One day I'd a spree with two firms in my brigh, [7] And a toy and a tackle--both red 'uns; [8] And a spark prop a pal (a good screwsman) and I [9] Had touched for in working two dead 'uns. IV I was taking a ducat to get back to town [10] (I had come by the rattler to Dover), When I saw as a reeler was roasting me brown, [11] And he rapped, "I shall just turn you over." [12] V I guyed, but the reeler he gave me hot beef, [13] And a scuff came about me and hollered; I pulled out a chive, but I soon came to grief, [14] And with screws and a james I was collared. [15] VI I was fullied, and then got three stretch for the job,[16] And my trip--cuss the day as I seen her-- [17] She sold off my home to some pals in her mob, [18] For a couple of foont and ten deener. [19] VII Oh, donnys and omees, what gives me the spur, [20] Is, I'm told by a mug (he tells whoppers), [21] That I ought to have greased to have kept out of stir [22] The dukes of the narks and the coppers. [23] [1: boys] [2: rail; ticket] [3: basket] [4: see; horse; go for; silver plate] [5: steal; linen] [6: boots; clothes] [7: £5 notes; pocket] [8: watch; chain; gold] [9: diamond pin] [10: ticket] [11: detective; closely scanning me] [12: said; search you] [13: ran; tea; chased me] [14: knife] [15: burglars tools; caught] [16: remanded; years] [17: mistress] [18: friends; set] [19: £5 notes; shillings] [20: girl; fellows] [21: man] [22: bribed] [23: hands; detectives; police] THE RONDEAU OF THE KNOCK [1890] [By "DAGONET" (G. R. SIMS) in _Referee_, 20 Ap. p. 7]. I He took the knock! No more with jaunty air [1] He'll have the "push" that made the punter stare; No more in monkeys now odds on he'll lay [2] And make the ever grumbling fielder gay. One plunger more has had his little flare [3] And then came to Monday when he couldn't "square"; [4] Stripped of his plunees a poor denuded J [5] He took the knock! Where is he now? Ah! echo answers "where"? Upon the turf he had his little day And when, stone-broke, he could no longer pay [6] Leaving the ring to gnash its teeth and swear He took the knock! [1: gave in] [2: £500] [3: opportunity] [4: pay up] [5: fellow] [6: ruined] THE RHYME OF THE RUSHER [1892] [By DOSS CHIDERDOSS in _Sporting Times_, 29 Oct. _In Appropriate Rhyming Slanguage_]. I I was out one night on the strict teetote, [1] 'Cause I couldn't afford a drain; I was wearing a leaky I'm afloat, [2] And it started to France and Spain. [3] But a toff was mixed in a bull and cow, [4] And I helped him to do a bunk; [5] He had been on the I'm so tap, and now [6] He was slightly elephant's trunk. [7] II He offered to stand me a booze, so I [8] Took him round to the "Mug's Retreat;" And my round the houses I tried to dry [9] By the Anna Maria's heat. [10] He stuck to the I'm so to drown his cares, While I went for the far and near, [11] Until the clock on the apples and pears [12] Gave the office for us to clear. [13] III