The Comic Almanack, Volume 1: An Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, Containing Merry Tales, Humerous Poetry, Quips, and Oddities
David Hume · en
'Twas Lent when Pat said so,—but Nora said, "No, Sir;"
She knew 'twas no use at that time to consent;
But by Mothering Sunday Pat found her much softer,
And before Lent was over, he saw her relent.
The day was soon fixed—Easter Monday, be sure,
The time seem'd to Pat a snail's gallop to go;
"By de hokey!" says he, "is it fast days dey call 'em?
For fast days I tink dey move murtherous slow."
At length Easter Monday arrived bright and gay,
Saint Patrick's Day too—nothing could be more pat
To chapel away they all went—in a _buss_:
For a wedding, what carriage so proper as that?
So the knot was soon happily tied—tho' I know
There are some in the world think it wrong thus to tie men;
That the poor have no right to get married at all;
And that low men have no sort of bus'ness with Hymen.
Return'd, they sat down to an iligant feast:
An divil the knife or the fork that lies idle;
There's praties in plenty, pig-puddings, and pork,
And a saddle of mutton, to match with the bridal.
And then comes the dance, and the drink, and the toast:
"Pat Murrough, your health—you're a broth of a b'y"
Och! how tipsy they were! e'en the clargy himself,
Like Pity, was seen with a drop in his eye.
Then in comes Mick Larry, Pat Murrough's old rival,
With a lot of his friends from Sev'n Dials direct;
And och! what a scrimmige and murther intirely!
And then the police comes, the peace to protect.
Then straight to the beak Paddy Murrough is taken:
Mick Larry himself 'tis appears against Pat;
Says the beak, "You're with bigamy charged, Paddy Murrough!"
"Och, big'my! 'tis little I know sure of that!"
"What is it, your wurtchip?" says Paddy.—Says he,
"'Tis a serious offence 'gainst the laws of the nation—
To marry two wives, which is bigamy call'd—
And the punishment death—or, at least, transportation.
"So take leave of your spouses, for I must commit you!"
"Stop a minnit, my jewel!" says Paddy, says he:
"Sure I know'd very well what your wurtchip has tould me;
And so, to be safe, I got married to three!"
APRIL [1838
[Illustration]
THE DARBY DAY.