The Comic Almanack, Volume 2: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and Oddities — David Hume — John Shaqi
The Comic Almanack, Volume 2: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and Oddities
David Hume · en
Now the Lessee of the Gardens receives them at the Gates,
And thinks the six young Doctors six Eastern Potentates,
And trusts His Royal Highness some Wine will deign to quaff,
Whereat His Royal Highness winks at His Royal Staff.
But the Lessee's looks are angry, and the Lessee's Brows depressed,
A Jest he loves most dearly, but this is past a Jest;
For he hears another Party with Beards and Caps and All,
As Ibrahim of Egypt has come unto Vauxhall.
Then to the Great Sham Ibrahim he talks extremely Large,
Assures his Sham Royal Highness he'll give the Rogues in charge,
Whereon the Sham Interpreter swears t'other's come to Fleece,
And calls aloud for "Vengeance!" and louder for "Police!"
Off to Inspector Higgins the Lessee Flies forthwith;
"There'll be a row," says Ibrahim, "as sure as my name's Smith;
Though if it comes to Fighting, boys, I am a match for Three,
And I will fight like Bricks to-night if You will stand by Me."
Then outspake young O'Driscoll, one of the Staff was He,
"I'll fight for hours for Thee, by the pow'rs! and I will stand by
Thee!"
And outspake "Charley" Smivens, and outspake t'other Three,
"We'll fight like mad for Thee, my Lad! and We'll all stand by Thee!"
Now down the Lessee rushes with Higgins to the Gates,
And vows he'll have the Pacha up before the Magistrates;
He calls His Royal Highness an Impostor and a cheat,
And tells Inspector Higgins to collar Him and Suite.
Cries Higgins, when he sees him—"This beats cock-fighting _holler_,
That there's the King of Egypt you're telling me to collar;
Yes, I'd take my affidavey, although you looks and starts,
That there's the King of Egypt what lodges at Mivart's!"
"_That_ Ibr'im!" cries the Lessee, "then t'other's all a Flam,
But I'll bow in the Real One if you'll kick out the Sham;"
"I will! I will!" shouts Higgins, then with a small Array
Of gallant young Policemen he hurries to the Fray.
Young Smivens knock'd down Higgins into the gutter—smack!
O'Driscoll sent C 30 Whap! right upon his Back;
At two more of "the Body" Smith gave a potent Thrust,
And then C 6 and 7 lay groaning in the Dust.
But they've sent for more Policemen to come and keep the Peace,
And yonder from the Station march twenty more Police;
"Cut off! Cut off, O'Driscoll!" loud cried the Doctors all,
"Cut, Smith! Cut, Charley Smivens! Cut, over the Garden Wall."
Off ran both Smith and Smivens, and off O'Driscoll ran,
The other Three ran off too, pursued by man a Man,
And o'er the Wall they scrambled, and scrambled o'er the Ground,
Nor stopt till in the Borough they were All Safe and Sound.
And now, when of an Evening they want a hearty Laugh,
When they sit smoking "Dodeens," and drinking Half and Half,
And when they're getting Jolly they Love this Chant to squall,
Telling how as Ibrahim Pacha they went into Vauxhall.
[Illustration:
"I DREAMT I SLEPT AT MADAME TUSSAUD'S."
]
[Illustration: