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Six Ortho-Doxies.

Posted by Ewan on August 24, 2009 - 11:24
from the ABC set

Polly, Polly don't peach 'im
-that would be a tawdry trick-
leave that to Sukey please.
Sorry, Dolly, you're a trull
to keep the knife in slick
scabbards: are you not
like Brazen Molly?
Juicy Lucy, would you lock it
away? Miss your Mac
forever and a day?
Jenny, you tried divers
ways to fence the heath.
Away you strumpets!
They are not my
cuckoos in your nests.
I'll not dance Ketch's jig
nor take the sugar caning
in the Indies, love.
Set me free and
cause much jollity.
Our low-born vices are
no worse than those
of the Quality.

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Comments

chuck | August 24, 2009 - 14:02

Threepenny Opera? Jack Ketch? Am I warm?

Ewan | August 24, 2009 - 14:04

Yup... Don't forget Brecht and Weill stole it from John Gay and changed Beggar's to Dreigrosschen...

chuck | August 24, 2009 - 14:28

The Muses, contrary to other ladies, pay no distinction to dress...

A fox may steal your hens, Sir,
A Whore your health and Pence, Sir,
Your daughter rob your Chest, Sir,
Your Wife may steal your Rest, Sir,
A Thief your Goods and Plate,
A Thief your Goods and Plate.
But this is all but picking,
With Rest, Pence, Chest, and Chicken,
If ever was decreed, Sir,
If Lawyer's Hand is fee'd, Sir.
He steals your whole Estate,
He steals your whole Estate.

Ewan | August 24, 2009 - 16:35

See, there's nothing new to write, it's all been said before.

Good stuff though, isn't it? Pope would have been credited so:

"Based on an original idea by Alexander Pope".

Wonder if Brecht credited Gay?

chuck | August 24, 2009 - 16:46

Very good stuff. And let's not forget Swift...

http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/614