I'm hungry, my lads, but I've little to eat, So we'll pull down the mills, and we'll seize all the meat: I'll give you good sport, boys, as ever you saw, Derry down. Then his pitchfork Tom seiz'd-Hold a moment, says Jack, I'll shew thee thy blunder, brave boy, in a crack, What a whimsey to think thus our bellies to fill, diet By breeding disturbance, by murder and riot! Derry down.. Because I am dry, 'twould be foolish I think, I would not take comfort from others distresses, Derry down. Let us look to the harvest our wants to beguile, See the lands with rich crops how they every where smile! Meantime to assist us, by each Western breeze, But if we're not quiet, then let us not wonder The more ale we drink, boys, the less we shall eat. On those days spent in riot, no bread you brought home, Had you spent them in labour you must have had Derry down. some. A dinner of herbs, says the wise man, with quiet, But tho' The parliament men, altho' great is their power, Besides I must share in the wants of the times, Because I have had my full share in its crimes; And I'm apt to believe the distress which is sent, Is to punish and cure us of all discontent. -But harvest is coming-Potatoes are come! And tho' I've no money, and tho' I've no lands, I've head on my shoulders, and a pair of good hands; So I'll work the whole week and on Sundays I'll seek Derry down. Quoth Tom, thou art right, if I rise I'm a Turk, So he threw down his pitchfork, and went to his work. ****** THE TORTOISE-SHELL TOM CAT, AND TOMMY CAT'S-EYE, THE CATAM. ARAN AUCTIONEER. OH, what a story the papers have been telling us, About a little animal of mighty price, And who ever thought but an Auctioneer of selling us, For near three hundred yellow boys, a trap for mice: Of its beauties and its qualities, no doubt he told 'em fine tales, But for me, I should just as soon have bought a cat of nine tails, I wou'dn't give for all the Cats in Christendom, so vast a fee, Not to save 'em from the Catacombs, or Cataline's catastrophe; Kate of Russia, Katterfelto's Cat, and Catalani, By Tom outdone, As you shall hear. (Spoken.)-We'll suppose Mr. Cat's-eye, the Auctioneer, with his catalogue in one hand, and a hammer like a Catapulta in the other, mounted in the rostrum at the great room, in Cateaton Street: "Hem! Leds and Gemmen- -Cats are of two distinctions: Thomas and Tabby-This is of the former breed, and the only instance in which I have seen beauty monopolized by a male! Look at him, ladies! what a magnificent mouser! meek, though masculine! The curious Concatenation of colour in that Cat, calls Categorically for your best bidding. Place a proper price upon poor Pussey; consult your feline bosoms, and bid me knock him down." Ladies and gentlemen, a-going, going, going— Any sum for Tommy Tortoise-shell you can't think dear. Next I should tell you the company around him, Who emulously bid, as if they all were wild; Tom thought 'em mad, while they King of Kittens crown'd him, And kiss'd; caress'd, and dandled him just like a child: Lady Letty Longwaist, and Mrs. Martha Griskin, Prim Polly Pussy-love, Miss Scratch, and Biddy Twiskin, Solemn Sally Solus, who, to no man yes had ever said; Killing Kitty Crookedlegs, and neat Miss Nelly Neverwed, Crowding, squeezing, nodding, bidding, each for Puss so eager, Have Tom they would, As you shall hear. (Spoken in different voices.) Irish Lady.-Och, the dear crater, How beautiful he looks when he shuts his eyes! beautiful indeed-he'd even lure the mice to look at him- -Auctioneer.-Forty-five guineas in twenty places (By different Ladies )—Sixty-five! Seventy! Eighty! Ninety!Auctioneer.-Go on, Ladies; nobody bid more ?—it's enough to make a Cat swear to think he should go for so little. If the Countess of Catamaran was here, she'd outbid you all.--Miss Grimalkin, you're a Connoisseur in Cats-what shall I say ? -Ninety-five Guineas, sir. In an old' tremulous tone.) Auctioneer. Thank you, Miss.- -Mem, it does not signify you may bid as you will, but he shall be mine, if I bid all day; One Hundred and Twenty, Sir. Auctioneer. Thank ye, Lady Letty. Take a long last languishing look, Ladies.-What a wonder! The only Tortoise-shell Tom the world ever witnessed! See how he twists his tail, and washes his Whiskers!- -Tom, Tom, Tom! (Cat mews.) How musically and divinely he mews, Ladies !One hundred and Seventy Guineas, Sir. Auctioneer. Thank ye, Miss Tabby, you'll not be made a Cat's-paw of, depend on't-(Ladies laugh.) Auctioneer.-Glad to hear you laugh, Ladies: I see how the Cat jumps now; Tommy's going. Ladies and Gentlemen, a-going, going, goingAny sum for Tommy Tortoise-shell you can't think dear. Now louder and warmer the competition growing, Politeness nearly banish'd in the grand fracas; Two hundred-Two hundred and thirty-three: agoing Gonel-Never Cat of Talons met with such eclat: |