Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, REJECTED ADDRESSES: GEORGE BARNWELL, BY MOMUS MEDLAR, by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839)


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REJECTED ADDRESSES: GEORGE BARNWELL, BY MOMUS MEDLAR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: George barnwell stood at the shop-door
Last Line: Rum ti, &c.
Subject(s): Beauty; Faces; Love


GEORGE BARNWELL stood at the shop-door,
A customer hoping to find, sir;
His apron was hanging before,
But the tail of his coat was behind, sir.
A lady, so painted and smart,
Cried, Sir, I've exhausted my stock o' late;
I've got nothing left but a groat --
Could you give me four penn'orth of chocolate?
Rum ti, &c.

Her face was rouged up to the eyes,
Which made her look prouder and prouder;
His hair stood on end with surprise,
And hers with pomatum and powder.
The business was soon understood;
The lady, who wish'd to be more rich,
Cries, Sweet sir, my name is Milwood,
And I lodge at the Gunner's in Shoreditch.
Rum ti, &c.

Now nightly he stole out, good lack!
And into her lodging would pop, sir;
And often forgot to come back,
Leaving master to shut up the shop, sir.
Her beauty his wits did bereave --
Determined to be quite the crack O,
He lounged at the Adam and Eve,
And call'd for his gin and tobacco.
Rum ti, &c.

And now -- for the truth must be told,
Though none of a 'prentice should speak ill --
He stole from the till all the gold,
And ate the lump-sugar and treacle.
In vain did his master exclaim,
Dear George, do n't engage with that dragon;
She'll lead you to sorrow and shame,
And leave you the devil a rag on
Your rum ti, &c.

In vain he entreats and implores
The weak and incurable ninny,
So kicks him at last out of doors,
And Georgy soon spends his last guinea.
His uncle, whose generous purse
Had often relieved him, as I know,
Now finding him grow worse and worse,
Refused to come down with the rhino.
Rum ti, &c.

Cried Milwood, whose cruel heart's core
Was so flinty that nothing could shock it,
If ye mean to come here any more,
Pray come with some cash in your pocket:
Make Nunky surrender his dibs,
Rub his pate with a pair of lead towels,
Or stick a knife into his ribs --
I'll warrant he'll then shew some bowels.
Rum ti, &c.

A pistol he got from his love --
'Twas loaded with powder and bullet;
He trudged off to Camberwell Grove,
But wanted the courage to pull it.
There's Nunky as fat as a hog,
While I am as lean as a lizard;
Here's at you, you stingy old dog! --
And he whips a long knife in his gizard.
Rum ti, &c.

All of you who attend to my song,
A terrible end of the farce shall see,
If you join in the inquisitive throng
That follow'd poor George to Marshalsea.
If Milwood were here, dash my wigs,
Quoth he, I would pummel and lam her well;
Had I stuck to my prunes and figs,
I ne'er had stuck Nunky at Camberwell.
Rum ti, &c.

Their bodies were never cut down;
For granny relates with amazement,
A witch bore 'em over the town,
And hung them on Thorowgood's casement.
The neighbours, I've heard the folks say,
The miracle noisily brag on;
And the shop is, to this very day,
The sign of the George and the Dragon.
Rum ti, &c.





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