by Eliot · Cluster: Joy · Animals · Comic Verse Song
Abstract
Comic dramatic monologue in cockney by a retired pirate cat now keeping a Bloomsbury door; light verse with a sea-rover persona.
Connections
Archetypes: Outsider Motifs: Animals, Sea Themes & Concepts: Joy Forms & Genres: Dramatic Monologue Settings: London
Testo integrale / Full text
Cat Morgan Introduces Himself
I once was a Pirate what sailed the ’igh seas —
But now I’ve retired as a com-mission-aire:
And that’s how you find me a-takin’ my ease
And keepin’ the door in a Bloomsbury Square.
I’m partial to partridges, likewise to grouse,
And I favour that Devonshire cream in a bowl;
But I’m allus content with a drink on the ’ouse
And a bit o’ cold fish when I done me patrol.
I ain’t got much polish, me manners is gruff,
But I’ve got a good coat, and I keep meself smart;
And everyone says, and I guess that’s enough;
‘You can’t but like Morgan, ’e’s got a good ’art.’
I got knocked about on the Barbary Coast,
And me voice it ain’t no sich melliferous horgan;
But yet I can state, and I’m not one to boast,
That some of the gals is dead keen on old Morgan.
So if you ’ave business with Faber — or Faber —
I’ll give you this tip, and it’s worth a lot more:
You’ll save yourself time, and you’ll spare yourself labour
If jist you make friends with the Cat at the door.
MORGAN.
PLAYS