Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
 |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
|
| IV. |
| V. |
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
“SILLY” SOL. |
 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
“SILLY” SOL.
“Silly” Sol is half-witted
And wholly distrest,
If he would be acquitted
Of evils confest;
But as bright as a button,
A regular glutton
For mischief when chances occur for a spree;
Then the foolish expression is nowhere to see,
And he tucks up his trousers and hitches his belt
In a business-like way—
When some profit is smelt;
And his language is such as allows no delay.
And wholly distrest,
If he would be acquitted
Of evils confest;
But as bright as a button,
A regular glutton
503
Then the foolish expression is nowhere to see,
And he tucks up his trousers and hitches his belt
In a business-like way—
When some profit is smelt;
And his language is such as allows no delay.
“Silly” Sol is an actor
Who plays for his bread,
But his skull is compacter
Than many a head;
And his hand is as nimble
As your dainty thimble,
Dear Una, when trimming the frock for the ball
And the stitches fly fast and the clock strikes the call;
Though his face may look vacant, he knows the right side
Of the edge for his gain,
Where the good things abide;
And, unless for a copper, he does not complain.
Who plays for his bread,
But his skull is compacter
Than many a head;
And his hand is as nimble
As your dainty thimble,
Dear Una, when trimming the frock for the ball
And the stitches fly fast and the clock strikes the call;
Though his face may look vacant, he knows the right side
Of the edge for his gain,
Where the good things abide;
And, unless for a copper, he does not complain.
“Silly” Sol has some habits
We can't think correct,
Keen as dogs after rabbits
When dupes least expect;
Then he makes all the running,
With marvellous cunning,
Which an idiot not of the slums could not show
When the weather is right and the proper winds blow;
His deficiences cover his sins as church vaults,
And the bobbies about
Are not hard on his faults;
Though there's daylight within, if it's darkness without.
We can't think correct,
Keen as dogs after rabbits
When dupes least expect;
Then he makes all the running,
With marvellous cunning,
Which an idiot not of the slums could not show
When the weather is right and the proper winds blow;
His deficiences cover his sins as church vaults,
And the bobbies about
Are not hard on his faults;
Though there's daylight within, if it's darkness without.
“Silly” Sol takes the measure
Of neighbours and all
And he knows where is treasure
In stocking or stall,
And the cracked pot with fillings
Of halfpence and shillings;
For a simpleton really he's clever and smart,
And if only half baked there is jam in the tart;
For he's mad upon pussies, and makes them his cares;
And it is not a myth,
That he puzzled the smith
With his “horse” shoe which Sol fancied might be a “mare's.”
Of neighbours and all
And he knows where is treasure
In stocking or stall,
And the cracked pot with fillings
Of halfpence and shillings;
For a simpleton really he's clever and smart,
504
For he's mad upon pussies, and makes them his cares;
And it is not a myth,
That he puzzled the smith
With his “horse” shoe which Sol fancied might be a “mare's.”
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |