The Banshee (Anonymous)
Jack, whose countenance had, from the commencement of the song, indicated his aversion to the sentiments it expressed, now lost all patience at hearing his darling “Popery” impugned, and, seizing one of the pistols which lay on the table and whirling it over his comrade’s head, swore vehemently that he would “fracture his skull if he did not instantly drop that blackguard Orange lampoon.”
“Aisy, avhic,” said Harry, quietly pushing away the upraised arm; ”I did not oppose your bit of treason awhile ago, and besides, the latter end of my song is more calculated to please you than to irritate your feelings.”
Jack seemed pacified, and Harry continued his strain.
“And fill a bumper to the brim—
A flowing one—and drink to him
Who, let the world go sink or swim,
Would arm for Britain’s liberty.
“No matter what may be his hue,
Or black, or white, or green, or blue,
Or Papist, Paynim, or Hindoo,
We’ll drink to him right cordially.”
Jack was so pleased with the friendly turn which the latter part of Harry’s song took that he joyfully stretched out his hand, and even joined in chorus to the concluding stanza.
The fire had now decayed on the hearth, the whisky-bottle was almost emptied, and the two sentinels, getting drowsy, put out the candle and laid down their heads to slumber. The song and the laugh and the jest were now hushed, and no sound was to be heard but the incessant “click, click,” of the clock in the inner room and the deep, heavy breathing of old Moya in the chimney-corner.
2 Responses to “The Banshee (Anonymous)”
Leave a Reply

Rileigh on September 14th, 2011
Yo, that’s what’s up truhtuflly.
Dilly on September 15th, 2011
I had no idea how to apprcoah this before-now I’m locked and loaded.