Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] Part 16

Since rowling Joe's tuck'd up with Moll, And Moll's tuck'd up with Joe.

[1: tramping; pick-pocket]

[2: pickpocket]

[3: paid for]

[4: woman, girl]

[5: jilted]

[6: man; woman]

[7: money]

[8: wh.o.r.es]

[9: spirit; spend our guineas]

[10: drink; food]

[11: drinking-house]

THE BUNTER'S CHRISTENING. [Notes]

[1789]

[By GEORGE PARKER in _Life's Painter of Variegated Characters_].

I

Bess Tatter, of Hedge-lane, To ragman Joey's joy, The cull with whom she snooz'd [1]

Brought forth a chopping boy: Which was, as one might say, The moral of his dad, sir; And at the christ'ning oft, A merry bout they had, sir.

II

For, when 'twas four weeks old, Long Ned, and dust-cart Chloe, To give the kid a name, Invited were by Joey; With whom came muzzy Tom, [2]

And sneaking Snip, the boozer, [3]

Bag-picking, blear-ey'd Ciss, And squinting Jack, the bruiser. [4]

III

Likewise came bullying Sam, With cat's-and-dog's-meat Nelly, Young s.m.u.t, the chimney-sweep, And smiling snick-snack w.i.l.l.y; Peg Swig and Jenny Gog, The brims, with birdlime fingers, [5]

Brought warbling, seedy d.i.c.k, The prince of ballad-singers.

IV

The guests now being met, The first thing that was done, sir, Was handling round the kid, That all might smack his muns, sir; [6]

A _flash of lightning_ next, [7]

Bess tipt each cull and frow, sir, [8]

Ere they to church did pad, [9]

To have it christen'd Joe, sir.

V

Away they then did trudge; But such a queer procession, Of seedy brims and kids, Is far beyond expression.

The christ'ning being o'er, They back again soon pik't it, [10]

To have a dish of lap, [11]

Prepar'd for those who lik't it.

VI

Bung all come back once more They s...o...b..r'd little Joey; [12]

Then, with some civil jaw, [13]

Part squatted, to drink bohea, And part swig'd barley swipes, [14]

As short-cut they were smoaking, [15]

While some their patter flash'd [16]

In gallows fun and joking. [17]

VII

For supper, Joey stood, To treat these curious cronies; A bullock's melt, hog's maw Sheep's heads, and stale polonies: And then they swill'd gin-hot, Until blind drunk as Chloe, At twelve, all bundled from The christ'ning of young Joey.

[1: man]

[2: muddled]

[3: drunkard]

[4: pugilist]

[5: harlots; thievish]

[6: kiss him]

[7: drop of gin]

[8: gave; man; woman]

[9: walk]

[10: went]

[11: tea]

[12: kissed]

[13: words]

[14: drank beer]

[15: tobacco]

[16: talked]

[17: screaming]

THE MASQUERADERS: OR, THE WORLD AS IT WAGS [Notes]

[1789]

[By GEORGE PARKER in _Life's Painter of Variegated Characters_].

I

Ye flats, sharps, and rum ones, who make up this pother; Who gape and stare, just like stuck pigs at each other, As mirrors, wherein, at full length do appear, Your follies reflected so apish and queer Tol de rol, etc.

II