T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Of Politicians
By Thomas Burke (18861945)(From The Song Book of Quong Lee of Limehouse, 1920) |
UPON a time the amiable Bill Hawkins, | |
Married a fair wife, demure and of chaste repute, | |
Keeping closely from her, however, | |
Any knowledge of the manner of man he had been. | |
Upon the nuptial night, | 5 |
Awaking and finding himself couched with a woman, | |
As had happened on divers occasions, | |
He arose and dressed and departed, | |
Leaving at the couch’s side four goodly coins. | |
But in the street, | 10 |
Remembering the occasion and his present estate of marriage, | |
He returned with a haste of no-dignity, | |
Filled with emotions of an entirely disturbing nature, | |
Fear that his wife should discover his absence, | |
And place evil construction upon it, being uppermost. | 15 |
Entering stealthily, then, with the toes of the leopard, | |
With intention of quickly disrobing, | |
And rejoining the forsaken bride, | |
He perceived her sitting erect on the couch, | |
Biting shrewdly, with a distressing air of experience, | 20 |
At one of the coins. | |
Even so it is when Big Politician meets Little Politician. | |