  II.You watch your cattle the summer day, Sup on potatoes, sleep in the hay: How would you like to roll in your carriage, Look for a Duchess's daughter in marriage? Seize the Shoemaker—then you may! "Big boots a-hunting, Sandals in the hall, White for a wedding-feast, Pink for a ball. This way, that way, So we make a shoe; Getting rich every stitch, Tick-tack-too!" Nine-and-ninety treasure-crocks This keen miser-fairy hath, Hid in mountains, woods, and rocks, And where the cormorants build; From times of old Guarded by him; Each of them fill'd Full to the brim With gold! III.I caught him at work one day, myself, In the castle-ditch where foxglove grows,— A wrinkled, wizen'd, and bearded Elf, Spectacles stuck on his pointed nose, Leather apron-shoe in his lap— "Rip-rap, tip-tap, Tack-tack-too! (A green cricket on my cap! Away the moth flew!) Buskins for a fairy prince, Brogues for his son,— Pay me well, pay me well, When the job is done!" The rogue was mine, beyond a doubt. I stared at him, he stared at me; "Servant, Sir!" "Humph!" says he, And pull'd a snuff-box out. He took a long pinch, look'd better pleased, The queer little Lepracaun; Offer'd the box with a whimsical grace, Pouf! he flung the dust in my face, And, while I sneezed, Was gone! flower Raths, very ancient forts or entrenched dwelling-places, usually on hills; the remains of these are common in Ireland, and resemble what are called "Rings" in England. Yellow bird, the yellow bunting, or "yorlin." |
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