The canting academy, or, The devils cabinet opened wherein is shewn the mysterious and villanous practices of that wicked crew, commonly known by the names of hectors, trapanners, gilts, &c. : to which is added a compleat canting-dictionary, both of old words, and such as are now most in use : with several new catches and songs, compos'd by the choisest wits of the age ...

1. Canting Song.

Of the Budge.

THe a 1.1 Budge it is a delicate trade, And a delicate trade of fame, For when that we have b 1.2 bit the blow We carry away the c 1.3 game. But if the d 1.4 Cully e 1.5 naps us, And the f 1.6 Lurries from us take, O then he g 1.7 rubs us to the h 1.8 Whit, Though w'are hardly worth a i 1.9 Make.

And when that we come to the Whit, Our k 1.10 Darbyes to behold, And for to do our pennance there We booz the Water cold;

But when that we come out again, And the merry l 1.11 Hick we meet, Weel m 1.12 file him of his n 1.13 cole, As he o 1.14 pikes along the street.

And when that we have filed him, Perhaps of half a p 1.15 Job Then every man to the q 1.16 Boozing Ken And there to r 1.17 fence his hog. But if the Cully napps us, As a thing it is unfit To take away the cole from us And rub us to the Whit.

And when we come unto the Whit For garnish they do cry, Marry fogh, Pox on you, you son of a bi••ch, You shall have it by and by. Then every man with his s 1.18 Mob in his hand, And so we kiss and part, From hence we are divorced To the t 1.19 Nubbing-cheat in a Cart.

And when we come to the Nubbing-cheat For running on the Budge, There stands u 1.20 Jack Kitch, that son of a bitch, Who owes us all a grudge; For when that he hath nubbed us, And our friends x 1.21 tips him no cole, He takes his y 1.22 Chive and cuts us down And tips us into the hole.

But if we have a friend stands by z 1.23 Six and eight pence for to pay, Then they may have 〈…〉〈…〉 back, And carry us quite 〈…〉〈…〉

For at St Giles, or St. Martins A burying place is still; And there's an end of a running Budge, And the Son of a whore hath his will.

This song being ended, I was askt how I liked it, I told him the tune might be passable, but in the composition there was much more impudence than sense or reason; he presently replyed, how grosly Sir you are mistaken, to expect from such either sense or reason; for had they either, they could not be so impudent as to continue in such courses which bring some or other of that Gang to

the Gallows every Sessions. I was somewhat sur∣prized at this sudden reply from a person so incon∣siderable to outward appearance, but the remem∣brance of his former good education and natural arts, lessen'd my admiration. Whilst I was thus nusing with my self, another of this Hellish con∣regation put me out of my dumps, by voluntary inging after this manner.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Budge is one that slips into an house in the dark, and taketh what next comes to his hands and marche••h off with it.
• b 1.2

  Bit the blow, that is, done ••he fear, or committed the theft or roguery of what nature soever.
• c 1.3

  Cully
• d 1.4

  naps
• e 1.5

  us; that is, the Person robbed apprehends them.
• f 1.6

  Lurries, Mony, Watch, Ring, or any other moveable.
• g 1.7

  Rubs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••o the
• h 1.8

  Whi••, sends them to Newgate.
• i 1.9

  Make, ha•• ••eny.
• k 1.10

  Darbies, irons, or Shackles or fetters for Fellons.
• l 1.11

  Hick, any person whatever of whom they can make a prey.
• m 1.12

  File, to rob or cheat.
• n 1.13

  Cole Money of any s••rt.
• o 1.14

  As he pikes, as he walks o•• goes.
• p 1.15

  Half a job, ten shillings, or half a piece.
• q 1.16

  Boozing Ken, an Ale-house or house of enter∣taintment.
• r 1.17

  fence his hog, spend his shilling
• s 1.18

  Mob, a Wench or Whore.
• t 1.19

  Nubbing cheat, the Gallows.
• u 1.20

  Jack Kitch, the proper name of the Common Hangman that is now in being.
• x 1.21

  Tips him no Cole, gives him no Money.
• y 1.22

  Chive, a Knife.
• z 1.23

  Six and eight pence the usual fee which is given to carry back the body of the executed Malefactor to give it Christian burial.