William Harrison Ainsworth

The Newgate Stone

I. 

WHEN CLAUDE DU VAL was in Newgate thrown,
He carved his name on the dungeon stone;
Quoth a dubsman, who gazed on the shattered wall,
“You have carved your epitaph, CLAUDE DU VAL,
		With your chisel so fine, tra la!”

II.

Du VAL was hanged, and the next who came 
On the selfsame stone inscribed his name; 
“Aha!” quoth the dubsman, with devilish glee, 
“TOM WATERS, your doom is the triple tree !
		With your chisel so fine, tra la!”

III.

Within that dungeon lay CAPTAIN BEW, 
RUMBOLD and WHITNEY — a jolly crew! 
All carved their names on the stone, and all 
Share the fate of the brave Du VAL!
		With your chisel so fine, tra la!

IV.

Full twenty highwaymen blithe and bold. 
Rattled their chains in that dungeon old: 
Of all that number there ’scaped not one 
Who carved his name on the Newgate Stone,
		With your chisel so fine, tra la!