THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES I THE SONG OF DROP 0' WITHER. HARRY WANDSWORTH SHORTFELLOW. LONDON: G. EOUTLEDGE AND CO., EARRINGDON STREET. NEW YOKE : 18, BEEKMAtf STEEET. 1856. LONDON : SAVILI, AXD ED'WABDS, PBUfTERS, CHANDOS STBBBT. C.55S- APOLOGY FOR THERE BEING NO PREFACE. AUTHOR (considering) . People expect a preface ; and this is the place for one. But there is no pre- face in the great " Indian Edda" which has occasioned this poem. The author of that work gives his explanation to the public in the Notes and Vocabulary; then, of course, mine also, ought (and is) to be found in the Notes and Vocabulary to " The Song of Drop o' Wather." 771107 CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION 7 I. DEOP o' WATHEE'S CHILDHOOD .... 9 II. DEOP o' WATHEE AND PUDGY-WHEEZY . 14 III. DEOP o' WATHEE'S FASTING 22 IV. DEOP o' WATHEE'S FEIENDS 27 V. DEOP o' WATHEE'S FILCHING .... 32 VI. DEOP o' WATHEE'S WOOING 39 VII. DEOP o' WATHEE'S WEDDING .... 47 VIII. THE G-HOST OF THE STAE AND GAETEE . 56 IX. BILKING THE EUNNEES 70 X. PAW-PAW-KEENEYES 78 XI. THE HUNTING OF PA\V-PAW-EENEYES . 87 XII. THE FATE OF QUEEESHIN 97 XIII. DEOP o' WATHEE'S DEPAETUEE .... 103 NOTES . 113 VoCABULAEY 117 THE SONG OF DROP 0' WATHER. YE who love the haunts of Town-Life, Love the kennel and the gutter, Love the doorway of the gin-shop, Love the mud about the kerb-stones, And the drippings from the houses, And the splashing of the rain-spouts Tnrough their palisade of gratings, And the thunder of the coaches, Whose innumerable echoes, Roar like sea- waves on the shingle ; Listen to these wild traditions, To this song of Drop o' Wather ! Ye who love a nation's legends, Love the ballads of a people, That like voices from afar off INTRODUCTION. Call to us to stop and listen, Speak in tones so hoarse and roopy, Scarcely can the ear distinguish Whether they are hummed or shouted ; Listen to this London Legend, To this song of Drop o ? Wather ! DROP o' WATHER'S CHILDHOOD. I. DOWNWARD through the darkening twilight, In the days long time ago, now, In the last of drunken stages, By the Half-Moon fell poor Norah, On the pavement fell poor Norah, Just about to be a mother. She'd been tippling with some women, Just within the Wine-Vaults' swing-door, When her Gossip, out of mischief, Partly idle, partly spiteful, Pushed the swing-door from behind her, Pushed in twain the Wine- Vaults' door-flap, And poor Norah tumbled backward, Downward through the darkening twilight, On the gangway foul, the pavement, On the gangway foul with mud-stains. 10 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. " See ! a wench falls !" cried the people ; " Look, a tipsy wench is falling I" There amidst the gaping starers, There amidst the idle passers, On the gangway foul, the pavement, In the murky darkened twilight, Poor drunk Norah bore a boy-babe. Thus was born young Drop o' Wather, Thus was born the child of squalor. He was named, by those who knew him, Out of joke, and fun, and larking, For what's called an Irish reason, Or, by folks who sport the Classics, A lucus a non lucendo, Like, for all it is so unlike, Hold a thing to be another, For the sake of contradiction, Or the sake of droll connexion ; So the folks who knew our hero, Gave his nickname for this reason, 3 Cause his mother never touched a Drop of Water in her lifetime. At the door on fine spring evenings, Played the little Drop o' Wather ; DROP o' WATHEK'S CHILDHOOD. 11 Heard the cry of " Buy my inguns !" Heard the cry " Young raddyshees, yere V Calls of cadger, coster monger ; " Bilin' -apples V said the huckster ; " Pies-all-'ot !" still said the pieman. Saw the pot-boy, Wall-eyed Tommy, Trudging through the dusk of evening, With the shrillness of his whistle Piercing all the courts and alleys. And he sang the song of street-boys, Sang the song the pot-boy taught him ; " Wall-eyed Tommy, he's the cove, boys ! He's the ranting, roaring blade, boys ! He's the lad, the daring fellow ! He's the chap, to carry ale-cans, Pots of beer, and all them 'ere, boys !" Saw the balls at the pawnbroker's, Balls alike, and three in number, Saw the gold and burnish on them, Bawled, " What are those ? I say, mother !" And the fuddled Norah answered, " Once a cricketer, when angry, Seized his ball, and bowling, threw it Up against the shop times three-fold, 12 THE SONG OF DROP o' WATHER. Right against the shop he threw it ; 'Tis its tri-ghost that you see there." Saw the gallows near the prison, In the morning sky, the gallows ; Bawled, " What is that ? I say, mother !" And the fuddled Norah answered, " 'Tis the gallows-tree, the gibbet ; All the naughty boys of London, All the wicked ones and careless, When in town they steal and pilfer, Hang on that 'ere tree above us." When he heard the thieves at midnight, Hooting, laughing in the alley, "What is that?" he cried, half frightened ; " What is that? Now tell me, mother !" And the fuddled Norah answered, " That's the thieves and prigs together, Talking in their own cant language, Hoaxing, chaffing one another." Then the little Drop o' Wather Learned of all the thieves their language ; Learned their slang, and learned their by-words, Twigged their nicknames, knew their lodgings, W T here they hid themselves from justice ; DROP o' WATHER'S CHILDHOOD. 13 Talked with them whene'er he met them, Called them " Drop o' Wather's Cronies." Of all prigs he learned the language, Learned their gag, and all their secrets, Found out all their haunts and dodges, Picked up where they hid their booty, How they packed the swag so closely, Why they fought so shy and wary ; Talked with them whene'er he met them, Called them Drop o' Wather's Brothers." THE SONG OF DROP O* WATHER. II. OUT of childhood into manhood Now had grown young Drop o' Wather, Skilled in all the craft of filchers, Learned in all the slang of robbers, In all ways and means of cribbing, In all knowing arts and dodges. Swift of foot was Drop o' Wather ; He could pitch a pebble from him, And run forward with such fleetness, That the pebble fell behind him ! Strong of arm was Drop o' Wather ; He could fling ten pebbles upward, Fling them with such strength and swiftness, That the tenth had left his fingers Ere the first to ground had fallen. He had bludgeon, Millemlikefun, DROP O' WATHER AND PUDGY-WHEEZY. 15 Good strong bludgeon, made of ash-wood ; When into his hand he took it, He could smite a fellow's head off, He could knock him into next week. He had ankle-boots so jemmy, Good strong ankle-boots of calf-skin ; When he put them on his trotters, When he laced them up so tightly, At each step three feet he measured. From his lair went Drop o* Wather Dressed for roving, armed for plunder ; Dressed in shooting-jacket natty, Velveteen, with pearl-white buttons ; On his head a spick-and-span tile, Bound his waist a vest of scarlet; In his mouth a sprig of shamrock, In his breast a dashing brooch-pin, Gold mosaic, set with sham stones ; With his bludgeon, Millemlikefun, With his ankle-boots so jemmy. Warning said old fuddled Norah, " Go not forth, son Drop o' Wather, To the quarter of the West-End, To the regions, Hyde-Park, May-Fair, 16 THE SONG OF DROP o' WATHER. Lest they nab you (chaps from Bow-street), Lest they clap you into prison." But the daring Drop o' Wather Heeded not her woman's warning ; Forth he went along the alley, At each step three feet he measured; Tempting looked the shops about him, Tempting looked the things within them ; Bright and fine the showy jewels, Smart and gay the newest fashions, Brown and smooth cigars in boxes, All that set his heart a-longing, Longing with the wish to crib them. So he sauntered Westward, Westward, Left the alley far behind him, Left the low and filthy places ; Crossed the frowsy Seven-Dials, Crossed the noisy street of Holborn, Passed the corner of St. Giles's, Passed the then-called road of Oxford, Passed the dwellings of the tradesmen, Came into the stylish quarters, To the region of the West-End, DROP O' WATHER AND PUDGY- WHEEZY. 