Part 41 (1/2)

VILLON'S GOOD-NIGHT [1887]

[By WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY].

I

You bible-sharps that thump on tubs, [1]

You lurkers on the Abram-sham, [2]

You sponges miking round the pubs, [3]

You flymy t.i.tters fond of flam, [4]

You judes that clobber for the stramm, [5]

You ponces good at talking tall, With fawneys on your dexter famm-- [6]

A mot's good-night to one and all! [7]

II

Likewise you molls that flash your bubs [8]

For swells to spot and stand you sam, [9]

You bleeding bonnets, pugs, and subs, You swatchel-coves that pitch and slam. [10]

You magsmen bold that work the cram, [11]

You flats and joskins great and small, Gay gra.s.s-widows and lawful-jam-- [12]

A mot's good-night to one and all!

III

For you, you coppers, narks, and dubs, [13]

Who pinched me when upon the snam, [14]

And gave me mumps and mulligrubs [15]

With skilly and swill that made me clam, [16]

At you I merely lift my gam-- [17]

I drink your health against the wall! [18]

That is the sort of man I am, A mot's good-night to one and all!

_The Farewell_.

Paste 'em, and larrup 'em, and lamm!

Give Kennedy, and make 'em crawl! [19]

I do not care one b.l.o.o.d.y d.a.m.n, A mot's good-night to one and all.

[1: false clericos]

[2: beggar feigning sickness]

[3: cadgers; loafing]

[4: saucy girls; non-sense]

[5: women dress; game]

[6: rings; right hand]

[7: harlot]

[8: prost.i.tutes; expose paps]