Part 40 (1/2)

XV

The patter's all bow-wow, of course, but it goes with the buns and the beer.

If it pleases the Big-wigs to spout, wy it don't cost bus nothink to cheer.

Though they ain't got the 'ang of it, Charlie, the toffs ain't--no go and no spice!

Why, I'd back Barney Crump at our Singsong to lick 'em two times out o' twice!

XVI

Still I'm all for the Lords and their lot, Charlie. Rads are my 'error, you know.

Change R into C and you've got 'em, and 'Arry 'ates anythink low.

So if Demonstrations means skylarks, and lotion as much as you'll carry, These 'busts of spontanyous opinion' may reckon all round upon 'Arry.

[1: sight]

[2: nonsense]

[3: talking]

[4: walking]

[5: eating; fools]

[6: trousers]

[7: prowl]

[8: Notes]

[9: catch]

[10: shook hands]

[11: face; fool]

[12: something to talk about]

”RUM COVES THAT RELIEVE US”

[1887]

[By HEINRICH BAUMANN in _Londonismen_].

I

Rum coves that relieve us [1]

Of clunkers and pieces, [2]

Is gin'rally lagged, [3]

Or wuss luck gets scragg'd. [4]

II

Are smashers and divers [5]

And n.o.ble contrivers Not sold to the beaks [6]

By the coppers an' sneaks? [7]

III

Yet moochin' arch-screevers, [8]