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Source: THE ARMCHAIR
MAGAZINE Published Melbourne and also appears as Armchair Chronicle 1853 SITE SOURCE: Sydney Folklore - SECTION17: Characters and Eccentrics The Wail of a WegetarianOh! don't unto the diggins come,You that object to meat, You can't get taters nor green peas, Nor any fruit to eat. But stop; I'm going on too fast,� To tell the truth I'm bound; Yon can get taters, if you pay Two shillings for a pound. Yon cannot live on damper, friend, And wash it down -with tea: I'm getting weakly daily here, For fruit I never see. I'm wrong again: in twelve months, twice Some oranges I've seen, And apples, like their purchasers, Most gloriously green. O you who frugal live at home, Who can, with one small penny, Two oranges, twelve apples, buy,� If here yon purchase any, (And this mind's only now and then, Though, you. be e'er so willing,) An orange will cost eighteen-pence, An apple just one shilling. Oh! would I were in London streets, Some juicy orange munching, Or, what would he the same to me, A ribston-pippin scrunching : I'd never, never think again Of gold, and emigration Unto a land where one must choose Chops, steaks, or else�starvation. So don't unto the diggins come You who object to meat, You'll hardly dig up gold enough To pay for what yon eat. |