The Poetry Corner

London Types - VIII. Bluecoat Boy

By William Ernest Henley

So went our boys when EDWARD SIXTH, the King, Chartered CHRIST'S HOSPITAL, and died.And so Full fifteen generations in a string Of heirs to his bequest have had to go. Thus CAMDEN showed, and BARNES, and STILLING-FLEET, And RICHARDSON, that bade our LOVELACE be; The little ELIA thus in NEWGATE STREET; Thus to his GENEVIEVE young S. T. C. With thousands else that, wandering up and down, Quaint, privileged, liked and reputed well, Made the great School a part of LONDON TOWN Patent as PAUL'S and vital as BOW BELL: The old School nearing exile, day by day, To certain clay-lands somewhere HORSHAM way.