Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/83

 DERMODY. 79 to await the dawn of day; and here it was he composed some stanzas pregnant with poetic beauties, for which we refer our readers to his life, vol. i. p. 14 . He had not re mained there long when he heard the antiquated air of Lillabullero channted most loudly; his curiosity was roused, and he instantly darted from the monastery and quickly overtook the minstrel, who proved to be the parish clerk returning from a neighbouring fair. Dermody cour teously saluted him, and in a short time they became inti mate, till on a sudden, in the midst of a copious harangue, he sprung down a narrow lane, wishing his companion a good night, and singing loudly as before. After this whimsical incident, he was once more relieved by the sound of another human voice, which fortunately proved to be a carrier's with whom he had a slight acquaintance, and who was now pursuing his journey to the metropolis. He candidly told his tale to his friend the carrier, who generously divided his homely morsel with the young adventurer, and by giving him a short ride now and then, enabled him to accomplish a journey of about one hun dred and forty English miles. Nothing particular occurred on the road, except his reciting in majestic strains, the transports which he fancied he was to enjoy in his pilgri mage through the world. Arrived now in Dublin, he wandered from one street to another, and having disposed of a l l his extra wardrobe, h e bent his steps towards the house o f a n eminent apothecary i n College Green, t o whom h e had a recommendatory letter from a country acquaintance; but not meeting with the reception that h e conceived himself entitled to, h e bid adieu t o the knight o f the pestle, determining i n his own mind never t o ho nour him with a second visit. He now amused himself with strolling about the streets, and gratifying his curiosity a t the bookstalls, and was observed b y the owner o f one o f them with a book i n h i s hand, who immediately ran u p from the cellar i n which h e resided t o watch his property, h e found him earnestly poring over a Greek author; and upon questioning him a s t o the substance o f