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1849–1903

X. NEWS-BOY

William Ernest Henley

Take any station, pavement, circus, corner, Where men their styles of print may call or choose, And there — ten times more on it than JACK HORNER — There shall you find him swathed in sheets of news.

Nothing can stay the placing of his wares — Not bus, nor cab, nor dray! The very Slop, That imp of power, is powerless! Ever he dares, And, daring, lands his public neck and crop.

Even the many-tortured London ear, The much-enduring, loathes his Speeshul yell, His shriek of Winnur! But his dart and leer And poise are irresistible. PALL MALL

Joys in him, and MILE END; for his vocation Is to purvey the stuff of conversation.

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X. NEWS-BOY · William Ernest Henley · Poetry Cove