Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] - Part 33
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Part 33

Then, my blades, when you're bush'd, and must have the swag, [10]

Walk into tattlers, shiners, and never fear the lag; [11]

Then patter to all spicey, and tip 'em lots of fun, [12]

And blunt you'll never want while you've got a pop-gun. [13]

Fol, de, rol! la!

[1: ears]

[2: highwayman]

[3: fellow]

[4: money]

[5: run away]

[6: went off; afraid]

[7: highwayman]

[8: highwayman]

[9: money]

[10: companions; out of luck; plunder]

[11: watches; money; transportation]

[12: talk; civilly; give]

[13: money]

JACK FLASHMAN[Notes]

[1842]

[By PIERCE EGAN in _Captain Macheath_].

I

Jack Flashman was a prig so bold, Who sighed for nothen but the gold; For sounding, frisking any clie, [1]

Jack was the lad, and never shy.

Fol, de, rol.

II

Jack long was on the town, a teazer; [2]

A spicy blade for wedge or sneezer; [3]

Could turn his fives to anything [4]

Nap a reader, or filch a ring. [5]

Fol, de, rol.

III

Jack was all game, and never slack, [6]

In the darky tried the crack; [7]

Frisk'd the lobby and the swag; "I'm fly to every move," his brag. [8]

Fol, de, rol.

IV

But Jack, at last, got too knowen-- Was made a flat by his blowen! [9]

She peached, so got him into trouble. [10]

And then, tipp'd poor Jack the double! [11]

Fol, de, rol.

V

Jack left the jug right mer-ri-ly, [12]

And vent and black'd his doxy's eye! [13]

Saying--look, marm, when next you split, I'll finish you with a rummy hit!

Fol, de, rol.

VI

My blades, before my chaunt I end, [14]

Here the rag-sauce of a friend; [15]

Ne'er trust to any fancy jade, For all their chaff is only trade!

Fol, de, rol.

VII

Let all their gammon be resisted; Vithout you vishes to get twisted! [16]

And never nose upon yourself-- [17]

You then are sure to keep your pelf.

Fol, de, riddle.

[1: robbing; pocket]

[2: clever fellow]

[3: silver plate; snuffbox]

[4: hands]

[5: pocket-book; steal a ring]

[6: bold]

[7: evening; burglary]

[8: aware of]

[9: betrayed by his mistress]

[10: gave information]

[11: deserted]

[12: prison]

[13: sweetheart]

[14: men]

[15: advice]

[16: hung]

[17: talk about]