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37
II. PART II. FITS AND STARTS.
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‘Rhymes are difficult things—they are stubborn things,
Sir!’—
Amelia.
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[Its not Botticelli, oh no!]
Its not Botticelli, oh no!I've asked Mr Maudle, my dear:
Mantegna, Squarcione, or so,
But not Botticelli, oh no!
Moreover, I saw Mr Crowe,
And he said (he's sadly severe)
‘Its not Botticelli, oh no;
But ask Mr Maudle, my dear.’
42
[Down 'Oborn, sir? Circus? Bank, Bank!]
Down 'Oborn, sir? Circus? Bank, Bank!Yer's a huproar, my bloomin'! Hoff side!
A flower, Miss? Ah, thankee, Miss, thank—
Down 'Oborn, sir? Circus? Bank, Bank!
'Igher up! 'Ullo, Bill! Wot a prank!
If that 'ere old carcase 'ant shied!
Down 'Oborn, sir? Circus? Bank, Bank!
Keep yer 'air on, my sonny! Hoff side!
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['Ot P'taties! All 'ot, sir! All 'ot!]
'Ot P'taties! All 'ot, sir! All 'ot!Ere's a swell in a welveteen coat!
'E's a hartist, a hauthor'—a wot?
Ot P'taties! All 'ot, sir! All 'ot!
Ah, there now's a beauty you've got!
Them writins don't keep 'im afloat)
'Ot P'taties! All 'ot, sir! All 'ot!
Ere's a swell in a welveteen coat.
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[Ices! Programmes! Lemonade!]
Ices! Programmes! Lemonade!'E thinks e's a Hirving, my eye!
Why, Puss, you've been crying: afraid?
Ices! Programmes! Lemonade!
The first time you've seen a piece played?
It's pretty—but, Pussy, don't cry—
Ices! Programmes! Lemonade!
Thim legs! 'Enry Hirving! My eye!
45
[Fine Violets! Fresh Violets! Come buy!]
Fine Violets! Fresh Violets! Come buy!Refuse them? I would not be you.
All springtime it haunts me, that cry:—
Fine Violets! Fresh Violets! Come buy!
Whose loss if she tell me a lie?
‘They're starving; my God, sir, it's true!
Fine Violets! Fresh Violets! Come buy!
Ah, rich man!—I would not be you.’
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THE CASE OF GEORGE HALL.
I killed her? Ah! why do they cheer?Are the twenty years gone to-day?
Why she was my wife, sir; dear, so dear!
And I killed her? And they cheer? . . .
Ah, hound! He was shaking with fear;
And I rushed—with a knife they say; . . .
I killed her; . . . ah! why do they cheer?
Are the twenty years gone to-day?
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AFTER HERRICK.
Her picture in profile.
I dieIf I but spy
One eye;
Yet would I fain
See twain.
The same in full view.)
In profileTwas vile;
But in th' obverse
'Tis worse.
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A COINCIDENCE.
I turned, and caught her turning too;
And thought, what can it be?
The girl is beautiful to view,
And well might turn a head or two,
But I am plain as any Jew,
They never look at me.
And thought, what can it be?
The girl is beautiful to view,
And well might turn a head or two,
But I am plain as any Jew,
They never look at me.
I turned, and caught her turning too;
And thought, you young coquette!
Though I am yellow as a Jew,
You could not rest until you knew
That my poor head was turning too,
And so our glances met.
And thought, you young coquette!
Though I am yellow as a Jew,
You could not rest until you knew
That my poor head was turning too,
And so our glances met.
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CHRISTMAS AT PLYMOUTH.
Little maiden, I am lonely,
Sad and seedy by the sea.
Sad and seedy! Glad and greedy
Were the right Yule-tide for me!
Sad and seedy by the sea.
Sad and seedy! Glad and greedy
Were the right Yule-tide for me!
Little maiden, would you only
Keep a kiss for me,
Then I should not be so lonely,
Sad and seedy by the sea.
Keep a kiss for me,
Then I should not be so lonely,
Sad and seedy by the sea.
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ON THE TOW-PATH.
Get her ready!Forward! Row!
Keep her steady!
Let her go!
Now she's strolling!
Sit up! Bow!
You are rolling
Like a cow!
Now then, d---n it
Blazes! Two!
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On man, do
Feel your stretchers!
Curse you! Three!
Can't you splash it
Over me!
Swing together,
Every oar!
Off the feather
Sooner! Four!
Keep your backs up!
Look alive
Where d'you hope to
Go to? Five!
Six! you're cocking!
Seven! you're late!
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Ghastly ‘eight’!
Keep it going!
Never saw
Damn'der rowing!—
E-a-s-y all!
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