Poem by William Ernest Henley

London Types: Bus Driver

He's called The General from the brazen craft
And dash with which he sneaks a bit of road
And all its fares; challenged, or chafed, or chaffed,
Back-answers of the newest he'll explode;
He reins his horses with an air; he treats
With scoffing calm whatever powers there be;
He gets it straight, puts a bit on, and meets
His losses with both lip and £ s. d.;
He arrogates a special taste in short;
Is loftily grateful for a flagrant smoke;
At all the smarter housemaids winks his court,
And taps them for half-crowns; being stoney-broke,
Lives lustily; is ever on the make;
And hath, I fear, none other gods but Fake.

1. In Hospital. 18. Children: Private Ward
2. In Hospital. 8. Staff-Nurse: Old Style
3. Echoes. 27. She Sauntered by the Swinging Seas
4. Beside the Idle Summer Sea
5. Rhymes and Rhythms. 20. The Shadow of Dawn

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