In the dayrooms the cuffins we queers at our ease, [5]
And at Darkmans we run the rig just as we please, [6]
There's your peck and your lush, hot and reg'lar each day. [7]
All the same if you work, all the same if you play
But the lark's when a goney up with us they shut [8]
As ain't up to our lurks, our flash patter, and smut; [9]
III
But soon in his eye nothing green would remain,
He knows what's o'clock when he comes out again.
And the next time he's quodded so downy and snug, [10]
He may thank us for making him fly to the jug. [11]
But here comes a cuffin—who cuts short my tale,
It's agin rules is screevin' to pals out o' gaol. [12]
[The following postscript seems to have been
added when the Warder had passed.]
IV
For them coves in Guildhall, and that blessed Lord Mayor,
Prigs on their four bones should chop whiners I swear: [13]
That long over Newgit their Worships may rule,
As the high-toby, mob, crack and screeve model school: [14]
For if Guv'ment wos here, not the Alderman's Bench,
Newgit soon 'ud be bad as 'the Pent,' or 'the Tench'. [15]
[1: prison] [2: mistresses] [3: friends] [4: Notes] [5: warders, bamboozle] [6: night] [7: meat and drink] [8: greenhorn] [9: tricks; talking slang; obscenity] [10: imprisoned] [11: up to prison ways] [12: writing] [13: on knees should pray] [14: highwayman; swell-mobsmen; burglars, forgers] [15: Notes]
THE LEARY MAN [Notes] [1857]
[From The Vulgar Tongue, by DUCANGE ANGLICUS].