Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 3 (of 3) / Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-40, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863

by Henry Downes Miles

Then, Brassey, come out if you truly mean milling,

And drop down your dust for a match if you dare,

And you’ll find Billy Bendigo ready and willing

To give you a sample of Nottingham ware.

I’m anxious, bold Brassey, again to be busy,

And face a good fellow, true-hearted and tough;

And I’d cheerfully draw from my cly my last tizzy

To see two game pugilists stripp’d to the buff.

But here I conclude, for my time’s up for starting,

And conscience is giving a sort of a shove;