s: They beat their vans; and each was an adept,


s: And liquors clear and sweet, whose healthful might


s: Could medicine the sick soul to happy sleep,


s: She in her crystal vials did closely keep:


s: If men could drink of those clear vials, 'tis said


s: Which taught the expiations at whose price


s: Men from the Gods might win that happy age


s: Too lightly lost, redeeming native vice;


s: And how all things that seem untameable,


s: Not to be checked and not to be confined,


s: And all their shapes--and man's imperial will;


s: And other scrolls whose writings did unbind


s: The inmost lore of Love--let the profane


s: And wondrous works of substances unknown,


s: To which the enchantment of her father's power


s: Had changed those ragged blocks of savage stone,


s: Were heaped in the recesses of her bower;


s: Out of whose depth a fire-fly shakes his light


s: At first she lived alone in this wild home,


s: Or with the wind, or with the speed of fire,


s: Into her mind; such power her mighty Sire


s: Oreads and Naiads, with long weedy locks,


s: Offered to do her bidding through the seas,


s: And in the gnarled heart of stubborn oaks,


s: So they might live for ever in the light


s: Of her sweet presence--each a satellite.


s: Their shining hair, at length are drained and dried;


s: The solid oaks forget their strength, and strew


s: Their latest leaf upon the mountains wide;


s: Be scattered, like a cloud of summer dust.


s: 'And ye with them will perish, one by one;--


s: If I must sigh to think that this shall be,


s: To love you till your little race is run;


s: Your leaves shall glance--the streams in which ye dwell


s: She spoke and wept:--the dark and azure well


s: Sparkled beneath the shower of her bright tears,


s: And every little circlet where they fell


s: Flung to the cavern-roof inconstant spheres


s: From those departing Forms, o'er the serene


s: Of the white streams and of the forest green.


s: Of some high tale upon her growing woof,


s: Which the sweet splendour of her smiles could dye


s: While on her hearth lay blazing many a piece


s: Of sandal wood, rare gums, and cinnamon;


s: Men scarcely know how beautiful fire is--


s: The Witch beheld it not, for in her hand


s: She held a woof that dimmed the burning brand.


s: Its emerald crags glowed in her beauty's glance;


s: Through the green splendour of the water deep


s: She saw the constellations reel and dance


s: With open eyes, closed feet, and folded palm.


s: And when the whirlwinds and the clouds descended


s: From the white pinnacles of that cold hill,


s: Amid a wood of pines and cedars blended,


s: Within the which she lay when the fierce war


s: Of wintry winds shook that innocuous liquor


s: O'er woods and lawns;--the serpent heard it flicker


s: Than autumn leaves, she watched it as it came


s: She had a boat, which some say Vulcan wrought


s: With all the ardours in that sphere which are,


s: And gave it to this daughter: from a car


s: And others say, that, when but three hours old,


s: The first-born Love out of his cradle lept,


s: And clove dun Chaos with his wings of gold,


s: And sowed it in his mother's star, and kept


s: Watering it all the summer with sweet dew,


s: And with his wings fanning it as it grew.


s: To turn the light and dew by inward power


s: Of light firm texture, ribbed and branching, o'er


s: Piloted it round the circumfluous ocean.


s: This boat she moored upon her fount, and lit


s: One of the twain at Evan's feet that sit--


s: Or as on Vesta's sceptre a swift flame--


s: Or on blind Homer's heart a winged thought,--


s: Then by strange art she kneaded fire and snow


s: With liquid love--all things together grow


s: Through which the harmony of love can pass;


s: In beauty that bright shape of vital stone


s: A sexless thing it was, and in its growth


s: In gentleness and strength its limbs were decked;


s: The bosom swelled lightly with its full youth,


s: The countenance was such as might select


s: From its smooth shoulders hung two rapid wings,


s: Fit to have borne it to the seventh sphere,


s: Tipped with the speed of liquid lightenings,


s: Where the light boat was moored, and said: 'Sit here!'


s: And pointed to the prow, and took her seat


s: The panther-peopled forests whose shade cast


s: In melancholy gloom, the pinnace passed;


s: With slanted gleam athwart the forest tops,


s: From folded lilies in which glow-worms dwell,


s: When Earth over her face Night's mantle wraps;


s: Between the severed mountains lay on high,


s: And o'er its gentle countenance did play


s: The busy dreams, as thick as summer flies,


s: They had aroused from that full heart and brain.


s: And ever down the prone vale, like a cloud


s: The calm and darkness of the deep content


s: In which they paused; now o'er the shallow road


s: Of white and dancing waters, all besprent


s: And down the earthquaking cataracts which shiver


s: It fled--the circling sunbows did upbear


s: Its fall down the hoar precipice of spray,


s: Which to the inmost mountain upward tend--


s: She called 'Hermaphroditus!'--and the pale


s: And heavy hue which slumber could extend


s: Into the darkness of the stream did pass.


s: And it unfurled its heaven-coloured pinions,


s: With stars of fire spotting the stream below;


s: In which Spring clothes her emerald-winged minions,


s: And moonlight splendour of intensest rime,


s: With its aethereal vans--and speeding there,


s: Like a star up the torrent of the night,


s: The pinnace, oared by those enchanted wings,


s: Clove the fierce streams towards their upper springs.


s: The water flashed, like sunlight by the prow


s: In tempest down the mountains; loosely driven


s: The lady's radiant hair streamed to and fro:


s: Beneath, the billows having vainly striven


s: Or, when the weary moon was in the wane,


s: The lady-witch in visions could not chain


s: Its storm-outspeeding wings, the Hermaphrodite;


s: With the Antarctic constellations paven,


s: Canopus and his crew, lay the Austral lake--


s: There she would build herself a windless haven


s: The spirits of the tempest thundered by:


s: The tremulous stars sparkled unfathomably,


s: Lifted their dreadful crags, and like a shore


s: Hemmed in with rifts and precipices gray,


s: And whilst the outer lake beneath the lash


s: Of the wind's scourge, foamed like a wounded thing,


s: Ploughed up the waters, and the flagging wing


s: Fragment of inky thunder-smoke--this haven


s: On which that lady played her many pranks,


s: Outspeeds the antelopes which speediest are,


s: In her light boat; and many quips and cranks


s: And then she called out of the hollow turrets


s: Of those high clouds, white, golden and vermilion,


s: On meteor flags; and many a proud pavilion


s: They pitched upon the plain of the calm mere.


s: With lambent lightning-fire, as may be seen


s: With crimson silk--cressets from the serene


s: Dyed in the beams of the ascending moon.


s: And on a throne o'erlaid with starlight, caught


s: Between the earth and moon, since they had brought


s: Pale as that moon, lost in the watery night--


s: These were tame pleasures; she would often climb


s: Up to some beaked cape of cloud sublime,


s: And laughed to hear the fire-balls roar behind.


s: And sometimes to those streams of upper air


s: To let her join their chorus. Mortals found


s: That on those days the sky was calm and fair,


s: But her choice sport was, in the hours of sleep,


s: To glide adown old Nilus, where he threads


s: His waters on the plain: and crested heads


s: Where naked boys bridling tame water-snakes,


s: Had left on the sweet waters mighty wakes


s: Tired with the pomp of their Osirian feast.


s: And where within the surface of the river


s: Through lotus-paven canals, and wheresoever


s: The works of man pierced that serenest sky


s: With tombs, and towers, and fanes, 'twas her delight


s: With motion like the spirit of that wind


s: Whose soft step deepens slumber, her light feet


s: Passed through the peopled haunts of humankind.


s: Scattering sweet visions from her presence sweet,


s: Under the Nile, through chambers high and deep


s: She passed, observing mortals in their sleep.


s: A pleasure sweet doubtless it was to see


s: There, a lone youth who in his dreams did weep;


s: In their loose locks which over both did creep


s: But other troubled forms of sleep she saw,


s: Written upon the brows of old and young:


s: 'This,' said the wizard maiden, 'is the strife


s: Which stirs the liquid surface of man's life.'


s: Where'er its shores extend or billows roll,


s: O'er its wild surface to an unknown goal:--


s: Beneath the weltering of the restless tide.


s: And she saw princes couched under the glow


s: Of sunlike gems; and round each temple-court


s: The peasants in their huts, and in the port


s: The sailors she saw cradled on the waves,


s: And all the forms in which those spirits lay


s: Veils, in which those sweet ladies oft array


s: Their delicate limbs, who would conceal from us


s: But these and all now lay with sleep upon them,


s: And little thought a Witch was looking on them.


s: She, all those human figures breathing there,


s: And often through a rude and worn disguise


s: She saw the inner form most bright and fair--


s: And then she had a charm of strange device,


s: Alas! Aurora, what wouldst thou have given


s: For such a charm when Tithon became gray?


s: Or how much, Venus, of thy silver heaven


s: Which dear Adonis had been doomed to pay,


s: To any witch who would have taught you it?


s: Passed with an eye serene and heart unladen.


s: To those she saw most beautiful, she gave


s: Mightier than life, were in them; and the grave


s: Of such, when death oppressed the weary soul,


s: For on the night when they were buried, she


s: Restored the embalmers' ruining, and shook


s: The light out of the funeral lamps, to be


s: The coffin, its last cradle, from its niche,


s: And threw it with contempt into a ditch.


s: With gentle smiles about its eyelids playing,


s: And living in its dreams beyond the rage


s: Of death or life; while they were still arraying


s: And she would write strange dreams upon the brain


s: Of those who were less beautiful, and make


s: All harsh and crooked purposes more vain


s: The miser in such dreams would rise and shake


s: Would his own lies betray without a bribe.


s: And nothing more; and bid the herald stick


s: The same against the temple doors, and pull


s: The king would dress an ape up in his crown


s: And robes, and seat him on his glorious seat,


s: The chatterings of the monkey.--Every one


s: Of the prone courtiers crawled to kiss the feet


s: Of their great Emperor, when the morning came,


s: The soldiers dreamed that they were blacksmiths, and


s: Round the red anvils you might see them stand


s: Free through the streets of Memphis, much, I wis,


s: To the fulfilment of their inmost thought;


s: And when next day the maiden and the boy


s: Met one another, both, like sinners caught,


s: And then the Witch would let them take no ill:


s: Of many thousand schemes which lovers find,


s: The Witch found one,--and so they took their fill


s: Were torn apart--a wide wound, mind from mind!--


s: And Gods, entangling them in her sweet ditties


s: To do her will, and show their subtle sleights,


s: Scarcely believe much more than we can see.


s: Crammed just as they on earth were crammed,


s: HAMLET.--Marry, this is Miching Mallecho; it means mischief.


s: His eyes turned up, his mouth turned down;


s: And all the rest rushed through the door


s: And wrenched his gnashing teeth asunder;


s: The storm which bore him vanished, nought


s: And Peter bowed, quite pleased and proud,


s: His wits, or sold them, none knows which;


s: 'Bees, keep your wax--give us the honey,


s: And meat, and beer, and tea, and cheese,


s: To lean, and flirt, and stare, and simper,


s: That one would furnish forth ten dinners,


s: To take,--not means for being blessed,--


s: And he scorned them, and they scorned him;


s: She laughed the while, with an arch smile,


s: Yield love for love, frank, warm, and true;


s: So thought Boccaccio, whose sweet words might cure a            a


s: Low-tide in soul, like a stagnant laguna.


s: With mind, and heart, and fancy muddled.


s: Trusted.--and damned himself to madness.


s: 'A power which comes and goes like dream,


s: The spots in which, ere dead and damned,


s: Gave twenty pounds for some;--then scorning


s: And swore in his soul a great oath then,


s: For nights of thought, and days, of toil?


s: 'Or,' cried he, a grave look collecting,


s: His thoughts grew weak, drowsy, and lame


s: As the Prince Regent did with Sherry,--'


s: And laugh with bold triumph till Heaven be rent!


s: It was thou, Devil, dining with pure intent.


s: Than he.' His lordship stands and racks his


s: These words exchanged, the news sent off


s: He hired a house, bought plate, and made


s: But a few natural friends, would hear him;


s: Described by Swift--no man could bear him.


s: My young friend Dennis has honoured me with a request to write


s: a preface to his book.  I think a man can best write a preface


s: to his own book, provided he knows it is good.  Also if he knows


s: "The Sentimental Bloke", while running through the Bulletin,


s: brightened up many dark days for me.  He is more perfect


s: than any alleged "larrikin" or Bottle-O character I have ever


s: attempted to sketch, not even excepting my own beloved Benno.


s: Take the first poem for instance, where the Sentimental Bloke


s: gets the hump.  How many men, in how many different parts of


s: the world--and of how many different languages--have had the


s: same feeling--the longing for something better--to be something


s: The exquisite humour of The Sentimental Bloke speaks for itself;


s: but there's a danger that its brilliance may obscure the rest,


s: especially for minds, of all stations, that, apart from sport


s: and racing, are totally devoted to boiling


s: in this social "pickle found-ery" of ours.


