They sweated their duds till they riz it;

* Beggars of those days were required by the law to wear red petticoats.

For Larry was always the lad,

When a friend was condemned to the squeezer,

But he'd fence all the togs that he had

Just to help the poor boy to a sneezer,

And moisten his gob 'fore he died.

"'Pon my conscience, dear Larry," says I,

"I'm sorry to see you in trouble,

Your life's cheerful noggin run dry,