March 26, 2007
Villon’s Straight Tip To All Cross Coves (An important lesson for all who joined us for Monday's showing of The Nine Queens; all of the phrases describe unique grifts):
Suppose you screeve, or go cheap-jack?
Or fake the broads? or fig a nag?
Or thimble-rig? or knap a yack?
Or pitch a snide? or smash a rag?
Suppose you duff? or nose and lag?
Or get the straight, and land your pot?
How do you melt the multy swag?
Booze and the blowens cop the lot.
This poem is an adaptation of Villon's "Ballade de bonne doctrine à ceux de mauvaise vie." I learned of this poem from Douglas Hofstadter's rewarding Le Ton Beau De Marot, which also includes this more direct english translation.
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