Musa Pedestris - Three Centuries of Canting Songs and Slang Rhymes [1536 - 1896] Part 27

THE GAME OF HIGH TOBY [Notes]

[1834]

[By W. HARRISON AINSWORTH in _Rookwood_].

I

Now Oliver puts his black night-cap on, [1]

And every star its glim is hiding, [2]

And forth to the heath is the scampsman gone, [3]

His matchless cherry-black prancer riding; [4]

Merrily over the Common, he flies, Fast and free as the rush of rocket, His c.r.a.pe-covered vizard drawn over his eyes, His tol by his side and his pops in his pocket. [5]

_Chorus_.

Then who can name So merry a game, As the game of all games--high-toby? [6]

II

The traveller hears him, away! away!

Over the wide, wide heath he scurries; He heeds not the thunderbolt summons to stay, But ever the faster and faster he hurries,

But what daisy-cutter can match that black t.i.t? [7]

He is caught--he must 'stand and deliver'; Then out with the dummy, and off with the bit, [8]

Oh! the game of high-toby for ever!

_Chorus_.

Then who can name So merry a game As the game of all games--high-toby?

III

Believe me, there is not a game, my brave boys, To compare with the game of high-toby; No rapture can equal the tobyman's joys, [9]

To blue devils, blue plumbs give the go-by; [10]

And what if, at length, boys, he come to the c.r.a.p! [11]

Even rack punch has _some_ bitter in it, For the mare-with-three-legs, boys, I care not a rap, [12]

'Twill be over in less than a minute!

_Chorus_.

Then hip, hurrah!

Fling care away!

Hurrah for the game of high-toby!

[1: the moon]

[2: light]

[3: highwayman]

[4: black horse]

[5: sword; pistols]

[6: high-way robbery]

[7: fleet horse; horse]

[8: pocketbook]

[9: highwayman]

[10: bullets]

[11: gallows]

[12: gallows]

THE DOUBLE CROSS [Notes]

[1834]

[By W. HARRISON AINSWORTH, in _Rookwood_]

I

Though all of us have heard of crost fights, And certain gains, by certain lost fights; I rather fancies that its news, How in a mill, both men should lose; [1]

For vere the odds are thus made even, It plays the d.i.c.kens with the steven: [2]

Besides, against all rule they're sinning, Vere neither has no chance of vinning.

Ri, tol, lol, etc.

II

Two milling coves, each vide awake, Vere backed to fight for heavy stake; But in the mean time, so it vos, Both kids agreed to play a cross; Bold came each buffer to the scratch, [3]

To make it look a tightish match; They peeled in style, and bets were making, [4]

'Tvos six to four, but few were taking.

Ri, tol, lol, etc.

III

Quite cautiously the mill began, For neither knew the other's plan: Each cull completely in the dark, [5]

Of vot might be his neighbour's mark; Resolved his fibbing not to mind, [6]

Nor yet to pay him back in kind; So on each other kept they tout, And sparred a bit, and dodged about.

Ri, tol, lol, etc.

IV

Vith mawleys raised, Tom bent his back, [7]

As if to place a heavy thwack; Vile Jem, with neat left handed stopper, Straight threatened Tommy with a topper; 'Tis all my eye! no claret flows, [8]

No facers sound--no smas.h.i.+ng blows, Five minutes pa.s.s, yet not a hit, How can it end, pals ?--vait a bit.

Ri, tol, lol, etc.