Poems of James Clarence Mangan (Many hitherto uncollected): Centenary edition: Edited, with preface and notes by D. J. O'Donoghue: Introduction by John Mitchel |
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A FAST KEEPER. |
 | Poems of James Clarence Mangan |  |
A FAST KEEPER.
My friend, Tom Bentley, borrowed from me lately
A score of yellow shiners. Subsequently
I met the cove, and dunned him rather gently;
Immediately he stood extremely stately,
And swore, 'pon honour, that he wondered greatly.
We parted coolly. Well! (exclaimed I ment'lly)
I calculate this isn't acting straightly;
You're what slangwhangers call a scamp, Tom Bentley.
A score of yellow shiners. Subsequently
I met the cove, and dunned him rather gently;
Immediately he stood extremely stately,
307
We parted coolly. Well! (exclaimed I ment'lly)
I calculate this isn't acting straightly;
You're what slangwhangers call a scamp, Tom Bentley.
In sooth, I thought his impudence prodigious,
And so I told Jack Spratt a few days after;
But Jack burst into such a fit of laughter.
“Fact is,” said he, “poor Tom has turned religious.”
I stared, and asked him what he meant—
“Why, don't you see,” quoth Jack, “he keeps the Lent.”
And so I told Jack Spratt a few days after;
But Jack burst into such a fit of laughter.
“Fact is,” said he, “poor Tom has turned religious.”
I stared, and asked him what he meant—
“Why, don't you see,” quoth Jack, “he keeps the Lent.”
| Poems of James Clarence Mangan | |