s: Doreen stands for all good women, whether down in the smothering


s: alleys or up in the frozen heights.  And so, having introduced


s: The world 'as got me snouted jist a treat;...


s: 'Er name's Doreen...Well, spare me bloomin' days!...


s: Ar, these is 'appy days!  An' 'ow they've flown--...


s: I wish't yeh meant it, Bill." Oh, 'ow me 'eart...


s: "Wot's in a name?" she sez... An' then she sighs,...


s: Ar, wimmin!  Wot a blinded fool I've been!...


s: She sung a song, an' I sat silent there....


s: "'Er pore dear Par," she sez, "'e kept a store";...


s: "Young friend," 'e sez...Young friend!  Well, spare me days!...


s: She never magged; she never said no word;...


s: "I got no time fer wasters, lad," sez 'e,...


s: My son!...Them words, jist like a blessed song,...


s: This ev'nin' I was sittin' wiv Doreen,...


s: The world 'as got me snouted jist a treat;


s: Crool Forchin's dirty left 'as smote me soul;


s: An' all them joys o' life I 'eld so sweet


s: I'm crook; me name is Mud; I've done me dash;


s: Me flamin' spirit's got the flamin' 'ump!


s: I'm longin' to let loose on somethin' rash....


s: I know it; but this blimed ole Springtime craze


s: Fair outs me, on these dilly, silly days.


s: The young green leaves is shootin' on the trees,


s: The air is like a long, cool swig o' beer,


s: The bonzer smell o' flow'rs is on the breeze,


s: Jist moochin' round like some pore, barmy coot,


s: Of 'ope, an' joy, an' forchin destichoot.


s: I've lorst me former joy in gettin' shick,


s: Or 'eadin' browns; I 'aven't got the 'eart


s: 'Oo chucks 'er carkis at a feller's 'ead


s: An' mauls 'im...Ar! I wish't that I wus dead!...


s: Ther's little breezes stirrin' in the leaves,


s: An' sparrers chirpin' 'igh the 'ole day long;


s: An' on the air a sad, sweet music breaves


s: A mournful sorter choon thet gits a bloke


s: Fair in the brisket 'ere, an' makes 'im choke ...


s: A dead-crook sorter thing that won't let go


s: An' stoush creation for some woman's sake.


s: The little birds is chirpin' in the nest,


s: The parks an' gardings is a bosker sight,


s: Where smilin' tarts walks up an' down, all dressed


s: An', as their snowy forms goes steppin' by,


s: It seems I'm seekin' somethin' on the sly.


s: Somethin' or someone--I don't rightly know;


s: But, seems to me, I'm kind er lookin' for


s: Wot's this I've 'eard them call that thing?...Geewhizz!


s: Me ideel bit o' skirt!  That's wot it is!


s: Me ideel tart!... An', bli'me, look at me!


s: Jist take a squiz at this, an' tell me can


s: Some square an' honist tom take this to be


s: Aw, Gawd!  I'd be as true to 'er, I would


s: As straight an' stiddy as...Ar, wot's the good?


s: Me, that 'as done me stretch fer stoushin' Johns,


s: An' spen's me leisure gittin' on the shick,


s: An' 'arf me nights down there, in Little Lon.,


s: Tough luck!  I s'pose it's 'ow a man is built.


s: It's 'ow Gawd builds a bloke; but don't it 'urt


s: When 'e gits yearnin's fer this 'igher life,


s: On these Spring mornin's, watchin' some sweet skirt


s: I've watched 'em walkin' in the gardings 'ere


s: Cliners from orfices an' shops an' such;


s: The sorter skirts I dursn't come too near,


s: An, when I see the kind er looks they carst...


s: Gorstrooth!  Wot is the use o' me, I arst?


s: Wot wus I slung 'ere for? An wot's the good


s: 'E's got a soul inside 'im, poor or rich.


s: But wot's the use, when 'Eaven's crool'd 'is pitch?


s: I tells meself some day I'll take a pull


s: An' look eround fer some good, stiddy job,


s: An' cut the push fer good an' all; I'm full


s: An', in some Spring the fucher 'olds in store,


s: I'll cop me prize an' long in vain no more.


s: The little winds is stirrin' in the trees,


s: Where little birds is chantin' lovers' lays;


s: The music of the sorft an' barmy breeze...


s: I'll lose me block an' stoush some flamin' cop!


s: 'Er name's Doreen ...Well spare me bloomin' days!


s: You could er knocked me down wiv 'arf a brick!


s: Yes, me, that kids meself I know their ways,


s: An' 'as a name for smoogin' in our click!


s: I just lines up an' tips the saucy wink.


s: But strike! The way she piled on dawg! Yer'd think


s: A bloke was givin' back-chat to the Queen....


s: Inspectin' brums at Steeny Isaacs' stall.


s: I backs me barrer in--the same ole way--


s: An' sez, "Wot O!  It's been a bonzer day.


s: I tried to chat 'er, like you'd make a start


s: An' never said no word that wasn't right,


s: A thing yeh might call crook.  Ter tell yeh true,


s: I didn't seem to 'ave the nerve--wiv 'er.


s: An' start to sling off chiack like I used...


s: Nex' time I sighted 'er in Little Bourke,


s: A game that--any'ow, that ain't the point.


s: Once more I tried ter chat 'er in the street,


s: But, bli'me!  Did she turn me down a treat!


s: The way she tossed 'er 'cad an' swished 'er skirt!


s: In all me natchril, than this 'ere Doreen.


s: It wer'n't no guyver neither; fer I knoo


s: Tried fer to pick 'er up. Yes, she was square.


s: She jist sailed by an' lef' me standin' there


s: Like any mug. Thinks I, "I'm out er luck,"


s: Well, I dunno.  It's that way wiv a bloke.


s: If she'd ha' breasted up ter me an' spoke,


s: I'd thort 'er jist a commin bit er fluff,


s: It's jest like this.  The tarts that's 'ard ter get


s: Makes you all 'ot to chase 'em, an' to let


s: The cove called Cupid get an 'ammer-lock;


s: I know a bloke 'oo knows a bloke 'oo toils


s: In that same pickle found-ery. ('E boils


s: Out uv a jorb, an' wants ter meet Doreen;


s: Then we kin get an intro, if we've luck.


s: O' course we worked the oricle; you bet!


s: But, 'struth, I ain't recovered frum it yet!


s: An'--quite by accident, o' course--we meet.


s: Me pal 'e trots 'er up an' does the toff


s: "This 'ere's Doreen," 'e sez. "This 'ere's the Kid."


s: "This 'ere's Doreen," 'e sez.  I sez "Good day."


s: An', bli'me, I 'ad nothin' more ter say!


s: I couldn't speak a word, or meet 'er eye.


s: Clean done me block!  I never been so shy.


s: Wot time the Summer days wus dry an' 'ot--


s: Me! that 'as barracked tarts, an' torked an' larft,


s: An' chucked orf at 'em like a phonergraft!


s: Gorstrooth! I seemed to lose me pow'r o' speech.


s: But, 'er!  Oh, strike me pink!  She is a peach!


s: The sweetest in the barrer!  Spare me days,


s: I carn't describe that cliner's winnin' ways.


s: The way she torks!  'Er lips!  'Er eyes!  'Er hair!...


s: An' tried ter play at 'andies in the park,


s: A thing she wouldn't sight. Aw, it's a nark!


s: I must 'a' seemed to 'er. But still I 'ug


s: That promise that she give me fer the beach.


s: On ledding feet.  I wish't they'd do a guy.


s: An' make that meet wiv 'er fer Sundee week!


s: But strike!  It's funny wot a bloke'll do


s: When 'e's all out...She's gorn, when I come-to.


s: 'Er name's Doreen....An' me-that thort I knoo


s: The ways uv tarts, an' all that smoogin' game!


s: Yet some'ow...I dunno.  It ain't the same.


s: I carn't tell WOT it is; but, all I know,


s: I've dropped me bundle--an' I'm glad it's so.


s: Fer when I come ter think uv wot I been....


s: Ar, these is 'appy days!  An' 'ow they've flown--


s: Since dear Doreen, the sweetest tart I've known,


s: Passed me the jolt that made me sky the rag.


s: An' ev'ry golding day floats o'er a chap


s: Like a glad dream of some celeschil scrap.


s: Refreshed wiv sleep Day to the mornin' mill


s: Trained to the minute, confident in skill,


s: 'E swaggers in the East, chock-full o' skite;


s: Then spars a bit, an' plugs Night on the point.


s: Out go the stars; an' Day 'as jumped the joint.


s: The sun looks up, an' wiv a cautious stare,


s: Like some crook keekin' o'er a winder sill


s: To make dead cert'in everythink is square,


s: 'E shoves 'is boko o'er an Eastern 'ill,


s: An' sez, "'Ooray!  I knoo that we could win!"


s: Sure of 'is title then, the champeen Day


s: Drors tribute from each tree an' flow'r an' bush.


s: An', w'ile 'e swigs the dew in sylvan bars,


s: The sun shouts insults at the sneakin' stars.


s: Then, lo! the push o' Day rise to applaud;


s: An' all 'is creatures clamour at 'is feet


s: An' swaggers on an' kids 'imself a treat.


s: The w'ile the lurkin' barrackers o' Night


s: Sneak in retreat an' plan another fight.


s: On thro' the hours, triumphant, proud an' fit,


s: And all the world bows to the Boshter Day.


s: The jealous Night speeds ethergrams thro' space


s: 'Otly demandin' terms, an' time, an' place.


s: A wile the champeen scorns to make reply;


s: 'E's taken tickets on 'is own 'igh worth;


s: Puffed up wiv pride, an' livin' mighty 'igh,


s: 'E don't admit that Night is on the earth.


s: But as the hours creep on 'e deigns to state


s: 'E'll fight for all the earth an' 'arf the gate.


s: Late afternoon...Day feels 'is flabby arms,


s: An' tells 'imself 'e don't seem quite the thing.


s: The 'omin' birds shriek clamorous alarms;


s: An' Night creeps stealthily to gain the ring.


s: But see!  The champeen backs an' fills, becos


s: 'E doesn't feel the Boshter Bloke 'e was.


s: Alas, the 'eavy-weight's 'igh-livin' ways


s: 'As made 'im soft, an' large around the vest.


s: 'E sez 'e's fat inside; 'e starts to whine;


s: 'E sez 'e wants to dror the colour line.


s: Whose noisy push, shorn of their 'igh-noon 'opes,


s: Wait, 'ushed an' anxious, fer the comin' fray.


s: Desert 'im one by one--traitors so soon!


s: 'E's out er form!  'E 'asn't trained enough!


s: They mark their sickly champeen on the stage,


s: An' narked, the sun, 'is backer, in a huff,


s: Sneaks outer sight, red in the face wiv rage.


s: W'ile gloomy roosters, they 'oo made the morn


s: Ring wiv 'is praises, creep to bed forlorn.


s: All faint an' groggy grows the beaten Day;


s: An' bats come out to mock the fallin' King.


s: Now, wiv a jolt, Night spreads 'im on the floor,


s: An' all the west grows ruddy wiv 'is gore.


s: A single, vulgar star leers from the sky


s: The moon, Night's conkerbine, comes glidin' by


s: An' laughs a 'eartless, silvery "Ha-ha!"


s: Scorned, beaten, Day gives up the 'opeless fight,


s: An' drops 'is bundle in the lap o' Night.


s: So goes each day, like some celeschil mill,


s: E'er since I met that shyin' little peach.


s: 'Er bonzer voice!  I 'ear its music still,


s: As when she guv that promise fer the beach.


s: An', square an' all, no matter 'ow yeh start,


s: "I wish't yeh menat it, Bill."  Oh, 'ow me 'eart


s: Went out to 'er that evnin' on the beach.


s: To 'ear 'er voice!  Its gentle sorter tone,


s: An' 'ow she blushed!  O, strike! it was divine


s: The way she raised 'er shinin' eyes to mine.


s: 'Er eyes!  Soft in the moon; such BOSHTER eyes!


s: An' when they sight a bloke...O, spare me days!


s: 'E goes all loose inside; such glamour lies


s: It makes 'im all ashamed uv wot 'e's been


s: The wet sands glistened, an' the gleamin' moon


s: Shone yeller on the sea, all streakin' down.


s: A band was playin' some soft, dreamy choon;


s: We 'eard the distant tram-cars whir an' clash.


s: An' there I told Per 'ow I'd done me dash.


s: "I wish't yeh meant it."  'Struth!  And did I, fair?


s: Like her.  An' me well knowin' she was square.


s: 'E'd be no man to point wiv her, an' kid.


s: She knoo.  I've done me block in on her, straight.


s: A cove 'as got to think some time in life


s: An' get some decent tart, ere it's too late,


s: But, Gawd!  'Oo would 'a' thort it could 'a' been


s: My luck to strike the likes of Per?...Doreen!


s: Aw, I can stand their chuckin' off, I can.


s: It's 'ard; an' I'd delight to take 'em on.


