Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TOUT, by WILLIAM A. PHELON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TOUT, by                    
First Line: There are a hundred ways in which he strives to
Last Line: And you can trust him—sure you can—just one time out of fifty!
Subject(s): Duplicity; Gambling; Horse Racing; Deceit; Wagering; Betting


THERE are a hundred ways in which he strives to win you—
There are a hundred ways in which he seeks to chin you—
He always has a story that sounds good to any fish—
He always makes the sucker think he'll gain his golden wish—
And, all the time, he's simply there in one attempt—to skin you!

He ranges up and down and gathers many a victim—
He tells a hundred suckers just how well he's always picked 'em—
If there's ten horses in a race, then he'll sell ten selections,
And those who win come back again to heed his wise directions,
While those who lose can't catch the bird who has so neatly nicked 'em!

Sometimes there's fringe upon his pants, sometimes his dress is nifty—
But there's one point in all the tribe—the eye is always shifty—
He's brother to a trainer, yes (?) or cousin to a jockey,
To hear him tell it—and his ways are confident and cocky!
And you can trust him—sure you can—just one time out of fifty!





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