



Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer.









The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke


C. J. Dennis





To Mr and Mrs J. G. Roberts




  La vie est vaine:
  Un peu d'amour,
  Un peu de haine...
  Et puis--bonjour!

  La vie est breve:
  Un peu d'espoir,
  Un peu de reve...
  Et puis--bonsoir!

  Leon Montenaeken




Foreword

My young friend Dennis has honoured me with a request to write
a preface to his book.  I think a man can best write a preface
to his own book, provided he knows it is good.  Also if he knows
it is bad.

"The Sentimental Bloke", while running through the Bulletin,
brightened up many dark days for me.  He is more perfect
than any alleged "larrikin" or Bottle-O character I have ever
attempted to sketch, not even excepting my own beloved Benno.
Take the first poem for instance, where the Sentimental Bloke
gets the hump.  How many men, in how many different parts of
the world--and of how many different languages--have had the
same feeling--the longing for something better--to be something
better?

The exquisite humour of The Sentimental Bloke speaks for itself;
but there's a danger that its brilliance may obscure the rest,
especially for minds, of all stations, that, apart from sport
and racing, are totally devoted to boiling

      "The cabbitch storks or somethink"

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

Doreen stands for all good women, whether down in the smothering
alleys or up in the frozen heights.  And so, having introduced
the little woman (they all seem "little" women), I "dips me lid"--
and stand aside.

HENRY LAWSON
  SYDNEY, 1st September, 1915.




  Contents

  I.   A SPRING SONG
        The world 'as got me snouted jist a treat;...

  II.  THE INTRO
        'Er name's Doreen...Well, spare me bloomin' days!...

  III. THE STOUSH O' DAY
        Ar, these is 'appy days!  An' 'ow they've flown--...

  IV.  DOREEN
        I wish't yeh meant it, Bill." Oh, 'ow me 'eart...

  V.   THE PLAY
        "Wot's in a name?" she sez... An' then she sighs,...

  VI.  THE STROR 'AT COOT
        Ar, wimmin!  Wot a blinded fool I've been!...

  VII.  THE SIREN
         She sung a song, an' I sat silent there....

  VIII. MAR
         "'Er pore dear Par," she sez, "'e kept a store";...

  IX.   PILOT COVE
         "Young friend," 'e sez...Young friend!  Well, spare me days!...

  X.    HITCHED
         "An'--wilt--yeh--take--this--woman--fer--to--be--...

  XI.   BEEF TEA
         She never magged; she never said no word;...

  XII.  UNCLE JIM
         "I got no time fer wasters, lad," sez 'e,...

  XIII. THE KID
         My son!...Them words, jist like a blessed song,...

  XIV.  THE MOOCH O' LIFE
         This ev'nin' I was sittin' wiv Doreen,...

  THE GLOSSARY






  I. A Spring Song


  The world 'as got me snouted jist a treat;
    Crool Forchin's dirty left 'as smote me soul;
  An' all them joys o' life I 'eld so sweet
    Is up the pole.
  Fer, as the poit sez, me 'eart 'as got
    The pip wiv yearnin' fer--I dunno wot.

  I'm crook; me name is Mud; I've done me dash;
    Me flamin' spirit's got the flamin' 'ump!
  I'm longin' to let loose on somethin' rash....
    Aw, I'm a chump!
  I know it; but this blimed ole Springtime craze
    Fair outs me, on these dilly, silly days.

  The young green leaves is shootin' on the trees,
    The air is like a long, cool swig o' beer,
  The bonzer smell o' flow'rs is on the breeze,
    An' 'ere's me, 'ere,
  Jist moochin' round like some pore, barmy coot,
    Of 'ope, an' joy, an' forchin destichoot.

  I've lorst me former joy in gettin' shick,
    Or 'eadin' browns; I 'aven't got the 'eart
  To word a tom; an', square an' all,
    I'm sick of that cheap tart
  'Oo chucks 'er carkis at a feller's 'ead
    An' mauls 'im...Ar! I wish't that I wus dead!...

  Ther's little breezes stirrin' in the leaves,
    An' sparrers chirpin' 'igh the 'ole day long;
  An' on the air a sad, sweet music breaves
    A bonzer song--
  A mournful sorter choon thet gits a bloke
    Fair in the brisket 'ere, an' makes 'im choke ...

  What is the matter wiv me?...I dunno.
    I got a sorter yearnin' 'ere inside,
  A dead-crook sorter thing that won't let go
    Or be denied--
  A feelin' like I want to do a break,
    An' stoush creation for some woman's sake.

  The little birds is chirpin' in the nest,
    The parks an' gardings is a bosker sight,
  Where smilin' tarts walks up an' down, all dressed
    In clobber white.
  An', as their snowy forms goes steppin' by,
    It seems I'm seekin' somethin' on the sly.

  Somethin' or someone--I don't rightly know;
    But, seems to me, I'm kind er lookin' for
  A tart I knoo a 'undred years ago,
    Or, maybe, more.
  Wot's this I've 'eard them call that thing?...Geewhizz!
  Me ideel bit o' skirt!  That's wot it is!

  Me ideel tart!... An', bli'me, look at me!
    Jist take a squiz at this, an' tell me can
  Some square an' honist tom take this to be
    'Er own true man?
  Aw, Gawd!  I'd be as true to 'er, I would
    As straight an' stiddy as...Ar, wot's the good?

  Me, that 'as done me stretch fer stoushin' Johns,
    An' spen's me leisure gittin' on the shick,
  An' 'arf me nights down there, in Little Lon.,
    Wiv Ginger Mick,
  Jist 'eadin' 'em, an' doing in me gilt.
    Tough luck!  I s'pose it's 'ow a man is built.

  It's 'ow Gawd builds a bloke; but don't it 'urt
    When 'e gits yearnin's fer this 'igher life,
  On these Spring mornin's, watchin' some sweet skirt
    Some fucher wife--
  Go sailin' by, an' turnin' on his phiz
    The glarssy eye--fer bein' wot 'e is.


  I've watched 'em walkin' in the gardings 'ere
    Cliners from orfices an' shops an' such;
  The sorter skirts I dursn't come too near,
    Or dare to touch.
  An, when I see the kind er looks they carst...
    Gorstrooth!  Wot is the use o' me, I arst?

  Wot wus I slung 'ere for? An wot's the good
    Of yearnin' after any ideel tart?...
  Ar, if a bloke wus only understood!
    'E's got a 'eart:
  'E's got a soul inside 'im, poor or rich.
    But wot's the use, when 'Eaven's crool'd 'is pitch?

  I tells meself some day I'll take a pull
    An' look eround fer some good, stiddy job,
  An' cut the push fer good an' all; I'm full
    Of that crook mob!
  An', in some Spring the fucher 'olds in store,
    I'll cop me prize an' long in vain no more.

  The little winds is stirrin' in the trees,
    Where little birds is chantin' lovers' lays;
  The music of the sorft an' barmy breeze...
    Aw, spare me days!
  If this 'ere dilly feelin' doesn't stop
    I'll lose me block an' stoush some flamin' cop!



  II. The Intro


  'Er name's Doreen ...Well spare me bloomin' days!
  You could er knocked me down wiv 'arf a brick!
    Yes, me, that kids meself I know their ways,
    An' 'as a name for smoogin' in our click!
  I just lines up an' tips the saucy wink.
  But strike! The way she piled on dawg! Yer'd think
    A bloke was givin' back-chat to the Queen....
     'Er name's Doreen.

  I seen 'er in the markit first uv all,
  Inspectin' brums at Steeny Isaacs' stall.
    I backs me barrer in--the same ole way--
    An' sez, "Wot O!  It's been a bonzer day.
  'Ow is it fer a walk?"...Oh, 'oly wars!
  The sorter look she gimme!  Jest becors
    I tried to chat 'er, like you'd make a start
     Wiv ANY tart.

  An' I kin take me oaf I wus perlite.
  An' never said no word that wasn't right,
    An' never tried to maul 'er, or to do
    A thing yeh might call crook.  Ter tell yeh true,
  I didn't seem to 'ave the nerve--wiv 'er.
  I felt as if I couldn't go that fur,
    An' start to sling off chiack like I used...
     Not INTRAJUICED!

  Nex' time I sighted 'er in Little Bourke,
  Where she was in a job. I found'er lurk
    Wus pastin' labels in a pickle joint,
    A game that--any'ow, that ain't the point.
  Once more I tried ter chat 'er in the street,
  But, bli'me!  Did she turn me down a treat!
    The way she tossed 'er 'cad an' swished 'er skirt!
     Oh, it wus dirt!

  A squarer tom, I swear, I never seen,
  In all me natchril, than this 'ere Doreen.
    It wer'n't no guyver neither; fer I knoo
    That any other bloke 'ad Buckley's 'oo
  Tried fer to pick 'er up. Yes, she was square.
  She jist sailed by an' lef' me standin' there
    Like any mug. Thinks I, "I'm out er luck,"
     An' done a duck

  Well, I dunno.  It's that way wiv a bloke.
  If she'd ha' breasted up ter me an' spoke,
    I'd thort 'er jist a commin bit er fluff,
    An' then fergot about 'er, like enough.
  It's jest like this.  The tarts that's 'ard ter get
  Makes you all 'ot to chase 'em, an' to let
    The cove called Cupid get an 'ammer-lock;
     An' lose yer block.

  I know a bloke 'oo knows a bloke 'oo toils
  In that same pickle found-ery. ('E boils
    The cabbitch storks or somethink.)  Anyway,
    I gives me pal the orfis fer to say
  'E 'as a sister in the trade 'oo's been
  Out uv a jorb, an' wants ter meet Doreen;
    Then we kin get an intro, if we've luck.
     'E sez, "Ribuck."

  O' course we worked the oricle; you bet!
  But, 'struth, I ain't recovered frum it yet!
    'Twas on a Saturdee, in Colluns Street,
    An'--quite by accident, o' course--we meet.
  Me pal 'e trots 'er up an' does the toff
  'E allus wus a bloke fer showin' off.
    "This 'ere's Doreen," 'e sez. "This 'ere's the Kid."
     I dips me lid.

  "This 'ere's Doreen," 'e sez.  I sez "Good day."
  An', bli'me, I 'ad nothin' more ter say!
    I couldn't speak a word, or meet 'er eye.
    Clean done me block!  I never been so shy.
  Not since I was a tiny little cub,
  An' run the rabbit to the corner pub--
    Wot time the Summer days wus dry an' 'ot--
     Fer me ole pot.

  Me! that 'as barracked tarts, an' torked an' larft,
  An' chucked orf at 'em like a phonergraft!
    Gorstrooth! I seemed to lose me pow'r o' speech.
    But, 'er!  Oh, strike me pink!  She is a peach!
  The sweetest in the barrer!  Spare me days,
  I carn't describe that cliner's winnin' ways.
    The way she torks!  'Er lips!  'Er eyes!  'Er hair!...
     Oh, gimme air!

  I dunno 'ow I done it in the end.
  I reckerlect I arst ter be 'er friend;
    An' tried ter play at 'andies in the park,
    A thing she wouldn't sight. Aw, it's a nark!
  I gotter swear when I think wot a mug
  I must 'a' seemed to 'er. But still I 'ug
    That promise that she give me fer the beach.
     The bonzer peach!

  Now, as the poit sez, the days drag by
  On ledding feet.  I wish't they'd do a guy.
    I dunno'ow I 'ad the nerve ter speak,
    An' make that meet wiv 'er fer Sundee week!
  But strike!  It's funny wot a bloke'll do
  When 'e's all out...She's gorn, when I come-to.
    I'm yappin' to me cobber uv me mash....
     I've done me dash!

  'Er name's Doreen....An' me-that thort I knoo
    The ways uv tarts, an' all that smoogin' game!
  An' so I ort; fer ain't I known a few?
    Yet some'ow...I dunno.  It ain't the same.
  I carn't tell WOT it is; but, all I know,
  I've dropped me bundle--an' I'm glad it's so.
    Fer when I come ter think uv wot I been....
     'Er name's Doreen.



  III. The Stoush o' Day


  Ar, these is 'appy days!  An' 'ow they've flown--
    Flown like the smoke of some inchanted fag;
  Since dear Doreen, the sweetest tart I've known,
    Passed me the jolt that made me sky the rag.
  An' ev'ry golding day floats o'er a chap
  Like a glad dream of some celeschil scrap.

  Refreshed wiv sleep Day to the mornin' mill
    Comes jauntily to out the <DW65>, Night.
  Trained to the minute, confident in skill,
    'E swaggers in the East, chock-full o' skite;
  Then spars a bit, an' plugs Night on the point.
  Out go the stars; an' Day 'as jumped the joint.

  The sun looks up, an' wiv a cautious stare,
    Like some crook keekin' o'er a winder sill
  To make dead cert'in everythink is square,
    'E shoves 'is boko o'er an Eastern 'ill,
  Then rises, wiv 'is dial all a-grin,
  An' sez, "'Ooray!  I knoo that we could win!"

  Sure of 'is title then, the champeen Day
    Begins to put on dawg among 'is push,
  An', as he mooches on 'is gaudy way,
    Drors tribute from each tree an' flow'r an' bush.
  An', w'ile 'e swigs the dew in sylvan bars,
  The sun shouts insults at the sneakin' stars.

  Then, lo! the push o' Day rise to applaud;
    An' all 'is creatures clamour at 'is feet
  Until 'e thinks'imself a little gawd,
    An' swaggers on an' kids 'imself a treat.
  The w'ile the lurkin' barrackers o' Night
  Sneak in retreat an' plan another fight.

  On thro' the hours, triumphant, proud an' fit,
  The champeen marches on 'is up'ard way,
  Till, at the zenith, bli'me!  'E-is-IT!
  And all the world bows to the Boshter Day.
  The jealous Night speeds ethergrams thro' space
  'Otly demandin' terms, an' time, an' place.

  A wile the champeen scorns to make reply;
    'E's taken tickets on 'is own 'igh worth;
  Puffed up wiv pride, an' livin' mighty 'igh,
    'E don't admit that Night is on the earth.
  But as the hours creep on 'e deigns to state
  'E'll fight for all the earth an' 'arf the gate.

  Late afternoon...Day feels 'is flabby arms,
    An' tells 'imself 'e don't seem quite the thing.
  The 'omin' birds shriek clamorous alarms;
    An' Night creeps stealthily to gain the ring.
  But see!  The champeen backs an' fills, becos
  'E doesn't feel the Boshter Bloke 'e was.

  Time does a bunk as us-u-al, nor stays
    A single instant, e'en at Day's be'est.
  Alas, the 'eavy-weight's 'igh-livin' ways
    'As made 'im soft, an' large around the vest.
  'E sez 'e's fat inside; 'e starts to whine;
  'E sez 'e wants to dror the colour line.

  Relentless <DW65> Night crawls thro' the ropes,
    Advancin' grimly on the quakin' Day,
  Whose noisy push, shorn of their 'igh-noon 'opes,
    Wait, 'ushed an' anxious, fer the comin' fray.
  And many lusty barrackers of noon
  Desert 'im one by one--traitors so soon!

  'E's out er form!  'E 'asn't trained enough!
    They mark their sickly champeen on the stage,
  An' narked, the sun, 'is backer, in a huff,
    Sneaks outer sight, red in the face wiv rage.
  W'ile gloomy roosters, they 'oo made the morn
  Ring wiv 'is praises, creep to bed forlorn.


  All faint an' groggy grows the beaten Day;
    'E staggers drunkenly about the ring;
  An owl 'oots jeerin'ly across the way,
    An' bats come out to mock the fallin' King.
  Now, wiv a jolt, Night spreads 'im on the floor,
  An' all the west grows ruddy wiv 'is gore.

  A single, vulgar star leers from the sky
    An' in derision, rudely mutters, "Yah!"
  The moon, Night's conkerbine, comes glidin' by
    An' laughs a 'eartless, silvery "Ha-ha!"
  Scorned, beaten, Day gives up the 'opeless fight,
  An' drops 'is bundle in the lap o' Night.

      *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

  So goes each day, like some celeschil mill,
    E'er since I met that shyin' little peach.
  'Er bonzer voice!  I 'ear its music still,
    As when she guv that promise fer the beach.
  An', square an' all, no matter 'ow yeh start,
  The commin end of most of us is--Tart.


  IV. Doreen


  "I wish't yeh menat it, Bill."  Oh, 'ow me 'eart
     Went out to 'er that evnin' on the beach.
  I knew she weren't no ordinary tart,
        My little peach!

  To 'ear 'er voice!  Its gentle sorter tone,
    Like soft dream-music of some <DW55> band.
  An' me all out; an' 'oldin' in me own
        'Er little 'and.
  An' 'ow she blushed!  O, strike! it was divine
  The way she raised 'er shinin' eyes to mine.

  'Er eyes!  Soft in the moon; such BOSHTER eyes!
  An' when they sight a bloke...O, spare me days!
  'E goes all loose inside; such glamour lies
        In 'er sweet gaze.
  It makes 'im all ashamed uv wot 'e's been
  To look inter the eyes of my Doreen.

         *      *      *      *

  The wet sands glistened, an' the gleamin' moon
    Shone yeller on the sea, all streakin' down.
  A band was playin' some soft, dreamy choon;
        An' up the town
  We 'eard the distant tram-cars whir an' clash.
  An' there I told Per 'ow I'd done me dash.

  "I wish't yeh meant it."  'Struth!  And did I, fair?
    A bloke 'ud be a dawg to kid a skirt
  Like her.  An' me well knowin' she was square.
        It 'ud be dirt!
  'E'd be no man to point wiv her, an' kid.
  I meant it honest; an' she knoo I did.

  She knoo.  I've done me block in on her, straight.
    A cove 'as got to think some time in life
  An' get some decent tart, ere it's too late,
        To be 'is wife.
  But, Gawd!  'Oo would 'a' thort it could 'a' been
  My luck to strike the likes of Per?...Doreen!

  Aw, I can stand their chuckin' off, I can.
    It's 'ard; an' I'd delight to take 'em on.
  The dawgs!  But it gets that way wiv a man
        When 'e's fair gone.
  She'll sight no stoush; an' so I have to take
  Their mag, an' do a duck fer her sweet sake.

  Fer 'er sweet sake I've gone and chucked it clean:
    The pubs an' schools an' all that leery game.
  Fer when a bloke 'as come to know Doreen,
        It ain't the same.
  There's 'igher things, she sez, for blokes to do.
  An' I am 'arf believin' that it's true.

  Yes, 'igher things--that wus the way she spoke;
    An' when she looked at me I sorter felt
  That bosker feelin' that comes o'er a bloke,
        An' makes 'im melt;
  Makes 'im all 'ot to maul 'er, an' to shove
  'Is arms about'er...Bli'me? but it's love!

  That's wot it is.  An' when a man 'as grown
    Like that 'e gets a sorter yearn inside
  To be a little 'ero on 'is own;
        An' see the pride
  Glow in the eyes of 'er 'e calls 'is queen;
  An' 'ear 'er say 'e is a shine champeen.

  "I wish't yeh meant it," I can 'ear 'er yet,
    My bit o' fluff!  The moon was shinin' bright,
  Turnin' the waves all yeller where it set--
        A bonzer night!
  The sparklin' sea all sorter gold an' green;
  An' on the pier the band--O, 'Ell!... Doreen!



  V. The Play


  "Wots in a name?" she sez...An' then she sighs,
  An' clasps 'er little 'ands, an' rolls 'er eyes.
  "A rose," she sez, "be any other name
  Would smell the same.
  Oh, w'erefore art you Romeo, young sir?
  Chuck yer ole pot, an' change yer moniker!"

  Doreen an' me, we bin to see a show--
  The swell two-dollar touch.  Bong tong, yeh know.
  A chair apiece wiv velvit on the seat;
  A slap-up treat.
  The drarmer's writ be Shakespeare, years ago,
  About a barmy goat called Romeo.

  "Lady, be yonder moon I swear!" sez 'e.
  An' then 'e climbs up on the balkiney;
  An' there they smooge a treat, wiv pretty words
  Like two love-birds.
  I nudge Doreen.  She whispers, "Ain't it grand!"
  'Er eyes is shinin'; an' I squeeze 'er 'and.

  "Wot's in a name?" she sez.  'Struth, I dunno.
  Billo is just as good as Romeo.
  She may be Juli-er or Juli-et--
  'E loves 'er yet.
  If she's the tart 'e wants, then she's 'is queen,
  Names never count...But ar, I like "Doreen!"

  A sweeter, dearer sound I never 'eard;
  Ther's music 'angs around that little word,
  Doreen!...But wot was this I starts to say
  About the play?
  I'm off me beat.  But when a bloke's in love
  'Is thorts turns 'er way, like a 'omin' dove.

  This Romeo 'e's lurkin' wiv a crew--
  A dead tough crowd o' crooks--called Montague.
  'Is cliner's push--wot's nicknamed Capulet--
  They 'as 'em set.
  Fair narks they are, jist like them back-street clicks,
  Ixcep' they fights wiv skewers 'stid o' bricks.

  Wot's in a name?  Wot's in a string o' words?
  They scraps in ole Verona with the'r swords,
  An' never give a bloke a stray dog's chance,
  An' that's Romance.
  But when they deals it out wiv bricks an' boots
  In Little Lon., they're low, degraded broots.

  Wot's jist plain stoush wiv us, right 'ere to-day,
  Is "valler" if yer fur enough away.
  Some time, some writer bloke will do the trick
  Wiv Ginger Mick,
  Of Spadger's Lane.  'E'LL be a Romeo,
  When 'e's bin dead five 'undred years or so.

  Fair Juli-et, she gives 'er boy the tip.
  Sez she: "Don't sling that crowd o' mine no lip;
  An' if you run agin a Capulet,
  Jist do a get."
  'E swears 'e's done wiv lash; 'e'll chuck it clean.
  (Same as I done when I first met Doreen.)

  They smooge some more at that.  Ar, strike me blue!
  It gimme Joes to sit an' watch them two!
  'E'd break away an' start to say good-bye,
  An' then she'd sigh
  "Ow, Ro-me-o!" an' git a strangle-holt,
  An' 'ang around 'im like she feared 'e'd bolt.

  Nex' day 'e words a gorspil cove about
  A secret wedding; 'an they plan it out.
  'E spouts a piece about 'ow 'e's bewitched:
  Then they git 'itched.
  Now, 'ere's the place where I fair git the pip!
  She's 'is ofr keeps, an' yet 'e lets 'er slip!

  Ar! but'e makes me sick! A fair gazob!
  'E's jist the glarsey on the soulful sob,
  'E'll sigh and spruik, an' 'owl a love-sick vow--
  (The silly cow!)
  But when 'e's got 'er, spliced an' on the straight
  'E crools the pitch, an' tries to kid it's Fate.

  Aw! Fate me foot!  Instid of slopin' soon
  As 'e was wed, off on 'is 'oneymoon,
  'Im an' 'is cobber, called Mick Curio,
  They 'ave to go
  An' mix it wiv that push o' Capulets.
  They look fer trouble; an' it's wot they gets.

  A tug named Tyball (cousin to the skirt)
  Sprags 'em an' makes a start to sling off dirt.
  Nex' minnit there's a reel ole ding-dong go--
  'Arf round or so.
  Mick Curio, 'e gets it in the neck,
  "Ar rats!" 'e sez, an' passes in 'is check.

  Quite natchril, Romeo gits wet as 'ell.
  "It's me or you!" 'e 'owls, an' wiv a yell,
  Plunks Tyball through the gizzard wiv 'is sword,
  'Ow I ongcored!
  "Put in the boot!" I sez.  "Put in the boot!"
  "'Ush!" sez Doreen..."Shame!" sez some silly coot.

  Then Romeo, 'e dunno wot to do.
  The cops gits busy, like they allwiz do,
  An' nose around until 'e gits blue funk
  An' does a bunk.
  They wants 'is tart to wed some other guy.
  "Ah, strike!" she sez. "I wish that I could die!"

