University of Virginia Library

MOTHER, HE'S GOING AWAY.

Mother
Now what are you crying for, Nelly?
Don't be blubbering there like a fool;
With the weight o' the grief, faith, I tell you
You'll break down the three-legged stool.
I suppose now you're crying for Barney,
But don't b'lieve a word that he'd say,
He tells nothing but big lies and blarney,
Sure you know how he sarved poor Kate Karney.

Daughter.
But, mother?

Mother.
Oh, bother!

Daughter.
Oh, mother, he's going away,
And I dreamt th' other night
Of his ghost—all in white! [Mother speaks in an under tone.

The dirty blackguard!]

Daughter.
Oh, mother, he's going away.

Mother.
If he's going away all the better,—
Blessed hour when he's out o' your sight!
There's one comfort—you can't get a letter—
For yiz neither can read nor can write.
Sure, 'twas only last week you protested,
Since he coorted fat Jinney Mc Cray,
That the sight o' the scamp you detested—
With abuse sure your tongue never rested—

Daughter.
But, mother?

Mother.
Oh, bother!

Daughter.
Oh, mother, he's going away! [Mother, speaking again with peculiar parental piety,

May he never come back!]

Daughter.
And I dream of his ghost
Walking round my bed-post—
Oh, mother, he's going away!