Fun, March 2, 1901
 

THE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPH.


The eye is the eye of a forger,
The brow is the brow of a thief,
   The mouth and the nose
   Alike disclose
A wickedness past belief.

’Tis a visage that proves its owner
A man of the basest stamp,
   I haven’t a doubt
   That he rides about
At nights without a lamp,

Or travels without a ticket,
Or visits music halls;
   His expression shows
   That he often goes
To Covent Garden balls.

And—but what is that you are saying?
Ah, horror! Can it be
   That this shocking disgrace,
   With its Hooligan face,
Is an excellent likeness of me?

 

 


Printed unsigned in Fun; entered by Wodehouse in Money Received for Literary Work.

A slightly altered version titled “The Amateur Photograph!” was reprinted in the June 1, 1901, issue, volume 73, page 258. Wodehouse did not enter this in Money Received and may not have been notified that it was being reused. Thanks to Diego Seguí for this information.