  Now, this 'ere gorspil bloke's a fair shrewd 'ead.
  Sez 'e "I'll dope yeh, so they'll THINK yer dead."
  (I tips 'e was a cunnin' sort, wot knoo
  A thing or two.)
  She takes 'is knock-out drops, up in 'er room:
  They think she's snuffed, an' plant 'er in 'er tomb.

  Then things gits mixed a treat an' starts to whirl.
  'Ere's Romeo comes back an' finds 'is girl
  Tucked in 'er little coffing, cold an' stiff,
  An' in a jiff,
  'E swallows lysol, throws a fancy fit,
  'Ead over turkey, an' 'is soul 'as flit.

  Then Juli-et wakes up an' sees 'im there,
  Turns on the water-works an' tears 'er 'air,
  "Dear love," she sez, "I cannot live alone!"
  An' wiv a moan,
  She grabs 'is pockit knife, an' ends 'er cares...
  _"Peanuts or lollies!_" sez a boy upstairs.



  VI. The Stror 'at Coot


  Ar, wimmin!  Wot a blinded fool I've been!
    I arsts meself, wot else could I ixpeck?
  I done me block complete on this Doreen,
    An' now me 'eart is broke, me life's a wreck!
  The dreams I dreamed, the dilly thorts I thunk
  Is up the pole, an' joy 'as done a bunk.

  Wimmin!  O strike!  I orter known the game!
    Their tricks is crook, their arts is all dead snide.
  The 'ole world over tarts is all the same;
    All soft an' smilin' wiv no 'eart inside.
  But she fair doped me wiv 'er winnin' ways,
  Then crooled me pitch fer all me mortal days.

  They're all the same!  A man 'as got to be
    Stric' master if 'e wants to snare 'em sure.
  'E 'as to take a stand an' let 'em see
    That triflin' is a thing'e won't indure.
  'E wants to show 'em that 'e 'olds command,
  So they will smooge an' feed out of 'is 'and.

  'E needs to make 'em feel 'e is the boss,
    An' kid 'e's careless uv the joys they give.
  'E 'as to make 'em think 'e'll feel no loss
    To part wiv any tart 'e's trackin' wiv.
  That all their pretty ways is crook pretence
  Is plain to any bloke wiv common-sense.

  But when the birds is nestin' in the spring,
    An' when the soft green leaves is in the bud,
  'E drops 'is bundle to some fluffy thing.
    'E pays 'er 'omage--an' 'is name is Mud.
  She plays wiv'im an' kids 'im on a treat,
  Until she 'as 'im crawlin' at 'er feet.

  An' then, when 'e's fair orf 'is top wiv love,
    When she 'as got 'im good an' 'ad 'er fun,
  She slings 'im over like a carst-orf glove,
    To let the other tarts see wot she's done.
  All vanity, deceit an' 'eartless kid!
  I orter known; an', spare me days, I did!

  I knoo.  But when I looked into 'er eyes--
    Them shinin' eyes o' blue all soft wiv love
  Wiv MIMIC love--they seemed to 'ipnertize.
    I wus content to place 'er 'igh above.
  I wus content to make of 'er a queen;
  An' so she seemed them days...O, 'struth!...Doreen!

  I knoo.  But when I stroked 'er glossy 'air
    Wiv rev'rint 'ands, 'er cheek pressed close to mine,
  Me lonely life seemed robbed of all its care;
    I dreams me dreams, an' 'ope begun to shine.
  An' when she 'eld 'er lips fer me to kiss...
  Ar, wot's the use?  I'm done wiv all o' this!

  Wimmin!...Oh, I ain't jealous!  Spare me days!
    Me?  Jealous uv a knock-kneed coot like that!
  'Im!  Wiv 'is cute stror 'at an' pretty ways!
    I'd be a mug to squeal or whip the cat.
  I'm glad, I am--glad 'cos I know I'm free!
  There ain't no call to tork o' jealousy.

  I tells meself I'm well out o' the game;
    Fer look, I mighter married 'er-an' then....
  Ar strike!  'Er voice wus music when my name
    Wus on 'er lips on them glad ev'nin's when
  We useter meet.  An' then to think she'd go...
  No, I ain't jealous--but--Ar, I dunno!

  I took a derry on this stror 'at coot
    First time I seen 'im dodgin' round Doreen.
  'Im, wiv 'is giddy tie an' Yankee soot,
    Ferever yappin' like a tork-machine
  About "The Hoffis" where 'e 'ad a grip....
  The way 'e smiled at 'er give me the pip!

  She sez I stoushed 'im, when I promised fair
    To chuck it, even to a friendly spar.
  Stoushed 'im!  I never roughed 'is pretty 'air!
    I only spanked 'im gentle, fer 'is mar.
  If I'd 'a' jabbed 'im once, there would 'a' been
  An inquest; an' I sez so to Doreen.

  I mighter took an' cracked 'im in the street,
    When she was wiv 'im there lars' Fridee night.
  But don't I keep me temper when we met?
    An' don't I raise me lid an' act perlite?
  I only jerks me elbow in 'is ribs,
  To give the gentle office to 'is nibs.

  Stoushed 'im!  I owns I met 'im on the quiet,
    An' worded 'im about a small affair;
  An' when 'e won't put up 'is 'ands to fight--
    ('E sez, "Fer public brawls 'e didn't care")--
  I lays 'im 'cross me knee, the mother's joy,
  An' smacks 'im 'earty, like a naughty boy.

  An' now Doreen she sez I've broke me vow,
    An' mags about this coot's pore, "wounded pride."
  An' then, o' course, we 'as a ding-dong row,
    Wiv 'ot an' stormy words on either side.
  She sez I done it outer jealousy,
  An' so, we parts fer ever--'er an' me.

  Me jealous?  Jealous of that cross-eyed cow!
    I set 'im 'cos I couldn't sight 'is face.
  'Is yappin' fair got on me nerves, some'ow.
    I couldn't stand 'im 'angin' round 'er place.
  A coot like that!...But it don't matter much,
  She's welkim to 'im if she fancies such.

  I swear I'll never track wiv 'er no more;
    I'll never look on 'er side o' the street--
  Unless she comes an' begs me pardin for
    Them things she said to me in angry 'eat.
  She can't ixpeck fer me to smooge an' crawl.
  I ain't at ANY woman's beck an' call.

  Wimmin!  I've took a tumble to their game.
    I've got the 'ole bang tribe o' cliners set!
  The 'ole world over they are all the same:
    Crook to the core the bunch of 'em--an' yet
  We could 'a' been that 'appy, 'er an' me...
  But, wot's it matter?  Ain't I glad I'm free?

  A bloke wiv commin-sense 'as got to own
    There's little 'appiness in married life.
  The smoogin' game is better left alone,
    Fer tarts is few that makes the ideel wife.
  An' them's the sort that loves wivout disguise,
  An' thinks the sun shines in their 'usban's' eyes.

  But when the birds is matin' in the spring,
    An' when the tender leaves begin to bud,
  A feelin' comes--a dilly sorter thing
  That seems to sorter swamp 'im like a flood.
  An' when the fever 'ere inside 'im burns,
  Then freedom ain't the thing fer wot 'e yearns.

  But I 'ave chucked it all.  An' yet--I own
    I dreams me dreams when soft Spring breezes stirs;
  An' often, when I'm moonin' 'ere alone,
    A lispin' maid, wiv 'air an' eyes like 'ers,
  'Oo calls me "dad," she climbs upon me knee,
  An' yaps 'er pretty baby tork to me.

  I sorter see a little 'ouse, it seems,
    Wiv someone waitin' for me at the gate...
  Ar, where's the sense in dreamin' barmy dreams,
    I've dreamed before, and nearly woke too late.
  Sich 'appiness could never last fer long,
  We're strangers--'less she owns that she was wrong.

  To call 'er back I'll never lift a 'and;
    She'll never 'ear frum me by word or sign.
  Per'aps, some day, she'll come to understand
    The mess she's made o' this 'ere life o' mine.
  Oh, I ain't much to look at, I admit.
  But'im!  The knock-kneed, swivel-eyed misfit?...



  VII. The Siren


  She sung a song; an' I sat silent there,
  Wiv bofe 'ands grippin' 'ard on me chair;
    Me 'eart, that yesterdee I thort wus broke
  Wiv 'umpin sich a 'eavy load o' care,
    Come swelling in me throat like I would choke.
  I felt 'ot blushes climbin' to me 'air.

  'Twas like that feelin' when the Spring wind breaves
  Sad music in the sof'ly rustlin' leaves.
    An' when a bloke sits down an' starts to chew
  Crook thorts, wivout quite knowin' why 'e grieves
    Fer things 'e's done 'e didn't ort to do--
  Fair winded wiv the 'eavy sighs 'e 'eaves.

  She sung a song; an' orl at once I seen
  The kind o' crool an' 'eartless broot I been.
    In ev'ry word I read it like a book--
  The slanter game I'd played wiv my Doreen--
    I 'eard it in 'er song; an' in 'er look
  I seen wot made me feel fair rotten mean.

  Poor, 'urt Doreen!  My tender bit o' fluff!
  Ar, men don't understand; they're fur too rough;
    Their ways is fur too coarse wiv lovin' tarts;
  They never gives 'em symperthy enough.
    They treats 'em 'arsh; they tramples on their 'earts,
  Becos their own crool 'earts is leather-tough.

  She sung a song; an' orl them bitter things
  That chewin' over lovers' quarrils brings
    Guv place to thorts of sorrer an' remorse.
  Like when some dilly punter goes an' slings
    'Is larst, lone deener on some stiffened 'orse,
  An' learns them vain regrets wot 'urts an' stings.

  'Twas at a beano where I lobs along
  To drown them memories o' fancied wrong.
    I swears I never knoo that she'd be there.
  But when I met 'er eye--O, 'struth, 'twas strong!
    'Twas bitter strong, that jolt o' dull despair!
  'Er look o' scorn!...An' then, she sung a song.

  The choon was one o' them sad, mournful things
  That ketch yeh in the bellers 'ere, and brings
    Tears to yer eyes.  The words was uv a tart
  'Oo's trackin' wiv a silly coot 'oo slings
    'Er love aside, an' breaks 'er tender 'eart....
  But 'twasn't that; it was the way she sings.

  To 'ear 'er voice!...A bloke 'ud be a log
  'Oo kep' 'is block.  Me mind wus in a fog
    Of sorrer for to think 'ow I wus wrong;
  Ar, I 'ave been a fair ungrateful 'og!
    The feelin' that she put into that song
  'Ud melt the 'eart-strings of a chiner dog.

  I listens wiv me 'eart up in me throat;
  I drunk in ev'ry word an' ev'ry note.
    Tears trembles in 'er voice when she tells 'ow
  That tart snuffed out becos 'e never wrote.
    An' then I seen 'ow I wus like that cow.
  Wiv suddin shame me guilty soul wus smote.

  Doreen she never looked my way; but stood
  'Arf turned away, an' beefed it out reel good,
    Until she sang that bit about the grave;
  "Too late 'e learned 'e 'ad misunderstood!"
    An' then--Gorstrooth!  The pleadin' look she gave
  Fair in me face 'ud melt a'eart o' wood.

  I dunno 'ow I seen that evenin' thro'.
  They muster thort I was 'arf shick, I knoo.
    But I 'ad 'urt Doreen wivout no call;
  I seen me dooty, wot I 'ad to do.
    O, strike!  I could 'a' blubbed before 'em all!
  But I sat tight, an' never cracked a boo.

  An' when at larst the tarts they makes a rise,
  A lop-eared coot wiv 'air down to 'is eyes
    'E 'ooks on to Doreen, an' starts to roam
  Fer 'ome an' muvver.  I lines up an' cries,
    "'An's orf!  I'm seein' this 'ere cliner 'ome!"
  An' there we left 'im, gapin' wiv surprise.

  She never spoke; she never said no word;
  But walked beside me like she never 'eard.
    I swallers 'ard, an' starts to coax an' plead,
  I sez I'm dead ashamed o' wot's occurred.
    She don't reply; she never takes no 'eed;
  Jist stares before 'er like a startled bird.

