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‹Better GutenbergVerses, 1889–1896Bill ’Awkins · 81 of 90Contents›

Verses, 1889–1896

by Rudyard Kipling

81 of 90 · Contents · Download EPUB

Bill ’Awkins

“‘As anybody seen Bill ’Awkins?”
    “Now ’ow in the devil would I know?”
“’E’s taken my girl out walkin’,
   An’ I’ve got to tell ’im so —
      Gawd — bless — ’im!
   I’ve got to tell ’im so.”

“D’yer know what ’e’s like, Bill ’Awkins?”
    “Now what in the devil would I care?”
“‘E’s the livin’, breathin’ image of an organ-grinder’s monkey,
   With a pound of grease in ’is ’air —
      Gawd — bless — ’im!
   An’ a pound o’ grease in ’is ’air.”

“An’ s’pose you met Bill ’Awkins,
   Now what in the devil ’ud ye do?”
“I’d open ’is cheek to ’is chin-strap buckle,
   An’ bung up ’is both eyes, too —
      Gawd — bless — ’im!
   An’ bung up ’is both eyes, too!”

“Look ’ere, where ’e comes, Bill ’Awkins!
   Now what in the devil will you say?”
“It isn’t fit an’ proper to be fightin’ on a Sunday,
   So I’ll pass ’im the time o’ day —
      Gawd — bless — ’im!
   I’ll pass ’im the time o’ day!”

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