PEG OF LIMAVADDY. VOL. I. RIDING from Coleraine (Famed for lovely Kitty), Came a Cockney bound 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, Black with many a snipe in, 'Mid the bogs of black, Silver pools were flashing, Crows upon their sides Picking were and splashing. Closer folds his plaidy, D 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: Limavaddy inn's But a humble baithouse, Gives a smiling welcome- 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) And the cradled babe Fond the mother nursed it, Singing it a song As she twists the worsted! Up and down the stair Two more young ones patter, Both have snubby noses, With the sleet and hail, sir, Presently a maid Enters with the liquor, (Half a pint of ale Frothing in a beaker). Gads! I didn't know What my beating heart meant, Hebe's self I thought Entered the apartment. With a curtsey neat Greeting the new-comer, Lovely, smiling Peg Offers me the rummer; And the glass of ale Spilt it every drop, (Dames, who read my volumes, Pardon such a word,) On my what-d'ye-call-'ems! Witnessing the sight Of that dire disaster, Out began to laugh Missis, maid, and master; Such a merry peal, 'Specially Miss Peg's was, (As the glass of ale Trickling down my legs was,) That the joyful sound Of that mingling laughter Echoed in my ears Many a long day after. Such a silver peal! In the meadows listening, You who've heard the bells Ringing to a christening; You who ever heard Caradori pretty, Smiling like an angel, Singing "Giovinetti;" Fancy Peggy's laugh, Sweet, and clear, and cheerful, At my pantaloons With half a pint of beer full! When the laugh was done, Peg, the pretty hussy, Moved about the room Wonderfully busy; Now she looks to see If the kettle keep hot; Now she rubs the spoons, Now she cleans the tea-pot; Now she sets the cups Trimly and secure; Now she scours a pot, And so it was I drew her. Thus it was I drew her That I try to sketch it; But Peggy's face is wretched. No the best of lead, And of Indian rubber, Never could depict That sweet kettle-scrubber! See her as she moves! Scarce the ground she touches, Airy as a fay, Graceful as a duchess ; Bare her rounded arm, Bare her little leg is, Vestris never show'd Ankles like to Peggy's; Braided is her hair, Soft her look and modest, Slim her little waist Comfortably boddiced. This I do declare, Happy is the laddy Who the heart can share Of Peg of Limavaddy; Married if she were, Blest would be the daddy, |