‘In lofty verse
‘Pathetic they alternately rehearse.’
каждый берет строку по очереди, и каждый соревнуется с другим в скорбной трагедии взгляда и голоса. Мгновения достаточно, чтобы провозгласить могильным голосом: «Ужасный несчастный случай сегодня на льду в Риджентс-парке» и т. д.
«Эти полпенсовые листки составляют почти всю поэзию Севен-Диалс, и хотя они почти не учат истории, они показывают, по крайней мере, какой вид поэзии находит наиболее благоприятный прием и самый быстрый сбыт среди наших низших классов. Насколько мы можем установить, в Лондоне есть восемь или десять издателей масштаба Форти и Дисли — хотя и не в таком большом масштабе. Балладников и зазывал прозаических декламаций (таких как «Политический катехизис») может быть около сотни, разбросанных по мегаполису, которые обитают в таких местах, как Нью-Кат, Тоттенхэм-Корт-роуд, Уайтчепел и Клеркенуэлл-Грин; и в зависимости от погоды, состояния торговли и характера своих товаров зарабатывают скудную или веселую жизнь, распевая такие песни, которые мы сейчас представили нашим читателям. «Песни, если они слишком религиозны», — говорит один менестрель, — «вообще не продаются; хотя приличная мораль идет очень хорошо. Но хорошее, ужасное убийство — это то, что надо. Я знал», — говорит наш авторитет, — «человека, который продавал рим в день их — это двадцать дюжин, знаете ли»; и эта продажа может продолжаться днями, так что с сорока или пятьюдесятью людьми, работающими менестрелями, популярная баллада вскоре достигнет тиража в тридцать, сорок или пятьдесят тысяч. Время от времени сам издатель сочиняет песню, и в этом случае экономит на стоимости авторских прав, хотя его расходы очень незначительны, даже когда он должен покупать ее. Если один из зазывал пишет балладу на захватывающую тему, он спешит сразу в Севен-Диалс, где, если ее принимают, его награда — «стакан рома, кусок пирога и пять дюжин копий», — которые, если несчастный случай или убийство очень ужасны, печатаются для него, пока он ждет. Убийство всегда хорошо продается, так же как пожар или страшная железнодорожная катастрофа. Хорошая история любви, включающая
‘infidi perjuria nautæ
Deceptamque dolo nympham’
часто идет неплохо; но политика среди низшего класса — это неходовой товар. Даже знаменитая «Баллада о смерти Пэма» не имела большого успеха, кроме как среди лучшего сорта людей; и хотя грубияны любят кричать «Реформы», они, по-видимому, не заботятся тратить на это деньги».
Мы представили этот жалкий собачий стих нашим читателям, чтобы они могли составить некоторое представление о том виде уличной литературы, которая до сих пор популярна у столь многих представителей низших классов. Унизительно, посреди всех школ и обучения нынешнего дня, находить такой мусор, постоянно изливаемый и жадно читаемый. Все же есть некоторые искупающие черты в этой утомительной пустыне. Взятые в целом, моральный тон баллад, если не возвышенный, то, безусловно, не плохой; и количество отдельных строф, которые нельзя было бы процитировать на этих страницах из-за их грубого или непристойного языка, очень мало; в то время как количество целых баллад, подлежащих исключению по той же причине, еще меньше.
ЖЕНЩИНА-МУЖ, КОТОРАЯ БЫЛА ЗАМУЖЕМ ЗА ДРУГОЙ ЖЕНЩИНОЙ В ТЕЧЕНИЕ ДВАДЦАТИ ОДНОГО ГОДА.
What wonders now I have to pen, sir,
Women turning into men, sir,
For twenty-one long years, or more, sir,
She wore the breeches we are told, sir,
A smart and active handsome groom, sir,
She then got married very soon, sir,
A shipwright’s trade she after took, sir,
And of his wife, he made a fool sir.
Sing hey! sing O! ’twas my downfall, sir,
To marry a man with nothing at all, sir,
Ну, матушка Спрайтли, что вы думаете об этом женщине-муже; мне это кажется странным делом. Почему, матушка Чаттер, я не верю и половине того, что об этом говорят — фу, фу, вы думаете, я бы пролежала в постели со своим мужем двадцать одну минуту, не зная, из чего он сделан, не говоря уже о двадцати одном годе, ибо у меня никогда не хватило бы терпения ждать так долго. Мой старик прижимается ко мне, как воск, в эти холодные зимние ночи, и если бы он повернулся ко мне спиной, я бы воткнула в нее иголку.
If the wife asked for a favour,
Then she flew into a fever,
Gave to her a precious thump, sir,
Which after left a largeish lump, sir,
Then her limbs so straight and tall, sir,
She turn’d her face against the wall, sir,
And oft have quarrel’d and much strife, sir,
Because he would not cuddle the wife, sir.
Почему я должна сказать, матушка Чаттер, если бы он был моим мужем, я думаю, после тяжелой работы весь день он должен был крепко спать, и я бы увидела, что он такое, прежде чем встала утром, или я бы знала причину, почему.
Was woman ever so perplex’d, sir,
And through life so grievously vex’d, sir,
And disappointments oft did meet, sir,
And instead of a kiss, I oft got beat, sir,
Sometimes cuff’d and sometimes scouted,
Because I asked what woman wanted,
And if ever that I marry again, sir,
I’ll surely marry a perfect man, sir.
Матушка Чаттер — Мужчина, действительно! да, я надеюсь, она позаботится в следующий раз, когда выйдет замуж, и не будет снова так одурачена; и так как она была таким плохим судьей, я бы посоветовала ей попробовать и испытать сначала в следующий раз.
Матушка Спрайтли — Я не сомневаюсь, что она осмотрит бороду и бакенбарды следующего мужчины, за которого выйдет замуж, и не поверит безбородому существу на слово.
With this pretty handsome groom, sir,
She went and spent the honey-moon, sir,
The very first night my love should cuddle,
Up in the clothes he close did huddle;
And with his face against the wall, sir,
He never spoke a word at all, sir,
A maid to bed I then did go, sir,
And a maiden am now, heigho! heigho! sir.
Ну, матушка Фриски, как ваш старик? Почему он вполне бодр и во всех отношениях мужчина, не из ваших фальшивых мужей; дайте мне настоящего мужчину или никого вовсе. Ну, я вашего мнения, и я надеюсь, что у следующего мужа, который у нее будет, она родит крепких детей.
Pretty maidens list I pray, sir,
Unto what I now do say, sir,
Taste and try before you buy, sir,
Or you’ll get bit as well as I, sir;
See he’s perfect in all parts, sir,
Before you join your hand and heart, sir,
You then with all your strength may try, sir,
To be fruitful, increase, and multiply, sir.
Напечатано Т. Бертом, № 10, Грейт-Сент-Эндрю-стрит, Севен-Диалс.
ДОМ ШЕКСПИРА.
“Pulling down and building up is all the go,
And the scene changes like a raree show,”
Yet is it not disgraceful to the nation,
That Shakespeare’s house is doomed to mutilation?
The house in which that great man first drew breath,
A spot renowned before and after death—
Where pilgrims from every land have come,
To see his birth place, Nature’s learned home—
Where first shone forth, a pale, an infant light,
A spreading brilliancy, which still burns bright.
Oh, who shall have the writings on the walls,
Oh, who can save the house that’s doomed to fall?
True genius, of which we vainly boast,
By our rulers seems neglected most.
How we took the kernel, and threw by the shell,
Profanation, degradation,—Oh, England, thou art a tardanation!
Time-hallowed spot, could we call back those days,
When Shakespeare here in thoughtless boyhood plays.
Before his plays had graced the mimic scene,
Since which three hundred years have been
Food for reflection, here the thinking mind,
“And good in everything” we ought to find.
From out the walls in fancy we might trace
Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Richard’s face;
And all the clouds that on this house have lowered,
Look frowningly, as ’twere upon a coward,
Who thus stands meekly by this sacred wood,
Nor helps to save it for its country’s good.
But let it go, our Shakespeare needs no fame,
’Tis but a house! a house! “What’s in a name?”
Let it be sold, or in the sea be tossed—
His loved and mighty labours ne’er will be lost.
Altercation, dilapidation,—Time steps in and cheats the nation!
Great Premier,—Oh, King John,—grant this our charter,
Why in this land should genius be a martyr?
The Tempest’s rising, if we fail we fall;
And time may tell you a sad Winter’s Tale.
Come, As you like it, make this house a treasure,
Do not divide it, Measure for Measure.
Methinks in sadness I can see the Moor,
Othello, looking blacker than before;
Therefore, good John, we look to you
To put this house in order, and to Tame the Shrew.
The very age and body of the time (reflecting mirrors)
Proclaims this sale a Comedy of Errors,
While England wastes her thousands, ’tis not soothing,
To say this is Much Ado about Nothing;
For to the wise and thoughtful this would seem
A summer cloud or Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Moderation, preservation,—Is all we’re asking of the nation!
Robins, at knocking houses down so fond,
Exclaims, with Shakespeare’s Jew, I’ll have my bond.
Put down your hammer, Mr Robins, stop;
You take my house when you do touch the prop.
Hard-hearted man, such antique relics ridding,
With hammer soon to fall and looks for-bidding,
Shakespeare by you has been puffed up and praised,
To sell his house you have a story raised.
And is it true this house is coming down,
To be put on wheels and dragged about the town?
Can such things be, can it be so!
What, make this classic pile a travelling show?
Tis true; ’tis pity chaps from Yankee land
Are coming over with the cash in hand.
Blow winds, crack cheeks, their paltry lucre spurn,
To what base uses may we not return.
Speculation—British nation, Oh, save the house from exportation!
Time was, and it seems but t’other day,
When we could see a real Shakesperian play,
With Miss O’Neill, Siddons, or the great John Kemble,
Could laugh at Munden, or at old Kean tremble.
Macready does Shakespeare now, with Kean’s son Charlie,
And Drury Lane holds legitimate with Harley;
Shakespeare inside has long been quite neglected,
His statue outside looks forlorn, dejected;
For great folks now run after Greas or All-bony,
Tamburini, Jenny Lind, or Taglioni,
Which John Bull’s dire indignation rouses,
Till he exclaims, “A plague on both your houses.”
Portia, Miranda, Juliet for him plead,
Preserve this house, thy potent spell we need.”
My song is done, and you I pardon crave—
All’s well that ends well, if this house we save.
Determination, stimulation,—and Shakespeare’s house an honour to the nation.
E. Hodges, Printer (from the late J. Pitt’s), Wholesale Toy Warehouse, 38, Dudley Street, 7 Dials.
НОВАЯ ПЕСНЯ О КОСТЮМЕ БЛУМЕР.
Oh, did you hear the news of late,
According to the rumours,
The pretty ladies one and all,
Are going to join the bloomers.
Since Mrs Dexter’s come to town,
She says, oh, what a row, sir,
The men shall wear the petticoats
And ladies wear the trousers.
Oh, did you hear, &c.
Now Mrs. Dexter’s come to town,
She says, she’ll not be lazy,
But quickly turn the ladies’ brains,
And set the men all crazy.
Old maids and lasses fine and gay,
Short, stumpy, tall and bandy,
Long petticoats now throw away,
And beat the yanky dandy.
Prince Albert and the Queen one day,
Had such a jolly row, sirs,
She threw off her petticoats
And put on boots and trousers;
Won’t it be funny for to see
Ladies possessed of riches,
Riding up and down the town
In Wellingtons and breeches.
Now you with ancles short and thick,
Of every rank and station,
Oh, won’t you cut it fine and slick,
By this new alteration.
And landladies that creep about,
Well known as twenty stoners,
Come shove your bustles up the spout,
And join the dashing bloomers.
The bloomers dress, the people say,
Is getting all the go now,
The pretty factory lasses they,
Will cut a gallant show now,
In petticoats above their knes,
And breeches too you’ll fit them.
Nice jackets made of velveteen,
All button’d up behind them.
Now married men take my advice,
Step out and spend your riches,
And buy your wife all in a trice,
Short petticoats and breeches,
For in the fashion she will hop,
Whene’er she’s out of humour,
I wonder if her tongue will stop,
When she becomes a bloomer.
Last night my wife she said to me,
Tom, when we’ve got the notes in,
I’ll have a pair of gaiters, and
Breeches made of goat’s skin.
A pair of boots and silver spurs,
For I have got such bad legs,
I cannot hide I’ll have to ride,
The donkey now a strad-legs.
The men must go out selling fish,
And deal in shrimps and mussels,
Dress’d up in ladies’ petticoats,
Fine flounces and big bustles,
You’ll have no call to work at all,
But walk out in your broaches,
The ladies are determined, for,
To drive the cabs and coaches.
The tailors now must all be sharp
In making noble stitches,
And be sure and clap their burning goose
Upon the ladies’ breeches;
Their pretty little fingers will
Be just as sore as mutton,
Until that they have found the way
Their trousers to unbutton.
You factory lasses, one and all,
Your dresses all reform now,
Buy a jacket and a trousers for
To keep you snug and warm now;
Short petticoats and garters too,
No matter how the time goes,
A billycock and feather for
To see which way the wind blows.
М. О’ЛОФНАН.
МАНЧЕСТЕР — ИЗМЕНИВШИЙСЯ ГОРОД.
Once on a time this good old town was nothing but a village,
Of husbandry, and farmers too, whose time was spent in tillage;
But things are altered very much, such building now allotted is,
It rivals far and soon will leave behind the great Metropolis.
O dear O, Manchester’s an altered town, O dear O.
Once on a time were you inclin’d, your weary limbs to lave, sir,
In summer’s scorching heat in the Irwell’s cooling wave, sir;
You had only got to go to the Old Church for the shore, sir,
But since those days the fish have died, and now they are no more, sir.
