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C J Dennis - Blokes
Work rating: Low

Blokes ~ `Erb
Do you know `Erb?  Now, there`s a dinkum sport. 
If football`s on your mind, why, `Erb`s the sort
   To put you wise.  It`s his whole end and` aim.
   Keen?  He`s as keen as mustard on the game.
Football is in his blood.  He thinks an` schemes
All through the season; talks of it an` dreams
   An` eats an` sleeps with football on his mind.
   Yes: `Erb`s a sport - the reel whole-hearted kind.

"A healthy, manly sport." That`s wot `Erb says.
You ought to see his form on football days:
   Keyed up, reel eager, eyes alight with joy,
   Full of wise schemes for his team to employ.
Knows all about it - how to kick a goal,
An` wot to do if they get in a hole.
   Enthusiasm?  Why, when `Erb gets set
   He is a sight you couldn`t well forget.

There ain`t a point about it he don`t know -
All of the teams and players, top to toe.
   The rules, the tricks - it`s marvellous the way
   He follers - Wot?  Good Lord, no, he don`t play.
`Erb?  Playin` football?  Blimey!  have a heart!
   Aw, don`t be silly.  `Erb don`t have to play;
   He knows more than them players any day.

He`s never had a football in his hand,
`Cept once, when it was kicked up in the stand.
   No, `Erb ain`t never played; he only sits
   An` watches `em, an` yells, an` hoots and splits
His sides with givin` mugs some sound advice
An` tellin` umpires things wot ain`t too nice.
   Aw, look; your ejication ain`t complete
   Till you know `Erb.  You reely ought to meet.
~~
Blokes ~ Fred
Do you know Fred?  Now there`s a man to know 
   These days when politics are in the air, 
An` argument is bargin` to an` fro
   Without a feller gittin` anywhere.
Fred never argues; he`s too shrewd for that.  
   He`s wise.  He knows the game from A to Z.
All politics is talkin` thro` the hat; 
   An` everyone is wrong - exceptin` Fred.  

Fred says there ain`t no sense in politics;
   Says he can`t waste his time on all that rot.  
Trust him.  He`s up to all their little tricks,
   You`d be surprised the cunnin` schemes he`s got.  
Fred says compulsory voting is a cow.
   He has to vote, or else he would be fined, 
But he just spoils his paper anyhow,
   An` laughs at` em with his superior mind.

But when a law comes in that hits Fred`s purse,
   You ought to hear him then.  Say, he does rouse;
Kicks up an awful row an` hurls his curse
   On every bloomin` member in the House.
He gives `em nothin`; says they all are crook,
   All waitin` for a chance to turn their coats;
Says they are traitors; proves it by the book.
   An` can you wonder that he never votes? .

Aw, say, you must know Fred.  You`ll hear his skite
   Upon street corners all about the place.
An` if you up an` say it serves him right,
   He answers that it only proves his case:
Them politicians wouldn`t tax him so
   Unless they were all crooked, like he said,
Where is the sense in votin` when they go
   An` rob a man like that.  Hurray for Fred!
~~
Blokes ~ Gus
Do you know Gus?  Now, he should interest you.
The girls adore him - or he thinks they do.
He owns a motor bike, not of the sort
That merely cough a little bit, or snort.
His is a fiery, detonating steed
That makes the town sit up and take some heed -
A thunderous thing, that booms and roars a treat,
With repercussions that awake the street.

That`s Gus. Dead flash. One of the rorty boys,
Whose urge is to express themselves with noise,
He wakes the midnight echoes, when to sleep
We vainly strive, with detonations deep.
And Gus has visions, as he thunders by,
Of maidens who sit up in bed, and sigh,
"It`s Gus! It`s Gus, the he-man. What a thrill!
`Mid Jovian thunders riding up the hill!"

You can`t blame Gus. He has to make a row.
He`s got to get publicity somehow.
How else could he stir consciousness in us
That in this world there really is a Gus?
You can`t blame Gus.  But oft I long, in bed,
That some kind man would bash him on the head -
A hard, swift blow to give him pain for pain.
It would be quite safe.  It couldn`t hurt his brain.
~~
Blokes ~ Bert
Did you ever meet Bert? `E`s all over the town, 
   In offices, shops an` in various places, 
Cocky an` all; an` you can`t keep `im down.
   I never seen no one so lucky at races.  
Backs all the winners or very near all;
   Tells you nex` day when the races are over.  
`E makes quite a pot, for `is wagers ain`t small;
   An` by rights `e `ad ought to be livin` in clover.

But, some`ow or other - aw, well, I dunno.
   You got to admit that some fellers is funny.  
`E don`t dress too well an` `is spendin` is low.
   I can`t understand wot `e does with `is money.  
`E ought to be sockin` a pretty fair share;
   An` tho` `e will own `e`s a big money-maker, 
`E don`t seem to save an` `e don`t seem to care 
   If `e owes a big wad to `is butcher an` baker.

`E don`t tell you much if you meet on the course;
   But after it`s over `e comes to you grinnin`,
Shows you `is card where `e`s marked the first `orse,
   An` spins you a wonderful tale of `is winnin`.  
Can`t make `im out, `e`s so lucky an` that.
   Knows ev`ry owner an` trainer an` jockey: 
But all of `is wagerin`s done on `is pat. 
   Won`t spill a thing, even tho` `e`s so cocky.

Oyster, that`s Bert.  `E`s as close as a book.
   But sometimes I`ve come on `im sudden an` saw `im 
Lip `angin` down an` a reel `aggard look,
   Like all the woes in the world come to gnaw `im.  
But, soon as `e sees you, `e brightens right up.  
   "Picked it again, lad!" `e sez to you, grinnin`.  
"A fiver at sevens I `ad in the Cup!
   That`s very near sixty odd quid that I`m winnin`."

Mystery man - that`s `is style for a cert,
   Picks the `ole card, yet `e`s shabby and seedy;
`E must `ave some sorrer in secrit, ole Bert -
   Some drain on `is purse wot is keepin` `im needy.
A terrible pity.  Some woman, no doubt.
   No wonder `e worries in secrit an` souses.
If I `ad `is winnin`s, year in an` year out,
   Why I`d own a Rolls Royce an` a terris of `ouses.
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