The poetical works of John Nicholson ... Carefully edited from the original editions, with additional notes and a sketch of his life and writings. By W. G. Hird |
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 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
Next night, of game Desparo made a feast,
And every well-known brother was a guest.
Not to the ale-house did the group retire,
But drank and smoked around the poacher's fire:
Pheasants and grouse, and Stormer's last-caught hare,—
Domestic fowls, unbought, were roasted there.
Their liqour, home-brewed ale, and smuggled rum;
And each was armed had the excisemen come;
But these as soon durst fierce banditti meet,
As force their way into the lone retreat!
And every well-known brother was a guest.
Not to the ale-house did the group retire,
But drank and smoked around the poacher's fire:
104
Domestic fowls, unbought, were roasted there.
Their liqour, home-brewed ale, and smuggled rum;
And each was armed had the excisemen come;
But these as soon durst fierce banditti meet,
As force their way into the lone retreat!
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |