And into the jug for a lay was cast,
Fake away!
But I slipped my darbies[217] one morn in May,
And gave to the dubsman[218] a holiday.
And here I am, pals, merry and free,
A regular rollicking romany.[219]
[180] Box, cell. [181] Stone jug, Newgate. [182] Hempen widow, woman whose husband has been hanged. [183] Kid, child. [184] Nix my doll pals, fake away! never mind, friends, work away! [185] Knucks, thieves. [186] Quod, prison. [187] Schoolmen, fellows of the gang. [188] Put me up to the time of day, made a knowing one of me, taught me thieving. [189] Sneaksman, shoplifter. [190] Buzgloak, pickpocket. [191] Fogles, silk handkerchiefs. [192] Fawnies, rings. [193] Spout, pawnbroker’s. [194] Sneezers, snuff-boxes. [195] Dummy hunter, stealer of pocket books. [196] Forks so fly, such nimble fingers. [197] No knuckler so deftly could fake a cly, no pickpocket so skilfully could pick a pocket. [198] Slourd hoxter, inside pocket buttoned up. [199] Snipes, scissors. [200] Knap a reader, steal a pocket book. [201] Lay, robbery, dodge. [202] Flashest toggery, best made clothes. [203] Prig, thief. [204] Strummel faked, hair dressed. [205] Twig, fashion. [206] Fawnied famms, hands bejewelled. [207] Onions, seals. [208] Thimble of ridge, gold watch. [209] Driz kemesa, shirt with lace frill. [210] Togs, clothes. [211] Niblike, fashionable. [212] Plash, fine. [213] Queer screens, forged notes. [214] Smash, pass. [215] Nuttiest blowen, favourite girl. [216] Beaks, magistrates. [217] Darbies, handcuffs. [218] Dubsman, turnkey. [219] Romany, gipsy.
Eighteenth Century.
CHANSON.
(Extrait du Vice Puni ou Cartouche, 1725.)