Page:Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads (1892).djvu/123

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE LEGEND OF EVIL
101
An’ the bastes betwuxt the hatches, they tuk an’ died in batches,
Till Noah said: ‘There’s wan av us that hasn’t paid his fare!’

For he heard a flusteration wid the bastes av all creation—
The trumpetin’ av elephints an’ bellowin’ av whales;
An’ he saw forninst the windy whin he wint to stop the shindy
The Divil wid a stable-fork bedivillin’ their tails.

The Divil cursed outrageous, but Noah said umbrageous:
‘To what am I indebted for this tenant-right invasion?’
An’ the Divil gave for answer: ‘Evict me if you can, sir,
‘For I came in wid the Donkey—on Your Honour’s invitation.’