On the heath and bog,

Black with many a snipe in;

'Mid the bogs of black,

Silver pools were flashing,

Crows upon their sides

Picking were and splashing.

Cockney on the car

Closer folds his plaidy,

Grumbling at the road

Leads to Limavaddy.

Through the crashing woods

Autumn brawled and blustered,

Tossing round about

Leaves the hue of mustard;

Yonder lay Lough Foyle,

Which a storm was whipping,

Covering with mist

Lake, and shores, and shipping.

Up and down the hill

(Nothing could be bolder)

Horse went with a raw,

Bleeding on his shoulder.

"Where are horses changed?"

Said I to the laddy Driving on the box:

"Sir, at Limavaddy."

Limavaddy inn's

But a humble baithouse,

Where you may procure

Whiskey and potatoes;

Landlord at the door

Gives a smiling welcome

To the shivering wights

Who to his hotel come.

Landlady within

Sits and knits a stocking,

With a wary foot

Baby's cradle rocking.

To the chimney nook

Having found admittance,

There I watch a pup

Playing with two kittens; (Playing round the fire,

Which of blazing turf is,

Roaring to the pot

Which bubbles with the murphies ;)

And the cradled babe

Fond the mother nursed it,

Singing it a song

As she twists the worsted!

Up and down the stair

Two more young ones patter, (Twins were never seen

Dirtier nor fatter ;)

Both have mottled legs,

Both have snubby noses,

Both have here the host

Kindly interposes:

"Sure you must be froze

With the sleet and hail, sir; So will you have some punch,

Or will you have some ale, sir?"

Presently a maid

Enters with the liquor,

(Half a pint of ale

Frothing in a beaker.)

Gads! I didn't know

What my beating heart meant ;

Hebe's self I thought

Entered the apartment.

As she came she smiled,

And the smile bewitching,

On my word and honor,

Lighted all the kitchen!

With a courtesy neat

Greeting the new comer, Lovely, smiling Peg

Offers me the rummer; But my trembling hand

Up the beaker tilted,

And the glass of ale

Every drop I spilt it

Spilt it every drop

(Dames who read my volumes,

Pardon such a word)

On my what-d'ye-call-ems!

Witnessing the sight

Of that dire disaster,

Out began to laugh

Missis, maid, and master;

Such a merry peal,

'Specially Miss Peg's was,

(As the glass of ale

Trickling down my legs was,)

That the joyful sound

Of that mingling laughter

Echoed in my ears

Many a long day after.

Such a silver peal!

In the meadows listening, You who've heard the bells

Ringing to a christening ; You who ever heard

Caradori pretty,

Smiling like an angel,

Singing "Giovinetti; "

Fancy Peggy's laugh,

Sweet, and clear, and cheerful,

At my pantaloons

With half a pint of beer full!

When the laugh was done,

Peg, the pretty hussy, Moved about the room

Wonderfully busy;

Now she looks to see

If the kettle keep hot;

Now she rubs the spoons,

Now she cleans the tea-pot;

Now she sets the cups

Trimly and secure ;

Now she scours a pot,

And so it was I drew her.