MISS DOLLY TRULL [Notes]
[1842]
[By PIERCE EGAN in _Captain Macheath_].
I
Of all the mots in this here jug, [1]
There's none like saucy Dolly; And but to view her dimber mug [2]
Is e'er excuse for folly.
She runs such precious cranky rigs With pinching wedge and lockets [3]
Yet she's the toast of all the prigs Though stealing hearts and pockets.
II
Just twig Miss Dolly at a hop-- [4]
She tries to come the graces! [5]
To gain her end she will not stop And all the swells she chases.
She ogles, nods, and patters flash [6]
To ev'ry flatty cully [7]
Until she frisks him, at a splash [8]
Of rhino, wedge, and tully. [9]
[1: women; prison]
[2: pretty face]
[3: stealing plate]
[4: see; dance]
[5: act]
[6: talks slang]
[7: susceptible fellow]
[8: robs; entirely]
[9: money]
THE BY-BLOW OF THE JUG [Notes]
[1842]
[By PIERCE EGAN in _Captain Macheath_].
I
In Newgate jail the jolly kid was born-- [1]
Infamy he suck'd without any scorn!
His mammy his father did not know, But that's no odds--Jack was a by-blow!
Foddy, loddy, high O.
II
Scarcely had Jack got on his young pins, [2]
When his mammy put him up to some very bad sins, And she taught him soon to swear and lie, And to have a finger in every pie.
Foddy, loddy, high O.
III
His mammy was downy to every rig,-- [3]
Before he could read she made him a prig; [4]
Very soon she larn'd Jack to make a speak And he toddled out on the morning sneak [5]
Foddy, loddy, high O.
IV
Jack had a sharp-looking eye to ogle, [6]
And soon he began to nap the fogle! [7]
And ever anxious to get his whack-- When scarcely ripe, he went on the crack. [8]
Foddy, loddy, high O.
V
"Now, my chick," says she, "you must take the road 'Tis richer than the finest abode, For watches, purses, and lots of the gold-- A scampsman, you know, must always be bold." [9]
Foddy, loddy, high O.
VI
His mother then did give Jack some advice, To her son a thief, who was not o'er nice; Says she--"Fight your way, Jack, and stand the brunt, You're of no use, my child, without the blunt, [10]
Foddy, loddy, high O."
VII
"Then keep it up, Jack, with rare lots of fun.
A short life, perhaps, but a merry one; Your highway dodges may then live in fame, Cheat miss-Fortune, and be sure to die game."
Foddy, loddy, high O.
VIII
"In spite of bad luck, don't be a grumbler; If you are finished off from a tumbler! [11]
But to the end of your life, cut a shine, You're not the first man got into a line."
Foddy, loddy, high O.
[1: child]
[2: feet]
[3: accomplished;]
[4: thief]
[5: round for theft]
[6: leer]