brims and kids, Is far beyond expression.

The christ'ning being o'er, They back again soon pik't it, [10]

To have a dish of lap, [11]