A-sittin' in the Bull and Pump <br />With double gins to keep us cheery <br />Says she to me, says Polly Crump" <br />"What makes ye look so sweet. me dearie? <br />As if ye'd gotten back yer youth . . . ." <br />Says I: "It's just me new front tooth." <br /> <br />Says Polly Crump: "A gummy grin <br />Don't help to make one's business active; <br />We gels wot gains our bread by sin <br />Have got to make ourselves attractive. <br />I hope yer dentist was no rook?" <br />Says I: "A quid is what he took." <br /> <br />Says Polly Crump: "The shoes you wear <br />Are down at heel and need new soleing; <br />Why doncher buy a better pair? <br />The rain goes in and out the holeing. <br />They're squelchin' as ye walk yer beat. . . ." <br />Says I: "blokes don't look at me feet." <br /> <br />Says Polly Crump: "You cough all day; <br />It just don't do in our profession; <br />A girl's got to be pert and gay <br />To give a guy a good impression; <br />For if ye cough he's shy of you. . . ." <br />Says I: "An' wots a gel to do?" <br /> <br />Says Polly Crump: "I'm pink an' fat, <br />But you are bones an' pale as plaster; <br />At this dam' rate you're goin' at <br />You'll never live to be a laster. <br />You'll have the daisy roots for door. . . ." <br />Says I: "It's 'ell to be a 'ore. <br /> <br />"But I don't care now I can smile, <br />Smile, smile and not that gap-toothed grinning; <br />I'm wet and cold, but it's worth while <br />To once again look fairly winning. <br />And send ten bob or so to Mother. . . ." <br />Said Polly Crump: "Gwad! Have another?"<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-front-tooth/