  I tells 'er, never can no uvver tart
  Be 'arf wot she is, if we 'ave to part.
    I tells 'er that me life will be a wreck.
  It ain't no go.  But when I makes a start
    To walk away, 'er arms is roun' me neck.
  "Ah, Kid!" she sobs.  "Yeh nearly broke me 'eart!"

  I dunno wot I done or wot I said.
  But 'struth!  I'll not forgit it till I'm dead--
    That night when 'ope back in me brisket lobs:
  'Ow my Doreen she lays 'er little 'ead
    Down on me shoulder 'ere, an' sobs an' sobs;
  An' orl the lights goes sorter blurred an' red.

  Say, square an' all--It don't seem right, some'ow,
  To say such things; but wot I'm feelin' now
    'As come at times, I s'pose, to uvver men
  When you 'ave 'ad a reel ole ding-dong row,
    Say, ain't it bonzer makin' up agen?
  Straight wire, it's almost worth...Ar, I'm a cow!

  To think I'd ever seek to 'arm a 'air
  Of 'er dear 'ead agen!  My oath, I swear
    No more I'll roust on 'er in angry 'eat!
  But still, she never seemed to me so fair;
    She never wus so tender or so sweet
  As when she smooged beneath the lamplight there.

  She's never been so lovin' wiv 'er gaze;
  So gentle wiv 'er pretty wimmin's ways.
    I tells 'er she's me queen, me angel, too.
  "Ah, no, I ain't no angel, Kid," she says.
    "I'm jist a woman, an' I loves yeh true!
  An' so I'll love yeh all me mortal days!"

  She sung a song....'Ere, in me barmy style,
  I sets orl tarts; for in me hour o' trile
    Me soul was withered be a woman's frown,
  An' broodin' care come roostin' on me dile.
    She sung a song....Me 'eart, wiv woe carst down,
  Wus raised to 'Eaven be a woman's smile.



  VIII.  Mar


  "'Er pore dear par," she sez, "'e kept a store";
  An' then she weeps an' stares 'ard at the floor.
    "'Twas thro' 'is death," she sez, "we wus rejuiced
  To this," she sez...An' then she weeps some more.

  "'Er Par," she sez, "me poor late 'usband, kept
  An 'ay an' corn store.  'E'd no faults ixcept
    'Im fallin' 'eavy orf a load o' charf
  W'ich--killed 'im--on the---" 'Struth!  But 'ow she wept.

  She blows 'er nose an' sniffs.  "'E would 'a' made"
  She sez "a lot of money in the trade.
    But, 'im took orf so sudden-like, we found
  'E 'adn't kept 'is life insurince paid.

  "To think," she sez, "a child o' mine should be
  Rejuiced to workin' in a factory!
    If 'er pore Par 'e 'adn't died," she sobs...
  I sez, "It wus a bit o' luck for me."

  Then I gits red as 'ell, "That is--I mean,"
  I sez, "I mighter never met Doreen
  If 'e 'ad not"--an' 'ere I lose me block--"I 'ope,"
  I sez, "'e snuffed it quick and clean."

  An' that wus 'ow I made me first deboo.
  I'd dodged it cunnin' fer a month or two.
    Doreen she sez, "You'll 'ave to meet my Mar,
  SOME day," she sez.  An' so I seen it thro'.

  I'd pictered some stern female in a cap
  Wot puts the fear o' Gawd into a chap.
  An' 'ere she wus, aweepin' in 'er tea
  An' drippin' moistcher like a leaky tap.

  Two dilly sorter dawgs made outer delf
  Stares 'ard at me frum orf the mantelshelf.
    I seemed to symperthise wiv them there pups;
  I felt so stiff an' brittle-like meself.

  Clobber?  Me trosso, 'ead to foot, wus noo--
  Got up regardless, fer this interview.
    Stiff shirt, a Yankee soot split up the back,
  A tie wiv yeller spots an' stripes o' blue.

  Me cuffs kep' playin' wiv me nervis fears
  Me patent leathers nearly brought the tears
    An' there I sits wiv, "Yes, mum.  Thanks.  Indeed?"
  Me stand-up collar sorin' orf me ears.

  "Life's 'ard," she sez, an' then she brightens up.
  "Still, we 'ave alwus 'ad our bite and sup.
    Doreen's been SICH a help; she 'as indeed.
  Some more tea, Willy?  'Ave another cup."

  Willy!  O 'ell!  'Ere wus a flamin' pill!
  A moniker that alwus makes me ill.
    "If it's the same to you, mum," I replies
  "I answer quicker to the name of Bill."

  Up goes 'er 'ands an' eyes, "That vulgar name!"
  No, Willy, but it isn't all the same,
    My fucher son must be respectable."
  "Orright," I sez, "I s'pose it's in the game."

  "Me fucher son," she sez, "right on frum this
  Must not take anythink I say amiss.
    I know me jooty be me son-in-lor;
  So, Willy, come an' give yer Mar a kiss."

  I done it.  Tho' I dunno 'ow I did.
  "Dear boy," she sez, "to do as you are bid.
    Be kind to 'er," she sobs, "my little girl!"
  An' then I kiss Doreen.  Sez she "Ah Kid!"

  Doreen!  Ar 'ow 'er pretty eyes did shine.
  No sight on earth or 'Eaving's 'arf so fine,
    An' as they looked at me she seemed to say
  "I'm proud of 'im, I am, an' 'e is mine."

  There wus a sorter glimmer in 'er eye,
  An 'appy, nervis look, 'arf proud, 'arf shy;
    I seen 'er in me mind be'ind the cups
  In our own little kipsie, bye an' bye.

  An' then when Mar-in-lor an' me began
  To tork of 'ouse'old things an' scheme an' plan,
    A sudden thort fair jolts me where I live:
  "These is my wimmin folk!  An' I'm a man!"

  It's wot they calls responsibility.
  All of a 'eap that feelin' come to me;
    An' somew'ere in me 'ead I seemed to feel
  A sneakin' sort o' wish that I was free.

  'Ere's me 'oo never took no 'eed o' life,
  Investin' in a mar-in-lor an' wife:
    Someone to battle fer besides meself,
  Somethink to love an' shield frum care and strife.

  It makes yeh solim when yeh come to think
  Wot love and marridge means.  Ar, strike me pink!
    It ain't all sighs and kisses.  It's yer life.
  An' 'ere's me tremblin' on the bloomin' brink.

  "'Er pore dead Par," she sez, an' gulps a sob.
  An' then I tells 'er 'ow I got a job,
    As storeman down at Jones' printin' joint,
  A decent sorter cop at fifty bob.

  Then things get 'ome-like; an' we torks till late,
  An' tries to tease Doreen to fix the date,
    An' she gits suddin soft and tender-like,
  An' cries a bit, when we parts at the gate.

  An' as I'm moochin' 'omeward frum the car
  A suddin notion stops me wiv a jar--
  Wot if Doreen, I thinks, should grow to be,
  A fat ole weepin' willer like 'er Mar!

  O, 'struth! It won't bear thinkin' of!  It's crook!
  An' I'm a mean, unfeelin' dawg to look
    At things like that.  Doreen's Doreen to me,
  The sweetest peach on w'ich a man wus shook.

  'Er "pore dear Par"...I s'pose 'e 'ad 'is day,
  An' kissed an' smooged an' loved 'er in 'is way.
  An' wed an' took 'is chances like a man--
  But, Gawd, this splicin' racket ain't all play.

  Love is a gamble, an' there ain't no certs.
  Some day, I s'pose, I'll git wise to the skirts,
    An' learn to take the bitter wiv the sweet...
  But, strike me purple!  "Willy!"  THAT'S wot 'urts.



  IX. Pilot Cove


  Young friend," 'e sez...Young friend!
    Well, spare me days!
  Yeh'd think I wus 'is own white-'eaded boy--
  The queer ole finger, wiv 'is gentle ways.
    "Young friend," 'e sez, "I wish't yeh bofe great joy."
    The langwidge that them parson blokes imploy
  Fair tickles me.  The way'e bleats an' brays!
        "Young friend," 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez...Yes, my Doreen an' me
    We're gettin' hitched, all straight an' on the square.
  Fer when I torks about the registry--
    O 'oly wars!  yeh should 'a' seen 'er stare;
    "The registry?" she sez, "I wouldn't dare!
  I know a clergyman we'll go an' see"...
        "Young friend," 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez.  An' then 'e chats me straight;
    An' spouts of death, an' 'ell, an' mortal sins.
  "You reckernize this step you contemplate
    Is grave? 'e sez.  An' I jist stan's an' grins;
    Fer when I chips, Doreen she kicks me shins.
  "Yes, very 'oly is the married state,
        Young friend," 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez.  An' then 'e mags a lot
    Of jooty an' the spiritchuil life,
  To which I didn't tumble worth a jot.
    "I'm sure," 'e sez, "as you will 'ave a wife
   'Oo'll 'ave a noble infl'ince on yer life.
  'Oo is 'er gardjin?" I sez, "'Er ole pot"--
        "Young friend!" 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez.  "Oh fix yer thorts on 'igh!
    Orl marridges is registered up there!
  An' you must cleave unto 'er till yeh die,
    An' cherish 'er wiv love an' tender care.
    E'n in the days when she's no longer fair
  She's still yer wife," 'e sez. "Ribuck," sez I.
        "YOUNG FRIEND!" 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez--I sez, "Now, listen 'ere:
    This isn't one o' them impetchus leaps.
  There ain't no tart a 'undreth part so dear
    As 'er.  She 'as me 'eart an' soul fer keeps!"
    An' then Doreen, she turns away an' weeps;
  But 'e jist smiles.  "Yer deep in love, 'tis clear,
        Young friend," 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez--an' tears wus in 'is eyes--
    "Strive 'ard.  Fer many, many years I've lived.
  An' I kin but recall wiv tears an' sighs
    The lives of some I've seen in marridge gived."
    "My Gawd!" I sez.  "I'll strive as no bloke strivved!
  Fer don't I know I've copped a bonzer prize?"
        "Young friend," 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez.  An' in 'is gentle way,
    'E pats the shoulder of my dear Doreen.
  "I've solem'ized grand weddin's in me day,
    But 'ere's the sweetest little maid I've seen.
    She's fit fer any man, to be 'is queen;
  An' you're more forchinit than you kin say,
        Young friend," 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez...A queer ole pilot bloke,
    Wiv silver 'air.  The gentle way 'e dealt
  Wiv 'er, the soft an' kindly way 'e spoke
    To my Doreen, 'ud make a statcher melt.
    I tell yer, square an' all, I sorter felt
  A kiddish kind o' feelin' like I'd choke...
        "Young friend," 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez, "you two on Choosday week,
    Is to be joined in very 'oly bonds.
  To break them vows I 'opes yeh'll never seek;
    Fer I could curse them 'usbands 'oo absconds!"
    "I'll love 'er till I snuff it," I responds.
  "Ah, that's the way I likes to 'ear yeh speak,
        Young friend," 'e sez.

  "Young friend," 'e sez--an' then me 'and 'e grips
    "I wish't yeh luck, you an' yer lady fair.
  Sweet maid."  An' sof'ly wiv 'is finger-tips,
    'E takes an' strokes me cliner's shinin' 'air.
    An' when I seen 'er standin' blushin' there,
  I turns an' kisses 'er, fair on the lips.
        "Young friend!" 'e sez.



  X. Hitched


  "An'--wilt--yeh--take--this--woman--fer--to--be--
    Yer--weddid--wife?"...O, strike me!  Will I wot?
  TAKE 'er? Doreen?  'E stan's there ARSTIN' me!
    As if 'e thort per'aps I'd rather not!
    TAKE 'er?  'E seemed to think 'er kind was got
  Like cigarette-cards, fer the arstin'. Still,
    I does me stunt in this 'ere hitchin' rot,
  An' speaks me piece: "Righto!" I sez, "I will."

  "I will," I sez.  An' tho' a joyful shout
    Come from me bustin' 'eart--I know it did--
  Me voice got sorter mangled comin' out,
    An' makes me whisper like a frightened kid.
    "I will," I squeaks.  An' I'd 'a' give a quid
  To 'ad it on the quite, wivout this fuss,
    An' orl the starin' crowd that Mar 'ad bid
  To see this solim hitchin' up of us.