17 Where along the dusty Park-drives, Rode the dandies and the ladies, Rulers of the mode in London. Struck a-heap was Drop o' Wather At the beauty of the women ; In their faces he peeped slily, Then more boldly he approached them, Stared like Hodge, the country bumpkin,, When he stares at booths in fair-time. Filled with scorn were all the ladies, When they noted Drop o' Wather, Saw the looks he cast towards them, How he glanced at all their faces, How he scrutinised their beauty, From the pathway as he lounged there. In a carriage sat a fair one, Lolling back in graceful posture, On her arm lay couched a lap-clog, Sweetest lap-dog, Pudgy-Wheezy; Like floss-silk down drooped his long ears, O'er his eyes as bright as topaz, And he blinked at all the passers, With his eyes as bright as topaz, 18 THE SOXG OF DROP O' WATHEE. And his jetty coat so wavy, Arid his snub nose out o j window, Nearest window, which was open. Now the wily Drop o j Wather Marked a reticule down hanging From the left arm of the fair one ; Held his breath, as if resolving ; And then snatched all quick and sudden, Snatched the reticule of velvet, Snatched it surely and securely ! Sharp the lap-dog, Pudgy- Wheezy, Tried to bite the bag-purloiner ; Drop o' Wather cried in anguish, Cried in well-dissembled anguish, " Drat the dog ! he's bit my finger !" " Did he, man ?" said then the fair one, " Serve you right; you should not touch him!" Loudly barked the silky lap-dog, Loudly barked he, Pudgy- Wheezy : Brightly flashed his eyes of topaz, Brightly gleamed his teeth of ivory, High went up his short snub muzzle, High in air, as shrill his barking ; DROP O' WATHER AND PUDGY- WHEEZY. ] 9 Ceased not yaffing, snarling-, snapping, Till he'd driven back th' intruder. Then away went Drop o' Wather, Well content to get off freely ; In his pouch the bag of velvet, In his hand he swung his bludgeon, Faithful bludgeon, Millemlikefun, Looking round him, gay and jaunty, Back he turned towards his alley, Homeward bent his steps so springy. Only once his pace he slackened, Only once he stopped or loitered, Stopped to buy a leather tassel Of the famous Tassel-maker, In the lane of dirty Drury, Where the stalls of Covent Garden Might be seen from certain turnings If we could see round a corner. There the famous Tassel-maker Made his tassel-bows of leather, Tassel-bows for umberellas, Tassel-bows for sticks and sword-canes ; Smooth and sharp-cut into fringes, Stout and handsome, stiff yet dangling* B2 20 THE SONG OF DROP o' WATHEE. With him dwelt his blue-eyed daughter, Playful as the kitten, Minny, Apt her name, 'twas Minnie Harper : Eyes as clear as bits of crystal, Feet that danced like Naples spiders, Ringlets curling like a corkscrew, And a sprightly little giggle ; So he named her from the liquor, From the liquor that he best loved, Minnie Harper, Frisky- Whisky. Was it then for leather tassels Tassel-bows of umbrellas, Tassel -bows of sticks and sword-canes, That young Drop o* Wather loitered In the lane of dirty Drury ? Was it not to see the damsel, See the face of Frisky-Whisky Smirking from behind the counter, Hear the music of her giggle From behind the wooden counter, As one sees the Dew of Mountain Beaming, sparkling through the bottle, As one hears the potheen whisky Gurgling from the neck of bottle ? DKOP O' WATHER AND PUDGY-WHEEZY. 21 Who can say what whims and fancies Fill the scapegrace heads of young men ? Who can say what pretty notions Busied now young Drop o j Wather ? All he told to dull old Norah, When he reached the lair, at supper, Was the pilfer from the carriage, Was his bite from Pudgy- Wheezy. Not a word he said of tassels, Not a word of Frisky- Whisky. 22 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. III. a 9 (ffitatkr's You shall hear how Drop o' Wather Starved and fasted in the alley; Not for want of skill in cribbing, Not for want of craft in niching, Not for scruples in the conscience, Or compunction touching victims ; But because he'd met no people He could turn to present profit, Present profit and advantage. On the first day of his fasting Through the busy streets he wandered; Watched the shops so full of dainties, "Watched the poulterer's stocked with poultry, Saw the pheasant trussed for roasting, Saw the hare, Poor-Puss, or Lion, Saw the plover's eggs in baskets, DROP o' WATHER'S FASTING. 23 Saw the pigeons, plump and fattened, Saw the partridges in leashes, Saw the ducks and fowls in couples, Saw the fat bird, Goosey-Gander, Sucking-morsel, Piggy-Wiggy, All these good things, spread before him. " Arrah, ochone \" he cried, desponding, " Must our lives depend on these things ?" On the next day of his fasting, By the market-stalls he wandered, Through the market, Covent- Garden, Saw the forced fruit, grapes and peaches, Saw the raspberry, White-Giant, And the strawberry, Eliza, And the gooseberry, Red- Hairy, And the Asparagus, in bundles, New potatoes, fresh cucumbers, Filling all the air with fragrance ! " Arrah, ochone !" he cried, desponding, " Must our lives depend on these things ?" On the third day of his fasting, By the fishmonger's he pondered, By the sloping slab of marble j Saw the codfish, Dull-Eye, lying, 4; THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. Trout bedropped with spots of amber, Saw the silver fish, the salmon, Like a moonbeam lined with sunshine, Saw the carp, the mackerel, lobster, And the herring, Red, or Bloater, And old Spider-Legs, the crawfish ! " Arrah, ochone !" he cried, desponding, " Must our lives depend on these things ?" On the fourth day of his fasting, In his lair he lay exhausted ; From his bed of sheets and blankets, Dozing with half shut-up eyelids, Faint with hungry dreams and visions, Till it swam quite round and round him, Seemed to heave like wave or billow. Then he saw a youth approaching, Dressed in coat of humble fustian, Coming through the bedroom passage, Up the staircase of the lodging ; Cap of felt pulled o'er one eyebrow, On his hair so short and sandy. Standing at the open doorway, Straight he looked at Drop o' Wather, Looked with pity and compassion, DROP o' WATHEE'S FASTING. At his hungry face and features ; And in accents like the piping Of the east wind through a key-hole, Said he, " Well, young Drop o' Wather ! Come, my hearty ! Bear up bravely ! 'Ta'n't because you're not so clever, Not for want of skill in cribbing, Not for want of craft in filching, Not for false ideas of conscience, Or some idle whim 'bout victims, But because you've met no people You could turn to ready profit, Ready profit and advantage. "From our captain I've just stepped up, I, your friend, you know, Bob Dabbin, Come to warn you and instruct you, How by waiting and by watching, You shall gain what you have longed for. Bise up from your bed of blankets, Rise up, old chap, listen to me !" Faint with hunger, Drop o' Wather Got up from his bed of blankets, From the bedclothes out he crawled him, Down into a chair he flopped him, 26 THE SOXG OF DROP O' WATHER. Sat, and chatted with Bob Dabbin ; At his talk he felt new courage Bousing in his mind and body, Pelt new strength, and pluck, and vigour, Run through every limb and muscle. So they chatted there together In the quiet of the chamber, And the more they talked and argued, Stronger still felt Drop o' Wather, For his thoughtful friend. Bob Dabbin, Brought him, j ust to stay his stomach, Brought him, just to raise his spirits, Bread and cheese, and mug of Burton ; And in rapture, Drop o' Wather Cried aloud, " Long live Bob Dabbin ! Yes, my friend in need, Bob Dabbin \" DROP o' WATHER'S FRIENDS. IV. a 9 MWjjcfs Two chief friends had Drop o j Wather, Chosen out from all the others, Dear to him for certain reasons, And he always shook their daddies "With good-will, and no mistaking, Chinny-panpipes, the musician, And the very strong man, Queershin. Most approved by Drop o' Wather Was the cheerful Chinny-panpipes, He, the best of street musicians, He, the constantest of grinders, Grinding ever on his organ, Bound he turned the handle always, Slow as tortoise, quick as thought is, 3 Cording to the tune he grinded. When he played, the idlers listened ; All the children gathered round him, All the women stood to hear him ; 28 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. Stood in doorways, stood at windows, Stood to hear him play his ditties. From the piping stops he sounded Fluty notes so sw^et and mellow, That the boy, the Nobby-Butcher Ceased to whistle in the alley; That the cage-birds ceased from singing, And the squirrel, Scuggy-Cocktail, Ceased his clatter in the twirl-box, And the rabbit, Bunny-Twitchnose, Sat quite still to peer and listen. Yes, the boy, the Nobby- Butcher, Stopping, said, " Here, Chinny-panpipes, Teach me how to turn that new tune, As you grind it on your organ." Yes, the blackbird, Jet- with-gold -bill, Jealous, said, " Here, Chinny -panpipes, Teach me tunes as blithe and merry, Teach me airs as new in fashion." Yes, gay Song-sky-high, the lark, too, Chirping, said, " Here, Chinny-panpipes, Teach me favourite tunes from theatres, Teach me popular airs at concerts." And the thrush, poor Speckle-breaster, Fretting, said, " Here, Chinny-panpipes, DROP o WATHER'S FRIENDS. 