Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By George FauvelGouraud1712 The Little Nipper an’ ’is Ma
“Y
Said ’Energy ’Awkins, M. P.
“Well, ’e ’s a little champion,
An’ tikes on arfter me.
Larst Sunday me an’ the missus
Went out fer a little walk—
I should say the nipper took us,
Yer should o’ ’eard ’im tork!
An’ then by ’Endon way,
W’ere I ust ter do me courtin’
In those sweet nights o’ May.
We ’d been walkin’ out an ’our,
W’en Sal she sez ter me,
‘’Ere, ’Arry, is yer gime, dear,
Fer shrimps an’ a cup o’ tea.’
‘I ’m in fer ’arf an ’arf.’
Lor lumme, yer should just o’ ’eard
My little Sally larf!
‘O’ course,’ she sez, ‘I likes me nip
O’ gin an’ glarss o’ beer,
But did not like ter say it out
Before the nipper ’ere.’
As we neared the Brokers’ Arms;
An’ in we ’ops ter get a wet,
Not dreamin’ any ’arm.
But the nipper ’e were cagy,
An’ followed in the rear,
An’ ’ears me give me order:
‘’Ere, miss, two pots o’ beer.’
I turns ter speak ter Sal,
Ter arsk if she remembered
The day she was me gal.
I felt some one a-tuggin’
An’ pullin’ at me back;
I looks around surprised-like,
An’ sees that rascal Jack.
I wont ’ave yer ’angin’ ’ere.’
Sez ’e, ‘D’ yer think I ’m goin’?
Not me. No bally fear.
Now, then, wot ’ave yer ordered?
Sez I, ‘Two ’arf an’ ’arf.’
Sez ’e, ‘Ain’t mother in it?’
An’ yer should o’ ’eard ’im larf.”