Ha! tott'ring Johnny strut and boast, But think of what your feathers cost; Your crowing days are short at most, You bloom but soon to fade. Surely you could not stand so wide, If strictly to the bottom tried; The wind would blow your plume aside, If half your debts were paid. Then boast and bear the crack, With the Sheriff at your back, Huzza for dandy Jack, My jolly fop, my Joe -- The blue smoke from your segar flies, Offensive to my nose and eyes, The most of people would be wise, Your presence to evade. Your pocket jingles loud with cash, And thus you cut a foppish dash, But alas! dear boy, you would be trash, If your accounts were paid. Then boast and bear the crack, &c. My duck bill boots would look as bright, Had you in justice served me right, Like you, I then could step as light, Before a flaunting maid. As nicely could I clear my throat, And to my tights, my eyes devote, But I'd leave you bare without that coat, For which you have not paid. Then boast and bear the crack, &c. I'd toss myself with a scornful air, And to a poor man pay no care, I could rock cross-legged on my chair, Within the cloister shade. I'd gird my neck with a light cravat, And creaning wear my bell-crown hat; But away my down would fly at that, If once my debts were paid. Then boast and bear the crack, With a Sheriff at your back, Huzza for dandy Jack, My jolly fop, my Joe -- | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAND OF DREAMS by WILLIAM BLAKE ON MY JOYFUL DEPARTURE FROM THE CITY OF COLOGNE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE ECHO SONG by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH BILL SWEENY OF THE BLACK GANG by JAMES BARNES TO HARRIET by GEORGE GORDON BYRON ODE TO MISS HOYLAND: MISS HOYLAND IS COY by THOMAS CHATTERTON |