Classic Poem

One morning in Epping Forest,
Beside the alehouse door,
I talked with the Gipsy Rosa,
As I often had done before.

When she whispered quick and softly:
" Don't speak in Rommany,
For there is a policeman,
Who can hear as well as see. "

" But if he hears us talking,
He will not understand: " — —
" Why, don't you know, my master,
It's against the law of the land?

" I have heard it from my father,
It may not be spoken or writ;
And many have swung on the gallows
For nothing but talking it.

" And it's still down in the law-book,
And was never struck out, d'ye see?
They may swing you off the cross-beam
For a talkin', much more for a writin'
A book in the Rommany.

" And though you're a gentleman truly,
Don't go in the way to be hung;
For I say it's a hangin' matter,
This talkin' the Rommany tongue. "