  "Fer--rich-er--er--fer--por-er."  So 'e bleats.
    "In--sick-ness--an'--in-ealth,"...An' there I stands,
  An' dunno'arf the chatter I repeats,
    Nor wot the 'ell to do wiv my two 'ands.
    But 'e don't 'urry puttin' on our brands--
  This white-'aired pilot-bloke--but gives it lip,
    Dressed in 'is little shirt, wiv frills an' bands.
  "In sick-ness--an'--in--" Ar! I got the pip!
  An' once I missed me turn; an' Ginger Mick,
    'Oo's my best-man, 'e ups an' beefs it out.
  "I will!" 'e 'owls; an' fetches me a kick.
    "Your turn to chin!" 'e tips wiv a shout.
    An' there I'm standin' like a gawky lout.
  (Aw, spare me!  But I seemed to be ALL 'ands!)
    An' wonders wot 'e's goin' crook about,
  Wiv 'arf a mind to crack 'im where 'e stands.

  O, lumme!  But ole Ginger was a trick!
    Got up regardless fer the solim rite.
  ('E 'awks the bunnies when 'e toils, does Mick)
    An' twice I saw 'im feelin' fer a light
    To start a fag; an' trembles lest'e might,
  Thro' force o' habit like.  'E's nervis too;
    That's plain, fer orl 'is air o' bluff an' skite;
  An' jist as keen as me to see it thro'.

  But, 'struth, the wimmin!  'Ow they love this frill!
    Fer Auntie Liz, an' Mar, o' course, wus there;
  An' Mar's two uncles' wives, an' Cousin Lil,
    An' 'arf a dozen more to grin and stare.
    I couldn't make me 'ands fit anywhere!
  I felt like I wus up afore the Beak!
    But my Doreen she never turns a 'air,
  Nor misses once when it's 'er turn to speak.

  Ar, strike!  No more swell marridges fer me!
    It seems a blinded year afore 'e's done.
  We could 'a' fixed it in the registree
    Twice over 'fore this cove 'ad 'arf begun.
    I s'pose the wimmin git some sorter fun
  Wiv all this guyver, an' 'is nibs's shirt.
    But, seems to me, it takes the bloomin' bun,
  This stylish splicin' uv a bloke an' skirt.

  "To--be--yer--weddid--wife--" Aw, take a pull!
    Wot in the 'ell's 'e think I come there for?
  An' so 'e drawls an' drones until I'm full,
    An' wants to do a duck clean out the door.
    An' yet, fer orl 'is 'igh-falutin' jor,
  Ole Snowy wus a reel good-meanin' bloke.
    If 'twasn't fer the 'oly look 'e wore
  Yeh'd think 'e piled it on jist fer a joke.

  An', when at last 'e shuts 'is little book,
    I 'eaves a sigh that nearly bust me vest.
  But 'Eavens!  Now 'ere's muvver goin' crook!
    An' sobbin' awful on me manly chest!
    (I wish she'd give them water-works a rest.)
  "My little girl!" she 'owls.  "O, treat'er well!
    She's young--too young to leave 'er muvver's nest!"
  "Orright, ole chook," I nearly sez.  Oh, 'ell!

  An' then we 'as a beano up at Mar's--
    A slap-up feed, wiv wine an' two big geese.
  Doreen sits next ter me, 'er eyes like stars.
    O, 'ow I wished their blessed yap would cease!
    The Parson-bloke 'e speaks a little piece,
  That makes me blush an' 'ang me silly 'ead.
    'E sez 'e 'opes our lovin' will increase--
  I LIKES that pilot fer the things 'e said.

  'E sez Doreen an' me is in a boat,
    An' sailin' on the matrimonial sea.
  'E sez as 'ow 'e 'opes we'll allus float
    In peace an' joy, from storm an' danger free.
    Then muvver gits to weepin' in 'er tea;
  An' Auntie Liz sobs like a winded colt;
    An' Cousin Lil comes 'round an' kisses me;
  Until I feel I'll 'AVE to do a bolt.

  Then Ginger gits end-up an' makes a speech--
    ('E'd 'ad a couple, but 'e wasn't shick.)
  "My cobber 'ere," 'e sez, "'as copped a peach!
    Of orl the barrer-load she is the pick!
    I 'opes 'e won't fergit 'is pals too quick
  As wus 'is frien's in olden days, becors,
    I'm trustin', later on," sez Ginger Mick,
  "To celebrate the chris'nin'."...'Oly wars!

  At last Doreen an' me we gits away,
    An' leaves 'em doin' nothin' to the scran.
  (We're honey-moonin' down beside the Bay.)
    I gives a 'arf a dollar to the man
    Wot drives the cab; an' like two kids we ran
  To ketch the train--Ah, strike!  I could 'a' flown!
    We gets the carridge right agen the van.
  She whistles, jolts, an' starts...An' we're alone!

  Doreen an' me!  My precious bit o' fluff!
    Me own true weddid wife!...An' we're alone!
  She seems so frail, an' me so big an' rough--
    I dunno wot this feelin' is that's grown
    Inside me 'ere that makes me feel I own
  A thing so tender like I fear to squeeze
    Too 'ard fer fear she'll break...Then, wiv a groan
  I starts to 'ear a coot call, "Tickets, please!"

  You could 'a' outed me right on the spot!
    I wus so rattled when that porter spoke.
  Fer, 'struth! them tickets I 'ad fair forgot!
    But 'e jist laughs, an' takes it fer a joke.
    "We must ixcuse," 'e sez, "new-married folk."
  An' I pays up, an' grins, an' blushes red....
  It shows 'ow married life improves a bloke:
  If I'd bin single I'd 'a' punched 'is head!



  XI.  Beef Tea


  She never magged; she never said no word;
  But sat an' looked at me an' never stirred.
    I could 'a' bluffed it out if she 'ad been
  Fair narked, an' let me 'ave it wiv 'er tongue;
  But silence told me 'ow 'er 'eart wus wrung.
        Poor 'urt Doreen!

  Gorstruth!  I'd sooner fight wiv fifty men
  Than git one look like that frum 'er agen!

  She never moved; she never spoke no word;
  That 'urt look in 'er eyes, like some scared bird:
    "'Ere is the man I loved," it seemed to say.
  "'E's mine, this crawlin' thing, an' I'm 'is wife;
  Tied up fer good; an' orl me joy in life
        Is chucked away!"
  If she 'ad bashed me I'd 'a felt no 'urt!
  But 'ere she treats me like--like I wus dirt.

  'Ow is a man to guard agen that look?
  Fer other wimmin, when the'r blokes go crook,
    An' lobs 'ome wiv the wages uv a jag,
  They smashes things an' carries on a treat
  An' 'owls an' scolds an' wakes the bloomin' street
        Wiv noisy mag.
  But 'er--she never speaks; she never stirs...
  I drops me bundle...An' the game is 'ers.

  Jist two months wed!  Eight weeks uv married bliss
  Wiv my Doreen, an' now it's come to this!
    Wot wus I thinkin' uv?  Gawd!  I ain't fit
  To kiss the place 'er little feet 'as been!
  'Er that I called me wife, me own Doreen!
        Fond dreams'as flit;
  Love's done a bunk, an' joy is up the pole;
  An' shame an' sorrer's roostin' in me soul.

  'Twus orl becors uv Ginger Mick--the cow!
  (I wish't I 'ad 'im 'ere to deal wiv now!
    I'd pass 'im one, I would!  'E ain't no man!)
  I meets 'im Choosdee ev'nin' up the town.
  "Wot O," 'e chips me.  "Kin yeh keep one down?"
         I sez I can.
  We 'as a couple; then meets three er four
  Flash coves I useter know, an' 'as some more.

  "'Ow are yeh on a little gamble, Kid?"
  Sez Ginger Mick.  "Lars' night I'm on four quid.
    Come 'round an' try yer luck at Steeny's school."
  "No," sez me conscience.  Then I thinks, "Why not?
  An' buy 'er presents if I wins a pot?
        A blazin' fool
  I wus.  Fer 'arf a mo' I 'as a fight;
  Then conscience skies the wipe...Sez I "Orright."

  Ten minutes later I was back once more,
  Kip in me 'and, on Steeny Isaac's floor,
    Me luck was in an' I wus 'eadin' good.
  Yes, back agen amongst the same old crew!
  An' orl the time down in me 'eart I knew
        I never should...
  Nex' thing I knows it's after two o'clock--
  Two in the mornin'!  An' I've done me block!

  "Wot odds?" I thinks.  "I'm in fer it orright."
  An' so I stops an' gambles orl the night;
    An' bribes me conscience wiv the gilt I wins.
  But when I comes out in the cold, 'ard dawn
  I know I've crooled me pitch; me soul's in pawn.
        My flamin' sins
  They 'its me in a 'eap right where I live;
  Fer I 'ave broke the solim vow I give.

  She never magged; she never said no word.
  An' when I speaks, it seems she never 'eard.
    I could 'a' sung a nim, I feels so gay!
  If she 'ad only roused I might 'a' smiled.
  She jist seems 'urt an' crushed; not even riled.
        I turns away,
  An' yanks me carkis out into the yard,
  Like some whipped pup; an' kicks meself reel 'ard.

  An' then, I sneaks to bed, an' feels dead crook.
  Fer golden quids I couldn't face that look
    That trouble in the eyes uv my Doreen.
  Aw, strike!  Wot made me go an' do this thing?
  I feel jist like a chewed up bit of string,
        An' rotten mean!
  Fer 'arf an hour I lies there feelin' cheap;
  An' then I s'pose, I muster fell asleep....

  "'Ere, Kid, drink this"...I wakes, an' lifts me 'ead,
  An' sees 'er standin' there beside the bed;
    A basin in 'er 'ands; an' in 'er eyes
  (Eyes that wiv unshed tears is shinin' wet)--
  The sorter look I never shall ferget,
        Until I dies.
  "'Ere, Kid, drink this," she sez, an' smiles at me.
  I looks--an' spare me days!  It WAS BEEF TEA!

  Beef tea! She treats me like a hinvaleed!
  Me! that 'as caused 'er lovin' 'eart to bleed.
    It 'urts me worse than maggin' fer a week!
  'Er! 'oo 'ad right to turn dead sour on me,
  Fergives like that, an' feeds me wiv beef tea...
         I tries to speak;
  An' then--I ain't ashamed o' wot I did--
  I 'ides me face...an' blubbers like a kid.



  XII. Uncle Jim


  "I got no time fer wasters, lad," sez'e,
    "Give me a man wiv grit," sez Uncle Jim.
  'E bores 'is cute ole eyes right into me,
    While I stares 'ard an' gives it back to 'im.
  Then orl at once 'e grips me 'and in 'is:
  "Some'ow," 'e sez, "I likes yer ugly phiz."

  "You got a look," 'e sez, "like you could stay;
    Altho' yeh mauls King's English when yeh yaps,
  An' 'angs flash frills on ev'rythink yeh say.
    I ain't no grammarist meself, per'aps,
  But langwidge is a 'elp, I owns," sez Unk,
  "When things is goin' crook."  An' 'ere 'e wunk.

  "Yeh'll find it tough," 'e sez, "to knuckle down.
    Good farmin' is a gift--like spoutin' slang.
  Yeh'll 'ave to cut the luxuries o' town,
    An' chuck the manners of this back-street gang;
  Fer country life ain't cigarettes and beer."
  "I'm game," I sez.  Sez Uncle, "Put it 'ere!"

  Like that I took the plunge, an' slung the game.
    I've parted wiv them joys I 'eld most dear;
  I've sent the leery bloke that bore me name
    Clean to the pack wivout one pearly tear;
  An' frum the ashes of a ne'er-do-well
  A bloomin' farmer's blossomin' like 'ell.

  Farmer!  That's me!  Wiv this 'ere strong right 'and
    I've gripped the plough; and blistered jist a treat.
  Doreen an' me 'as gone upon the land.
    Yours truly fer the burden an' the 'eat!
  Yours truly fer upendin' chunks o' soil!
  The 'ealthy, 'ardy, 'appy son o' toil!

