GAHBOLS ON THE GREEN.

Observer, Volume XXVIII, Issue 27, 21 March 1908, Page 23

GAHBOLS ON THE GREEN.

A ST. PATRICK'S DAY IDYLL #

'Twas the day of St. Patrick — the city, I ween, Was bathed to its neck in a colour of green, Tho' the sun, who, no doubt, is an insolent fellow, Did his best to distribute a colour of yellow. But he couldn't submerge in his orange-hued glint That national colour — the emerald tint. And the merry Hibernians came out in their glee, For wherever an Irishman happens to be You may wager, begorrah ! a ten shilling hat That he'll always remember the day of St. Pat. There were Pats by the hundred, and Micks by the score, There was Eileen Alannah and Bridget Asthore ; And even the puppy-dogs, someone remarked,' Showed a strong Irish accent whenever they barked. So in brakes and in buggies, in cabs and in cars, That throng sallied forth (for there's nothing e'er mars An Irishman's sense of enjoyment, that's flat, On the seventeenth of March — that's the day of St. Pat.) So the doughty Hibernians, 'neath bold William Kane, Joined the Irish invasion that filled the Domain. Patrick Nerheny was there with his eloquence great, And 'tis certain that Patrick is fitted by fate, As anyone — even Sir Joseph — can see, To be called P. J. Nerheny, J.P., M.L.C., With the prefix of " Hon.," why, 'tis certain his name Would ere long be inscribed on the scroll kept by Fame. And Beehan, the beauty, 'tis safe to surmise, Was the strongest attraction to feminine eyes, With bis hirsute adornments so curly and neat, The colleens all murmured, " Ain't Beehan just sweet !" Michael Sheahan was there, and the smile on his face Was a vision of beauty and emblem of grace ; While of humorous stories he owned a big stack That would beat the effusions of great Andrew Mack. And big Maurice O'Connor, he stood on- a stool And explained to the people the joys of Home Rule, Ala Devlin. Alas ! it is grievous to state That the stool ('twas an Orangeman) sank 'neath the weight Of bold Maurice, who fell — and the last that I heard Was a naughty and quite unpronounceable word. Adoloh Kohn, who was present, demanded to know Why the dickens the babies were not put on show ;

And he said, did brave Adolph, he'd act as the judge, Tho' I heard Dr Murphy, in anguish, say "Fudge !" For he'd seen, had the doctor, what mothers can do, And 'tis perfectly certain, between me and you, That in judging a baby show, anger is rife, And there's luck with a judge who escapes with his life. Paddy Quinlan, bedecked with green ribbons, was there, And he drove up in state with his carriage and pair. Any man who wore orange — be certain of that — Would need to play football with muscular Pat ; And he'd get a bad time, would that Orangeman great — In the scrum he would meet with a terrible fate. There was Michael J. Walsh, with his parrot so green, But 'tis sad to relate that his dog was so mean As to sneak a big ribbon, 'twas yellow in hue, For his neck — 'twas a thing that no good dog would do. So his boss made a dash, and he collared him quick, For a dog that was orange was no good to Mick. He was promptly expelled, and you eas'ly could trace On his countenance symptoms of deepest disgrace. And the lengthy Jack. Patterson sauntered round there With a glossy bell-topper and debonair air, And unless for his Nibs you were willing to vote — Well, you'd find that 'twas risky to tread on his coat. And the Cardinal smiled, for without Mcllhone Why, the day would be empty, Acushla ! Ochone ! (This is all, kindly note, that at present I know Of the language of Ireland — my learning is low). There was Holbrook, whose skill with the secret'ry's pen Excels that possessed by all orangehued men. There was Casey — sweet Maurice — and Bishop Magee ; There was Grace, Patrick Joseph, and Fabey, theD., There was great Paddy Moran, aggressive and fierce, There was Lanigan — known to the public as Pierce. There was bold Maurice Casey, and others you know Who were out for a gambol and game on the "Do." And they kept up the fun in a manner that showed That the spirits will ne'er be allowed to corrode. ADd the Sassenach alien who thinks otherwise Will receive a most strong and convincing surprise. If he'd seek for a proof, peradventure, of that, Let him go to the " Do." on the day of St Pat.