70 THE VILLAGE CHAMPIONS
’E ses, ses ’e, ‘I claims a win ;
Bill Stokes ain’t got ’is fifty in!’
“But Bill ’e give a glorious gulp,
An’ swallers six as soon as snakes,
An’ mashes more’n ’em inter pulp,
While Jim another couple takes.
‘ My lords,’ ses Bill, ‘I’m easy fust,
An’ threescore yet afore I bust!’
“ Then Jimmy Buskett up ’e riz,
An’ tries to bolt a plateful more,
When green ’e turns about the phiz,
An’ falls presumptious on the floor.
So Sawbones swears upon the spot
A nappleplectic fit ’e’s got.
“Then Billy Stoke ’e ups an’ calls
Fur men to carry ’im to bed,
When likewise ’e permiscuous falls
An’ its the fender with ’is ’ead.
Ses Sawhones, ‘’E’s a lucky chap,
An’ wean't be ’urt by ¢hat mis’ap.’
“« They’ve appleplectic fits,’ ’e ses,
‘An’, though their lives I’m sure to save,
Yet each ’ll carry, Ill confess,
A ruin’ stummick to ’is grave.’
An’ ’e were right as soon as not:
A ruin’ stummick ’tis they’ve got.