  I owns I've 'ankered fer me former joys;
    I've 'ad me hours o' broodin' on me woes;
  I've missed the comp'ny, an' I've missed the noise,
    The football matches an' the picter shows.
  I've missed--but, say, it makes me feel fair mean
  To whip the cat; an' then see my Doreen.

  To see the colour comin' in 'er cheeks,
    To see 'er eyes grow brighter day be day,
  The new, glad way she looks an' laughs an' speaks
    Is worf ten times the things I've chucked away.
  An' there's a secret, whispered in the dark,
  'As made me 'eart sing like a flamin' lark.

  Jist let me tell yeh 'ow it come about.
    The things that I've been thro' 'ud fill a book.
  Right frum me birf Fate played to knock me out;
    The 'and that I 'ad dealt to me was crook!
  Then comes Doreen, an' patches up me parst;
  Now Forchin's come to bunk wiv me at larst.

  First orf, one night poor Mar gits suddin fits,
    An' floats wivout the time to wave "good-byes."
  Doreen is orl broke up the day she flits;
    It tears me 'eart in two the way she cries.
  To see 'er grief, it almost made me glad
  I never knowed the mar I must 'ave 'ad.

  We done poor Muvver proud when she went out
    A slap-up send-orf, trimmed wiv tears an' crape.
  An' then fer weeks Doreen she mopes about,
    An' life takes on a gloomy sorter shape.
  I watch 'er face git pale, 'er eyes grow dim;
  Till--like some 'airy angel--comes ole Jim.

  A cherub togged in sunburn an' a beard
    An' duds that shouted "'Ayseed!" fer a mile:
  Care took the count the minute 'e appeared,
  An' sorter shrivelled up before 'is smile,
  'E got the 'ammer-lock on my good-will
  The minute that 'e sez, "So, this is Bill."

  It's got me beat.  Doreen's late Par, some way,
    Was second cousin to 'is bruvver's wife.
  Somethin' like that.  In less than 'arf a day
    It seemed 'e'd been my uncle orl me life.
  'E takes me 'and: "I dunno 'ow it is,"
  'E sez, "but, lad, I likes that ugly phiz."

  An' when 'e'd stayed wiv us a little while
    The 'ouse begun to look like 'ome once more.
  Doreen she brightens up beneath 'is smile,
    An' 'ugs 'im till I kids I'm gettin' sore.
  Then, late one night, 'e opens up 'is scheme,
  An' passes me wot looks like some fond dream.

  'E 'as a little fruit-farm, doin' well;
    'E saved a tidy bit to see 'im thro';
  'E's gettin' old fer toil, an' wants a spell;
    An' 'ere's a 'ome jist waitin' fer us two.
  "It's 'ers an' yours fer keeps when I am gone,"
  Sez Uncle Jim.  "Lad, will yeh take it on?"

  So that's the strength of it.  An' 'ere's me now
    A flamin' berry farmer, full o' toil;
  Playin' joo-jitsoo wiv an' 'orse an' plough,
    An' coaxin' fancy tucker frum the soil,
  An' longin', while I wrestles with the rake,
  Fer days when me poor back fergits to ache.

  Me days an' nights is full of schemes an' plans
    To figger profits an' cut out the loss;
  An' when the pickin's on, I 'ave me 'an's
    To take me orders while I act the boss;
  It's sorter sweet to 'ave the right to rouse....
  An' my Doreen's the lady of the 'ouse.

  To see 'er bustlin' 'round about the place,
    Full of the simple joy o' doin' things,
  That thoughtful, 'appy look upon 'er face,
  That 'ope an' peace an' pride o' labour brings,
  Is worth the crowd of joys I knoo one time,
  An' makes regrettin' 'em seem like a crime.

  An' ev'ry little while ole Uncle Jim
    Comes up to stay a bit an' pass a tip.
  It gives us 'eart jist fer to look at 'im,
    An' feel the friendship in 'is warm 'and-grip.
  'Im, wiv the sunburn on 'is kind ole dile;
  'Im, wiv the sunbeams in 'is sweet ole smile.

  "I got no time fer wasters, lad," sez 'e,
    "But that there ugly mug o' yourn I trust."
  An' so I reckon that it's up to me
    To make a bloomin' do of it or bust.
  I got to take the back-ache wiv the rest,
  An' plug along, an' do me little best.

  Luck ain't no steady visitor, I know;
    But now an' then it calls--fer look at me!
  You wouldn't take me, 'bout a year ago,
    Free gratis wiv a shillin' pound o' tea;
  Then, in a blessed 'eap, ole Forchin lands
  A missus an' a farm fair in me 'ands.



  XIII. The Kid


  My son!...Them words, jist like a blessed song,
  Is singin' in me 'eart the 'ole day long;
    Over an' over; while I'm scared I'll wake
    Out of a dream, to find it all a fake.

  My son!  Two little words, that, yesterdee,
  Wus jist two simple, senseless words to me;
    An' now--no man, not since the world begun,
    Made any better pray'r than that....My son!

  My son an' bloomin' 'eir...Ours!...'Ers an' mine!
  The finest kid in--Aw, the sun don't shine--
    Ther' ain't no joy fer me beneath the blue
    Unless I'm gazin' lovin' at them two.

  A little while ago it was jist "me"--
  A lonely, longin' streak o' misery.
  An' then 'twas "'er an' me"--Doreen, my wife!
  An' now it's "'im an' us" an'--sich is life.

  But 'struth!  'E is king-pin!  The 'ead serang!
  I mustn't tramp about, or talk no slang;
    I mustn't pinch 'is nose, or make a face,
    I mustn't--Strike!  'E seems to own the place!

  Cunnin'?  Yeh'd think, to look into 'is eyes,
  'E knoo the game clean thro'; 'e seems that wise.
    Wiv 'er 'an nurse 'e is the leadin' man,
    An' poor ole dad's amongst the "also ran."

  "Goog, goo," 'e sez, and curls 'is cunnin' toes.
  Yeh'd be su'prised the 'caps o' things 'e knows.
    I'll swear 'e tumbles I'm 'is father, too;
    The way 'e squints at me, an' sez "Goog, goo."

  Why! 'smornin' 'ere 'is lordship gits a grip
  Fair on me finger-give it quite a nip!
    An' when I tugs, 'e won't let go 'is hold!
    'Angs on like that!  An' 'im not three weeks old!

  "Goog, goo," 'e sez.  I'll swear yeh never did
  In all yer natcheril, see sich a kid.
    The cunnin' ways 'e's got; the knowin' stare--
    Ther' ain't a youngster like 'im ANYWHERE!

  An', when 'e gits a little pain inside,
  'Is dead straight griffin ain't to be denied.
    I'm sent to talk sweet nuffin's to the fowls;
    While nurse turns 'and-springs ev'ry time 'e 'owls.

  But say, I tell yeh straight...I been thro' 'ell!
  The things I thort I wouldn't dare to tell
    Lest, in the tellin' I might feel again
    One little part of all that fear an' pain.

  It come so sudden that I lorst me block.
  First, it was, 'Ell-fer-leather to the doc.,
    'Oo took it all so calm 'e made me curse
    An' then I sprints like mad to get the nurse.

  By gum; that woman!  But she beat me flat!
  A man's jist putty in a game like that.
    She owned me 'appy 'ome almost before
    She fairly got 'er nose inside me door.

  Sweatin' I was! but cold wiv fear inside
  An' then, to think a man could be denied
    'Is wife an' 'ome an' told to fade away
    By jist one fat ole nurse 'oo's in 'is pay!

  I wus too weak wiv funk to start an' rouse.
  'Struth!  Ain't a man the boss in 'is own 'ouse?
    "You go an' chase yerself!" she tips me straight.
    There's nothin' now fer you to do but--wait."

  Wait?...Gawd!...I never knoo wot waitin' meant
  In all me life till that day I was sent
    To loaf around, while there inside--Aw, strike!
    I couldn't tell yeh wot that hour was like!

  Three times I comes to listen at the door;
  Three times I drags meself away once more;
    'Arf dead wiv fear; 'arf dead wiv tremblin' joy...
    An' then she beckons me, an' sez-"A boy!"

  "A boy!" she sez. "An' bofe is doin' well!"
  I drops into a chair, an' jist sez--"'Ell!"
    It was a pray'r.  I feels bofe crook an' glad....
    An' that's the strength of bein' made a dad.

  I thinks of church, when in that room I goes,
  'Oldin' me breaf an' walkin' on me toes.
    Fer 'arf a mo' I feared me nerve 'ud fail
    To see 'er lying there so still an' pale.

  She looks so frail, at first, I dursn't stir.
  An' then, I leans acrost an' kisses 'er;
    An' all the room gits sorter blurred an' dim...
    She smiles, an' moves 'er 'ead.  "Dear lad!  Kiss 'im."

  Near smothered in a ton of snowy clothes,
  First thing, I sees a bunch o' stubby toes,
    Bald 'ead, termater face, an' two big eyes.
    "Look, Kid," she smiles at me. "Ain't 'e a size?"

  'E didn't seem no sorter size to me;
  But yet, I speak no lie when I agree;
    "'E is," I sez, an' smiles back at Doreen,
    "The biggest nipper fer 'is age I've seen."

  She turns away; 'er eyes is brimmin' wet.
  "Our little son!" she sez.  "Our precious pet!"
    An' then, I seen a great big drop roll down
    An' fall--kersplosh!--fair on 'is nibs's crown.

  An' still she smiles.  "A lucky sign," she said.
  "Somewhere, in some ole book, one time I read,
    'The child will sure be blest all thro' the years
    Who's christened wiv 'is mother's 'appy tears."'

  "Kiss 'im," she sez.  I was afraid to take
  Too big a mouthful of 'im, fear 'e'd break.
    An' when 'e gits a fair look at me phiz
    'E puckers up 'is nose, an' then--Geewhizz!

  'Ow DID 'e 'owl!  In'arf a second more
  Nurse 'ad me 'ustled clean outside the door.
    Scarce knowin' 'ow, I gits out in the yard,
    An' leans agen the fence an' thinks reel 'ard.

  A long, long time I looks at my two 'ands.
  "They're all I got," I thinks, "they're all that stands
    Twixt this 'ard world an' them I calls me own.
    An' fer their sakes I'll work 'em to the bone."

  Them vows an' things sounds like a lot o' guff.
  Maybe, it's foolish thinkin' all this stuff--
    Maybe, it's childish-like to scheme an' plan;
    But--I dunno--it's that way wiv a man.

  I only know that kid belongs to me!
  We ain't decided yet wot 'e's to be.
    Doreen, she sez 'e's got a poit's eyes;
    But I ain't got much use fer them soft guys.

  I think we ort to make 'im something great--
  A bookie, or a champeen'eavy-weight:
    Some callin' that'll give 'im room to spread.
    A fool could see 'e's got a clever 'ead.

  I know 'e's good an' honest; for 'is eyes
  Is jist like 'ers; so big an' lovin'-wise;
    They carries peace an' trust where e'er they goes
    An', say, the nurse she sez 'e's got my nose!

  Dead ring fer me ole conk, she sez it is.
  More like a blob of putty on 'is phiz,
    I think.  But 'e's a fair 'ard case, all right.
    I'll swear I thort 'e wunk at me last night!

  My wife an' fam'ly!  Don't it sound all right!
  That's wot I whispers to meself at night.
    Some day, I s'pose, I'll learn to say it loud
    An' careless; kiddin' that I don't feel proud.

  My son!...If there's a Gawd 'Oos leanin' near
  To watch our dilly little lives down 'ere,
    'E smiles, I guess, if 'E's a lovin' one
     Smiles, friendly-like, to 'ear them words--My son.



  XIV.  The Mooch o' Life


  This ev'nin' I was sittin' wiv Doreen,
  Peaceful an' 'appy wiv the day's work done,
    Watchin', be'ind the orchard's bonzer green,
  The flamin' wonder of the settin' sun.

  Another day gone by; another night
  Creepin' along to douse Day's golden light;
  Another dawnin', when the night is gone,
  To live an' love--an' so life mooches on.

