The Poetry Corner

London Types - X. News-Boy

By 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.