s: The dawgs!  But it gets that way wiv a man


s: She'll sight no stoush; an' so I have to take


s: Their mag, an' do a duck fer her sweet sake.


s: Fer 'er sweet sake I've gone and chucked it clean:


s: The pubs an' schools an' all that leery game.


s: Fer when a bloke 'as come to know Doreen,


s: There's 'igher things, she sez, for blokes to do.


s: Yes, 'igher things--that wus the way she spoke;


s: That bosker feelin' that comes o'er a bloke,


s: Makes 'im all 'ot to maul 'er, an' to shove


s: 'Is arms about'er...Bli'me? but it's love!


s: That's wot it is.  An' when a man 'as grown


s: Glow in the eyes of 'er 'e calls 'is queen;


s: An' 'ear 'er say 'e is a shine champeen.


s: "I wish't yeh meant it," I can 'ear 'er yet,


s: My bit o' fluff!  The moon was shinin' bright,


s: Turnin' the waves all yeller where it set--


s: The sparklin' sea all sorter gold an' green;


s: An' on the pier the band--O, 'Ell!... Doreen!


s: "Wots in a name?" she sez...An' then she sighs,


s: An' clasps 'er little 'ands, an' rolls 'er eyes.


s: Chuck yer ole pot, an' change yer moniker!"


s: The swell two-dollar touch.  Bong tong, yeh know.


s: The drarmer's writ be Shakespeare, years ago,


s: An' there they smooge a treat, wiv pretty words


s: I nudge Doreen.  She whispers, "Ain't it grand!"


s: 'Er eyes is shinin'; an' I squeeze 'er 'and.


s: "Wot's in a name?" she sez.  'Struth, I dunno.


s: If she's the tart 'e wants, then she's 'is queen,


s: Names never count...But ar, I like "Doreen!"


s: Ther's music 'angs around that little word,


s: Doreen!...But wot was this I starts to say


s: I'm off me beat.  But when a bloke's in love


s: 'Is thorts turns 'er way, like a 'omin' dove.


s: A dead tough crowd o' crooks--called Montague.


s: 'Is cliner's push--wot's nicknamed Capulet--


s: Fair narks they are, jist like them back-street clicks,


s: Ixcep' they fights wiv skewers 'stid o' bricks.


s: Wot's in a name?  Wot's in a string o' words?


s: They scraps in ole Verona with the'r swords,


s: An' never give a bloke a stray dog's chance,


s: But when they deals it out wiv bricks an' boots


s: In Little Lon., they're low, degraded broots.


s: Wot's jist plain stoush wiv us, right 'ere to-day,


s: Some time, some writer bloke will do the trick


s: When 'e's bin dead five 'undred years or so.


s: Fair Juli-et, she gives 'er boy the tip.


s: Sez she: "Don't sling that crowd o' mine no lip;


s: 'E swears 'e's done wiv lash; 'e'll chuck it clean.


s: (Same as I done when I first met Doreen.)


s: They smooge some more at that.  Ar, strike me blue!


s: It gimme Joes to sit an' watch them two!


s: 'E'd break away an' start to say good-bye,


s: An' 'ang around 'im like she feared 'e'd bolt.


s: 'E spouts a piece about 'ow 'e's bewitched:


s: Now, 'ere's the place where I fair git the pip!


s: She's 'is ofr keeps, an' yet 'e lets 'er slip!


s: 'E's jist the glarsey on the soulful sob,


s: 'E'll sigh and spruik, an' 'owl a love-sick vow--


s: But when 'e's got 'er, spliced an' on the straight


s: 'E crools the pitch, an' tries to kid it's Fate.


s: Aw! Fate me foot!  Instid of slopin' soon


s: They look fer trouble; an' it's wot they gets.


s: A tug named Tyball (cousin to the skirt)


s: Sprags 'em an' makes a start to sling off dirt.


s: Nex' minnit there's a reel ole ding-dong go--


s: "Ar rats!" 'e sez, an' passes in 'is check.


s: "It's me or you!" 'e 'owls, an' wiv a yell,


s: Plunks Tyball through the gizzard wiv 'is sword,


s: "Put in the boot!" I sez.  "Put in the boot!"


s: "'Ush!" sez Doreen..."Shame!" sez some silly coot.


s: The cops gits busy, like they allwiz do,


s: They wants 'is tart to wed some other guy.


s: "Ah, strike!" she sez. "I wish that I could die!"


s: Now, this 'ere gorspil bloke's a fair shrewd 'ead.


s: Sez 'e "I'll dope yeh, so they'll THINK yer dead."


s: She takes 'is knock-out drops, up in 'er room:


s: They think she's snuffed, an' plant 'er in 'er tomb.


s: Then things gits mixed a treat an' starts to whirl.


s: 'Ere's Romeo comes back an' finds 'is girl


s: Tucked in 'er little coffing, cold an' stiff,


s: 'Ead over turkey, an' 'is soul 'as flit.


s: Then Juli-et wakes up an' sees 'im there,


s: Turns on the water-works an' tears 'er 'air,


s: "Dear love," she sez, "I cannot live alone!"


s: She grabs 'is pockit knife, an' ends 'er cares...


s: _"Peanuts or lollies!_" sez a boy upstairs.


s: Ar, wimmin!  Wot a blinded fool I've been!


s: I arsts meself, wot else could I ixpeck?


s: I done me block complete on this Doreen,


s: An' now me 'eart is broke, me life's a wreck!


s: The dreams I dreamed, the dilly thorts I thunk


s: Is up the pole, an' joy 'as done a bunk.


s: Wimmin!  O strike!  I orter known the game!


s: Their tricks is crook, their arts is all dead snide.


s: The 'ole world over tarts is all the same;


s: All soft an' smilin' wiv no 'eart inside.


s: But she fair doped me wiv 'er winnin' ways,


s: Then crooled me pitch fer all me mortal days.


s: They're all the same!  A man 'as got to be


s: Stric' master if 'e wants to snare 'em sure.


s: That triflin' is a thing'e won't indure.


s: 'E wants to show 'em that 'e 'olds command,


s: So they will smooge an' feed out of 'is 'and.


s: 'E needs to make 'em feel 'e is the boss,


s: An' kid 'e's careless uv the joys they give.


s: 'E 'as to make 'em think 'e'll feel no loss


s: That all their pretty ways is crook pretence


s: But when the birds is nestin' in the spring,


s: An' when the soft green leaves is in the bud,


s: 'E drops 'is bundle to some fluffy thing.


s: 'E pays 'er 'omage--an' 'is name is Mud.


s: She plays wiv'im an' kids 'im on a treat,


s: An' then, when 'e's fair orf 'is top wiv love,


s: When she 'as got 'im good an' 'ad 'er fun,


s: She slings 'im over like a carst-orf glove,


s: To let the other tarts see wot she's done.


s: I orter known; an', spare me days, I did!


s: I knoo.  But when I looked into 'er eyes--


s: Them shinin' eyes o' blue all soft wiv love


s: Wiv MIMIC love--they seemed to 'ipnertize.


s: An' so she seemed them days...O, 'struth!...Doreen!


s: I knoo.  But when I stroked 'er glossy 'air


s: Wiv rev'rint 'ands, 'er cheek pressed close to mine,


s: Me lonely life seemed robbed of all its care;


s: I dreams me dreams, an' 'ope begun to shine.


s: An' when she 'eld 'er lips fer me to kiss...


s: Ar, wot's the use?  I'm done wiv all o' this!


s: Wimmin!...Oh, I ain't jealous!  Spare me days!


s: Me?  Jealous uv a knock-kneed coot like that!


s: 'Im!  Wiv 'is cute stror 'at an' pretty ways!


s: I'm glad, I am--glad 'cos I know I'm free!


s: There ain't no call to tork o' jealousy.


s: I tells meself I'm well out o' the game;


s: Fer look, I mighter married 'er-an' then....


s: Ar strike!  'Er voice wus music when my name


s: Wus on 'er lips on them glad ev'nin's when


s: We useter meet.  An' then to think she'd go...


s: First time I seen 'im dodgin' round Doreen.


s: About "The Hoffis" where 'e 'ad a grip....


s: The way 'e smiled at 'er give me the pip!


s: She sez I stoushed 'im, when I promised fair


s: Stoushed 'im!  I never roughed 'is pretty 'air!


s: If I'd 'a' jabbed 'im once, there would 'a' been


s: I mighter took an' cracked 'im in the street,


s: When she was wiv 'im there lars' Fridee night.


s: An' don't I raise me lid an' act perlite?


s: Stoushed 'im!  I owns I met 'im on the quiet,


s: An' when 'e won't put up 'is 'ands to fight--


s: ('E sez, "Fer public brawls 'e didn't care")--


s: I lays 'im 'cross me knee, the mother's joy,


s: An' smacks 'im 'earty, like a naughty boy.


s: An' now Doreen she sez I've broke me vow,


s: An' mags about this coot's pore, "wounded pride."


s: An' then, o' course, we 'as a ding-dong row,


s: Wiv 'ot an' stormy words on either side.


s: Me jealous?  Jealous of that cross-eyed cow!


s: I set 'im 'cos I couldn't sight 'is face.


s: 'Is yappin' fair got on me nerves, some'ow.


s: I couldn't stand 'im 'angin' round 'er place.


s: A coot like that!...But it don't matter much,


s: She's welkim to 'im if she fancies such.


s: I swear I'll never track wiv 'er no more;


s: I'll never look on 'er side o' the street--


s: Them things she said to me in angry 'eat.


s: She can't ixpeck fer me to smooge an' crawl.


s: Wimmin!  I've took a tumble to their game.


s: I've got the 'ole bang tribe o' cliners set!


s: The 'ole world over they are all the same:


s: Crook to the core the bunch of 'em--an' yet


s: We could 'a' been that 'appy, 'er an' me...


s: But, wot's it matter?  Ain't I glad I'm free?


s: There's little 'appiness in married life.


s: Fer tarts is few that makes the ideel wife.


s: An' them's the sort that loves wivout disguise,


s: An' thinks the sun shines in their 'usban's' eyes.


s: But when the birds is matin' in the spring,


s: An' when the tender leaves begin to bud,


s: That seems to sorter swamp 'im like a flood.


s: An' when the fever 'ere inside 'im burns,


s: Then freedom ain't the thing fer wot 'e yearns.


s: But I 'ave chucked it all.  An' yet--I own


s: I dreams me dreams when soft Spring breezes stirs;


s: A lispin' maid, wiv 'air an' eyes like 'ers,


s: 'Oo calls me "dad," she climbs upon me knee,


s: Wiv someone waitin' for me at the gate...


s: Ar, where's the sense in dreamin' barmy dreams,


s: I've dreamed before, and nearly woke too late.


s: Sich 'appiness could never last fer long,


s: We're strangers--'less she owns that she was wrong.


s: To call 'er back I'll never lift a 'and;


s: She'll never 'ear frum me by word or sign.


s: Per'aps, some day, she'll come to understand


s: The mess she's made o' this 'ere life o' mine.


s: But'im!  The knock-kneed, swivel-eyed misfit?...


s: She sung a song; an' I sat silent there,


s: Wiv bofe 'ands grippin' 'ard on me chair;


s: Me 'eart, that yesterdee I thort wus broke


s: Come swelling in me throat like I would choke.


s: 'Twas like that feelin' when the Spring wind breaves


s: Sad music in the sof'ly rustlin' leaves.


s: An' when a bloke sits down an' starts to chew


s: Crook thorts, wivout quite knowin' why 'e grieves


s: Fer things 'e's done 'e didn't ort to do--


s: Fair winded wiv the 'eavy sighs 'e 'eaves.


s: The kind o' crool an' 'eartless broot I been.


s: The slanter game I'd played wiv my Doreen--


s: I seen wot made me feel fair rotten mean.


s: Poor, 'urt Doreen!  My tender bit o' fluff!


s: Ar, men don't understand; they're fur too rough;


s: Their ways is fur too coarse wiv lovin' tarts;


s: They treats 'em 'arsh; they tramples on their 'earts,


s: Becos their own crool 'earts is leather-tough.


s: She sung a song; an' orl them bitter things


s: That chewin' over lovers' quarrils brings


s: Guv place to thorts of sorrer an' remorse.


s: Like when some dilly punter goes an' slings


s: 'Is larst, lone deener on some stiffened 'orse,


s: An' learns them vain regrets wot 'urts an' stings.


s: To drown them memories o' fancied wrong.


s: I swears I never knoo that she'd be there.


s: But when I met 'er eye--O, 'struth, 'twas strong!


s: 'Twas bitter strong, that jolt o' dull despair!


s: 'Er look o' scorn!...An' then, she sung a song.


s: The choon was one o' them sad, mournful things


s: That ketch yeh in the bellers 'ere, and brings


s: Tears to yer eyes.  The words was uv a tart


s: 'Oo's trackin' wiv a silly coot 'oo slings


s: 'Er love aside, an' breaks 'er tender 'eart....


s: But 'twasn't that; it was the way she sings.


