The Irish standard., 1894-04-14

he Knows the smack OF sweet pOtneen,
Old wine and brandtes mellow,
He owns throat and nose as keen
AS any jolly fellow.
But often as he sits or sings.
Or midst his walks so pleasant,
Upon him like a Mound there springs
"A painting, brawny peasant,
And grasps his neck and with curse
Says, willing or unwilling,
Come hand me out your fairy purse
That ever holds q shilling!
And guide me where in days of old,
In times Of war and trouble.
Rich people buried crooks of gold
sheath bush Or stone, or stublle!
Come, guide me forward to my prize,
And 90 not think to fly me:
I'll hold you straight before my eyes
Though mick" himself stood by me:
Right onward moves the little man
Cast down and sad in seeming.
Yet framing many subtle plan
Beyond his captor's dreaming;
For vain will be his active strides
And vain his grasp of rigor
If once his glance moment glides
From off the fairy figure!.
A thousand sounds rise in his rear.
thousand strong temptations; :. :.
Men, women, horses, dogs and near.
Friends, foes and blood relations.
Huffah! his pigs are ON his track,
He knows his lively squeelers,
And there are! bailifs at hissback
And there's squad of speelers!''
And now call from Nefl,s "sheebeenS'
About his ears come ringing,
Now whispers from his own .*colleen"
About his ears are singing: >7:
Yet,never once to left or right
He looks for Joy or sorrow.
He holds his fairy prisoner tight
He'll settle all tomorrow.
At last they reach weed-grown field
Neglected, wild and dreary,
IT'S here the treasure lies concealed, H.
Gu, speaks the cunning fairy:
But loose my throat and let me talk
And listen to my counsel
The geld is here beneath the stalk
OF blooming, yellow groundsell.
The peasants pulses madly beat.
His brain is wild with pleasure;
What! he1e beneath my very feet
That heap of shining treasure?
Oh kind. oh gracious Cluricaun
Who calls you old or footy?
Ny hearts delight, my "Bouchal Rawn,"
My youth, my truth, my beauty!
And S y who wrongs or injuresyou,
For surely he will rue it,
And say what mortal man can do
To serve you aud I'll do it.
And sure the gold is here indeed
Where safe twas hid from plunder;
IT'S here beneath this darling weed
And but sholt way under.
Oh! cruel now. to be delayed,
And back DER boys and bitches
To tramp again, for pick and spade,
Ere can clutch my riches!
I'ntrayel quickly through the night
While all the world are sleeping.
And here I'll be ere morning light
Above the East is peeping.
But fl cst to mark this precious spot
Al SCFdpG tulS E1uS W UOuuU
And this sweet flower above the pot
I'll tie my garter round it.
Good by, young man." the fairy cries
"You'.e rich, and wise, and clever
'Good-by, the happy youth replies,
"And Joy be yours for ever"
Back through the gloom the peasant hie:--
His brain with wonder teeming;
He slaps his hands, he rubs his eyes,
He's wide awake. not dreaming.
He reaches soon his cabin door,
And not a moment losing,
With tools in baud he's OFF once more
Low muttering, still and musing:
Well, there are men and women, too.
30 fond of all contraries,
They say these things are never true
They laugh at ghosts and fairies
Blu. let them laugh or scold away
AS they feel vexed or funny,
One thing Is sure, at break of day
That I'll be made of money.
Aud then good-by to toll and care,
To pillow and spade and harrow,
To tattered clothes and humble fare
And cabin, dark aud narrow!
For soon I'll have grand estate
'Twould take day to view it,
A fine big house, and entrance gate,
With gravel walks right through it.
Then off to help him DER his loss
III ill the poor man S pocket.
And never a. k his name or cross
To I. 0. u. or docket.
Ny own colleen" upon my life
Shall find me not traitor!
No other girl shall be my wife
E'ea if my luck was greater!
Oh, there are Ladies, l can see
With puny forms and faces.
Pale, thin and cold, what would the y be
But for their silks and laces?
But wait till Mary, plump and red,
Il Strong limbed, bright-eyed and merry,
Sets up q bonnet on her head
Decked round with leaf and berry.
l1as round her neck. that's white q mix,
Cold chains and dashing spangles,
"A yards 90 ysrdg &C screeching silk
m dopnOos ionnd Her ank
AS,s g ar ~ land Is
Is