_Fire._ Sisters! I from Ireland came! Hedge and corn-fields all on flame, I triumph'd o'er the setting sun! And all the while the work was done, On as I strode with my huge strides, 50 I flung back my head and I held my sides, It was so rare a piece of fun To see the sweltered cattle run With uncouth gallop through the night, Scared by the red and noisy light! 55 By the light of his own blazing cot Was many a naked Rebel shot: The house-stream met the flame and hissed, While crash! fell in the roof, I wist, On some of those old bed-rid nurses, 60 That deal in discontent and curses. _Both._ Who bade you do't? _Fire._ The same! the same! Letters four do form his name. He let me loose, and cried Halloo! To him alone the praise is due. 65 _All._ He let us loose, and cried Halloo! How shall we yield him honour due? _Fam._ Wisdom comes with lack of food. I'll gnaw, I'll gnaw the multitude, Till the cup of rage o'erbrim: 70 They shall seize him and his brood-- _Slau._ They shall tear him limb from limb! _Fire._ O thankless beldames and untrue! And is this all that you can do For him, who did so much for you? 75 Ninety months he, by my troth! Hath richly catered for you both; And in an hour would you repay An eight years' work?--Away! away! I alone am faithful! I 80 Cling to him everlastingly. 1798. FOOTNOTES: [237:1] First published in the _Morning Post_, January 8, 1798: included in _Annual Anthology_, 1800, and (with an Apologetic Preface, vide _Appendices_) in _Sibylline Leaves_, 1828, 1829, and 1834. The poem was probably written in 1796. See _Watchman_, _passim_. LINENOTES: Title] Scene: A depopulated Tract in La Vendée. Famine is discovered stretched on the ground; to her enter Slaughter and Fire M. P., Jan. 8, 1798. [2] SLAUGHTER. I will name him in your ear. M. P. [5] a] an all editions to 1834. [11] me] _me_ M. P. [16] a] an all editions to 1834. [17-18] FAMINE. Then sound it not, yet let me know; Darkly hint it--soft and low! M. P. In a dark hint, soft and low. An. Anth. [19] Four letters form his name. M. P. [20] _Both_] FAMINE M. P. [22-3] And I have spill'd the blood since then Of thrice ten hundred thousand men. M. P. [22] drunk] drank An. Anth., S. L. 1828, 1829. [24] _Both_] FIRE and FAMINE M. P. [25] Four letters form his name. M. P. [29] Their wives and children M. P. [32] and the carrion crow M. P., An. Anth. [39] _Both_] SLAUGHTER and FIRE M. P. [42] _Both_] SLAUGHTER and FIRE M. P. [43] Four letters form his name. M. P. [47] Hedge] Huts M. P. [48] om. An. Anth. [49] Halloo! Halloo! the work was done An. Anth.