7th October, 1873. To John Duncan Esq.
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My pen, all rust for want of use,
Would fain to-day find some excuse
To pave the way and break the ice,
And send your Honour something nice.
A little scrap of rhyming ware,
The sort of goods i best can spare.
If my poor brain could rhyme it better,
You'd get a more amusing letter.
Such as it is-i do my best,
That it may aid my bold request.
I set myself a barefaced task
But men won't get unless they ask;
So with respect i ask your leave
To name the boon my muse would crave.
Just at the Depot now does dwell
A young recruit, the name of Bell,
Attached to Company No one,
He answers to the name of John.
A Cavan chap from famed Lisball,
Stout,sandy, and full six feet tall.
I'll be his pledge, he'll gain renown
If he be sent to County Down;
Tyrone or Antrim answers too;
If not to Down, Armagh would do.
But,sir, don't let his lot be cast
In Derry City or Belfast.
I served in both these towns before-
Towns fit to taint your "Royal Corps."
O! if i would, my pen could paint
Some midnight scenes would tempt a saint;
I'll draw the veil and close the lid.
Such scenes look always better hid.
Sir,-don't be vexed, i know "tis wrong
To trespass on your time so long,
With pride, i think of bygone times,
When you were pleased to read my rhymes,
And pleased to grant some great request,
Aye, even in this guise expressed.
Grant this appeal, i beg most fervent,
And you'll oblige your humble servant,
Who wishes, sir, that you may reign
In health and pleasure, free from pain.
As light of foot, as smart as when,
I numbered one amongst your men.
Andrew Carolan,
Constable and Poet.
------------------------------------
My pen, all rust for want of use,
Would fain to-day find some excuse
To pave the way and break the ice,
And send your Honour something nice.
A little scrap of rhyming ware,
The sort of goods i best can spare.
If my poor brain could rhyme it better,
You'd get a more amusing letter.
Such as it is-i do my best,
That it may aid my bold request.
I set myself a barefaced task
But men won't get unless they ask;
So with respect i ask your leave
To name the boon my muse would crave.
Just at the Depot now does dwell
A young recruit, the name of Bell,
Attached to Company No one,
He answers to the name of John.
A Cavan chap from famed Lisball,
Stout,sandy, and full six feet tall.
I'll be his pledge, he'll gain renown
If he be sent to County Down;
Tyrone or Antrim answers too;
If not to Down, Armagh would do.
But,sir, don't let his lot be cast
In Derry City or Belfast.
I served in both these towns before-
Towns fit to taint your "Royal Corps."
O! if i would, my pen could paint
Some midnight scenes would tempt a saint;
I'll draw the veil and close the lid.
Such scenes look always better hid.
Sir,-don't be vexed, i know "tis wrong
To trespass on your time so long,
With pride, i think of bygone times,
When you were pleased to read my rhymes,
And pleased to grant some great request,
Aye, even in this guise expressed.
Grant this appeal, i beg most fervent,
And you'll oblige your humble servant,
Who wishes, sir, that you may reign
In health and pleasure, free from pain.
As light of foot, as smart as when,
I numbered one amongst your men.
Andrew Carolan,
Constable and Poet.
