The By-Blow of the Jug [Notes]
[By PIERCE EGAN in Captain Macheath].
I
In Newgate jail the jolly kid was born— [1]
Infamy he suck’d without any scorn!
His mammy his father did not know,
But that’s no odds—Jack was a by-blow!
Foddy, loddy, high O.
II
Scarcely had Jack got on his young pins, [2]
When his mammy put him up to some very bad sins,
And she taught him soon to swear and lie,
And to have a finger in every pie.
Foddy, loddy, high O.
III
His mammy was downy to every rig,— [3]
Before he could read she made him a prig; [4]
Very soon she larn’d Jack to make a speak
And he toddled out on the morning sneak [5]
Foddy, loddy, high O.
IV
Jack had a sharp-looking eye to ogle, [6]
And soon he began to nap the fogle! [7]
And ever anxious to get his whack—
When scarcely ripe, he went on the crack. [8]
Foddy, loddy, high O.
V
“Now, my chick,” says she, “you must take the road
’Tis richer than the finest abode,
For watches, purses, and lots of the gold—
A scampsman, you know, must always be bold.” [9]
Foddy, loddy, high O.
VI
His mother then did give Jack some advice,
To her son a thief, who was not o’er nice;
Says she—“Fight your way, Jack, and stand the brunt,
You’re of no use, my child, without the blunt, [10]
Foddy, loddy, high O.”
VII
“Then keep it up, Jack, with rare lots of fun.
A short life, perhaps, but a merry one;
Your highway dodges may then live in fame,
Cheat miss-Fortune, and be sure to die game.”
Foddy, loddy, high O.
VIII
“In spite of bad luck, don’t be a grumbler;
If you are finished off from a tumbler! [11]
But to the end of your life, cut a shine,
You’re not the first man got into a line.”
Foddy, loddy, high O.
[1: child] [2: feet] [3: accomplished;] [4: thief] [5: round for theft] [6: leer] [7: steal; handkerchief] [8: housebreaking] [9: highwayman] [10: money] [11: cart; Notes]