Page:Ballads·of·Bung•E·Iveagh·Lord•1921.pdf/10

Then “Ogie” proposed the “Ladies,” with well-chosen words and few.
Then we had Madam Melba (this was a surprise)
Singing “Mollie Malone,” ’twas Chummy in disguise.
Here McKay cries: “Charge your glasses, l’ve a most important toast,
So drink in a fitting manner ‘Our Hostess and our Host.’
I’ve never wanted a dollar, I’ve never been short of a beer.
Than I blew right in and got it, and a word of kindly cheer.
Health to our Host and Hostess—good luck may theirs ever be.
The ‘Rec’ is sure the ‘Flagship’ of this village by the sea.”
Frank Doogan did a monologue. Young Locker he sang, too;
And Chummy told some stories, as only he can do.
“Old Lang Syne” we sang it then in the good old village way.
It was an exhilirating evening, the send-off to McKay.
••••
How Jack Tunnell rode Frank Milne’s bull a la Hector Gray,
Of Chummy and his circus, some more another day.
How the Bull he froze a quart of beer, to use in tabloid form; .
How Barry kissed the Chinese cook, and called him Colleen Bawn;
Of Bung the Bookie’s Di Ming Shop; of Locker’s doleful state;
Of “Chalkie’s” “bed” adventure--I'll later on relate.
How Casey fixed his cycle tyre with a stick of shaving soap;
Of “Who was the Devil’s Mother?” the question Mullins spoke.
All these things they happened it’s passing strange to say
‘Bout the time we celebrated the send-off to McKay.