s: To 'ear 'er voice!...A bloke 'ud be a log


s: 'Oo kep' 'is block.  Me mind wus in a fog


s: 'Ud melt the 'eart-strings of a chiner dog.


s: Tears trembles in 'er voice when she tells 'ow


s: That tart snuffed out becos 'e never wrote.


s: An' then I seen 'ow I wus like that cow.


s: Wiv suddin shame me guilty soul wus smote.


s: Doreen she never looked my way; but stood


s: 'Arf turned away, an' beefed it out reel good,


s: Until she sang that bit about the grave;


s: "Too late 'e learned 'e 'ad misunderstood!"


s: An' then--Gorstrooth!  The pleadin' look she gave


s: Fair in me face 'ud melt a'eart o' wood.


s: They muster thort I was 'arf shick, I knoo.


s: O, strike!  I could 'a' blubbed before 'em all!


s: But I sat tight, an' never cracked a boo.


s: An' when at larst the tarts they makes a rise,


s: A lop-eared coot wiv 'air down to 'is eyes


s: 'E 'ooks on to Doreen, an' starts to roam


s: Fer 'ome an' muvver.  I lines up an' cries,


s: "'An's orf!  I'm seein' this 'ere cliner 'ome!"


s: An' there we left 'im, gapin' wiv surprise.


s: She never spoke; she never said no word;


s: But walked beside me like she never 'eard.


s: I swallers 'ard, an' starts to coax an' plead,


s: I sez I'm dead ashamed o' wot's occurred.


s: She don't reply; she never takes no 'eed;


s: Jist stares before 'er like a startled bird.


s: I tells 'er that me life will be a wreck.


s: It ain't no go.  But when I makes a start


s: To walk away, 'er arms is roun' me neck.


s: "Ah, Kid!" she sobs.  "Yeh nearly broke me 'eart!"


s: But 'struth!  I'll not forgit it till I'm dead--


s: That night when 'ope back in me brisket lobs:


s: Down on me shoulder 'ere, an' sobs an' sobs;


s: An' orl the lights goes sorter blurred an' red.


s: Say, square an' all--It don't seem right, some'ow,


s: To say such things; but wot I'm feelin' now


s: 'As come at times, I s'pose, to uvver men


s: When you 'ave 'ad a reel ole ding-dong row,


s: Straight wire, it's almost worth...Ar, I'm a cow!


s: Of 'er dear 'ead agen!  My oath, I swear


s: No more I'll roust on 'er in angry 'eat!


s: But still, she never seemed to me so fair;


s: As when she smooged beneath the lamplight there.


s: She's never been so lovin' wiv 'er gaze;


s: I tells 'er she's me queen, me angel, too.


s: "Ah, no, I ain't no angel, Kid," she says.


s: "I'm jist a woman, an' I loves yeh true!


s: An' so I'll love yeh all me mortal days!"


s: She sung a song....'Ere, in me barmy style,


s: I sets orl tarts; for in me hour o' trile


s: Me soul was withered be a woman's frown,


s: An' broodin' care come roostin' on me dile.


s: She sung a song....Me 'eart, wiv woe carst down,


s: Wus raised to 'Eaven be a woman's smile.


s: "'Er pore dear par," she sez, "'e kept a store";


s: An' then she weeps an' stares 'ard at the floor.


s: "'Twas thro' 'is death," she sez, "we wus rejuiced


s: To this," she sez...An' then she weeps some more.


s: "'Er Par," she sez, "me poor late 'usband, kept


s: An 'ay an' corn store.  'E'd no faults ixcept


s: W'ich--killed 'im--on the---" 'Struth!  But 'ow she wept.


s: She blows 'er nose an' sniffs.  "'E would 'a' made"


s: But, 'im took orf so sudden-like, we found


s: "To think," she sez, "a child o' mine should be


s: If 'er pore Par 'e 'adn't died," she sobs...


s: Then I gits red as 'ell, "That is--I mean,"


s: I'd dodged it cunnin' fer a month or two.


s: Doreen she sez, "You'll 'ave to meet my Mar,


s: SOME day," she sez.  An' so I seen it thro'.


s: An' drippin' moistcher like a leaky tap.


s: Stares 'ard at me frum orf the mantelshelf.


s: I seemed to symperthise wiv them there pups;


s: I felt so stiff an' brittle-like meself.


s: Clobber?  Me trosso, 'ead to foot, wus noo--


s: Stiff shirt, a Yankee soot split up the back,


s: A tie wiv yeller spots an' stripes o' blue.


s: Me cuffs kep' playin' wiv me nervis fears


s: Me patent leathers nearly brought the tears


s: An' there I sits wiv, "Yes, mum.  Thanks.  Indeed?"


s: "Life's 'ard," she sez, an' then she brightens up.


s: "Still, we 'ave alwus 'ad our bite and sup.


s: Doreen's been SICH a help; she 'as indeed.


s: Some more tea, Willy?  'Ave another cup."


s: Willy!  O 'ell!  'Ere wus a flamin' pill!


s: "If it's the same to you, mum," I replies


s: Up goes 'er 'ands an' eyes, "That vulgar name!"


s: "Orright," I sez, "I s'pose it's in the game."


s: "Me fucher son," she sez, "right on frum this


s: So, Willy, come an' give yer Mar a kiss."


s: "Dear boy," she sez, "to do as you are bid.


s: Be kind to 'er," she sobs, "my little girl!"


s: An' then I kiss Doreen.  Sez she "Ah Kid!"


s: Doreen!  Ar 'ow 'er pretty eyes did shine.


s: No sight on earth or 'Eaving's 'arf so fine,


s: An' as they looked at me she seemed to say


s: "I'm proud of 'im, I am, an' 'e is mine."


s: An 'appy, nervis look, 'arf proud, 'arf shy;


s: To tork of 'ouse'old things an' scheme an' plan,


s: A sudden thort fair jolts me where I live:


s: "These is my wimmin folk!  An' I'm a man!"


s: An' somew'ere in me 'ead I seemed to feel


s: A sneakin' sort o' wish that I was free.


s: 'Ere's me 'oo never took no 'eed o' life,


s: Somethink to love an' shield frum care and strife.


s: It makes yeh solim when yeh come to think


s: Wot love and marridge means.  Ar, strike me pink!


s: It ain't all sighs and kisses.  It's yer life.


s: An' 'ere's me tremblin' on the bloomin' brink.


s: "'Er pore dead Par," she sez, an' gulps a sob.


s: As storeman down at Jones' printin' joint,


s: Then things get 'ome-like; an' we torks till late,


s: An' tries to tease Doreen to fix the date,


s: An' she gits suddin soft and tender-like,


s: An' cries a bit, when we parts at the gate.


s: An' as I'm moochin' 'omeward frum the car


s: Wot if Doreen, I thinks, should grow to be,


s: O, 'struth! It won't bear thinkin' of!  It's crook!


s: At things like that.  Doreen's Doreen to me,


s: The sweetest peach on w'ich a man wus shook.


s: 'Er "pore dear Par"...I s'pose 'e 'ad 'is day,


s: An' kissed an' smooged an' loved 'er in 'is way.


s: An' wed an' took 'is chances like a man--


s: But, Gawd, this splicin' racket ain't all play.


s: Love is a gamble, an' there ain't no certs.


s: Some day, I s'pose, I'll git wise to the skirts,


s: An' learn to take the bitter wiv the sweet...


s: But, strike me purple!  "Willy!"  THAT'S wot 'urts.


s: Yeh'd think I wus 'is own white-'eaded boy--


s: The queer ole finger, wiv 'is gentle ways.


s: "Young friend," 'e sez, "I wish't yeh bofe great joy."


s: The langwidge that them parson blokes imploy


s: Fair tickles me.  The way'e bleats an' brays!


s: "Young friend," 'e sez...Yes, my Doreen an' me


s: We're gettin' hitched, all straight an' on the square.


s: O 'oly wars!  yeh should 'a' seen 'er stare;


s: "The registry?" she sez, "I wouldn't dare!


s: "Young friend," 'e sez.  An' then 'e chats me straight;


s: An' spouts of death, an' 'ell, an' mortal sins.


s: "You reckernize this step you contemplate


s: Is grave? 'e sez.  An' I jist stan's an' grins;


s: Fer when I chips, Doreen she kicks me shins.


s: "Young friend," 'e sez.  An' then 'e mags a lot


s: "I'm sure," 'e sez, "as you will 'ave a wife


s: 'Oo'll 'ave a noble infl'ince on yer life.


s: 'Oo is 'er gardjin?" I sez, "'Er ole pot"--


s: "Young friend," 'e sez.  "Oh fix yer thorts on 'igh!


s: An' you must cleave unto 'er till yeh die,


s: An' cherish 'er wiv love an' tender care.


s: E'n in the days when she's no longer fair


s: She's still yer wife," 'e sez. "Ribuck," sez I.


s: "Young friend," 'e sez--I sez, "Now, listen 'ere:


s: There ain't no tart a 'undreth part so dear


s: As 'er.  She 'as me 'eart an' soul fer keeps!"


s: An' then Doreen, she turns away an' weeps;


s: But 'e jist smiles.  "Yer deep in love, 'tis clear,


s: "Young friend," 'e sez--an' tears wus in 'is eyes--


s: "Strive 'ard.  Fer many, many years I've lived.


s: An' I kin but recall wiv tears an' sighs


s: The lives of some I've seen in marridge gived."


s: "My Gawd!" I sez.  "I'll strive as no bloke strivved!


s: Fer don't I know I've copped a bonzer prize?"


s: "Young friend," 'e sez.  An' in 'is gentle way,


s: "I've solem'ized grand weddin's in me day,


s: But 'ere's the sweetest little maid I've seen.


s: An' you're more forchinit than you kin say,


s: "Young friend," 'e sez...A queer ole pilot bloke,


s: Wiv silver 'air.  The gentle way 'e dealt


s: Wiv 'er, the soft an' kindly way 'e spoke


s: I tell yer, square an' all, I sorter felt


s: A kiddish kind o' feelin' like I'd choke...


s: "Young friend," 'e sez, "you two on Choosday week,


s: To break them vows I 'opes yeh'll never seek;


s: Fer I could curse them 'usbands 'oo absconds!"


s: "I'll love 'er till I snuff it," I responds.


s: "Ah, that's the way I likes to 'ear yeh speak,


s: "Young friend," 'e sez--an' then me 'and 'e grips


s: "I wish't yeh luck, you an' yer lady fair.


s: Sweet maid."  An' sof'ly wiv 'is finger-tips,


s: 'E takes an' strokes me cliner's shinin' 'air.


s: An' when I seen 'er standin' blushin' there,


s: I turns an' kisses 'er, fair on the lips.


s: TAKE 'er? Doreen?  'E stan's there ARSTIN' me!


s: TAKE 'er?  'E seemed to think 'er kind was got


s: Like cigarette-cards, fer the arstin'. Still,


s: I does me stunt in this 'ere hitchin' rot,


s: An' speaks me piece: "Righto!" I sez, "I will."


s: "I will," I sez.  An' tho' a joyful shout


s: Come from me bustin' 'eart--I know it did--


s: An' makes me whisper like a frightened kid.


s: "I will," I squeaks.  An' I'd 'a' give a quid


s: To 'ad it on the quite, wivout this fuss,


s: An' orl the starin' crowd that Mar 'ad bid


s: Nor wot the 'ell to do wiv my two 'ands.


s: But 'e don't 'urry puttin' on our brands--


s: This white-'aired pilot-bloke--but gives it lip,


s: Dressed in 'is little shirt, wiv frills an' bands.


s: An' once I missed me turn; an' Ginger Mick,


s: 'Oo's my best-man, 'e ups an' beefs it out.


s: "I will!" 'e 'owls; an' fetches me a kick.


s: "Your turn to chin!" 'e tips wiv a shout.


s: An' there I'm standin' like a gawky lout.


s: (Aw, spare me!  But I seemed to be ALL 'ands!)


s: Wiv 'arf a mind to crack 'im where 'e stands.


s: ('E 'awks the bunnies when 'e toils, does Mick)


s: Thro' force o' habit like.  'E's nervis too;


s: That's plain, fer orl 'is air o' bluff an' skite;


s: But, 'struth, the wimmin!  'Ow they love this frill!


s: Fer Auntie Liz, an' Mar, o' course, wus there;


s: An' Mar's two uncles' wives, an' Cousin Lil,


s: An' 'arf a dozen more to grin and stare.


s: Nor misses once when it's 'er turn to speak.


s: Ar, strike!  No more swell marridges fer me!


s: It seems a blinded year afore 'e's done.


s: Twice over 'fore this cove 'ad 'arf begun.


s: Wiv all this guyver, an' 'is nibs's shirt.


s: But, seems to me, it takes the bloomin' bun,


s: This stylish splicin' uv a bloke an' skirt.


s: Wot in the 'ell's 'e think I come there for?


s: An' so 'e drawls an' drones until I'm full,


s: An' wants to do a duck clean out the door.


s: Ole Snowy wus a reel good-meanin' bloke.


s: Yeh'd think 'e piled it on jist fer a joke.


s: An', when at last 'e shuts 'is little book,


s: I 'eaves a sigh that nearly bust me vest.


s: But 'Eavens!  Now 'ere's muvver goin' crook!


s: (I wish she'd give them water-works a rest.)


s: "My little girl!" she 'owls.  "O, treat'er well!


s: She's young--too young to leave 'er muvver's nest!"


s: "Orright, ole chook," I nearly sez.  Oh, 'ell!


s: A slap-up feed, wiv wine an' two big geese.


s: Doreen sits next ter me, 'er eyes like stars.


s: O, 'ow I wished their blessed yap would cease!


s: The Parson-bloke 'e speaks a little piece,


s: That makes me blush an' 'ang me silly 'ead.


s: 'E sez 'e 'opes our lovin' will increase--


s: I LIKES that pilot fer the things 'e said.


s: 'E sez as 'ow 'e 'opes we'll allus float


s: In peace an' joy, from storm an' danger free.


s: An' Cousin Lil comes 'round an' kisses me;


s: Then Ginger gits end-up an' makes a speech--


s: ('E'd 'ad a couple, but 'e wasn't shick.)


s: "My cobber 'ere," 'e sez, "'as copped a peach!


s: I 'opes 'e won't fergit 'is pals too quick


s: As wus 'is frien's in olden days, becors,


s: I'm trustin', later on," sez Ginger Mick,


s: "To celebrate the chris'nin'."...'Oly wars!


s: An' leaves 'em doin' nothin' to the scran.


s: (We're honey-moonin' down beside the Bay.)


s: Wot drives the cab; an' like two kids we ran


s: To ketch the train--Ah, strike!  I could 'a' flown!


s: We gets the carridge right agen the van.


s: She whistles, jolts, an' starts...An' we're alone!


s: Doreen an' me!  My precious bit o' fluff!


s: Me own true weddid wife!...An' we're alone!


s: She seems so frail, an' me so big an' rough--


s: I dunno wot this feelin' is that's grown


s: A thing so tender like I fear to squeeze


s: Too 'ard fer fear she'll break...Then, wiv a groan


s: I starts to 'ear a coot call, "Tickets, please!"


s: You could 'a' outed me right on the spot!


s: I wus so rattled when that porter spoke.


s: Fer, 'struth! them tickets I 'ad fair forgot!


s: But 'e jist laughs, an' takes it fer a joke.


s: "We must ixcuse," 'e sez, "new-married folk."


s: An' I pays up, an' grins, an' blushes red....


s: It shows 'ow married life improves a bloke:


s: If I'd bin single I'd 'a' punched 'is head!


s: She never magged; she never said no word;


s: But sat an' looked at me an' never stirred.


s: I could 'a' bluffed it out if she 'ad been


s: Fair narked, an' let me 'ave it wiv 'er tongue;


s: But silence told me 'ow 'er 'eart wus wrung.


s: Gorstruth!  I'd sooner fight wiv fifty men


s: Than git one look like that frum 'er agen!


s: She never moved; she never spoke no word;


s: That 'urt look in 'er eyes, like some scared bird:


s: "'Ere is the man I loved," it seemed to say.


s: "'E's mine, this crawlin' thing, an' I'm 'is wife;


s: Tied up fer good; an' orl me joy in life


s: If she 'ad bashed me I'd 'a felt no 'urt!


s: But 'ere she treats me like--like I wus dirt.


s: Fer other wimmin, when the'r blokes go crook,


s: They smashes things an' carries on a treat


s: An' 'owls an' scolds an' wakes the bloomin' street


s: But 'er--she never speaks; she never stirs...


s: I drops me bundle...An' the game is 'ers.


s: Jist two months wed!  Eight weeks uv married bliss


s: Wiv my Doreen, an' now it's come to this!


s: Wot wus I thinkin' uv?  Gawd!  I ain't fit


s: To kiss the place 'er little feet 'as been!


s: 'Er that I called me wife, me own Doreen!


s: Love's done a bunk, an' joy is up the pole;


s: An' shame an' sorrer's roostin' in me soul.


s: 'Twus orl becors uv Ginger Mick--the cow!


s: (I wish't I 'ad 'im 'ere to deal wiv now!


s: I'd pass 'im one, I would!  'E ain't no man!)


s: I meets 'im Choosdee ev'nin' up the town.


s: "Wot O," 'e chips me.  "Kin yeh keep one down?"


s: We 'as a couple; then meets three er four


s: Flash coves I useter know, an' 'as some more.


s: Sez Ginger Mick.  "Lars' night I'm on four quid.


s: Come 'round an' try yer luck at Steeny's school."


s: "No," sez me conscience.  Then I thinks, "Why not?


s: Then conscience skies the wipe...Sez I "Orright."


s: Kip in me 'and, on Steeny Isaac's floor,


s: Yes, back agen amongst the same old crew!


s: An' orl the time down in me 'eart I knew


s: Nex' thing I knows it's after two o'clock--


s: Two in the mornin'!  An' I've done me block!


s: "Wot odds?" I thinks.  "I'm in fer it orright."


s: An' so I stops an' gambles orl the night;


s: An' bribes me conscience wiv the gilt I wins.


s: But when I comes out in the cold, 'ard dawn


s: I know I've crooled me pitch; me soul's in pawn.


s: They 'its me in a 'eap right where I live;


s: She never magged; she never said no word.


s: An' when I speaks, it seems she never 'eard.


s: If she 'ad only roused I might 'a' smiled.


s: She jist seems 'urt an' crushed; not even riled.


s: Like some whipped pup; an' kicks meself reel 'ard.


s: An' then, I sneaks to bed, an' feels dead crook.


s: Fer golden quids I couldn't face that look


s: Aw, strike!  Wot made me go an' do this thing?


s: I feel jist like a chewed up bit of string,


s: Fer 'arf an hour I lies there feelin' cheap;


s: An' then I s'pose, I muster fell asleep....


s: "'Ere, Kid, drink this"...I wakes, an' lifts me 'ead,


s: An' sees 'er standin' there beside the bed;


s: (Eyes that wiv unshed tears is shinin' wet)--


s: "'Ere, Kid, drink this," she sez, an' smiles at me.


s: I looks--an' spare me days!  It WAS BEEF TEA!


s: Beef tea! She treats me like a hinvaleed!


s: Me! that 'as caused 'er lovin' 'eart to bleed.


s: It 'urts me worse than maggin' fer a week!


s: 'Er! 'oo 'ad right to turn dead sour on me,


s: Fergives like that, an' feeds me wiv beef tea...


s: An' then--I ain't ashamed o' wot I did--


s: I 'ides me face...an' blubbers like a kid.


s: "I got no time fer wasters, lad," sez'e,


s: "Give me a man wiv grit," sez Uncle Jim.


s: 'E bores 'is cute ole eyes right into me,


s: While I stares 'ard an' gives it back to 'im.


s: Then orl at once 'e grips me 'and in 'is:


s: "Some'ow," 'e sez, "I likes yer ugly phiz."


s: "You got a look," 'e sez, "like you could stay;


s: Altho' yeh mauls King's English when yeh yaps,


s: An' 'angs flash frills on ev'rythink yeh say.


s: But langwidge is a 'elp, I owns," sez Unk,


s: "When things is goin' crook."  An' 'ere 'e wunk.


s: "Yeh'll find it tough," 'e sez, "to knuckle down.


s: Good farmin' is a gift--like spoutin' slang.


s: Yeh'll 'ave to cut the luxuries o' town,


s: An' chuck the manners of this back-street gang;


s: Fer country life ain't cigarettes and beer."


s: "I'm game," I sez.  Sez Uncle, "Put it 'ere!"


s: Like that I took the plunge, an' slung the game.


s: I've parted wiv them joys I 'eld most dear;


s: I've sent the leery bloke that bore me name


s: Clean to the pack wivout one pearly tear;


s: A bloomin' farmer's blossomin' like 'ell.


s: Farmer!  That's me!  Wiv this 'ere strong right 'and


s: I've gripped the plough; and blistered jist a treat.


s: Yours truly fer the burden an' the 'eat!


s: Yours truly fer upendin' chunks o' soil!


s: I owns I've 'ankered fer me former joys;


s: I've 'ad me hours o' broodin' on me woes;


s: I've missed the comp'ny, an' I've missed the noise,


s: The football matches an' the picter shows.


s: I've missed--but, say, it makes me feel fair mean


s: To whip the cat; an' then see my Doreen.


s: To see 'er eyes grow brighter day be day,


s: The new, glad way she looks an' laughs an' speaks


s: Is worf ten times the things I've chucked away.


s: An' there's a secret, whispered in the dark,


s: 'As made me 'eart sing like a flamin' lark.


s: The things that I've been thro' 'ud fill a book.


s: Right frum me birf Fate played to knock me out;


s: The 'and that I 'ad dealt to me was crook!


s: Then comes Doreen, an' patches up me parst;


s: Now Forchin's come to bunk wiv me at larst.


s: First orf, one night poor Mar gits suddin fits,


s: An' floats wivout the time to wave "good-byes."


s: Doreen is orl broke up the day she flits;


s: It tears me 'eart in two the way she cries.


s: To see 'er grief, it almost made me glad


s: We done poor Muvver proud when she went out


s: A slap-up send-orf, trimmed wiv tears an' crape.


s: An' then fer weeks Doreen she mopes about,


s: An' life takes on a gloomy sorter shape.


s: I watch 'er face git pale, 'er eyes grow dim;


s: Till--like some 'airy angel--comes ole Jim.


s: An' duds that shouted "'Ayseed!" fer a mile:


s: Care took the count the minute 'e appeared,


s: An' sorter shrivelled up before 'is smile,


s: The minute that 'e sez, "So, this is Bill."


s: It's got me beat.  Doreen's late Par, some way,


s: Was second cousin to 'is bruvver's wife.


s: Somethin' like that.  In less than 'arf a day


s: It seemed 'e'd been my uncle orl me life.


s: 'E sez, "but, lad, I likes that ugly phiz."


s: An' when 'e'd stayed wiv us a little while


s: The 'ouse begun to look like 'ome once more.


s: Doreen she brightens up beneath 'is smile,


s: An' 'ugs 'im till I kids I'm gettin' sore.


s: Then, late one night, 'e opens up 'is scheme,


s: An' passes me wot looks like some fond dream.


s: 'E's gettin' old fer toil, an' wants a spell;


s: An' 'ere's a 'ome jist waitin' fer us two.


s: "It's 'ers an' yours fer keeps when I am gone,"


s: Sez Uncle Jim.  "Lad, will yeh take it on?"


s: So that's the strength of it.  An' 'ere's me now


s: Playin' joo-jitsoo wiv an' 'orse an' plough,


s: An' longin', while I wrestles with the rake,


s: Fer days when me poor back fergits to ache.


s: Me days an' nights is full of schemes an' plans


s: An' when the pickin's on, I 'ave me 'an's


s: It's sorter sweet to 'ave the right to rouse....


s: To see 'er bustlin' 'round about the place,


s: That thoughtful, 'appy look upon 'er face,


s: That 'ope an' peace an' pride o' labour brings,


s: Is worth the crowd of joys I knoo one time,


s: An' makes regrettin' 'em seem like a crime.


s: It gives us 'eart jist fer to look at 'im,


s: An' feel the friendship in 'is warm 'and-grip.


s: 'Im, wiv the sunburn on 'is kind ole dile;


s: 'Im, wiv the sunbeams in 'is sweet ole smile.


s: "I got no time fer wasters, lad," sez 'e,


s: "But that there ugly mug o' yourn I trust."


s: I got to take the back-ache wiv the rest,


s: But now an' then it calls--fer look at me!


s: Free gratis wiv a shillin' pound o' tea;


s: Then, in a blessed 'eap, ole Forchin lands


s: My son!...Them words, jist like a blessed song,


s: Is singin' in me 'eart the 'ole day long;


s: Over an' over; while I'm scared I'll wake


s: My son!  Two little words, that, yesterdee,


s: Wus jist two simple, senseless words to me;


s: An' now--no man, not since the world begun,


s: Made any better pray'r than that....My son!


s: The finest kid in--Aw, the sun don't shine--


s: Ther' ain't no joy fer me beneath the blue


s: An' then 'twas "'er an' me"--Doreen, my wife!


s: An' now it's "'im an' us" an'--sich is life.


s: But 'struth!  'E is king-pin!  The 'ead serang!


s: I mustn't tramp about, or talk no slang;


s: I mustn't pinch 'is nose, or make a face,


s: I mustn't--Strike!  'E seems to own the place!


s: Cunnin'?  Yeh'd think, to look into 'is eyes,


s: 'E knoo the game clean thro'; 'e seems that wise.


s: Wiv 'er 'an nurse 'e is the leadin' man,


s: An' poor ole dad's amongst the "also ran."


s: "Goog, goo," 'e sez, and curls 'is cunnin' toes.


s: Yeh'd be su'prised the 'caps o' things 'e knows.


