For you, you coppers, narks, and dubs, [13]
Who pinched me when upon the snam, [14]
And gave me mumps and mulligrubs [15]
With skilly and swill that made me clam, [16]
At you I merely lift my gam-- [17]
I drink your health against the wall! [18]
That is the sort of man I am,
A mot's good-night to one and all!
_The Farewell_.
Paste 'em, and larrup 'em, and lamm!
Give Kennedy, and make 'em crawl! [19]
I do not care one bloody damn,
A mot's good-night to one and all.
[1: false clericos]
[2: beggar feigning sickness]
[3: cadgers; loafing]
[4: saucy girls; non-sense]
[5: women dress; game]
[6: rings; right hand]
[7: harlot]
[8: prostitutes; expose paps]
[9: see; pay for]
[10: Punch-and-judy-man]
[11: pattering tradesman]
[12: wife]
[13: police; informers; warders]
[14: arrested; stealing]
[15: "the blues"]
[16: refuse food]
[17: leg]
[18: urinate]
[19: thrash them and make them stir]
VILLON'S STRAIGHT TIP TO ALL CROSS COVES [Notes]
[1887]
[By WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY].
_'Tout aux tavernes et aux filles'_
I
Suppose you screeve, or go cheap-jack? [1]
Or fake the broads? or fig a nag?
Or thimble-rig? or knap a yack?
Or pitch a snide? or smash a rag?
Suppose you duff? or nose and lag?
Or get the straight, and land your pot?
How do you melt the multy swag?
Booze and the blowens cop the lot.