Greyfriars Herald special flogging edition 6. A public flogging

A public flogging, delivered in verse – the latest extract from the Greyfriars Herald special flogging edition: read online or download free-of-charge here.

A Public Flogging

By Dick Penfold

Rank by rank, and file by file,

Grim of face, with never a smile,

Greyfriars boys invade Big Hall,

Fags and seniors, great and small.

II

On the platform stands the Head,

With the instrument of dread,

Very stern, and set his face is,

As the fellows take their places.

III

Solemn hush! I think a pin,

If I dropped, would make a din.

There you stand, just like a statue,

With the stern Head frowning at you!

IV

Presently he starts to speak:

(Culprit gives a timid squeak!)

“William Bunter, stand out here!

Take your punishment, severe.”

V

“Me, sir? Why, sir?” Bunter cries,

In accents of professed surprise.

“Sir, you’re making a mistake;

’Twasn’t me who stole the cake!”

VI

“Falsehoods will not help you now!”

Cries the Head with thunderous brow.

“I shall flog you all the harder,

Last night you robber the larder!

VII

“Mr. Hacker went downstairs,

Came upon you unawares,

Caught you in the very act,

Whilst the larder was ransacked!”

VIII

“Really, sir, it wasn’t me!

Mr. Hacker couldn’t see.

It was dark, and so he made

A mistake sir, I’m afraid.”

IX

“Stand out here at once, base youth!

You can never tell the truth.

Full of falsehood and deceit,

A baser boy I’ve yet to meet!”

X

Down the gangway Bunter lurches,

Glance directed where the birch is.

Bunter wobbles at the knees,

He is pale and ill at ease.

XI

William Gosling then is beckoned,

Shuffles forward in a second.

“Take this boy upon your back!”

Gossy stoops – his muscles crack!”

XII

Billy Bunter’s fourteen stone,

Makes the porter gasp and groan.

Bunter wriggles, starts to bellow:

“Remember I’m a frail young fellow!

XIII

“Flog me gently, if you can, sir!”

“Silence boy!” the Head makes answer.

Then he pulls aside his gown,

And the birch comes crashing down!

XIV

Hunter shouts, and Bunter shrieks,

Bunter sobs, and Bunter squeaks.

See hi wriggle, writhe and squirm,

Like a lacerated worm!

XV

Lo, the strokes fall fast and faster,

Till there comes a dire disaster.

Gosling’s knees give way at last,

Down he goes! School stares aghast!

XVI

Bunter crashes to the floor,

Head delivers one cut more.

Though he tumbled from his perch,

Bunter did not miss the birch!

XVII

“There! Your punishment is finished,”

Cries the Head, his breath diminished.

“Yes, I know you feel the pain;

Do not dare transgress again!”

XVIII

Rank by rank, with solemn faces,

Boys go filing from their places.

Bunter, feeling far from gay,

To the tuckshop wends his way!

For more extracts from the Greyfriars Herald Special Flogging Number, click here

For more extracts from comics and story papers, click here

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