s: I'll swear 'e tumbles I'm 'is father, too;


s: The way 'e squints at me, an' sez "Goog, goo."


s: Why! 'smornin' 'ere 'is lordship gits a grip


s: An' when I tugs, 'e won't let go 'is hold!


s: 'Angs on like that!  An' 'im not three weeks old!


s: "Goog, goo," 'e sez.  I'll swear yeh never did


s: The cunnin' ways 'e's got; the knowin' stare--


s: Ther' ain't a youngster like 'im ANYWHERE!


s: 'Is dead straight griffin ain't to be denied.


s: I'm sent to talk sweet nuffin's to the fowls;


s: While nurse turns 'and-springs ev'ry time 'e 'owls.


s: But say, I tell yeh straight...I been thro' 'ell!


s: The things I thort I wouldn't dare to tell


s: One little part of all that fear an' pain.


s: It come so sudden that I lorst me block.


s: First, it was, 'Ell-fer-leather to the doc.,


s: 'Oo took it all so calm 'e made me curse


s: An' then I sprints like mad to get the nurse.


s: By gum; that woman!  But she beat me flat!


s: Sweatin' I was! but cold wiv fear inside


s: An' then, to think a man could be denied


s: By jist one fat ole nurse 'oo's in 'is pay!


s: I wus too weak wiv funk to start an' rouse.


s: 'Struth!  Ain't a man the boss in 'is own 'ouse?


s: "You go an' chase yerself!" she tips me straight.


s: There's nothin' now fer you to do but--wait."


s: Wait?...Gawd!...I never knoo wot waitin' meant


s: To loaf around, while there inside--Aw, strike!


s: I couldn't tell yeh wot that hour was like!


s: Three times I comes to listen at the door;


s: Three times I drags meself away once more;


s: 'Arf dead wiv fear; 'arf dead wiv tremblin' joy...


s: An' then she beckons me, an' sez-"A boy!"


s: "A boy!" she sez. "An' bofe is doin' well!"


s: I drops into a chair, an' jist sez--"'Ell!"


s: It was a pray'r.  I feels bofe crook an' glad....


s: An' that's the strength of bein' made a dad.


s: I thinks of church, when in that room I goes,


s: 'Oldin' me breaf an' walkin' on me toes.


s: Fer 'arf a mo' I feared me nerve 'ud fail


s: To see 'er lying there so still an' pale.


s: She looks so frail, at first, I dursn't stir.


s: An' then, I leans acrost an' kisses 'er;


s: An' all the room gits sorter blurred an' dim...


s: She smiles, an' moves 'er 'ead.  "Dear lad!  Kiss 'im."


s: Near smothered in a ton of snowy clothes,


s: First thing, I sees a bunch o' stubby toes,


s: Bald 'ead, termater face, an' two big eyes.


s: "Look, Kid," she smiles at me. "Ain't 'e a size?"


s: "'E is," I sez, an' smiles back at Doreen,


s: "The biggest nipper fer 'is age I've seen."


s: She turns away; 'er eyes is brimmin' wet.


s: "Our little son!" she sez.  "Our precious pet!"


s: An' then, I seen a great big drop roll down


s: An' fall--kersplosh!--fair on 'is nibs's crown.


s: An' still she smiles.  "A lucky sign," she said.


s: "Somewhere, in some ole book, one time I read,


s: 'The child will sure be blest all thro' the years


s: Who's christened wiv 'is mother's 'appy tears."'


s: "Kiss 'im," she sez.  I was afraid to take


s: Too big a mouthful of 'im, fear 'e'd break.


s: 'E puckers up 'is nose, an' then--Geewhizz!


s: Nurse 'ad me 'ustled clean outside the door.


s: Scarce knowin' 'ow, I gits out in the yard,


s: An' leans agen the fence an' thinks reel 'ard.


s: A long, long time I looks at my two 'ands.


s: "They're all I got," I thinks, "they're all that stands


s: Twixt this 'ard world an' them I calls me own.


s: An' fer their sakes I'll work 'em to the bone."


s: Them vows an' things sounds like a lot o' guff.


s: Maybe, it's foolish thinkin' all this stuff--


s: Maybe, it's childish-like to scheme an' plan;


s: But I ain't got much use fer them soft guys.


s: I think we ort to make 'im something great--


s: Some callin' that'll give 'im room to spread.


s: A fool could see 'e's got a clever 'ead.


s: I know 'e's good an' honest; for 'is eyes


s: Is jist like 'ers; so big an' lovin'-wise;


s: They carries peace an' trust where e'er they goes


s: An', say, the nurse she sez 'e's got my nose!


s: Dead ring fer me ole conk, she sez it is.


s: I think.  But 'e's a fair 'ard case, all right.


s: I'll swear I thort 'e wunk at me last night!


s: My wife an' fam'ly!  Don't it sound all right!


s: That's wot I whispers to meself at night.


s: Some day, I s'pose, I'll learn to say it loud


s: An' careless; kiddin' that I don't feel proud.


s: My son!...If there's a Gawd 'Oos leanin' near


s: To watch our dilly little lives down 'ere,


s: 'E smiles, I guess, if 'E's a lovin' one


s: Smiles, friendly-like, to 'ear them words--My son.


s: Peaceful an' 'appy wiv the day's work done,


s: Watchin', be'ind the orchard's bonzer green,


s: Creepin' along to douse Day's golden light;


s: Another dawnin', when the night is gone,


s: To live an' love--an' so life mooches on.


s: Times I 'ave thought, when things was goin' crook,


s: When 'Ope turned nark an' Love forgot to smile,


s: Of somethin' I once seen in some old book


s: Where an ole sore-'ead arsts, "Is life worf w'ile?"


s: But in that stillness, as the day grows dim,


s: My wife, my son! an' strength in me to strive,


s: Yeh live, yeh love, yeh learn; an' when yeh come


s: To square the ledger in some thortful hour,


s: Must allus be, "Where's sense in gittin' sour?"


s: Fer when yeh've come to weigh the good an' bad--


s: The gladness wiv the sadness you 'ave 'ad--


s: Then 'im 'oo's faith in 'uman goodness fails


s: Is gold coined fer your profit--sich is life.


s: I've studied books wiv yearnings to improve,


s: "'Ark at yer 'eart, an' you kin learn the lot."


s: I gives it in--that wisdom o' the mind--


s: Orl such is welkim to the joys they find;


s: The one same lesson in the same ole way:


s: "Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,


s: Life's wot yeh make it; an' the bloke 'oo tries


s: To grab the shinin' stars frum out the skies


s: Goes crook on life, an' calls the world a cheat,


s: An' tramples on the daisies at 'is feet.


s: But when the moon comes creepin' o'er the hill,


s: An' when the mopoke calls along the creek,


s: I takes me cup o' joy an' drinks me fill,


s: An' arsts meself wot better could I seek.


s: That everlastin' message seems to bring;


s: An' ev'ry wind that whispers in the trees


s: Gives me the tip there ain't no joys like these:


s: Livin' an' lovin'; wand'rin' on yer way;


s: Reapin' the 'arvest of a kind deed done;


s: An' watchin', in the sundown of yer day,


s: Knowin' that ev'ry coin o' kindness spent


s: Bears interest in yer 'eart at cent per cent;


s: To simple minds that values simple things.


s: That I 'ave trod, it seems the man knows best,


s: Who's met wiv slabs of sorrer in 'is day,


s: A land 'oo's fields reflect the smile o' God.


s: The deeds an' words of some un'appy bloke


s: Who's missed the bus--so 'ave I come to live,


s: An' take the 'ole mad world as 'arf a joke.


s: Wiv 'Er in all the World to 'old me 'and,


s: A son, to bear me name when I am gone....


s: Alley, to toss in the--To give up the ghost.


s: 'Ard Case (Hard Case)--A shrewd or humorous person.


s: Back and Fill--To vacillate; to shuffle.


s: Back the Barrer--To intervene without invitation.


s: Beat, off the---Out of the usual routine.


s: Beef (to beef it out)--To declaim vociferously.


s: Bird, to give the--To treat with derision.


s: To lose or do in the block--To become flustered; excited; angry;


s: To keep the block--To remain calm; dispassionate.


s: Bluff--Cunning practice; make believe. v. To deceive; to mislead.


s: Bonzer, boshter, bosker--Adjectives expressing the superlative of


s: Boot, to put in the--To kick a prostrate foe.


s: Break (to break away, to do a break)--To depart in haste.


s: Brums--Tawdry finery (From Brummagem--Birmingham).


s: Bun, to take the--To take the prize (used ironically).


s: Bundle, to drop the--To surrender; to give up hope.


s: Bunk--To sleep in a "bunk" or rough bed.


s: To do a bunk--To depart. Bunnies, to hawk the--To peddle rabbits.


s: Cert--A certainty; a foregone conclusion.


s: Chase yourself--Depart; avaunt; "fade away," q.v.


s: Chat--To address tentatively; to "word" q.v.


s: Cheque, to pass in one's--To depart this life.


s: Coot--A person of no account (used contemptuously).


s: Cop--To seize; to secure; also s. An avocation, a "job."


s: Count, to take the--In pugilism, to remain prostrate for ten


s: counted seconds, and thus lose the fight.


s: Cow--A thoroughly unworthy, not to say despicable, person, place,


s: Crack a boo--To divulge a secret; to betray emotion.


s: Dash, to do-one's--To reach one's Waterloo.


s: Dawg (dog)--A contemptible person; ostentation.


s: To put on dawg--To behave in an arrogant manner.


s: Deal--To deal it out; to administer punishment, abuse, etc.


s: Deener--A shilling (Fr. Denier. Denarius, a Roman silver coin).


s: Dinkum--Honest; true.  "The Dinkum Oil."--The truth.


s: Dirt--Opprobrium, a mean speech or action.


s: Dizzy limit--The utmost; the superlative degree.


s: Dope--A drug; adulterated liquor. v. To administer drugs.


s: Dot in the eye, to--To strike in the eye.


s: Drive a quill--To write with a pen; to work in an office.


s: Dutch--German; any native of Central Europe.


s: 'Eads (Heads)--The authorities; inner council.


s: 'Eadin'--"Heading browns"; tossing pennies.


s: 'Eavyweight--A boxer of the heaviest class.


s: Fair thing--A wise proceeding; an obvious duty.


s: Flash--Ostentatious; showy but counterfeit.


s: Foot (me foot)--A term expressing ridicule.


s: Glassey--The glassy eye; a glance of cold disdain.


s: The Glassey Alley--The favourite; the most admired.


s: Going (while the going is good)--While the path is clear.


s: Gone (fair gone)--Overcome, as with emotion.


s: Grafter--One who toils hard or willingly.


s: Griffin, the straight--The truth, secret information.


s: Hankies--A fondling of hands between lovers.


s: Hang-over--The aftermath of the night before.


s: Hitched--Entangled in the bonds of holy matrimony.


s: Hit things up--To behave strenuously; riotously.


s: Hump, to--To carry as a swag or other burden.


s: Imshee--Begone; retreat; to take yourself off. [Arabic]


s: It (to be It)--To assume a position of supreme importance.


s: Joint, to jump the--To assume command; to occupy the "joint,"


s: i.e., establishment, situation, place of business.


s: Jolt, to pass a--To deliver a short, sharp blow.


s: Kid, to--To deceive; to persuade by flattery.


s: King Pin--The leader; the person of chief importance.


s: Kip--A small chip used for tossing pennies in the occult game


s: Knock-down--A ceremony insisted upon by ladies who decline


s: to be "picked up"; a formal introduction.


s: Knock-out drops--Drugged or impure liquor.


s: Lark--A practical joke; a sportive jest.


s: Leeuwin--Cape Leeuwin on the south-west coast of Australia.


s: Lurk--A plan of action; a regular occupation.


s: Mafeesh--Finish; I am finished. [Arabic "there is no.."]


s: Maul--To lay hands upon, either violently or with affection.


s: Mizzle--To disappear; to depart suddenly.


s: Mud, my name is--i.e., I am utterly discredited.


s: Nark--s. A spoil--sport; a churlish fellow.


s: Neck, to get it in the--To receive severe punishment;


s: Nose around, to--To seek out inquisitively.


s: Nothing (ironically)--Literally "something considerable."


s: Odds, above the--Beyond the average; outside the pale.


s: Orfis (office)--A warning; a word of advice; a hint.


s: Oricle (oracle), to work the--To secure desired results.


s: Orl (all in)--Without limit or restriction.


s: Out, to--To render unconscious with a blow.


s: Out, all--Quite exhausted; fully extended.


s: Pack, to send to the--To relegate to obscurity.


s: Pat [Malone] on one's--Alone; single-handed.


s: Peach--A desirable young woman; "fresh as a peach."


s: Peb (pebble)--A flash fellow; a "larrikin."


s: Pick--up, to--To dispense with the ceremony of a "knock--down" or


s: Pitch a tale--To trump up an excuse; to weave a romance.


s: Plunk--An exclamation expressing the impact of a blow.


