Poem by William Harrison Ainsworth

Oliver Whiddles!

Oliver whiddles – the tattler old! 
Telling what best hud been left untold. 
Oliver ne’er was a friend of mine;
All glims I hate that so brightly shine. 
Give me a night black as hell, and then 
See what I’ll show to you, my merry men,

Oliver whiddles! – who cares – who cares, 
If down upon us he peers and stares? 
Mind him who will, with his great white face, 
Boldly I’ll ride by his glim to the chase; 
Give him a Rowland, and loudly as ever 
Shout, as I show myself, “Stand and deliver!”

1. One Foot in the Stirrup, or Turpin's First Fling
2. The Modern Greek
3. The Game of High Toby
4. The Legend of Valdez
5. Hymn to Saint Thecla

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