29 Teach me tunes to soothe my sadness, Soothe me in my jail of wicker." Very dear to Drop o' Wather Was the cheerful Chinny-panpipes, He, the best of street-musicians, He, the constantest of grinders, For his cheerfulness he loved him, And his grinding on his organ. Dear, too, unto Drop o' Wather Was the very strong man, Queershin, He, the strongest of all tumblers, He of acrobats the ablest ; For his wondrous strength he loved him, For his strength and his good-humour. Idle in his youth was Queershin, Very careless, rash, and reckless, Never played with other children, Neither grocer's boy nor baker's, Not like other children was he ; But they saw that much he practised, Practised leaping over postes, Practised standing on his head long. " Lazy Queershin. !" said his mother, " In my work you never help me, In the summer YOU are roaming 30 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. Idly in the courts and alleys ; In the winter you are jumping Over dressers in the kitchen ! In the coldest days of winter I must break the ice for washing ; With my clothes you never help me ! In the yard my clothes are hanging, Dripping wet for want of wringing; Go and wring them, Noddle-dizzy ! Go and dry them on the clothes-line." Slowly from the kitchen, Queershin Went, but made no grumpy answer; Prom the house went forth in silence, Took the clothes that hung together, Dripping wet, all in a bundle ; Like a wisp of straw he wrung them, Like a wisp of straw he tore them, Could not wring them without tearing, Such the strength was in his fingers. ' WATHEK. As above it Drop o j Wather, With his finger light came stealthy, "With his filching-line and tackle. " Take my hook V cried Drop o' Wather, Down into the depths beneath him, " Take my hook, O Gold-Repeater ! Come up from your depth of pocket, Let us see if I can't get you !" And he dropped his filching-tackle Right into the broad-cloth shelter, Tugged out vainly from the trowser, Tugged impatient from the trowser And repeated, almost out loud, " Take my hook, O First-rate Ticker !" Quiet lay the Gold-Repeater, Marking measuredly the minutes, Looking up at Drop o' Wather, Listening to his eager whisper, His objectionable bother, Till, affronted at the boldness, Said to Portmonnaie-Morocco, To the purse, the Red Morocco, " Take the hook of this rude fellow, Break the line of Drop o' Wather !" DROP O WATHER S FILCHING. 35 In his fingers Drop o' Wather Felt his filch-line jerk and tighten; As he drew it careful towards him, "With his finger light and skilful ; Down beside him, close beside him, Stood the bulldog, Majordomo, Mute and watchful by his master. Full of scorn was Drop o' Wather When he saw the purse come upward, Saw the purse, the Red Morocco, Coming nearer, nearer to him ; And he muttered through his shut teeth, - " Asy ! asy ! Bad luck to you ! You are but the purse Morocco ; You are not the prey I wanted, You are not the First-rate Ticker !" But he put it in his pocket, Put the purse away quite safely; And the watch, the Gold-Repeater, Said to pocket-book, of Russia, ' c Take the hook of this rash footpad, Break the line of Drop o' Wather !" Slowly upward, sometimes sticking, Like a plane at knot in deal-wood, c2 36 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHEB. Came the pocket-book, of Russia, Dragged the line of Drop o' AYather, Swung with all its weight upon it, Made a stirring in the pocket, Taxed the finger's lightness smartly To prevent the stranger's notice Being drawn towards the motion Going on so near his person, Lest he'd call the far-off Charleys Nodding in their distant watch-box. But when Drop o' TTather saw it Come, at length, from flap of pocket, "With its sides of Russia leather, Tart he whispered in vexation, " Asy ! asy ! Bad luck to you ! You are Pocket-book, of Russia, You are not the thing I wanted, You are not the First-rate Ticker !" But he stuffed it in his pocket, Stuffed the Pocket-book, of Russia ; And again the Gold-Repeater Heard the words of Drop o' TTather, Heard his summons sharp and urgent, His objectionable bother, Whispered eager down the pocket. DROP o' WATHER'S FILCHING. 37 From the bottom of the deep fob, Up it rose with sullen glitter, Quivering in each spring of blue steel, Trembling in each wheel and movement, Gleaming bright with all its jewels; In its wrath it darted upward, .Bell-like clear it struck the hour, Drew its owner's roused attention To the theft of Drop o' Wather. Down into a darksome turning Plunged the headlong Drop o' Wather, As a dog pursued by rabble Darts and races down the alleys, So ran he in dread and darkness From the hue-and-cry behind him, Shouting through that veil of darkness. And he dropped it in his hurry, Dropped the massive Gold- Repeater, Dropped the jewelled First-rate Ticker Smash upon the hard stone pavement; Heard the hue-and-cry more near him, As he staggered blindly onwards, Sick at heart, and faint and weary. Panting then did Drop o' Wather Curse his fingers' lightness sorely, 38 THE SONG OF DROP o' WATHER. Lest because of Gold-Repeater He might come to go to Newgate. But the bulldog, Majordomo, Kept the crowd at bay, and fiercely Flew at constable from Bow-street, Pinned him down till Drop o' Wather Got away all safe and soundly. Then said Drop o' Wather to him, " O my trusty friend, my bulldog, Bravely have you fought to help me; Take the thanks of Drop o' Wather, And the name which now he gives you; For hereafter and for ever, Be no longer Majordomo, Tough-and-True I'll always call you." DROP o' WATHER'S WOOING. 39 VI. 0' Mater's " As unto the cord the tassel, So unto the man is woman, Though she decks him, she holds by him, Though adorning, yet depending, Useless each without the other I" Thus the young man, Drop o' Wather, Thought within himself, and wondered Why he felt so strangely bothered, So uneasy in his mind, each Time he thought of Minnie Harper, Of the lovely Frisky- Whisky, In the lane of dirty Drury. " Take a wife of your own nation," Maudlin said old gin-soaked Norah ; " Don't ye take a girl that's English ; Don't ye, boy; now don't, my darlint ! 40 THE SONG OF DEOP O' WATHER. Like a peat-fire warmly blazin' Are ould Ireland's charm in' daughters ; As for English, they're all moonshine ; Let 'em be, they're none so handsome !" Thus dissuading spoke old Norah, And young Drop o' Wather answered, " Just hear this, good mother Norah ; Very pleasant is the peat-fire, But I find the English handsome, Dearly do I love such moonshine." Crossly then said blear-eyed Norah, " Bring not here a stuck-up damsel, Bring not here a ma'amish proud 'un, Thinking every one beneath her; Bring a wife with proper notions, One as won't mind taking trouble, One as won't mind running errands !" Winking, answered Drop o' Wather, " In the lane of dirty Drury Lives the tassel-maker's daughter, Minnie Harper, Frisky- Whisky, Handsomest of all young women ; I will bring her to our lodging, She shall run of all your errands, DROP o' WATHER'S WOOING. 41 Be your right-hand in all matters, Be the comfort of our household." Thus departed Drop o' Wather To the lane of dirty Drury, To the lane of handsome women ; So he thought it, since she lived there, She, the girl he found so 'witching, She, his " Gramachree," his sweet-heart. With his ankle-boots so jemmy, At each step three feet he measured ; Yet the way seemed long before him, And his heart outran his footsteps; And he hastened without stopping Till he saw the shop-front window, Saw the shop of Mister Harper, Where she dwelt, the blue-eyed beauty. " Pleasant is the sight," he murmured, " Pleasant looks the place that lures me." At the corner of a turning Stood a mercer's, bright displaying Hows of ribbons, every colour, Caught the eye of Drop o' Wather ; To the man he quick said, " Three yards !" To the smartest pointing, " That one I" 42 THE SONG OF DROP 0' WATIIER, Had it rolled up in a parcel, Neatly rolled in thinnish paper, Placed the gift in his breast-pocket, And went forward without stopping. At the doorway of his warehouse Stood the bald old tassel-maker, In the lane of dirty Drury, Selling tassel-bows of leather, Tassel-bows for umberellas. And inside, all over dimples, Sat the giggling Minnie Harper, Sat his daughter, Frisky- Whisky, Knitting cuffs of wool, bright scarlet ; Of his cash the old man's thoughts were, And the damsel's of flirtation . He was thinking, as he sat there, Of the days when leather tassels Sold for much more than they now did ; How the beau, the Maccaroni, Decked his cane with nothing else then ; How it was the rage, the fashion, How it took, and pleased all parties, How they came to buy his tassels, Couldn't live without his tassels. DROP o' WATHER'S WOOING. 