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A poem by Jonathan Swift |
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The Description Of An Irish Feast |
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Title: The Description Of An Irish Feast Author: Jonathan Swift [More Titles by Swift] Given by O'Rourke, a powerful chieftain of Ulster in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, previously to his making a visit to her court. A song was composed upon the tradition of the feast, the fame of which having reached Swift, he was supplied with a literal version, from which he executed the following very spirited translation.--_W. E. B._ TRANSLATED ALMOST LITERALLY OUT OF THE ORIGINAL IRISH. 1720 His revels to keep, Usquebaugh to our feast O there is the sport! O how was I trick'd! I'm rifled, quoth Nell, Come, harper, strike up; O'Rourke's jolly boys They bounce from their nest, They dance in a round, The floor is all wet Bless you late and early, Bring straw for our bed, To show I don't flinch, Good lord! what a sight, They rise from their feast, What stabs and what cuts, With cudgels of oak, You churl, I'll maintain The Earl of Kildare, Ask that of old madam: Come down with that beam, [Footnote 1: A wooden vessel.--_F_.] [Footnote 2: A covering of linen, worn on the heads of the women.--_F_.] [Footnote 3: The name of an Irishman.--_F_.] [Footnote 4: An Irish oath.--_F_.] [Footnote 5: The name of an Irishwoman.--_F_.] [Footnote 6: Surname of an Irishwoman.--_F_.] [Footnote 7: Daggers, or short swords,--_F_.] [Footnote 8: It is the custom in Ireland to call nurses, foster-mothers; their husbands, foster-fathers; and their children, foster-brothers or foster-sisters; and thus the poorest claim kindred to the rich.--_F_.] [The end] GO TO TOP OF SCREEN |