xiv.
FOREWORD
On my father's lands there are many mansionsWith sheep and cattle, and pigs go léor,Until the Saxon came over the borderWith detention orders that raked him sore.His herds they plundered and killed five hundred,And the rest they sundered north, east and south,Saying, keep the hides and the woolly fleecesFor the beasts have diseases of the foot and mouth!
With these words deceitful, sure he was cheated,Not a mouth was dropping, not a foot was sprung,But the only disease came over from EnglandThe Cloven Hoof and the Dirty Tongue.Now what can avail me, O youthful stranger,To save the beasts and my father's lifeAnd my marriage portion that's my only fortuneFor the lad that's courting me to be his wife?
This ballad was published in the National Student (the magazine of the students of University College, Dublin):
The planets seven that swing through HeavenOn a golden tether round their Lord the SunAre not so humble but they sometimes grumbleThat their life is humdrum with but little fun:Though that shining sickle the moon's not fickle,Yet she's sometimes mickle and more times less,But my love, my blessing, would give them a lesson,Both the stars and the crescent, in graciousness.
