The Flattery Of O’Flatherty

Hie out uv me yard ye beggarly thramp!

     Faith an’ at whut are yez lookin’?

Do yey think I’ll be after a-fadin’ ye here?

     Divil a bit will yez git o’ me cookin’.

O’im beggin’ yer parrdon, koind madam, said he,

     But O’im wantin’ no parrt av yer cookin’;

Shure Oi couldn’t pass boy when yez I did spoy,

     Becoos ye’re so illegant lookin’.

Och, me foine lad, go way wid yer chaff,

     But here is soom pie an’ cold chicken;

An’ here is soom sthuff ye audacious ould duff,

     I’ve a moind shure to giv yez a kickin’.

Sept. 8, ‘91