free-verse20 lines
Simple Sister Goes To Sydney
by Edward DysonWhen Flo resolved to go to town from brothers three a yell went up,
Predicting ruin and distress. Bill in his horror dropped a cup.
'Gorstruth!' he said, 'in Sydney there what is a simple girl to do?
They took me down. I lost me watch and seven quid. What 'ope for you?'
Ben turned on her in pale dismay. 'Look here, me girl, ain't you bin told
How one iv them there spieler blokes done me for twenty pound in gold?
He was as nice a gentleman as any in the blessed shops:
He got away with all I had, and took a luner at the cops.'
'Me, too,' said Dave, 'that time I went to Sydney town to see the Show
One trimmed me for me bran' new suit. You stay where we can watch you, Flo.'
Flo packed. 'If spieler comes at me his finish will be sharp,' she said;
And when the boys next heard of her she'd got a bloke, and then was wed.
She wrote: 'He's rather nice, I think, and I am putting him to work.
Next Chrissmiss we are comin' up to see yous people back o' Bourke.'
And when he came he brought for Bill a silver watch and seven quid,
For Dave a bran' new suit of check, a ruby tie-pin and a lid.
To Ben he handed twenty pounds, in nice new minted sovereigns, too.
And still the brothers gaped at him, and still their great amazement grew.
He was a natty kind of chap, with gentle manners, small and slim.
And when they spoke 'twas as one man. 'So 'elp me cat,' they said, 'it's 'im!'