  Times I 'ave thought, when things was goin' crook,
  When 'Ope turned nark an' Love forgot to smile,
  Of somethin' I once seen in some old book
  Where an ole sore-'ead arsts, "Is life worf w'ile?"

  But in that stillness, as the day grows dim,
  An' I am sittin' there wiv 'er an' 'im
  My wife, my son! an' strength in me to strive,
  I only know--it's good to be alive!

  Yeh live, yeh love, yeh learn; an' when yeh come
   To square the ledger in some thortful hour,
  The everlastin' answer to the sum
    Must allus be, "Where's sense in gittin' sour?"

  Fer when yeh've come to weigh the good an' bad--
  The gladness wiv the sadness you 'ave 'ad--
    Then 'im 'oo's faith in 'uman goodness fails
    Fergits to put 'is liver in the scales.

  Livin' an' lovin'; learnin' day be day;
    Pausin' a minute in the barmy strife
  To find that 'elpin' others on the way
    Is gold coined fer your profit--sich is life.

  I've studied books wiv yearnings to improve,
  To 'eave meself out of me lowly groove,
    An' 'ere is orl the change I ever got:
    "'Ark at yer 'eart, an' you kin learn the lot."

  I gives it in--that wisdom o' the mind--
    I wasn't built to play no lofty part.
  Orl such is welkim to the joys they find;
    I only know the wisdom o' the 'eart.

  An' ever it 'as taught me, day be day,
  The one same lesson in the same ole way:
    "Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
    Fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
   Life's wot yeh make it; an' the bloke 'oo tries
  To grab the shinin' stars frum out the skies
    Goes crook on life, an' calls the world a cheat,
    An' tramples on the daisies at 'is feet.

  But when the moon comes creepin' o'er the hill,
    An' when the mopoke calls along the creek,
  I takes me cup o' joy an' drinks me fill,
    An' arsts meself wot better could I seek.

  An' ev'ry song I 'ear the thrushes sing
  That everlastin' message seems to bring;
    An' ev'ry wind that whispers in the trees
    Gives me the tip there ain't no joys like these:

  Livin' an' lovin'; wand'rin' on yer way;
    Reapin' the 'arvest of a kind deed done;
  An' watchin', in the sundown of yer day,
  Yerself again, grown nobler in yer son.

  Knowin' that ev'ry coin o' kindness spent
  Bears interest in yer 'eart at cent per cent;
    Measurin' wisdom by the peace it brings
    To simple minds that values simple things.

  An' when I take a look along the way
    That I 'ave trod, it seems the man knows best,
  Who's met wiv slabs of sorrer in 'is day,
    When 'e is truly rich an' truly blest.

  An' I am rich, becos me eyes 'ave seen
  The lovelight in the eyes of my Doreen;
    An' I am blest, becos me feet 'ave trod
    A land 'oo's fields reflect the smile o' God.

  Livin' an' lovin'; learnin' to fergive
    The deeds an' words of some un'appy bloke
  Who's missed the bus--so 'ave I come to live,
    An' take the 'ole mad world as 'arf a joke.

  Sittin' at ev'nin' in this sunset-land,
  Wiv 'Er in all the World to 'old me 'and,
  A son, to bear me name when I am gone....
  Livin' an' lovin'--so life mooches on.






  The Glossary


  A.I.F.--Australian Imperial Force.
  Alley, to toss in the--To give up the ghost.
  Also ran, the--On the turf, horses that fail to secure a leading place;
           hence, obscure persons, nonentities.
  'Ammer-lock (Hammer-lock)--A favourite and effective hold in wrestling.
  Ar--An exclamation expressing joy, sorrow, surprise, etc., according
           to the manner of utterance.
  'Ard Case (Hard Case)--A shrewd or humorous person.
  'Ayseed (Hayseed)--A rustic.

  Back Chat--Impudent repartee.
  Back and Fill--To vacillate; to shuffle.
  Back the Barrer--To intervene without invitation.
  Barmy (Balmy)--Foolish; silly.
  Beak--A magistrate. (Possibly from Anglo-Saxon, Beag--a magistrate.)
  Beano--A feast.
  Beans--Coins; money.
  Beat--Puzzled; defeated.
  Beat, off the---Out of the usual routine.
  Beef (to beef it out)--To declaim vociferously.
  Bellers (Bellows)--The lungs.
  Biff--To smite.
  Bird, to give the--To treat with derision.
  Blighter--A worthless fellow.
  Bli'me--An oath with the fangs drawn.
  Blither--To talk at random, foolishly.
  Blob--A shapeless mass.
  Block--The head.
   To lose or do in the block--To become flustered; excited; angry;
           to lose confidence.
   To keep the block--To remain calm; dispassionate.
  Block, the--A fashionable city walk.
  Bloke--A male adult of the genus <DW25>.
  Blubber, blub--To weep.
  Bluff--Cunning practice; make believe. v. To deceive; to mislead.
  Bob--A shilling.
  Bokays--Compliments, flattery.
  Boko--The nose.
  Bong-tong--Patrician (Fr. Bon ton).
  Bonzer, boshter, bosker--Adjectives expressing the superlative of
              excellence.
  Boodle--Money; wealth.
  Book--A bookie, q.v.
  Bookie--A book-maker (turf); one who makes a betting book on sporting
              events.
  Boot, to put in the--To kick a prostrate foe.
  Boss--Master, employer.
  Break (to break away, to do a break)--To depart in haste.
  Breast up to--To accost.
  Brisket--The chest.
  Brown--A copper coin.
  Brums--Tawdry finery (From Brummagem--Birmingham).
  Buckley's (Chance)--A forlorn hope.
  Buck-up--Cheer up.
  Bump--To meet; to accost aggressively.
  Bun, to take the--To take the prize (used ironically).
  Bundle, to drop the--To surrender; to give up hope.
  Bunk--To sleep in a "bunk" or rough bed.
   To do a bunk--To depart. Bunnies, to hawk the--To peddle rabbits.
  Bus, to miss the--To neglect opportunities.

  Caboose--A small dwelling.
  Carlton--A Melbourne Football Team.
  Cat, to whip the--To cry over spilt milk; i.e. to whip the cat that
               has spilt the milk.
  C.B.--Confined to barracks.
  Cert--A certainty; a foregone conclusion.
  Champeen--Champion.
  Chase yourself--Depart; avaunt; "fade away," q.v.
  Chat--To address tentatively; to "word" q.v.
  Cheque, to pass in one's--To depart this life.
  Chest, to get it off one's--To deliver a speech; express one's feelings.
  Chew, to chew it over; to chew the rag--To sulk; to nurse a grievance.
  Chiack--Vulgar banter; coarse invective.
  Chin--To talk; to wag the chin.
  Chip--To "chat," q.v.
  Chip in--To intervene.
  Chiv--The face.
  Chow--A native of far Cathay.
  Chuck up--To relinquish.
  Chuck off--To chaff; to employ sarcasm.
  Chump--A foolish fellow.
  Chunk--A lump; a mass.
  Clean--Completely; utterly.
  Click--A clique; a "push," q.v.
  Cliner--A young unmarried female.
  Clobber--Raiment; vesture.
  Cobber--A boon companion.
  Collect--To receive one's deserts.
  Colour-line--In pugilism, the line drawn by white boxers excluding
                    fighters--for divers reasons.
  Conk--The nose.
  Coot--A person of no account (used contemptuously).
  Cop--To seize; to secure; also s. An avocation, a "job."
  Cop (or Copper)--A police constable.
  Copper-top--Red head.
  Copper show--A copper mine.
  Count, to take the--In pugilism, to remain prostrate for ten
                  counted seconds, and thus lose the fight.
  Cove--A "chap" or "bloke," q.v. (Gipsy).
  Cow--A thoroughly unworthy, not to say despicable, person, place,
             thing, or circumstance.
   A fair cow--An utterly obnoxious and otherwise unexpressible person,
             place, thing, or circumstance.
  Crack--To smite. s. A blow.
  Crack a boo--To divulge a secret; to betray emotion.
  Crack hardy--To suppress emotion; to endure patiently; to keep a secret.
  Cray--A crayfish.
  Crib--A dwelling.
  Croak--To die.
  Crook--A dishonest or evil person.
  Crook--Unwell; dishonest; spurious; fraudulent. Superlative, Dead Crook.
  Crool (cruel) the pitch--To frustrate; to interfere with one's
              schemes or welfare.
  Crust--Sustenance; a livelihood:
  Cut it out--Omit it; discontinue it.

  <DW55>--A native of Southern Europe.
  Dash, to do-one's--To reach one's Waterloo.
  Date--An appointment.
  Dawg (dog)--A contemptible person; ostentation.
   To put on dawg--To behave in an arrogant manner.
  Dead--In a superlative degree; very.
  Deal--To deal it out; to administer punishment, abuse, etc.
  Deener--A shilling (Fr. Denier. Denarius, a Roman silver coin).
  Derry--An aversion; a feud; a dislike.
  Dickin--A term signifying disgust or disbelief.
  Dile (dial)--The face.
  Dilly--Foolish; half-witted.
  Ding Dong--Strenuous.
  Dinkum--Honest; true.  "The Dinkum Oil."--The truth.
  Dirt--Opprobrium, a mean speech or action.
  Dirty left--A formidable left fist.
  Divvies--Dividends; profits.
  Dizzy limit--The utmost; the superlative degree.
  Do in--To defeat; to kill; to spend.
  Done me luck--Lost my good fortune.
  Dope--A drug; adulterated liquor. v. To administer drugs.
  Dot in the eye, to--To strike in the eye.
  Douse--To extinguish (Anglo-Saxon).
  Drive a quill--To write with a pen; to work in an office.
  Duck, to do a--See "break."
  Duds--Personal apparel (Scotch).
  Dunno--Do not know.
  Dutch--German; any native of Central Europe.

  'Eads (Heads)--The authorities; inner council.
  'Eadin'--"Heading browns"; tossing pennies.
  'Ead over Turkey--Head over heels.
  'Ead Serang--The chief; the leader.
  'Eavyweight--A boxer of the heaviest class.
  'Ell--fer-leather--In extreme haste.
  End up, to get--To rise to one's feet.

  Fade away, to--To retire; to withdraw.
  Fag--A cigarette.
  Fair--Extreme; positive.
  Fair thing--A wise proceeding; an obvious duty.
  Fake--A swindle; a hoax.
  Finger--An eccentric or amusing person.
  Flam--Nonsense; make--believe.
  Flash--Ostentatious; showy but counterfeit.
  Float, to--To give up the ghost.
  Fluff, a bit of--A young female person.
  Foot (me foot)--A term expressing ridicule.
  Footer--Football.
  Frame--The body.
  Frill--Affectation.
  Funk, to--To fear; to lose courage.
  Furphy--An idle rumour; a canard.

  Galoot--A simpleton.
  Game--Occupation; scheme; design.
  Gawsave--The National Anthem.
  Gazob--A fool; a blunderer.
  Geewhizz--Exclamation expressing surprise.
  Get, to do a--To retreat hastily.
  Gilt--Money; wealth.
  Give, to--In one sense, to care.
  Gizzard--The heart.
  Glassey--The glassy eye; a glance of cold disdain.
  The Glassey Alley--The favourite; the most admired.
  Glim--A light.
  Going (while the going is good)--While the path is clear.
  Gone (fair gone)--Overcome, as with emotion.
  Goo-goo eyes--Loving glances.
  Gorspil-cove--A minister of the Gospel.
  Graft--Work.
  Grafter--One who toils hard or willingly.
  Griffin, the straight--The truth, secret information.
  Grip--Occupation; employment.
  Groggy--Unsteady; dazed.
  Grouch--To mope; to grumble.
  Grub--Food.
  Guff--Nonsense.
  Guy--A foolish fellow.
  Guy, to do a--To retire.
  Guyver--Make-believe.

  Hankies--A fondling of hands between lovers.
  Hang out--To reside; to last.
  Hang-over--The aftermath of the night before.
  Hankies--Handkerchiefs.
  High-falutin'--High sounding; boastful.
  Hitch, to--To wed.
  Hitched--Entangled in the bonds of holy matrimony.
  Hit things up--To behave strenuously; riotously.
  Hot--Excessive, extreme.
  Hump, the--A fit of depression.
  Hump, to--To carry as a swag or other burden.

