Rio Grande's Last Race, and Other Verses

Hard Luck

  I left the course, and by my side
   There walked a ruined tout —
  A hungry creature evil-eyed,
   Who poured this story out.

  'You see,' he said, 'there came a swell
   To Kensington to-day,
  And if I picked the winners well,
   A crown at least he'd pay.

  'I picked three winners straight, I did,
   I filled his purse with pelf,
  And then he gave me half-a-quid,
   To back one for myself.

  'A half-a-quid to me he cast,
   I wanted it indeed.
  So help me Bob, for two days past
   I haven't had a feed.

  'But still I thought my luck was in,
   I couldn't go astray,
  I put it all on Little Min,
   And lost it straightaway.

  'I haven't got a bite or bed,
   I'm absolutely stuck,
  So keep this lesson in your head:
   Don't over-trust your luck!'

  The folks went homeward, near and far,
   The tout, Oh! where was he?
  Ask where the empty boilers are,
   Beside the Circular Quay.