Classic Poem

B EAUING , belling, dancing, drinking,
Breaking windows, damning, sinking,
Ever raking, never thinking,
Live the rakes of Mallow.

Spending faster than it comes,
Beating waiters, bailiffs, duns,
Bacchus' true-begotten sons,
Live the rakes of Mallow.

One time naught but claret drinking,
Then like politicians thinking
To raise the sinking-funds when sinking,
Live the rakes of Mallow.

When at home with dadda dying
Still for Mallow water crying;
But where there's good claret plying,
Live the rakes of Mallow.

Living short but merry lives;
Going where the devil drives;
Having sweethearts but no wives,
Live the rakes of Mallow.

Racking tenants, stewards teasing,
Swiftly spending, slowly raising,
Wishing to spend all their lives in
Raking as in Mallow.

Then to end this raking life,
They get sober, take a wife,
Ever after live in strife,
And wish again for Mallow.