Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BOB HOLLY, by J. E. LIDDLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BOB HOLLY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Two men a 'pipe' had in a 'show'
Last Line: And none have seen him from that date.
Alternate Author Name(s): Kodak; Liddle, John Edward
Subject(s): Crime & Criminals; Exiles; Gold; Gold Mines & Miners; Punishment


Two men a "pipe" had in a "show"
And each week-end went on the spree;
The others who were in the know
Would fainly their good "leader" see.

A sly-dog saw them, off he went
Got down the shaft and saw the pipe;
And hard he worked, the night he spent,
Some ounces got: his time was ripe.

On Monday when the men went back
They saw that someone there had been;
They asked a nigger him to track
Although by no-one he was seen.

The next week-end they went away
And had a glass or two of drink,
Without a word came back that day
Right to the "brace" where they did sink.

One heard a someone with a pick
And loudly called unto his mate
"Bring me a charge: be very quick:
A roo's down here: our luck is great."

The man below their voices heard
And knew or felt their bad intent:
"On top! On top!" he called, no word
Of answer back to him was sent.

"Give me the charge, the b_____'s here,
We'll have his tail well cooked tonight;
Tomorrow he'll look very queer,
We'll have him skinned, hung up all right."

"On top! On top!" in sheer despair
The rogue called out "Oh, God! don't fire!"
His fear was rising, and his hair;
His face was blanched; the thief, the liar.

"Is there some bloke there down below?"
"Yes, I'm Bob Holly: do not fire!"
"And what's down there, you want to know?
Why are you here?" they both inquire.

Then up the ladder-way Bob climbed,
He did look cowed: he had been caught.
He saw the charge already primed,
He might have got it: so he thought.

"Here, have you on you any gold?
Just hand it on, you know it's ours!
You shall not have a weight to hold;
We had suspected Tommy Flowers.

"We'll both go with you to your tent;
How many times have you been here?
You'll have enough time to repent,
Tomorrow you'll feel very queer."

Tomorrow came: soon after dawn
The loud alarm—a beaten dish—
Had all men round's attention drawn;
Some left their breakfasts 'gainst their wish.

Bob Holly's camp: They all went there.
"What can have happened?" they inquire.
Men seemed to come from everywhere,
Assembling rapidly entire.

"Mates!" Jonty said, "when on the drunk,
Bob Holly went down to our show,
Hooked out some gold where we had sunk
In a quartz leader down below.

"Now, mates, I did not think him crook
But out amongst us he must go;
Give him his swag, to take his hook
For somewhere we don't care to know.

"Is four hours' notice quite enough
To pack his blankets and his tent?"
"Yes! Two are plenty!" was the rough
And ready verdict—all consent.

Bob cleared out quick: was on the track;
Some said he vanished from the State,
Some said he would to Vic. go back,
And none have seen him from that date.





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