A famble, a tattle, and two popps, [12]
Had my _Boman_ when he was ta'en;
But had he not bouz'd in the diddle shops, [13]
He'd still been in Drury-Lane.
[1: steal horses]
[2: carriage thieves]
[3: fancy man or sweetheart]
[4: obstacles; Newgate]
[5: cut fetters]
[6: Breaking into a pawn-broker's]
[7: imprisoned]
[8: good man]
[9: eat; ale-house]
[10: refreshments; paid]
[11: constable]
[12 ring; watch; pistols]
[13 gin-shops]
THE CANTER'S SERENADE [Notes]
[1725]
[from _The New Canting Dictionary_:--"Sung early in the morning,
at the barn doors where their doxies have reposed during the night"].
I
Ye morts and ye dells [1]
Come out of your cells,
And charm all the palliards about ye; [2]
Here birds of all feathers,
Through deep roads and all weathers,
Are gathered together to toute ye.