S SESTINA OF THE TRAMP-ROYAL (1896) PEAKIN' in general, I 'ave tried 'em all, The 'appy roads that take you o'er the world. Speakin' in general, I 'ave found them good For such as cannot use one bed too long, But must get 'ence, the same as I 'ave done, What do it matter where or 'ow we die, In cash or credit-no, it aren't no good; Unless you lived your life but one day long, Nor didn't prophesy nor fret at all, But drew your tucker some'ow from the world, But, Gawd, what things are they I 'aven't done? SESTINA OF THE TRAMP-ROYAL For 'im that doth not work must surely die; Therefore, from job to job I've moved along. An' met my mate-the wind that tramps the world! It's like a book, I think, this bloomin' world, But what you're after is to turn 'em all. Gawd bless this world! Whatever she 'ath done- W HEN 'Omer smote 'is bloomin' lyre, The market-girls an' fishermen, They knew 'e stole; 'e knew they knowed. |