s: Point, to--To seize unfair advantage; to scheme.


s: Point--The region of the jaw; much sought after by pugilists.


s: Pot, the old--The male parent (from "Rhyming Slang,") the


s: Pot, a--A considerable amount; as a "pot of money."


s: Pole, up the--Distraught through anger, fear, etc.; also,


s: Pull, to take a--To desist; to discontinue.


s: Punter--The natural prey of a "bookie," q.v.


s: Push--A company of rowdy fellows gathered together for ungentle


s: Rabbit, to run the--To convey liquor from a public-house.


s: Rag, to sky the--To throw a towel into the air in token of


s: Rain, to keep out of the--To avoid danger; to act with caution.


s: Ribuck----Correct, genuine; an interjection signifying assent.


s: Rise, a--An accession of fortune; an improvement.


s: Roust, or Rouse--To upbraid with many words.


s: 'Roy--Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne; its football team.


s: Run against--To meet more or less unexpectedly.


s: Saints--A football team of St Kilda, Victoria.


s: School--A club; a clique of gamblers, or others.


s: Set, to--To attack; to regard with disfavour.


s: Set, to have--To have marked down for punishment or revenge.


s: Sight--To tolerate; to permit; also to see; observe.


s: Sir Garneo--In perfect order; satisfactory.


s: Slab--A portion; a tall, awkward fellow.


s: Slaver--One engaged in the "white slave traffic."


s: Smooge--To flatter or fawn; to bill and coo.


s: Sock it into--To administer physical punishment.


s: Sour, to turn, or get--To become pessimistic or discontented.


s: Spruik--To deliver a speech, as a showman.


s: Stajum--Stadium, where prize-fights are conducted. S


s: Stoush--To punch with the fist. s. Violence.


s: Straight, on the--In fair and honest fashion.


s: Strangle-hold--An ungentle embrace in wrestling.


s: Strength of it--The truth of it; the value of it.


s: Stretch, to do a--To serve a term of imprisonment.


s: Strike--The innocuous remnant of a hardy curse.


s: Swig--A draught of water or other liquid.


s: Take it out--To undergo imprisonment in lieu of a fine.


s: Tart--A young woman (contraction of sweetheart).


s: Time, to have no time for--To regard with impatient disfavour.


s: Tip--A warning; a prognostication; a hint.


s: Tipple--Strong drink; to indulge in strong drink.


s: Tough--Unfortunate; hardy; also a "tug," q.v.


s: Track with--To woo; to "go walking with."


s: Tumble to, or to take a tumble--To comprehend suddenly.


s: Turn, out of one's--Impertinently; uninvited.


s: Upper--cut--In pugilism, an upward blow.


s: Vag, on the--Under the provisions of the Vagrancy Act.


s: Waster--A reprobate; an utterly useless and unworthy person.


s: Waterworks, to turn on the--To shed tears.


s: Wet, to get--To become incensed; ill-tempered.


s: White (white man)--A true, sterling fellow.


s: Wise, to get--To comprehend; to unmask deceit.


s: "A Leaden Heart I wear since she forsook me."


s: "Tell me, ye muses, what hath former ages


s: And what remains unthought on by those sages


s: "My most neat and cunning orator, whose tongue is quicksilver;"


s: "Fate is a spaniel; we cannot beat it from us!"


s: finds a rival in Mr. Irwin's strong simile--"O Fate, thou art a


s: We trace these synonyms through "rag-time," etc., to an almost


s: cri-du-coeur the gentlest reader must inevitably render.


s: Wouldn't it jar you, wouldn't it make you sore


s: To see the poet, when the goods play out,


s: His skate to two-step sonnets off galore?


s: Then, when the plug, a dead one, can no more


s: Shake rag-time than a biscuit, right about


s: The poem-butcher turns with gleeful shout


s: And sends a batch of sonnets to the store.


s: Just why their crop of thinks is running small.


s: On the low down, dear Maine, my looty loo,


s: That's why I've cooked this batch of rhymes for you.


s: Say, will she treat me white, or throw me down,


s: Give me the glassy glare, or welcome hand,


s: Shovel me dirt, or treat me on the grand,


s: Knife me, or make me think I own the town?


s: Or will she jolt me lightly on the sand,


s: Leaving poor Willie froze to beat the band,


s: Limp as your grandma's Mother Hubbard gown?


s: She can come play with me on our back stoop,


s: In fact I know I'm nice and good and ready


s: Since ten o'clock, G. M., when on the street


s: I saw my lightning finish from the start.


s: O goo-goo eye, how glassy gazed thou art


s: To freeze my spinach solid when we meet,


s: Is it because my pants fit much too soon,


s: Or that my hand-me-down is out of style,


s: That thou dost turn me under when I spoon,


s: Nor hand me hothouse beauties with a smile?


s: If that's the case, next week I'll scorch the line


s: Next week, when from the boss I pull my pay:--


s: A shirt for vaudeville and something fly


s: In gunboat shoes and half-hose on the gay.


s: I'll get some green shoe-laces, by the way,


s: And a straw lid to set 'em stepping high.


s: Then shall I shine and be the great main squeeze,


s: That will bring Mame to time--I should say yes!


s: Ain't my dough good as Murphy's? Well, I guess!


s: O fate, thou art a lobster, but not dead!


s: Silently dost thou grab, e'en as the cop


s: Nabs the poor hobo, sneaking from a shop


s: With some rich geezer's tile upon his head.


s: To get quite chesty, when it's buff! kerflop!!


s: We take a tumble and the cog-wheels stop,


s: Leaving the patient seeing stars in bed.


s: My last week's pay. I got the dinky dink.


s: And Mame is mine some more, I do not think.


s: 'Tis Murphy, night clerk in McCann's drug store.


s: Last night--ah, yesternight--I flagged my queen


s: Steering for Grunsky's ice-cream joint full sail!


s: Just then Brick Murphy butted in between,


s: Rushing my funny song-and-dance to jail,


s: Like a gin-fountain smashed by Carrie Nation.


s: See how that Murphy cake-walks in his pride,


s: That brick-topped Murphy, fourteen-dollar jay;


s: You'd think he'd leased the sidewalk by the way


s: I'm wise his diamond ring's a cut-glass snide,


s: But still no kick is coming yet from Mae


s: Rubber, thou scab! Don't throw on so much spaniel!


s: Say, are there any more at home like you?


s: Get next, you pawn-shop sport! Come oft the fence


s: Before I make you look like thirty cents!


s: Mayhap you think I cinched my little job


s: When I made meat of Mamie's dress-suit belle.


s: If that's your hunch you don't know how the swell


s: Can put it on the plain, unfinished slob


s: Who lacks the kiss-me war paint of the snob


s: And can't make good inside a giddy shell;


s: The slump that caused me this melodious sob.


s: For when I pushed Brick Murphy to the rope


s: Mame manned the ambulance and dragged him in,


s: Massaged his lamps with fragrant drug store dope


s: And coughed up loops of kindergarten chin;


s: She sprang a come back, piped for the patrol,


s: Then threw a glance that tommyhawked my soul.


s: I sometimes think that I am not so good,


s: That there are foxier, warmer babes than I,


s: And my long suit is sawing mother's wood.


s: Then would I duck from under if I could,


s: Catch the hog special on the jump, and fly


s: For dubs and has-beens and that solemn brood.


s: But spite of bug-wheels in my cocoa tree,


s: The trade in lager beer is still a-humming,


s: Or even grafted if you're fierce at bumming.


s: Last night I tumbled off the water cart--


s: And tore up all the sidewalks from the start.


s: That beat Vesuvius out for sizz and spunk,


s: Oh! would I were the ice man for a space,


s: Then might I cool this red-hot cocoanut,


s: Around the eaves that from my forehead jut--


s: And build a picket fence around my head?


s: As one who with his landlord stands deuce high


s: And blocks his board bill off with I O U's,


s: Touching the barkeep lightly for his booze,


s: Soaking his mother's watch-chain on the sly,


s: Till Mr. Johnson comes to turn him loose


s: And lift the mortgage from that poor cheap guy;


s: So am I now small change in Mamie's scorn,


s: For when her make-up's twisted to a frown,


s: What can I but go 'way back and sit down?


s: To hand me such a bunch when I was true!


s: You played me double and you knew it, too,


s: Nor cared a wad of gum how I would feel.


s: Can you not see that Murphy's handy spiel


s: Is cheap balloon juice of a Blarney brew,


s: Is give the crank a twist and let 'er reel?


s: Nay, love has put your optics on the bum,


s: To you are Murphy's gold bricks all O. K.;


s: His talks go down however rank they come,


s: Ah, well! In that I'm in the box with you,


s: For love has got poor Willie groggy, too.


s: E'en though you get there Zaza with both feet,


s: In forty flickers, it's the same hard luck,


s: Shanghaied without a steady place to eat,


s: O Life! you give Yours Truly quite a pain.


s: On the T square I do not like your style;


s: Avaunt, false Life, with all your pride and pelf:


s: Go take a running jump and chase yourself!


s: If I were smooth as eels and slick as soap,


s: A baked-wind expert, jolly with my clack,


s: Before the steerer feeds me knock-out dope,


s: Still might I throw a duck-fit in my hope


s: That I possessed a headpiece like a tack


s: Ere she could flag some Handsome Hank and slope.


s: What ho! she bumps! My wish avails me not,


s: Whenever heartless Mame harpoons me--ouch!


s: Last night when at the Rainbow Social Club


s: From Hogan's Alley to the Dutchman's Boot,


s: While little Willie, like a plug-eared mute,


s: Papered the wall and helped absorb the grub,


s: Played nest-egg with the benches like a dub


s: Once more my hoodoo's thrown the game and scored


s: Nixie! I'm not canned chicken till I'm cooked,


s: And hope still rooms in this pneumatic chest,


s: While something's doing underneath my vest


s: That makes me think I'm squiffier than I looked.


s: Mayhap Love knew my class when I was booked


s: To knock the previous records galley west,


s: While short-end suckers on my bait were hooked.


s: She turned her happy searchlights on me so,


s: And grinned so like a living picture--say,


s: Could n't she pack her Raglan in your trunk?


s: Coax her to think that I'm no gilded pill,


s: "Gum Drop:--Your tanglefoot has got my game,


s: I'm stuck so tight you cannot shake your catch;


s: It's cruelty to insects--honest, Mame,--


s: If you'll talk business I'm your lemon pie.


s: You offer trips to heaven at tourist's rates


s: You're going to keep (not meaning any harm),


s: Then get some poor old Rube fresh from the farm,


s: Trying to transfer at the Pearly Gates--


s: For instance, note this jolt that smashed the charm:--


s: "P.S.--You are all right, but you won't do.


s: But there are cripples livelier than you,


s: And my man Murphy's strictly union-made.


s: Last night I dreamed a passing dotty dream--


s: I thought the cards were coming all my way,


s: That I could shut and open things all day


s: While Mame and I were getting thick as cream,


s: Just then the alarm clock blew to pieces. Say,


s: Wouldn't that jam you? I should rather scream.


s: Sleep, like a bunco artist, rubbed it in,


s: Sold me his ten-cent oil stocks, though he knew


s: To ring a bull's-eye when he shoots at me.


s: But say, it's getting rubbed in good and deep,


s: And I have reached the limit where I weep


s: My soul is quite a worn and frazzled rag,


s: My life is damaged goods, my price is cheap,


s: Lest some should read the price-mark on my tag.


s: The more my sourballed murmur, since I've seen


s: Full of assorted sports, each with his queen--


s: Were Mame and Murphy, diked to suit the part,


s: And clinching fins in public, heart-to-heart.


s: Forget it? Well, just watch me try to shake


s: The memory of that four-bit Scheutzen Park,


s: Where Sunday picnics boil from dawn till dark


s: And you tie down the Flossie you can take,


s: If you don't mind man-handling and can make


s: A prize rough house to jolly up the lark,


s: To show the ladies you're the whole tan-bark,


s: And leave a blaze of fireworks in your wake.


s: 'Twas there before the Rainbow Club that Mame


s: And all the chronic glad hand-claspers came


s: And when the jocund day threw up the sponge


s: Murphy was billed to take the fatal plunge.


s: At noon today Murphy and Mame were tied.


s: And all the Drug Clerks Union loped to see


s: The queen of Minnie Street become a bride,


s: And that bad actor, Murphy, by her side,


s: Standing where Yours Despondent ought to be.


s: But weeps were in my glimmers when I tried.


s: The pastor murmured, "Two and two make one,"


s: And slipped a sixteen K on Mamie's grab;


s: And when the game was tied and all was done


s: The guests shied footwear at the bridal cab,


s: And Murphy's little gilt-roofed brother Jim


s: Snickered, "She's left her happy home for him."


s: Still joy is rubbernecking on the street,


s: Still hikes the Mags' parade at five o'clock,


s: Still does the masher march around the block


s: Pining in vain some hothouse plant to meet;


s: Still does the rounder pull your leg to treat,


s: Where flows the whisky sour or russet bock,


s: And the store clothing dummies in a flock


s: Keep good and busy following their feet.


