The Demon Milk

"Yer honor, please!" the prisoner said, "It isn't wot you think. To look on wine when it is red Or alco'olic drink Is not among me little ways. I been teetotal all me days. It ain't the wine, it ain't the beer, It ain't the gin-an'-two That bows me 'ead in sorrer 'ere. 'Tain't no fermented brew That druv me on to sin an' strife. Hark: 'Ere's the story of me life. When I was just a little kid I was a model child. Wot I was tole to do I did, Reel innercint an' mild. But, bein' wise, an' unlike some, At one year old I 'owled for rum. Me nurse, wot was a strict t.t. Aimed my young soul to bilk, An' every day she flooded me Wiv quarts an' quarts of milk. Oh, 'ow the stuff coursed thro' each vein An' set on fire me tiny brain. At five, as well may be believed, I was a little tough; For by that thne I 'ad conceived A cravin' for the stuff. I swiped it from each neighbor's door, An' roamed the district seekin' more. The cravin', sir, it got me down, When I grew to a man; I raided dairies thro' the town, Pinched bottle, billy-can, An' never could resist no'ow The fascination of a cow. It ain't the rum, it ain't the beer - Oh, 'ow I wish it was! - That brings me ignominy 'ere. 'Ave pity, sir, becos It was the demon milk, I vows, That made me pinch that 'erd of cows."