Iv

For them coves in Guildhall, and that blessed Lord Mayor, Prigs on their four bones should chop whiners I swear: That long over Newgit their Worships may rule, As the high-toby, mob, crack and screeve model school: For if Guv'ment wos here, not the Alderman's Bench, Newgit soon 'ud be bad as 'the Pent,' or 'the Tench'.

[1: prison] [2: mistresses] [3: friends] [4: Notes] [5: warders, bamboozle] [6: night] [7: meat and drink] [8: greenhorn] [9: tricks; talking slang; obscenity] [10: imprisoned] [11: up to prison ways] [12: writing] [13: on knees should pray] [14: highwayman; swell-mobsmen; burglars, forgers] [15: Notes]

THE LEARY MAN [Notes] [1857]

[From The Vulgar Tongue, by DUCANGE ANGLICUS].