1844.

Cigar in all the bustle,

And scorned the tempest's tussle,
And oft we've thought thereafter
How he beat the storm to laughter;
For well he knew his vessel

With that vain wind could wrestle;
And when a wreck we thought her,
And doomed ourselves to slaughter,
How gaily he fought her,

And through the hubbub brought her,

And as the tempest caught her,

Cried, "GEORGE! SOME BRANDY-AND-WATER!"

And when, its force expended,
The harmless storm was ended,
And as the sunrise splendid
Came blushing o'er the sea;
I thought, as day was breaking,
My little girls were waking,
And smiling, and making
A prayer at home for me.

PEG OF LIMAVADDY

R

IDING from Coleraine
(Famed for lovely Kitty),
Came a Cockney bound

Unto Derry city;

Weary was his soul,

Shivering and sad, he Bumped along the road

Leads to Limavaddy.

Mountains stretch'd around,

Gloomy was their tinting, And the horse's hoofs

Made a dismal clinting;

Wind upon the heath

Howling was and piping, On the heath and bog,

Black with many a snipe in.

Mid the bogs of black,

Silver pools were flashing, Crows upon their sides

Picking were and splashing.

Cockney on the car

Closer folds his plaidy, Grumbling at the road

Leads to Limavaddy.

Through the crashing woods

Autumn brawl'd and bluster'd

Tossing round about

Leaves the hue of mustard;

Yonder lay Lough Foyle,
Which a storm was whipping,
Covering with mist

Lake, and shores and shipping.
Up and down the hill

(Nothing could be bolder), Horse went with a raw

Bleeding on his shoulder.
"Where are horses changed?”
Said I to the laddy

Driving on the box:
"Sir, at Limavaddy."

Limavaddy inn's

But a humble bait-house,
Where you may procure
Whisky and potatoes;
Landlord at the door

Gives a smiling welcome-
To the shivering wights
Who to his hotel come.
Landlady within

Sits and knits a stocking,

With a wary foot

Baby's cradle rocking. To the chimney nook

Having found admittance,

There I watch a pup

Playing with two kittens;

(Playing round the fire,

Which of blazing turf is,

Roaring to the pot

Which bubbles with the murphies.)

Kindly interposes:

"Sure you must be froze

With the sleet and hail, sir: So will you have some punch, Or will you have some ale, sir?"

Presently a maid

Enters with the liquor

(Half a pint of ale

Frothing in a beaker).

Gads! I did n't know

What my beating heart meant:

Hebe's self I thought

Entered the apartment.

As she came she smiled,

And the smile bewitching, On my word and honour, Lighted all the kitchen!

With a curtsey neat

Greeting the new comer,

Lovely, smiling Peg

Offers me the rummer;

But my trembling hand
Up the beaker tilted,
And the glass of ale
Every drop I spilt it:
Spilt it every drop

(Dames, who read my volumes, Pardon such a word)

On my what-d' ye-call-'ems!