When things do change you ne’er do know what next is sure to follow,
For mark the change in Broughton now, of late ’twas but a hollow
For they have found it so snug, and chang’d its etymology,
They have clapt in it a wild beast’s show, now call’d the Gardens of Zoology.
A market on Shudehill was, and it remains there still, sir,
The Salford old bridge is taken away, and clapt a new one in, sir,
There’s Newton lane I now shall name, has had an alteration,
They’ve knock’d a great part of it down, to make a railway station.
There’s the Bolton railway station in Salford, give attention,
Besides many more too numerous to mention;
Besides a new Police, to put the old ones down stairs, sir,
A mayor and corporation to govern this old town, sir.
There’s the Manchester and Salford old bridge, that long has stood, the weather,
Because it was so very old they drown’d it altogether;
And Brown street market too, it forms part of this sonnet,
Down it must come, they say, to build a borough gaol upon it.
Not long ago if you had taken a walk thro’ Stevenson’s square, sir,
You might have seen, if you look’d, a kind of chapel there, sir,
And yet this place, some people thought, had better to come down, sir,
And in the parson’s place they put a pantaloon and clown, sir.
In former times our cotton swells were not half so mighty found, sir,
But in these modern times they everywhere abound, sir,
With now police and watchmen, to break peace there’s none dare
And at every step the ladies go, policemen will cry, move on there’.
In former days this good old town was guarded from the prigs, sir,
By day constables, by night by watchmen with Welsh wigs, sir;
But things are alter’d very much, for all those who are scholars,
May tell the new policemen by their numbers on their collars.
НОВАЯ ПЕСНЯ О ПРЕСТОНСКОЙ ГИЛЬДИИ, 1842 г.
Дж. Харкнесс, печатник, 121, Черч-стрит, Престон.
You lads and lasses far and near,
Unto my song pray lend an ear,
The time is come for mirth and glee,
To Preston Guild let’s haste away,
For Tom and Sal with Jim and Peg,
And daddy with his wooden leg,
And grunting Jack with Sam and Will,
Are all gone off to Preston Guild.
There lords and ladies, Kings and Queens,
At Preston Guild they may be seen,
Yes, Merchants, Tradesmen,—a grand show,
With ladies walking in a row;
And then the trades they do appear,
By gum it makes one feel quite queer,
Some walking,—others standing still,
This is the fun at Preston Guild.
The tailors they lead up the van,
With Adam and Eve they look so grand,
Then Robin Hood’s men and gardeners,
Who represent Mars the God of Wars,
Shopkeepers, Publicans so free,
Will follow up for liberty,
The grandest show in England still,
Is the jublilee at Preston Guild.
The factory folks are next in view,
Spinners, weavers, and carders too,
The piecers do not lag behind,
Brickmakers at the Guild we find,
Bricksetters, masons two and two,
To see them walking in a row,
The men who houses and factories build,
You’ll see them walk at Preston Guild.
When at the Guild you do arrive,
Like bees they’re swarming all alive,
All kinds of trades are working still,
You’ll see, now you’re at Preston Guild.
There’s swinging boxes, likewise shows,
And soldiers ’listing drunken fools,
Both drunkards and teetotallers will,
Enjoy a peep at Preston Guild.
Its toss or buy for cakes or nuts,
Sweet meats or ORMSKIRK, stuff your guts,
Or take a trow at civil will,
Now lads you’ve come to Preston Guild,
Or see the sports that’s up and down,
At Preston Guild in Preston town,
Two shillings a bed pay with good will,
If you stop one night at Preston Guild.
The times are hard, the wages low,
Some thousands to the Guild can’t go,
From Blackburn, Burnley, and Chorley still,
They will roll on to Preston Guild,
From Wigan, Bolton, Lancaster,
From Liverpool and Manchester,
The Railroad brings them on it still,
To see the fun at Preston Guild.
So young and old I’ll tell you true,
It’s different now since twenty-two,
The men did labour with good will,
It’s not so now this Preston Guild.
But let us hope the times will mend,
When the poor man can the poor befriend,
We want our rights and then we will,
Have plenty of sport next Preston Guild.
ПРОРОЧЕСТВО НА 1850 ГОД — — — —
Джон Харкнесс, печатник, Черч-стрит; — Офис, Норт-роуд, Престон.
Now Christmas it is gone and past, throughout the British nation,
Come list to me and you will see a wonderful alteration;
In the new year there will appear, or I may cause a blunder,
Some curious changes that will fill you with amaze and wonder.
CHORUS.
So listen to me of all degree, both single, wise, and thrifty,
While I prophecy what you will see, in eighteen hundred and fifty.
The Queen will have another son, he will be a steam-loom weaver,
And Prince Albert he is going to be a wopping big coal-heaver;
Old Wellington as I’ve heard say, with his great whacking nose, sir,