Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 3.djvu/75

Riboulet having been safely delivered of his fourteen couplets, Manon la Blonde was desirous of evincing the powers of her lungs. "Now for another!" said she; "attend to one I learnt at Lazarre; open your listenere, and repeat after me."

Un jour à la Croix-Rouge
Nous étions dix à douze.

(She interrupted herself with "just as we now are.")

Nous étions dix à douze
Tous grinches de renom,^[1]
Nous attendions la sorgue^[2]
Voulant poisser des boques^[3]
Pour faire du billon.^[4] (bis)

Partage ou non partage
Tout est à notre usage;
N'épargnons le poitou^[5]
Poissons avec adresse^[6]
Messières et gonzesses^[7]
Sans faire de regout.^[8] (bis)

Dessus le pout au change
Certain argent-de-change
Se criblait au charron,^[9]
J'engantai sa toquante^[10]
Ses attaches brillantes^[11]
Arec ses billemonts.^[12] (bis)

Quand douze plombes crossent,^[13]
Ses pegres s'en retournant^[14]
Au tapis de Montron^[15]
Montron ouvre ta lourde,^[16]
Si tu veux que j'aboule,^[17]
Et piausse en ton bocsin.^[18] (bis)

1. Thieves.
2. Night.
3. Watches.
4. Money.
5. Let us be cautious.
6. Let us rob.
7. Citizen and wife.
8. Awaken suspicion.
9. Cried "thief".
10. I took his watch.
11. His diamond buckles.
12. His bank notes.
13. Twelve o'clock strikes.
14. The thieves.
15. At the cabaret.
16. Your door.
17. Give money.
18. Sleep at your house.