Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/61

Now, who'd refuse a Sund'y trip
    With girls an' all give in?
The car was there an' oil to spare.
    To rat would be a sin!
An' who'd refuse a drop o' booze
    When pals is flush o' tin?

Wot all the courts an' papers say
    Can't add to my distress. . . .
Rose, with the blood upon 'er face
    An' on 'er crumpled dress!
An that poor chump who got the bump—
    Ah, Gawd! 'E was a mess!

The girls 'ad stout at ten mile out,
    An' we was drinkin' beer.
I swear they lies like 'ell who sez
    That we was on our ear!
For we was both, I take me oath,
    As sober as me here.

Now, Lena was a dashin' piece,
    'Igh-spirited an' flash.
'Twas plain enough to me that day
    That 'Arry'd done 'is dash.
An' Rose—(Ah! how 'er eyes did stare)
    Rose was my speshul mash.