Hard Luck

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 to-day,
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.