Poesy

Bill 'Awkins

"'As anybody seen Bill 'Awkins?""Now 'ow in the devil would I know?""'E's taken my girl out walkin',An' I've got to tell 'im so⁠—Gawd⁠—bless⁠—'im!I've got to tell 'im so."

"D'yer know what 'e's like, Bill 'Awkins?""Now what in the devil would I care?""'E's the livin', breathin' image of an organ-grinder's monkey,With a pound of grease in 'is 'air⁠—Gawd⁠—bless⁠—'im!An' a pound o' grease in 'is 'air."

"An' s'pose you met Bill 'Awkins,Now what in the devil 'ud ye do?""I'd open 'is cheek to 'is chin-strap buckle,An' bung up 'is both eyes, too⁠—Gawd⁠—bless⁠—'im!An' bung up 'is both eyes, too!"

"Look 'ere, where 'e comes, Bill 'Awkins!Now what in the devil will you say?""It isn't fit an' proper to be fightin' on a Sunday,So I'll pass 'im the time o' day⁠—Gawd⁠—bless⁠—'im!I'll pass 'im the time o' day!"

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Text from a public-domain print edition.