s: Rats! cut this out; for I'm a last year's champ;


s: My walkers to the graveyard daisies toeing,


s: Pass checks through cigarette asphyxiation.


s: To just one girl I've tuned my sad bazoo,


s: Stringing my pipe-dream off as it occurred,


s: And as I've tipped the straight talk every word,


s: If you don't like it you know what to do.


s: Perhaps you think I've handed out to you


s: If that's your guess you'll have to guess again,


s: And this rhythmatic side-show doth contain


s: The sum and substance of my hard-luck story,


s: A Gentleman's Epitaph on Himself and a Lady


s: On the tune called The Old-hundred-and-fourth


s: Voices from things growing in a Churchyard


s: She revisits alone the church of her marriage


s: On one who lived and died where he was born


s: About half the verses that follow were written quite lately.  The


s: presently.  I believe that those readers who care for my poems at


s: It is true, nevertheless, that some grave, positive, stark,


s: crosses his mind concerning existence in this universe, in his


s: attempts to explain or excuse the presence of evil and the


s: that is to say, by the exploration of reality, and its frank


s: decent silence, as if further comment were needless.


s: Happily there are some who feel such Levitical passing-by to be,


s: unconscious or other--that have "the balancings of the clouds,"


s: happen to be in equilibrium, which may or may not be often.


s: To conclude this question I may add that the argument of the so-


s: called optimists is neatly summarized in a stern pronouncement


s: declaration does not seem to me to be so annihilating to the said


s: I would not have alluded in this place or anywhere else to such


s: IDEAS are oddities to smile at, who are moved by a yearning the


s: anecdotes of a satirical and humorous intention (such, e.g., as


s: raise, the journalist, deaf to the sudden change of key, being


s: inconsequence.  In respect of the less alert, however, should any


s: digress for a few moments to more general considerations.  The


s: meticulousness in their peerings for an opinion, as if it were a


s: But I do not now think any such temporary obstructions to be the


s: cause of the hazard, for these negligences and ignorances, though


s: emotional life, must like all other things keep moving, becoming;


s: isolated minds; also the minds of men in certain worthy but small


s: aforesaid ominous moving backward, be doing it pour mieux sauter,


s: I have to thank the editors and owners of The Times, Fortnightly,


s: When showers betumble the chestnut spikes,


s: And the little brown nightingale bills his best,


s: And they sit outside at "The Travellers' Rest,"


s: And maids come forth sprig-muslin drest,


s: And citizens dream of the south and west,


s: And hill-hid tides throb, throe on throe,


s: With quavers, minims, shakes, and trills.


s: At nine in the morning there passed a church,


s: But I kept my seat in my search for a plea,


s: And the wheels moved on. O could it but be


s: You nude of cloud, and but by favour throw


s: Nor winter freeze them, nor floods drown,


s: He said:  "Awake my soul, and with the sun," . . .


s: And paused upon the bridge, his eyes due east,


s: Where was emerging like a full-robed priest


s: The irradiate globe that vouched the dark as done.


s: Who in the adjacent gardens charged his string,


s: Nightly, with many a tuneful tender thing,


s: Till stars were weak, and dancing hours outrun.


s: And then were threads of matin music spun


s: "This is a morn," he murmured, "well begun:


s: This strain to Ken will count when I am clay!"


s: And count it did; till, caught by echoing lyres,


s: It spread to galleried naves and mighty quires.


s: There were those words in the wilderness:


s: Cares still, heeds all, and will, even though


s: Did they catch as it were in a Vision at shut of the day--


s: When their cavalry smote through the ancient Esdraelon Plain,


s: On war-men at this end of time--even on Englishmen's eyes--


s: Who slay with their arms of new might in that long-ago place,


s: Flashed he who drove furiously? . . . Ah, did the phantom arise


s: Of that queen, of that proud Tyrian woman who painted her face?


s: Faintly marked they the words "Throw her down!" rise from Night


s: Spectre-spots of the blood of her body on some rotten wall?


s: And the thin note of pity that came:  "A King's daughter is she,"


s: Could such be the hauntings of men of to-day, at the cease


s: Yea, strange things and spectral may men have beheld in Jezreel!


s: In spells of certain and uncertain weather?


s: Two that few dwellers troubled themselves to know here.


s: Never a wayward sprout, or hump, or hollow.


s: Perhaps," they had said.  "And saves much sad good-nighting."


s: Onerous to satiate souls, increased their buoyance.


s: Yes; happier than the cleverest, smartest, rarest.


s: "O the dream that thou art my Love, be it thine,


s: And the dream that I am thy Love, be it mine,


s: And death may come, but loving is divine."


s: Good-night."  The casement closed again,


s: The sparkles where the brook was flowing,


s: These were the things we wished would stay;


s: These were the things we wished would go;


s: Where streets have stolen up all around,


s: Drawn from your drowse by the Seven famed Hills,


s: Will you wake wind-wafts on these stairs?


s: I once stood, in that Rome, and thought,


s: "Ah Madam; you've indeed come back here?


s: 'Twas sad--your husband's so swift death,


s: And you away!  You shouldn't have left him:


s: I've come to lodge here--a friendless woman;


s: She came; she lodged.  Wherever she rambled


s: The lady named; and told how her husband


s: "Tell me my history!" would exclaim she;


s: "But YOU know, surely, Ma'am?" they would answer,


s: Curious, she crept to his grave one evening,


s: And a second time in the dusk of the morrow;


s: Then a third time, with crescent emotion


s: No gravestone rose by the rounded hillock;


s: - "He had no kindred, Ma'am, but you near."


s: She learnt to dream of him, and told them:


s: And says:  'I am joyed that, after all, Dear,


s: Such said, she had paused; until she added:


s: And this they did.  And so it became there


s: The stranger was she who bore his name there,


s: And paths were faint; and flocking fears


s: And nine-and-ninety smear the stones and tiles:


s: - 'Twas not so in that August--full-rayed, fine--


s: When we lived out-of-doors, sang songs, strode miles.


s: Of summer?  Were dun clouds, a dribbling bough,


s: And was the waste world just the same as now?


s: It can have been so:  yea, that threatenings


s: Of coming down-drip on the sunless gray,


s: Were wrought more bright than brightest skies to-day.


s: Though nought be done, and nought begun,


s: "--I heard it, or shouldn't have spoken:


s: What it could mean, this soar from sorrow;


s: A forward rush by the lamp in the gloom,


s: I had promised to meet in the thawing brume


s: On that harbour-bridge; nor was I he of her tryst.


s: The one I had meant!--to whom I have sped


s: - 'Twas thus and thus that she upbraided me.


s: The lamplit, snowflaked, sloppiness around.


s: Plainly, as his wife's planned deliverer.


s: I let them; and I told them not they erred.


s: The waves of her clinging hair, that hung


s: We twain hearts caught in one catastrophe.


s: And there was the Jersey boat with its funnel agroan.


s: And scrap the oaths that you have aforetime made." . . .


s: --Of the four involved there walks but one


s: Let peace lie on lulled lips:  I will not say.


s: With folk perhaps good, gracious, witty;


s: Her form on the ballroom's smooth flooring


s: I spent my life's seasons with pale ones


s: Not a word passed of love all our lifetime,


s: Yet as one dust, through bleak days and vernal,


s: Court-clad, ere quite she had passed me,


s: So it's hushed, hushed, hushed, you are for me!


s: "Good-night!--Good-bye!" to your pleated show


s: I fain would second her, strike to her stroke,


s: Aye, even from the ancient clamorous "Fall


s: Of Paris," or "Battle of Prague" withal,


s: Should I fling your polyphones, plaints, and quavers


s: Too quick would the small white shapes be here


s: And a black-tressed profile, and pale smooth ear;


s: Nay:  hushed, hushed, hushed you are for me!


s: Where three roads joined it was green and fair,


s: And life laughed sweet when I halted there;


s: I am sure those branchways are brooding now,


s: With a wistful blankness upon their face,


s: While the few mute passengers notice how


s: And grieves that a pair, in bliss for a spell


s: Not far from thence, should have let it roll


s: While the phasm of him who fared starts up,


s: And of her who was waiting him sobs from near,


s: As they haunt there and drink the wormwood cup


s: They filled for themselves when their sky was clear.


s: Yes, I see those roads--now rutted and bare,


s: While over the gate is no sun-glazed sea;


s: And though life laughed when I halted there,


s: There had been years of Passion--scorching, cold,


s: And much Despair, and Anger heaving high,


s: Care whitely watching, Sorrows manifold,


s: Among the young, among the weak and old,


s: And the pensive Spirit of Pity whispered, "Why?"


s: Men had not paused to answer.  Foes distraught


s: Pierced the thinned peoples in a brute-like blindness,


s: Philosophies that sages long had taught,


s: And Selflessness, were as an unknown thought,


s: And "Hell!" and "Shell!" were yapped at Lovingkindness.


s: The feeble folk at home had grown full-used


s: To "dug-outs," "snipers," "Huns," from the war-adept


s: In the mornings heard, and at evetides perused;


s: To day--dreamt men in millions, when they mused--


s: To nightmare-men in millions when they slept.


s: Waking to wish existence timeless, null,


s: Sirius they watched above where armies fell;


s: He seemed to check his flapping when, in the lull


s: Of night a boom came thencewise, like the dull


s: Plunge of a stone dropped into some deep well.


s: So, when old hopes that earth was bettering slowly


s: Were dead and damned, there sounded "War is done!"


s: One morrow.  Said the bereft, and meek, and lowly,


s: "Will men some day be given to grace? yea, wholly,


s: And in good sooth, as our dreams used to run?"


s: Breathless they paused.  Out there men raised their glance


s: To where had stood those poplars lank and lopped,


s: As they had raised it through the four years' dance


s: Of Death in the now familiar flats of France;


s: And murmured, "Strange, this!  How?  All firing stopped?"


s: Aye; all was hushed.  The about-to-fire fired not,


s: The aimed-at moved away in trance-lipped song.


s: One checkless regiment slung a clinching shot


s: And turned.  The Spirit of Irony smirked out, "What?


s: Spoil peradventures woven of Rage and Wrong?"


s: Thenceforth no flying fires inflamed the gray,


s: No hurtlings shook the dewdrop from the thorn,


s: No moan perplexed the mute bird on the spray;


s: Worn horses mused:  "We are not whipped to-day";


s: No weft-winged engines blurred the moon's thin horn.


s: Calm fell.  From Heaven distilled a clemency;


s: There was peace on earth, and silence in the sky;


s: Some could, some could not, shake off misery:


s: The Sinister Spirit sneered:  "It had to be!"


s: And again the Spirit of Pity whispered, "Why?"


s: Well 'twere if all of our glossy gluey make


s: Lay in the damp without, and fell to fragments quite!"


s: And I fain would drowse away to its utter end


s: And they felt past handlers clutch them,


s: Doomed to this voiceless, crippled, corpselike state,


s: Who, dear to famed Amphion, trapped here, long endures?"


s: Wake them to passioned pulsings past their will." . . .


s: (A contra-basso spake so, and the rest sighed anew.)


s: (Thuswise a harpsicord, as from dampered lips.)


s: Even whiter. . . .  Tones of hers fell forth with mine


s: In sowings of sound so sweet no lover could withstand!"


s: "The regiments, marchings, throngs, hurrahs!  What a host


s: To spur the dance, since my first timid trial


s: Where I had birth--far hence, in sun-swept Italy!"


s: "Steeped my Cecilian rhythms when hymn and psalm


s: Poured from devout souls met in Sabbath sanctitude."


s: "Over ranked lights!  O charm of life in mock,


s: O scenes that fed love, hope, wit, rapture, mirth, desire!"


s: And anon there passed me a soul departed,


s: In my far-off youthful years I had met her,


s: Full-pulsed; but now, no more life's debtor,


s: That you quitted earth and are yet upon it


s: "These were my haunts in my olden sprightly


s: Here I went tempting frail youth nightly


s: But you deemed me chaste--me, a tinselled sinner!


s: How thought you one with pureness in her


s: "Well; your very simplicity made me love you


s: For you'd only nod, despite how I sighed for you;


s: So you tortured me, who fain would have died for you!


s: "Thus went the days.  I feared you despised me


s: Each time, no more:  till love chastised me


s: Should fire me with passion beyond endurance,


s: To shield him, maybe!'  I used to fear it,


s: And remnants of pride withheld confession


s: I held it, in passing you one late hour,


s: Keeping step with the throng; though you did not see there


s: A single one that rivalled me there! . . .


s: Yea, long and slowly.  That a phantom should stalk there


s: With me seemed nothing strange, and talk there


s: She showed me Juans who feared their call-time,


s: She showed me her sort that cursed their fall-time,


s: Till suddenly murmured she:  "Now, tell me,


s: Why asked you never, ere death befell me,


s: I could not answer.  And she, well weeting


s: Said:  "God your guardian kept our fleeting