A History of the Cries of London Part 37

THE DEMONS OF PIMLICO.

[From _Punch_.]

Edwin is a Young Bard, who has taken a lodging in a Quiet Street in Belgravia, that he may write his Oxford Prize Poem. The interlocutors are Demons of both s.e.xes.

EDWIN (composing). Where the sparkling fountain never ceases-- _Female Demon._ "_Wa-ter-creece-ses!_"

EDWIN. And liquid music on the marble floor tinkles-- _Male Demon._ "_Buy my perriwinkles!_"

EDWIN. Where the sad Oread oft retires to weep-- _Black Demon._ "_Sweep! Sweep!! Sweep!!!_"

EDWIN. And tears that comfort not must ever flow-- _Demon from Palestine._ "_Clo! Clo!! Old Clo!!!_"

EDWIN. There let me linger beneath the trees-- _Italian Demon._ "_Buy, Im-magees!_"

EDWIN. And weave long gra.s.ses into lovers' knots-- _Demon in white ap.r.o.n._ "_Pots! Pots!! Pots!!!_"

EDWIN. Oh! what vagrant dreams the fancy hatches-- _Ragged Old Demon._ "_Matches! Buy Matches!_"

EDWIN. She opes her treasure-cells, like Portia's caskets-- _Demon with Cart._ "_Baskets, any Baskets!_"

EDWIN. Spangles the air with thousand-coloured silks-- _Old Demon._ "_Buy my Wilks! Wilks!! Wilks!!!_"

EDWIN. Garments which the fairies might make habits-- _Lame Demon._ "_Rabbits, Hampshire Rabbits!_"

EDWIN. Visions like those the Interpreter of Bunyan's-- _Demon with a Stick._ "_Onions, a Rope of Onions!_"

EDWIN. And give glowing utterances to their kin-- _Dirty Demon._ "_Hare's skin or Rabbit skin!_"

EDWIN. In thoughts so bright the aching senses blind-- _Demon with Wheel._ "_Any knives or scissors to grind!_"

EDWIN. Though gone, the Deities that long ago-- _Grim Demon._ "_Dust Ho! Dust Ho!!_"

EDWIN. Yet, from her radiant bow no Iris settles-- _Swarthy Demon._ "_Mend your Pots and Kettles!_"

EDWIN. And sad and silent is the ancient seat-- _Demon with Skewers._ "_Cat's M-e-a-t!_"

EDWIN. For there is a spell that none can chase away-- _Demon with Organ._ "_Poor Dog Tray!_"

EDWIN. And a charm whose power must ever bend-- _Demon with Rushes._ "_Chairs! Old chairs to mend!_"

EDWIN. And still unbanished falters on the ear-- _Demon with Can._ "_Beer! Beer, any Beer!_"

EDWIN. Still Pan and Syrinx wander through the groves-- _She Demon._ "_Any Ornaments for your fire stoves!_"

EDWIN. Thus visited is the sacred ground-- _Second Demon with Organ._ "_Bobbing all around!_"

EDWIN. Ay, and for ever, while the planet rolls-- _Demon with Fish._ "_Mackerel or Soles!_"

EDWIN. Crushed Enceladus in torment groans-- _Little Demon._ "_Stones! Hearthstones!_"

EDWIN. While laves the sea, on the glittering strand-- _Third Demon with Organ._ "_O, 'tis hard to give the hand!_"

EDWIN. While, as the cygnet n.o.bly walks the water-- _Fourth Demon with Organ._ "_The Ratcatcher's Daughter!_"

EDWIN. And the Acropolis reveals to man-- _Fifth Demon with Organ._ "_Poor Mary Anne!_"

EDWIN. So long the presence, yes, the MENS DIVINA-- _Sixth Demon with Organ._ "_Villikins and his Dinah!_"

EDWIN. Shall breathe whereso'er the eye shoots-- _Six Dirty Germans with_-- "_The overture to Freischutz!_"

Here--EDWIN GOES MAD.

AND OUR WORK COMES TO A TIMELY

END.