I left the course, and by my side There walked a ruined tout -- A hungry creature, evil-eyed, Who poured this story out. 'You see,' he said, 'there came a swell To Kensington today, And, if I picked the winners well, A crown at least he'd pay. 'I picked three winners straight, I did; I filled his purse with pelf, And then he gave me half-a-quid To back one for myself. 'A half-a-quid to me he cast -- I wanted it indeed; So help me Bob, for two days past I haven't had a feed. 'But still I thought my luck was in, I couldn't go astray -- I put it all on Little Min, And lost it straightaway. 'I haven't got a bite or bed, I'm absolutely stuck; So keep this lesson in your head: Don't over-trust your luck!' The folks went homeward, near and far, The tout, oh! where was he? Ask where the empty boilers are Beside the Circular Quay. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE CHILD by HAYDEN CARRUTH CONTRA MORTEM: THE CHILD'S BEING by HAYDEN CARRUTH UNTITLED, 1968; FOR MARK ROTHKO by JAMES GALVIN I WANT TO LIVE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON OFFERING by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TUNK (A LECTURE ON MODERN EDUCATION) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DOMESDAY BOOK: DR. TRACE TO THE CORONER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |