Becky Sharp Poem by Joseph Skipsey

I.

THE DITTY.


O, BECKY SHARP, dear Becky Sharp!
So very clever and so witty;
I'm half inclined your praise to harp
In one, at least, well-worded ditty.

First be it sung, You're framed for love―
'For love, thou fool?' cried Beck, upbringing,
And snatching up the tongs, half clove
My head, and off 'thou fool!' went singing.


II.

CONSOLATION.


SWEET Becky Sharp, sweet Beck, upon
A time I tried to frame a ditty,
For which you knock'd me down, anon,
And left me sprawling without pity.

Sir Crawley plus Sir Sprawley, then
Was I, and yet you little honey,
How charming wasn't next half-hour, when
You came and kissd away—my money.


III.

THE PRECIOUS PEARL.


DEAR Becky Sharp, you lovely girl!
Come, now on knacks my money's lavished,
I yet have left one precious pearl
With which your brokers may be ravished.

'Where, Crawley, dear!' Why even here—
Ah, no; I dream—Sweet mercy, bless us!
I thought I'd yet that manhood, pet,
I had ere I had thy caresses.


IV.

THE TOAST.


BEST Becky Sharp, pray do not carp,
Nor turn your cherry lip up snarling—
'Man, are you mad?—this Becky bad,
Why, she's a visionary darling!'

Is't so? ''Tis so!'—Your glasses ring—
Ring then and toast the bright ideal;
Ah, bring the ideal Beckies, bring!
And take away the Beckies real!