  Imshee--Begone; retreat; to take yourself off. [Arabic]
  Intro--Introduction; "knock--down," q.v.
  It (to be It)--To assume a position of supreme importance.

  Jab--To strike smartly.
  Jane--A woman.
  Jiff--A very brief period.
  Job, to--To smite.
  Joes--Melancholy thoughts.
  John--A policeman.
  Joint, to jump the--To assume command; to occupy the "joint,"
            i.e., establishment, situation, place of business.
  Jolt, to pass a--To deliver a short, sharp blow.
  Jor--The jaw.
  Jorb (Job)--Avocation; employment.
  Josser--A simple fellow.
  Jug--A prison.

  Keekin'--Peeping.
  Keeps, for--For ever; permanently.
  Kersplosh--Splash.
  Kid--A child.
  Kid, to--To deceive; to persuade by flattery.
  Kiddies--Children.
  Kid Stakes--Pretence.
  King Pin--The leader; the person of chief importance.
  Kip--A small chip used for tossing pennies in the occult game
            of two--up.
  Kipsie--A house; the home.
  Knob--The head; one in authority.
  Knock-down--A ceremony insisted upon by ladies who decline
               to be "picked up"; a formal introduction.
  Knock-out drops--Drugged or impure liquor.
  Knock-out punch--A knock--down blow.
  Knot--A <DW2>; a well--dressed idler.

  Lark--A practical joke; a sportive jest.
  Lash--Violence.
  Ledding--Leaden.
  Leery--Vulgar; low.
  Leeuwin--Cape Leeuwin on the south-west coast of Australia.
  Lid--The hat.
   To dip the lid--To raise the hat.
  Limit--The end; the full length.
  Line up--To approach; to accost.
  Lingo--Language.
  Lip--Impertinence.
   To give it lip--To talk vociferously.
  Little Bourke--Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, Australia.
  Little Lon.--Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Australia.
  Lob, to--To arrive.
  'Loo--Woolloomooloo, a part of Sydney.
  Lumme--Love me.
  Lurk--A plan of action; a regular occupation.

  Mafeesh--Finish; I am finished. [Arabic "there is no.."]
  Mag--To scold or talk noisily.
  Mallee--A species of Eucalypt; the country where the Mallee grows.
  Mash--To woo; to pay court. s. A lover.
  Maul--To lay hands upon, either violently or with affection.
  Meet, a--An assignation.
  Mill--A bout of fisticuffs.
  Mix--To mix it; to fight strenuously.
  Mizzle--To disappear; to depart suddenly.
  Mo--An abbreviation of "moment."
  Moll--A woman of loose character.
  Moniker--A name; a title; a signature.
  Mooch--To saunter about aimlessly.
  Moon--To loiter.
  Mud, my name is--i.e., I am utterly discredited.
  Mug--A fool; also the mouth.
  Mug, to--To kiss.
  Mullock, to poke--To deride; to tease.
  Mushy--Sentimental.

  Nark--s. A spoil--sport; a churlish fellow.
  Nark, to--To annoy; to foil.
  Narked--Angered; foiled.
  Natchril--Natural
  Neck, to get it in the--To receive severe punishment;
           i.e., "Where the chicken got the axe."
  Nerve--Confidence; impudence.
  Nick--Physical condition; good health.
  Nipper--A small boy.
  Nose around, to--To seek out inquisitively.
  Nothing (ironically)--Literally "something considerable."

  Odds, above the--Beyond the average; outside the pale.
  Oopizootics--An undiagnosed complaint.
  Orfis (office)--A warning; a word of advice; a hint.
  Oricle (oracle), to work the--To secure desired results.
  Orl (all in)--Without limit or restriction.
  'Ot socks--Gaily-- hose.
  Out, to--To render unconscious with a blow.
  Out, all--Quite exhausted; fully extended.

  Pack, to send to the--To relegate to obscurity.
  Pal--A friend; a mate (Gipsy).
  Pard--A partner; a mate.
  Pass (pass 'im one)--To deliver a blow.
  Pat [Malone] on one's--Alone; single-handed.
  Peach--A desirable young woman; "fresh as a peach."
  Peb (pebble)--A flash fellow; a "larrikin."
  Phiz--The face.
  Pick at--To chaff; to annoy
  Pick--up, to--To dispense with the ceremony of a "knock--down" or
                  introduction.
  Pile it on--To rant; to exaggerate.
  Pilot Cove--A clergyman.
  Pinch--To steal; to place under arrest.
  Pip--A fit of depression.
  Pitch a tale--To trump up an excuse; to weave a romance.
  Plant--To bury.
  Plug--To smite with the fist.
  Plug along, to--To proceed doggedly.
  Plunk--An exclamation expressing the impact of a blow.
  Point, to--To seize unfair advantage; to scheme.
  Podgy--Fat; plump.
  Point--The region of the jaw; much sought after by pugilists.
  Pot, the old--The male parent (from "Rhyming Slang,") the
                "old pot and pan"--the "old man."
  Pot, a--A considerable amount; as a "pot of money."
  Pole, up the--Distraught through anger, fear, etc.; also,
                disappeared, vanished.
  Prad--A horse.
  Pug--A pugilist.
  Pull, to take a--To desist; to discontinue.
  Punch a cow--To conduct a team of oxen.
  Punter--The natural prey of a "bookie," q.v.
  Push--A company of rowdy fellows gathered together for ungentle
                  purposes.

  Queer the pitch--To frustrate; to fool.
  Quid--A sovereign, or pound sterling.
  Quod--Prison.

  Rabbit, to run the--To convey liquor from a public-house.
  Rag, to chew the--To grieve; to brood.
  Rag, to sky the--To throw a towel into the air in token of
                 surrender (pugilism).
  Rain, to keep out of the--To avoid danger; to act with caution.
  Rat--A street urchin; a wharf loafer.
  Rattled--Excited; confused.
  Red lot--Extreme; out--and--out.
  Registry--The office of a Registrar.
  Ribuck----Correct, genuine; an interjection signifying assent.
  Rile--To annoy. Riled--Roused to anger.
  Ring, the--The arena of a prize-fight.
  Ring, the dead--A remarkable likeness.
  Rise, a--An accession of fortune; an improvement.
  Rocks--A locality in Sydney.
  Rorty--Boisterous; rowdy.
  Roust, or Rouse--To upbraid with many words.
  'Roy--Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne; its football team.
  Run against--To meet more or less unexpectedly.

  Saints--A football team of St Kilda, Victoria.
  Sandy blight--Ophthalmia.
  Savvy--Common-sense; shrewdness.
  School--A club; a clique of gamblers, or others.
  Scran--Food.
  Scrap--Fight.
  Set, to--To attack; to regard with disfavour.
  Set, to have--To have marked down for punishment or revenge.
  Shick, shickered--Intoxicated.
  Shicker--Intoxicating liquor.
  Shinty--A game resembling hockey.
  Shook--Stolen; disturbed.
  Shook on--Infatuated.
  Shyin' or Shine--Excellent; desirable.
  Sight--To tolerate; to permit; also to see; observe.
  Sir Garneo--In perfect order; satisfactory.
  Skirt or bit of skirt--A female.
  Skite--To boast.
  Skiter--A boaster.
  Sky the wipe--See "rag."
  Slab--A portion; a tall, awkward fellow.
  Slanter--Spurious; unfair.
  Slap-up--Admirable; excellent.
  Slats--The ribs.
  Slaver--One engaged in the "white slave traffic."
  Slick--Smart; deft; quick.
  <DW72>, to--To elope; to leave in haste.
  Sloppy--Lachrymose; maudlin.
  Slushy--A toiler in a scullery.
  Smooge--To flatter or fawn; to bill and coo.
  Smooger--A sycophant; a courtier.
  Snag--A hindrance; formidable opponent.
  Snake-'eaded--Annoyed, vindictive.
  Snake juice--Strong drink.
  Snare--To acquire; to seize; to win.
  Snide--Inferior; of no account.
  Snob--A bootmaker.
  Snout--To bear a grudge.
  Snouted--Treated with disfavour.
  Snuff or snuff it--To expire.
  Sock it into--To administer physical punishment.
  Solid--Severe; severely.
  So-long--A form of farewell.
  Sool--To attack; to urge on.
  Soot, leadin'--A chief attribute.
  Sore, to get--To become aggrieved.
  Sore-head--A curmudgeon.
  Sour, to turn, or get--To become pessimistic or discontented.
  Spank--To chastise maternal-wise.
  Spar--A gentle bout of fisticuffs.
  Spare me days--A pious ejaculation.
  Specs--Spectacles.
  Splash--To expend.
  Splice--To join in holy matrimony.
  Spout--To preach or speak at length.
  Sprag--To accost truculently.
  Spruik--To deliver a speech, as a showman.
  Square--Upright, honest.
  Square an' all--Of a truth; verily.
  Squiz--A brief glance.
  Stand-orf--Retiring; reticent.
  Stajum--Stadium, where prize-fights are conducted. S
  tiffened--Bought over.
  Stiff-un--A corpse.
  Stoke--To nourish; to eat.
  Stop a pot--To quaff ale.
  Stoush--To punch with the fist. s. Violence.
  Straight, on the--In fair and honest fashion.
  Strangle-hold--An ungentle embrace in wrestling.
  Strength of it--The truth of it; the value of it.
  Stretch, to do a--To serve a term of imprisonment.
  Strike--The innocuous remnant of a hardy curse.
  Strike--To discover; to meet.
  Strong, going--Proceeding with vigour.
  'Struth--An emaciated oath.
  Stuff--Money.
  Stunt--A performance; a tale.
  Swad, Swaddy--A private soldier.
  Swank--Affectation; ostentation.
  Swap--To exchange.
  Swell--An exalted person.
  Swig--A draught of water or other liquid.

  Tabbie--A female.
  Take 'em on--Engage them in battle.
  Take it out--To undergo imprisonment in lieu of a fine.
  Tart--A young woman (contraction of sweetheart).
  Tenner--A ten-pound note.
  Time, to do--To serve a term in prison.
  Time, to have no time for--To regard with impatient disfavour.
  Tip--To forecast; to give; to warn.
  Tip--A warning; a prognostication; a hint.
  Tipple--Strong drink; to indulge in strong drink.
  Toff--An exalted persogn.
  Togs--Clothes.
  Togged--Garbed.
  Tom--A girl.
  Tony--Stylish.
  Took--Arrested; apprehended.
  Top, off one's--Out of one's mind.
  Top off, to--To knock down; to assault.
  Toss in the towel--See "rag."
  Touch--Manner; mode; fashion.
  Tough--Unfortunate; hardy; also a "tug," q.v.
  Tough luck--Misfortune.
  Track with--To woo; to "go walking with."
  Treat, a--Excessively; abundantly.
  Tucked away--Interred.
  Tug--An uncouth fellow; a hardy rogue.
  Tumble to, or to take a tumble--To comprehend suddenly.
  Turkey, head over--Head over heels.
  Turn down--To reject; dismiss.
  Turn, out of one's--Impertinently; uninvited.
  Twig--To observe; to espy.
  Two-up School--A gambling den.

  Umpty--An indefinite numeral.
  Upper--cut--In pugilism, an upward blow.
  Uppish--Proud.
  Up to us--Our turn; our duty.

  Vag, on the--Under the provisions of the Vagrancy Act.

  Wallop--To beat; chastise.
  Waster--A reprobate; an utterly useless and unworthy person.
  Waterworks, to turn on the--To shed tears.
  Welt--A blow.
  Wet, to get--To become incensed; ill-tempered.
  Whips--Abundance.
  White (white man)--A true, sterling fellow.
  White-headed boy--A favourite; a pet.
  Willin'--Strenuous; hearty.
  Win, a--Success.
  Wise, to get--To comprehend; to unmask deceit.
  Wolf--To eat.
  Word--To accost with fair speech.
  Wot price--Behold; how now!

  Yakker--Hard toil.
  Yap--To talk volubly.
  Yowling--Wailing; caterwauling.










End of Project Gutenberg's The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, by C. J. Dennis

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