SESTINA OF THE TRAMP-ROYAL SPEAKIN' in general, I 'ave tried 'em all, What do it matter where or 'ow we die, The different ways that different things are done, An' when they ain't, pretendin' they are good? In cash or credit-no, it aren't no good; But, Gawd, what things are they I 'aven't done? For 'im that doth not work must surely die; Therefore, from job to job I've moved along. It's like a book, I think, this bloomin' world, But what you're after is to turn 'em all. Gawd bless this world! Whatever she 'ath done- When 'Omer smote 'is bloomin' lyre, The market-girls an' fishermen, The shepherds an' the sailors, too, They 'eard old songs turn up again, But kep' it quiet—same as you! They knew 'e stole; 'e knew they knowed. An' 'e winked back-the same as us! "BACK TO THE ARMY AGAIN" I'M 'ere in a ticky ulster an' a broken billycock 'at, A-layin' on to the sergeant I don't know a gun from a bat; My shirt's doin' duty for jacket, my sock's stickin' out o' my boots, An' I'm learnin' the damned old goose-step along o' the new recruits! Back to the Army again, sergeant, Back to the Army again. Don't look so 'ard, for I 'aven't no card, I'm back to the Army again! I done my six years' service. 'Er Majesty sez: "Good-day You'll please to come when you're rung for, an' 'ere's your 'ole back-pay; An' fourpence a day for baccy—an' bloomin' gen'rous, too; An' now you can make your fortune-the same as your orf'cers do." |