43 Ah, no more such tasteful dandies Could be found in town as they were ! Now the men were more like rustics, Only had their sticks for using ! She was thinking of a young man, Seemed of th/ Emerald Isle a native, Brisk, and smart, and very comely, Who, one afternoon, awhile back, Came to buy her father's tassels, Sat and rested by the counter, Loitered long about the doorway, Looking back as he departed. She had heard her father praise him, Praise his knowingness and sharpness ; Would he come again for tassels To the shop of Mister Harper ? On her knee her hands lay idle, And her eyes were fixed on nothing. Down the lane came on a footstep, Came a footstep nimbly onwards ; With a flower in his button, With his hat cocked o'er one shoulder, Suddenly upon the pavement Drop o' Wather stood before them. 4 THE SONG OF DROP O* WATHER. Straight the bald old tassel -maker Looked up to see who it was there, Stood aside to let hiin pass in, Bade him, enter at the doorway, Saying, as he shook hands with him, " Drop o' Wather ! Glad to see you !" In the hand of Frisky- Whisky Drop o' "Wather placed his parcel, Drew the ribbon from his bosom ; And the damsel looked up at him, Looked up from her scarlet knitting, Said with dimpling simpering accent, " Glad to see you, Drop o' Wather !" Then she got up, Frisky- Whisky, Prom her seat, Miss Minnie Harper, Put aside her scarlet knitting, (Harper asked him in to supper,) Laid the cloth, and set the table, Brought a dish of piping-hot meat, Tender beaf-steak fried with onions, Gave them ale in pot of pewter, Gave them spirits and hot water, Mixed her father's favourite liquor, Mixed it sweet, and strong, and plenty, DROP O' WATHEll's WOOING. 45 Peeled a lemon very thinly, Put some in, tlieii squeezed the juice to't, Brought out pipes, and filled their bowls full, Listened while the guest was speaking, Listened while her father answered, But not once her lips she opened, Not a single word she uttered. Yes, she thus demurely listened To the words of Drop o j Wather, As he talked of mother Norah, Who was such a good old creature, As he told of his companions, Chinny-panpipes, the musician, And the very strong man, Queershin, How they'd fun, and life, and pleasure, In the alley where he hung out, In the jolly place he lived at. f( You've been many years in business, Many years been hoarding, screwing, Must be now a warm old codger, Worth a precious sight of shiners." Thus said gaily Drop o' Wather, Slapping Mister Harper's shoulder, " Come now, old buck ! Come, what say you? 46 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. I'm a son-in-law as likely As you'll meet on summer's morning, Give me for my wife your daughter, Minnie Harper, Frisky- Whisky, Prettiest lass in lane of Drury I" Then the bald old tassel-maker Puffed a moment ere he answered, Smoked a little while in silence, Looked at Drop o' Wather shrewdly, Stole a look at Frisky-Whisky, Then made answer very primly, " Yes, if Minnie Harper wishes ; Speak yourself, girl, Minnie Harper !" And the blue-eyed Frisky-Whisky Seemed more blue-eyed as she stood there, Though her blue eyes were cast downward ; Bashful turned from Drop o' Wather, Softly, lisped she out the sentence, Giggled, blushed, and dropped a curtsey, " If you like, sir, be my husband I" This was Drop o' Wather's wooing ! Thus it was he won the daughter Of the bald old tassel-maker, In the lane of dirty Drury ! DROP o' WATHER'S WEDDING. 47 VII. 0' Mailer's You shall hear how Paw-Pa w-Keeneyes, How the stylish Thimblerigger Danced at Drop o' Wather's wedding- How the cheerful Chinny-panpipes, He the best of street musicians Played his ballads and his love-songs ; How Jack Longbow, the great talker, He the wonderful yarn-spinner, Spun his yarns fit for marines' ear, Pleased the guests that were invited, Made the party pass off gaily, Made them gape and stare like winking. Jolly was the wedding-dinner Served at Drop o j Wather's wedding, Leg of mutton, boiled, with turnips, Greens and carrots for side dishes, 48 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. Round of baked beef at the bottom, Pies and puddings to come after, Cheese and onions to wind up with, And no end of tip-top liquors. Each acquaintance, everybody Known to them, throughout the alley, Had a pressing invitation ; Early dinner, spend the evening, Make a day on't to the utmost. And the wedding guests assembled, Clothed in all their best for Sundays, Gowns of silk, and caps with flowers, Coats of cloth, not working-jackets, Quite full-dressed, both men and women. And when dinner was all finished, Mother Norah, not yet tipsy, Ordered in the pipes and spittoons, Set the elders down in comfort, Set the young ones loudly laughing, Set afoot all kinds of frolic, BlindmanVBuff, and Hunt-the-slipper. Then she said, " Come, Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Dance for us your famous hornpipe, Dance the hornpipe, now, to please us, DKOP o' WATHER'S WEDDING. 49 That the guests may be more merry, That the day may pass off gaily, That we all may be delighted !" Then the nobby Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, He the stylish Thimblerigger, He the clever sleight-of-hander, Whom some people called the Black-leg, Rose among the guests assembled. Skilled he was in sports and pastimes, In the hornpipe, named the Sailor's, In all games of chance, or cunning ; Skilled was he in chicken-hazard, Cards, and dice, of all description, Vingt-et-un, with pool and counters, Rouge-et-Noir, the game of sharpers. Though the men would call him Swindler, Scamp, and Raff, and such-like titles, Little heeded he their sneering, Little cared he for their chaffing ; For the women and the damsels Favoured stylish Paw-Paw-Keeneyes. He was dressed in shirt of cotton, Figured large, with pattern showy, All stuck down with studs bright gilded ; D 50 THE SONG OF DROP O* WATHEE. He was dressed in white duck trousers, Like a cockney out a-boating; And he wore his shoes low-quartered, Tied with bows and ends that floated ; On his head was perched a straw hat, With blue ribbon knotted round it, In his hand he had a switch-cane, And a ring upon his finger. Then he danced his famous hornpipe, Famous hornpipe, called the Sailor's, Often danced in after-pieces At the Royal Minor Theatres, By the river Big-Thame-Water. Now he folded arms, and started, Keeping head and shoulders leaning Very backward, and on one side ; Now he stamped thrice, when returning To the place that he began from : Now he circled round the flooring ; Now he came down, right straight forward, Spreading wide his arms and legs out, Like a wind-mill with its sails up, Or an X, that shuts and opens Like those tongs Tor lazy people, DROP o' WATHER'S WEDDING. 51 Made to reach, things from a distance ; Now he toe-and-heeled it neatly, Rocking like a tumbler-figure, (Dumpy toy with rounded bottom) : Now he pointed foot, the right one, Now he pointed foot, the left one, Smartly, deftly, both alternate ; Now he came up pat in true time, Stamping thrice to mark the measure, When he'd backed to place of starting ; Lastly, snatching swift his hat off, Made a bow, and scraped behind him, In a way to make the women Dote upon him more than ever. Thus the madcap Paw-Paw- Keeneyes Danced his hornpipe, then, to please them, And, light laughing, sat down panting, There among the guests assembled, Sat and laughed, while two young damsels Fanned him, sweetly smiling on him. Then they said to Chinny-panpipes, To the friend of Drop o' Wather, To the constantest of grinders, He the best of street musicians, 52 THE SONG OF DROP 0' WATHER. " Play to us ; come, Chinny-panpipes, Play your ballads, and your love-songs, Tune up something to amuse us, That the party pass off gaily, That we all may he delighted." And the cheerful Chinny-panpipes Played with sentiment and feeling, Played with genuine true expression, Tune with words he thought appropriate ; Looking straight at Drop o' Wather, And askance at Frisky- Whisky, Played and sang he in this fashion : " O my joy ! my winsome honey ! I could sip thee as a bee does, I would sip thy lip's sweet fragrance, As he sips it from the flower ! " O my joy ! my lightsome birdie ! I could catch thee as a net does, I would wrap thee in my arms close, As the net the bird it catches ! " O my joy ! my darling charmer ! I will prize thee more than riches, More th$ n jewels, gold, or treasure, Best of treasures, my own wifey !" DROP o' WATHER'S WEDDING. 53 Thus the cheerful Chinny-panpipes Played and sang at his friend's wedding ; And Jack Longbow, the great talker, He the wonderful yarn-spinner, Being called on by old Norah, Jealous of the street musician, Jealous of the applause they gave him, Saw in all the faces round him, Saw, or thought he saw, the tokens That the wedding guests assembled Longed to hear his lying stories, His unconscionable bouncers. Very bumptious was Jack Longbow; Never heard he taradiddle, But he capped it with a greater ; Never any tale of darkness, But he trumped it with a darker ; Never any queer rum story, But instantly told a rummer. Would you credit all his vaunting, Would you but seem to believe him, No one ever knew such marvels, Half such curious things as he knew, Half such glaring travellers'- wonders 54 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHEK. As this barefaced old Jack Longbow, As this villanous old fibber. Spinning yarns befitting only To be told to the marines' ear. Thus his name became a by- word, And a jest among the people ; And whene'er a boastful talker Bragged of what he'd seen or heard tell, Or a speaker, speaking largely, More than any one could swallow, All who heard, would cry, ee A Longbow ! Oh ! You're coming now a Longbow !" But because it might amuse them, They, the guests at her son's wedding, Norah bade this old yarn-spinner, Tell them one of his fine stories ; And she said, " Come, good Jack Longbow, Tell us now a tale of horror, Tell us something very fearful, Something that will make our flesh creep, Make our hair stand right on end, sir, Just to make the party pleasant, Just to pass the time off gaily, And our guests be more delighted I" DROP o' WATHER'S WEDDING. 55 And Jack Longbow answered straightway, " You shall hear a tale of horror, Something very very fearful, Something that shall make your flesh creep, Make your hair stand right on end, ma'am, That shall brighten up the party, Brighten up this happy party, And shall make it still more happy. Listen, then (first fill my glass up), Listen while I tell you truly, How was seen an apparition At the Star and Garter Tavern." 56 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. VIII. 0f % Star aiti (Sartor. CAN it be the rum descending In that glass of pure spring water ? Yes, it is the rum descending, Sinking down into the water, Staining all the drink with crimson, "With the crimson of the spirit, Turning all the white to splendour, Splendour of the old Jamaica; Ay, the grog is coloured deeply, All the water flushed with crimson ! This, with joy, beheld Jack Longbow, As he took a swig, to taste it; And he smacked his lips, and leering, With a wink, and nod, he cried out, " See the strength of this here grog, mates ! I'll be blest if 'taVt much stiffer THE GHOST OF THE STAR AND GARTER. 57 Than your punch, your famous cold-punch,, Drunk with white -bait, down at Blackwall, Down the river, which reminds me, That I promised you a story, Story of an apparition At the Star-and-Garter Tavern On the lovely hill of Richmond, Which a' n't down, but up the river ; That's all one ! It did remind me. " Well then, here goes, once upon a Time, as Fve heard, lived a covey, Dashing covey, named Youseenow ; Broken-fortuned, out at elbows, Always borrowing, never paying, Always lived on other's money. " Ah, but beautiful and noble Was the spirit of Youseenow ! He loved dearly to go to the Star-and-Garter, star of Richmond, Star of spreads, and rare good dinners ! He'd the spirit of a prince, for Though he had no ready rhino, Yet he would give treats at Richmond, Trusting that he'd get somebody 58 THE SONG OF DROP o' WATHEK. To be kind enough to aid him, Friend to lend, or host to trust him. " And his cronies, those he treated, Jolly fellows, lads of mettle, Jolly fellows, full of spirit, Spirit like his own for scorning Money-troubles, money-carkings, How to earn, or how to reckon, How to pay, or how to settle, Only cared for jest and laughter, Only cared for feasting, drinking, Only cared for rare good living, Always happy with Youseenow ! " Once to some rich spread invited, Up the river, in a wherry, "Went together these good fellows, Altogether ten in party ; At their head the gay Youseenow, Giver of the feast in question ; All the cronies chatted gaily, Not one of them could be silent. " At the tavern stopped Youseenow, Rubbed his hands with glee expectant, Entered in the open doorway THE GHOST OF THE STAR AXD GARTER. 59 Of the Star-and- Garter Tavern, Of the famous star of Richmond, And they heard him saying loudly, ' Now, look sharp ! Fve ordered dinner ; Written down from town beforehand/ ' Yes, sir I' said the glib head waiter, ' Quite right ! Dinner for eleven \ J ' That's the ticket !' cried Youseenow, e Tell the cook, the slap-up old 'un, "With my compts, he's not to stumble ; Or Fll wring his neck and spit him P And they roared until the tavern Rang with their outrageous laughter. " Then the party, through the window, Looked out on the groups of people, People out for day's enjoyment; Saw them pass in knots and couples, Now a young girl with an old man, Wasted, wrinkled, old, and ugly ; Now an old dame with a young man, ' Tall and straight, and strong and handsome. ' ' Gay Youseenow and his party All made game of youth and beauty Thus consorted with their contrasts ; 60 THE SOXG OF DROP o' WATHER. Mocked the wretched weak old people Thus complacent, tottering onward, Wasted, wrinkled, old, and ugly ! And the treater and the treated Roared until the echoing tavern Rang with their outrageous laughter. " Then Youseenow turned from window, For the dinner was on table, Took the head, and did the honours, Placed two friends on each side of him, One of them, his name was Winter, And the other, Ninian Moucher ; Welcomed them with words of gladness, How rejoiced he felt to have them Sitting with him down to dinner At the famous Star-and- Garter, Famous tavern, Star of Richmond. " High in spirits, topping spirits, At the banquet sat Youseenow ; None so merry, none so happy, None so joyful as Youseenow. Hardly food or drink he tasted, Hardly could he think or listen, So intent was he, presiding, THE GHOST OF THE STAR AND GARTER. 61 Grandly, graciously, presiding, At the feast he gave so bounteous, With the cash he'd not provided. " So he made a speech of flourish, Full of hospitable proffer, Full of eloquent encomium On the cook's art gastronomic, Praised the dishes, top and side ones, Praised them one and all for flavour, Praised them severally, singly, Praised them in the lump together, But he praised, above all others, Noble, glorious, English Roast Beef. " ' Taste the dish that stands before you : It is nourishing and goodly, It is plain, yet rich in merit, It is simple, yet 'tis sterling, It is solid, stately, royal, It will make a man twice manful. All your pots, and all your kettles, All your boiling, and your seething, Serve but meat to spoil and sodden ; Give me roast meat, roast with fire, Fine Roast Beef, the Dish of Britons I 62 THE SONG OF DROP O* WATHEE. " ( Now, my friends, we'll toast the women, "Women, our delights and treasures ! "Women, our best friends and teachers, Women, softeners of man's hardness, "Women, who, to grave from cradle, Are his comforts, chief sustainers ; Come, my boys, I'll give you, Woman ! Here's the crown, of blessings, Woman !' " Then the room began to waver, "Waver like a staggered boxer, And they felt it gliding, gliding, Like a moving panorama ; Prom their sight it seemed to vanish Meltingly, as if 'twere vapour; Then it seemed to slide beneath them, Then to come back firm and steady, Then again to be departing, Walls, and floor, and ceiling, smoothly, With unstable sidelong motion. And behold ! the china dishes, Glasses, plates, they all seemed double ! And behold ! the wine decanters Seemed all swerving, swaying, rocking ! And the gilt poles of the curtains THE GHOST OF THE STAR AND GARTER. 63 Seemed to bend with, threatening aspect In the eyes that could not fix them, In the guests' eyes, heavy, drooping, Eyes that reeled, and swam inebriate ; Tongues that split in two each sentence, Tongues that halved each word they uttered. ' ' Then Youseenow stared around him, Stared with glazy, drunken goggle ; And he saw his ten companions Changed to birds of various feather, Some were parrots, some were magpies, Others peacocks, others cuckoos, And they hopped, and chirped, and twittered, Pruned and shook out all their feathers, Strutted in their showy plumage, And spread out their tails behind them. " Thought he saw them there appearing In their true respective colours Parrots, ever babbling, prating, But repeating "others' meanings ; Magpies, always chattering nonsense, Picking up a thievish living ; Peacocks, vain, and proud parading Glories not of their own making : 64 THE SONG OF DROP o' WATHER. Cuckoos, vagabonds, still laying Eggs of parasitic purpose In the nests and homes of others. " Thought he heard a voice now saying, ' There, Youseenow ! There, behold them, These associates you have chosen ! Look what worthless creatures they are ! Put them in a cage of iron, In that giant cage of iron ; Hang the cage up, on the island Not far off from here, the island Called Eelpie, just over yonder, Yonder in the Big-Thame-Water/ ' ' Thought he saw the transformed dickies, All the birds with showy feathers Shut up in a cage gigantic, Which was then, by magic power, Swift transported through the window, And himself, the gay Youseenow, AYafted. sudden, following after, Held by unseen hands, and wafted Straight across the fields and meadows, Straight across the flowing river, Till he rested on the island, THE GHOST OF THE STAR AND GARTER. 65 Eelpie Island, green and grassy, In the midst of Big-Thame-Water. " Thought that then a ghostly figure In his hands placed bow and arrow ; Bade him shoot, in voice of thunder, Bade him shoot the transformed dickies, One by one, caged there in iron, Till they all fell dead as muttons. Then he saw the ghostly figure Standing motionless beside him ; It was tall, and dim, and spectral, Tall as tallest tree of poplar ; It was grim as murky shadow Creeping through a twilight cavern ; It was grim, and dark in menace, As a stormy midnight ocean ; It had eyes as sad and mournful As the eyes of weeping mother, Weeping for her children's errors ; It had hands as cold as marble, One of which touched gay Youseenow's, For an instant, as the thundered Words once more were loud repeated : ( Shoot those birds, those birds transfigured I E 66 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. Shoot your friends, your vile companions ! Shoot them dead when I command you 1* " Thought he took, all of a tremble, Bow in hand, and fixed an arrow ; Raised it, shaking, drew it, shaking, Drew it with an aim unsteady. .But it twanged, with sound ill-omened, Shot with fatal force and deadly, ' Pierced the heart of each bird caged there, Smote them down one after t'other; There they lay all red and gory, There they lay all prostrate, bleeding, Till their life-blood streamed forth, flooding All the ground about Youseenow. Then he thought he had to strike out In the blood of his companions ; Swim for very life he had to, In the life-blood of his dear friends ! Sudden woke he with the horror, Horror of the apparition ; Woke to find himself prone lying On the floor, beneath the table, At the Star-and-Garter Tavern." When the story was concluded, THE GHOST OF THE STAR AND GARTER. 67 When the ghostly tale was ended, Looking round upon his audience, Meaningly Jack Longbow added, " There are folks, that I have known, sirs, Who pretend they don't believe in Ghostuses and such-like creaturs ; But I'd have 'em know they'd best not Laugh at things that's much beyond 'em. This, at least, I just will tell 'em, I don't stand no sort of gammon." To the wedding guests' amusement Thus he wound up his fine story ; But they smiled and they applauded, While they whispered to each other, " Does he hint at us, I wonder ? Mean that we're the ' folks' he talks of?" Then again sang Chinny-panpipes, Played and sang a damsel's love-song, Ground it on his grinding-organ, Spoke the words more than he sang them ; 'Twas a lass's lamentation Eor her lover, her Hal Tomkins. " When I think of my dear fellow, Heigh-ho ! think of my dear fellow, E2 68 THE SONG OF DEOP O* WATHEK. Back to him my heart is flying, O my sweetheart, my Hal Tomkins ! ' f Heigh-ho ! when I parted from him, Round my neck he hung a sixpence, True-love pledge, a broken sixpence, O rny sweetheart, my Hal Tomkins ! " I will go with you, he whispered, Heigh-ho ! to your native village, Let me go with you, he whispered, O my sweetheart, my Hal Tomkins ! " Far away, away, I answered, Very far indeed, I answered, Heigh-ho ! is my native village, O my sweetheart, my Hal Tomkins ! " When I looked back from the waggon, That was taking me far from him, After me he still was looking, O my sweetheart, my Hal Tomkins ! " By the Inn he still was standing, By the Waggon Inn was standing, Very sad upon the pathway, O my sweetheart, my Hal Tomkins ! " When I think of my dear fellow, Heigh-ho ! think of my dear fellow, THE GHOST OF THE STAR AND GARTER. 69 Back to him my heart is flying, O my sweetheart, my Hal Tomkins !" Such was Drop o' Wather's Wedding, Such the dance of Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Such the story of Jack Longbow, Such the songs of Chinny -panpipes ; Thus the wedding dinner ended, And the wedding guests departed, Leaving Drop o' Wather cosey With his bride, his Minnie Wather. 70 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. IX. piling % Dimmers, SING, O Song of Drop o j Wather, Of the troubled days that followed, In the crowded narrow alley, In the alley densely peopled ! Sing the adventures of Boh Dabbin, Sing the Bilking of the Runners. Quiet had been all the quarter, Quiet from police intrusion ; Quiet from their hostile visit, Constables were nigh forgotten. There was peace throughout the alley; Unmolested roved the hunters, Fogle-hunters, belcher-nimmers, Twitched the wipe from out the pocket, Did the trick, and 'scaped the beadles. Unmolested worked the women, Picked the marks from wipes and fogies, BILKING THE RUNNERS. 71 Kept the melting-pot all ready, Hid the swag, and shared the plunder. Round about the lucky alley, Unsuspecting still, the Runners, Greenly they beheld Bob Dabbin Duek-and-drake his yellow shiners, Living like a chap who'd plenty. Till at last, one day in Spring-time, Something chanced to draw their notice To the doings of Bob Dabbin ; And they watched him close till Autumn, Watched how he made such a harvest ; Thought they'd now found out Bob Dabbin, One of Drop o' Wather's cronies. Once, a prime plant being afoot then, Drop o' Wather, grave and thoughtful, Spoke and said to Minnie Wather, To his wife, his Frisky- Whisky, You shall bilk to-night the Runners, Bow-street Runners, Traps, those scoundrels Sent and bent on our destruction ; Blast of footpad, blight of cracksman, Townsend, noted chief of Runners, Towusend, he who nabs mis-doers. 72 THE SONG OF DKOP O' WATHER. " In the night, when all is silence, In the night, when all is darkness, "When the Spirit of Sleep, Snugsnoozem, Shuts the doors of all the lodgers, So that not an ear can hear you, So that not an eye can see you, Rise up from your bed in silence, Put your feet in your list slippers, "Walk down stairs, as if on egg-shells, "Watch if you spy trace of Runners Skulking anywhere about, girl. Thus the Runners shall be thwarted, And their mischief be prevented, If belike they're plotting any; So that neither Trap nor Runner, Neither Bow-street rogue nor rascal, Shall come near our peaceful quarters, Unawares, or unexpected. No, not he, that shrewd Thief-Taker, Not that sharp old file from Bow-street, Not that mighty Trap Top-sawyer, Not himself, the famous Townsend, King of the Constabulary ! On a house-top lurked the Runners, BILKING THE RUNNERS. 73 Lurked the hungry Traps and Runners, Townsend, he, the King of Runners, With his band of black marauders. And they peered at Drop o' Wather, O'er the parapet of house-top, Where they lurked (the house was empty, House to let, they occupied it) ; "Watch him !" said they; " Watch that 'ere man ! He's a pal of him we're after." When the noiseless night descended, Broad and dark o'er all the alley, When the drowsy watchman, Charley, Cried the hour, amidst his napping, And the Spirit of Sleep, Snugsnoozem, Shut the doors of all the lodgers, Out crept Minnie, only in her I won't say what (it was not/h?/) Out she crept into the darkness, Wakened up, in start affrighted, (Hadn't time to put her gown on) By a noise she fancied Runners, Runners come to seek her husband. No one but the Night-sky only 74- THE SONG OF DROP O* WATHER. Caught a glimpse of her in passing, No one, not e'en watchman Charley, Saw her in that awkward moment ; Duskylaw, the darkness, wrapped her In his decent cloak of shadow, Till she went back to her chamber, Safe to chamber, and to bed too. But next morning, soon as day dawned, Townsend, he, the King of Runners, Gathered all his black marauders, Gang of followers, traps, and bailiffs, From, the house with dirty house-top, Came at once, quite bold and brazen, Straight to Drop o' Wather's lodging, Asking where he'd hid Bob Dabbin. " We will drag Bob Dabbin," said they, " From the hole where he lies hidden, Spite of all the shifts and dodges You and yours can say or swear to, Spite of all the feints and fetches You or Mistress Wather's up to." But the wary Drop o' "Wat her, Ever on his guard 'gainst lagging, Had descried the peering watchers, BILKING THE RUNNERS. 75 When they watched him from the house-top. (( Asy, now ! my friends the Runners ! Townsend, you, rny King of Runners ! I will teach you all a lesson That shall not be soon forgotten !" On the day before, securely, He had sent in all directions Scouts to warn his friend, Bob Dabbin Of the nearness of the Runners, Of the gang of black marauders, That were lying there in ambush In the neighbouring house (thought empty) Waiting to surprise Bob Dabbin, Waiting there to seize and nab him. Wlien they came with tip-staff clamour, Bawling loudly, asking bluffly, In their vulgar, brutal fashion, Just like overbearing Runners, Armed with legal form, Beak's order, For the body of Bob Dabbin, They found all their craft and cunning, All their deep-laid wiles of lagging, Set aside by deeper-laid ones, Found that they were clearly done for. 76 THE SONG OF DEOP O* WATHER. Done, and bilked, and choused, and chiseled, Of their prey by Drop o } Wather. On his hearth, there calmly stood he, Looking scornfully upon them ; And so haughty was his aspect, That he might have passed for guiltless. "Without mercy he sneered at them, Spoke them fair, and quite politely, Talked these wretched bodies breathless, Treated these bewildered scarecrows, These constabulary Runners, As though they'd been worthy people, Gentlemen, respected persons. Only Townsend, he, the leader, Townsend, he, the King of Runners, He alone was treated frankly, As superior to his people. With unsparing tongue he lashed him, Told him roundly what he thought him, Called him all the names he could do, Rascal, scoundrel, biggest blackguard. " Townsend, you, my Runner !" said he, " You, the leader of these villains, You, the plotter of this insult, BILKING THE RUNNERS. 77 The conductor of this outrage, Mind how you come here again, sir ! See if I don't finely trounce you ! Mind ! you 7 re on your good behaviour !" And he pointed, with a sleeve-grin, To the door, and showed him out on't, Showed him out, the baffled Townsend, Muttering surly his displeasure, Clapping on his low-crowned beaver, Calling on his men to follow, Calling sharply on his people. Then deaf Norah, the old woman, And her son's wife, Minnie Wather, And the neighbours who were friendly, Those who knew what had been passing, All rejoiced they'd bilked the Runners ; All were glad that young Bob Dabbin Made his lucky, safe from lagging, Safe from Stone-Jug, or the Treadmill. 78, THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. X. You shall hear how Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, He, the stylish Thimblerigger, Whom some people called the Black-leg, Vexed the alley with disturbance ; You shall hear of all his mischief, And his flight from Drop o' Wather, And his feline hide-and-seeking, And what came of his adventures. On the skirts of Bedford Bury, In the court of Nogo-would-you, Near the river, Big-Thame- Water, Stood the ken of Paw-Paw-Keeneyes. It was he who came invited From the court of Nogo-would-you, When, among the guests assembled, He so merrily and madly PAW-PAW-KEENEYES. 79 Danced at Drop o' Wather's wedding-, Danced the hornpipe there to please them. Now, in search of fresh adventures, From his ken went Paw-Pa w-Keeneyes, Came in haste unto the alley, Found some idle lads assembled At the crib of old Jack Longbow, Listening to his stunning crammers, His prodigious travellers'-wonders. He was telling them the story Of High jig, the Tightrope-Dancer, How he bounded up to heaven, How he almost touched at heaven, As he danced upon the tightrope, The elastic, springy tightrope ; How the others first essayed it, How the Pantaloon and Clown, too, Tried in turn the great achievement, Mounting rashly on the summit, Sought to hit against the heavens, Sought the sky to smite with forehead, Neared the sky, but could not reach it ; How the Harlequin, upclinibing, Made him ready for the trial, 80 THE SONG OF DROP o' WATHER. Took the pole in hand, and balanced, Made a spring up like a cricket. " Once he leaped," said old Jack Longbow, " Once he leaped, and lo, beneath him Bent the rope like India-rubber When 'tis pulled, and then let go, sirs ; Twice he leaped, and lo, beneath him Cracked the rope, as if 'twere broken, Well-nigh letting him down tumble ! Thrice he leaped, and lo, above him Burst the sky, the sky of canvas, And he disappeared right through it ; And Highjig, the Tigh trope-Dancer With one bolt went in behind him !" " Harkee \" shouted Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, As he entered at the doorway, fc I am sick'of all this twaddle, Sick of old Jack Longbow's bouncers, Sick of Drop o' Waiter's cunning. Here is something to amuse you, Better than this cust palaver." Then from out his right coat-pockefc Forth, he drew, with solemn winking, Painted board, with pools and counters, DROP o' WATHER'S DEPARTURE. Ill To the regions of the New World, Of the Bay entitled Bot'ny, To the Island of New Holland, To another " New" New South Wales, To the land of hope, Australia ! PAW-PAW-KEENEYES. 81 Pope Joan board, with pack of cards, too, Green on one side, closely speckled, Parti-coloured on the other ; Four robed kings, with legs half hidden, Four fat knaves, with legs a-straddle, Ace of clubs, and one of diamonds, Ace of spades, and red heart tender, Four sweet queens, each holding flower ; These were what were called the court-cards. All were made of pasteboard, printed In their several two-fold colours, One half scarlet, richly burnished, And a bright jet black the other. In the centre pool collected, Were the stakes of all the players ; Then he dressed the board all round it, Putting counters in and fishes, Into all the pools divergent, Thus expounding and explaining : " First I deal out cards to each one, Leaving some to make the stops with ; Next we play, and playing call out What's the card we've in rotation, Till the suit is followed fully. F 82 THE SOXG OF DROP o' WATHER. Then he pointed to the small pools In which lay the fish and counters, Pointed to th' inscriptions on them, Still expounding and explaining : " That, you see, is e Matrimony/ If you get the king and queen both, You're entitled to those counters ; That, you see's ( Intrigue/ and meaning Knave and queen produced together ; If you get the nine of diamonds, You take l Pope/ the pool of { Pope Joan.' " Thus he showed the famous round-game, Thus expounded and explained it, Taught the idle lads to play it, Taught them how to dearly like it, Twenty eager eyes fixed on him, Full of gambling fever, on him. " Lots o' games," said old Jack Longbow, Lots o' games Fve seen in my time; Blesh ye ! Up to games all manner, Ay, no end o' games I'm up to ! He as thinks to beat Jack Longbow Must be precious nimble- witted ; Yes, for all you're thought so clever, PAW-PAW-KEENEYES. 83 I can whack you, Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, (I, who'm such a hand at whackers !) At your game with Pools and Counters." So they sat and gamed together. The old man, and idle young ones ; Played for pennies, shillings, half-crowns, Played all day, from early morning ; Played until the Thimblerigger, Till the knavish Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Cleaned them out, won all their money, Won their watches, those who had them, Won their kerchiefs, waistcoats, jackets, Plucked and pigeoned them completely. Twenty eyes scowled glaring at him, Like a bullock's over-driven, As he turned and left the lodging, Lodging where he'd met the idlers, Lodging where lived old Jack Longbow. Hot, and turned with his good fortune, Was the head of Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, As he came into the fresh air, From the close and stifled chamber. All the birds that hung in cages Sang, or chirped, or feebly whistled, F2 84 THE SONG OF DROP O* WATHEK. And the step of Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Danced to measure of their singing, As he walked along the alley, Where stood Drop o' Wather's lodging. No one seemed to be at home there ; No one answered to his knocking; When he rang, 'twas just the same thing, No one came the door to open ; Down he stooped, and peeped through key- hole, Nothing could he see, or make out ; Listened, with his ear at key-hole, Nothing could he hear there, either ; Nothing but an old cock raven, Ralph, the croaking hoarse old raven, Who was croaking dull and lonely By himself, within the room there. " All away ! The place is empty !" Thus exclaimed he, Paw-Pa w-Keeneyes, ff Ripe for wanton spree and mischief, Out is Master Drop o' Wather, Out the gadding Frisky- Whisky, Out is Norah, the old woman, And the lodging's left unguarded !" PAW-PAW-KEENEYES. 85 'Gainst the door he set his shoulder, With one wrench he burst it open, Entered in, and looked about him ; Wrang the neck of Ralph, the raven, Stopped its croaking, flung its body In the grate, among the ashes ; Seized with jealous whim and spiteful Towards the absent Drop o' Wather. Rough and reckless, he continued; Round the place, in wild disorder, Strewed the household things about him, Piled together in confusion Chips and shavings, pots and kettles, Clothes from drawers, and spoons from cup- boards. Plates from rack, and coke from closet, Boots and shoes, and cups and saucers, As a scoff to Mother Norah, As a fling at Mistress Wather. Then departed Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Whistling, humming through the alley, Whistling lightly to the damsels Looking out from upper windows, Nodding down a greeting at him, 86 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. Humming lightly to the cage-birds, "Who from out their prison wicker Answered with a tune as merry. Then he plunged into the purlieus Of the squalid Bedford Bury, Lost amidst their many turnings, Taking pleasure in the mischief He had done at Drop o' Wather's. THE HUNTING OF PAW-PAW-KEEXEYES. 87 XL Ilje fanfittg tf FULL of rage was Drop o' Wather When he came back to the alley. Found his lodging in confusion, Heard of all the pranks so wanton, All the spiteful tricks and mischief, Played him up by Paw-Paw-Keeneyes. Hard he breathed like panting walrus, Puffed and blowed like stranded grampus, Through his nose he snuffed and snorted, Through his teeth he pished and grumbled, Hot and boiling like a kettle, Fuming, buzzing, like a blow-fly. " I will pay this Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Pay him out, this mischief-maker ! Through the whole town I will hunt him, Hunt him down, like any mad-dog ; 88 THE SONG OF DROP O* WATHER. I'll take care he sha'n't escape me, I'll be sure to chase and catch him !" Then in anger off he started, At full speed went Drop o' Wather, Straight in search of Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Through Long- Acre, where he'd passed it, To the lodging where he'd slept at ; But he found not Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Only found the rumpled bedclothes, Found the counterpane and blankets, On the bed which he had lain in, Bearing impress of his body. From the court below there, fronting, Up towards the first-floor window, Paw-Paw-Keeneyes turning backward, Shook his fist, and thrust his tongue out, Made a face of larky mocking ; And loud shouted Drop o' Wather : "Through the whole town I will hunt you, Hunt you down, like any mad-dog; I'll take care you sha'n't escape me, I'll be sure to chase and catch you !" Down through streets, of streets all manner, Down through turnings, straight and crooked, THE HUNTING OF PAW-PAW KEEN EYES. 89 Ran the knavish Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Like a lamplighter he scampered, Till he came unto an area, In a narrow fetid alley, To an area deep and dingy, With begrimed stone steps down leading To a cellar dark, where Tom- Cats Haunted near a pool of water, Stagnant, knee-deep, foul and muddy; Where the damp, in stains and blotches, Blurred the wall behung with cobwebs. On the top stood Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, On the top of area stone steps, At whose foot there lay the cellar. From the bottom rose a Tom-Cat, Glared with two great eyes of greenness, Eyes that seemed to put a poser To the stranger, Paw-Paw-Keeneyes. On the top stood Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Looking down the dingy area, Looking at the darksome cellar, And he spoke unto the Tom-Cat, Smiled politely, took his hat off: "Friend Grimalkin, worthy Tom-Cat, 90 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. Dark and shady is that cellar ; Let me come into that cellar, Let me make, there, one among you ; Pray consider me a Tom-Cat." Cautiously replied the Tom-Cat, With reserve he thus made answer : " Let me first consult the others, Let me ask the other Tom-Cats." Down he stepped into the area, Yelvetly he stepped, and noiseless, Down among the cats, his fellows, Black, and tabby, in the cellar. On the top stood Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Kicking heels, and inly swearing, Swearing to be thus kept waiting ; Spat upon the steps below him, On the stone steps leading downward, Spat from rage and sheer vexation At delay, when time was precious ; Fell in flecks and showers from him, Fell in little shining patches On the grimy steps of area. From the cellar rose the Tom-Cats, Miowing up the area stone steps, THE HUNTING OF PAW-PAW-KEENEYES. 91 One by one, and still another, Till the place seemed full of Tom-Cats, Full of grim and whiskered faces. To the Tom-Cats, Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Spoke with silky voice and wheedling : 1 { Very pleasant is your cellar, Gentlemen, and safe from danger, Could you kindly so contrive it, As to let me stay among you, Let me be awhile a Tom-Cat?" " Humph !" Grimalkin said, the Tom-Cat, King of Cats, a famous mouser, Wowling, prowling, nine-lived mouser, " Just step down here, down among us, Down into our quiet cellar." Down the area steps among them,' Quickly whipped he, Paw-Paw-Keeneyes. Black became his shirt of cotton, Black his favourite white duck trousers, Black his broad coat-tails behind him, As they swept the filthy stone steps Leading to the Tom-Cats' cellar. " Hide me safe," said Paw-Paw-Keeneyes " Hide me snug, and sure, and safely, 92 THE SONG OF DROP O' WATHER. Safely here amongst you Tom- Cats. " " Ay/' replied his friend Grimalkin, " In our cellar we'll receive you,, Board and lodging we will find you ; Make yourself at home, old fellow." Thus invited, in he entered, More than willing, Paw-Paw-Keeneyes ; Found the cellar strewed all over With old casks, and kegs, but empty ; Store of barrels, if he's thirsty, Eats and mice, in case he's hungry ; Pound the cellar vaulted over, Damp and reeking, large, not airy. Here they kept him safely hidden, Made him quite at home among them, Hospitably housed and welcomed ; Offered him to stay as long as He felt happy 'mong the Tom-Cats. But not long did Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Stay in peace among the Tom-Cats ; For there came a voice of warning From the watchman at the station, . Police station, or his watch-box, Crying, " Here comes Drop o ? Wather ! Drop o' Wather's out a-hunting ! THE HUNTING OF PAW-PAW-KEENEYES. 93 Then they heard a call and clamour, Heard a shouting and a tramping 1 , Heard a hooting and hallooing ; And the streets there up above them Rang with noise of coming people, And they knew th j alarm was given. Down the narrow street the comers Poured, and rushed on helter-skelter ; Sore affrighted with the uproar, Flew the Tom-Cats hither, thither, Hid themselves in darkest corners, Darkest corners of the cellar ; But the human Paw-Paw-Keeneyes, Could not creep in holes and crannies ; Much too big was he for getting Into nooks behind the barrels. Through the vaulted roof of cellar, Through the pavement cellar-iron, Down looked peeping Drop o j Wather :