Classic Poem

He was lodging above in Coom,
And he'd the half of the bailiff's room.

Till a black night came in Coomasaharn
A night of rains you'd swamp a star in.

" To-night, " says he, " with the devil's weather
The hares itself will quit the heather.

I'll catch my boys with a latch on the door,
And serve my process on near a score. "

The night was black at the fording place,
And the flood was up in a whitened race,
But devil a bit he'd turn his face.

Then the peelers said, " Now mind your lepping,
How can you see the stones for stepping?

" We'll wash our hands of your bloody job. "
" Wash and welcome, " says he, " begob. "

He made two leps with a run and dash,
Then the peelers heard a yell and splash;

And the 'mergency man in two days and a bit
Was found in the ebb tide stuck in a net.