Page:English as we speak it in Ireland - Joyce.djvu/300

 for the benefit of the rest of the world, I think it better to state that a cruískeen is a small jar, and that mountain dew is pottheen or illicit whiskey.


 * In a shady nook one moonlight night,
 * A leprachaun I spied;
 * With scarlet cap and coat of green;
 * A cruiskeen by his side.
 * 'Twas tick tack tick, his hammer went,
 * Upon a weeny shoe;
 * And I laughed to think of a purse of gold;
 * But the fairy was laughing too.


 * With tip-toe step and beating heart,
 * Quite softly I drew nigh:
 * There was mischief in his merry face;—
 * A twinkle in his eye.
 * He hammered and sang with tiny voice,
 * And drank his mountain dew:
 * And I laughed to think he was caught at last:—
 * But the fairy was laughing too.


 * As quick as thought I seized the elf;
 * 'Your fairy purse!' I cried;
 * 'The purse!' he said—''tis in her hand—
 * 'That lady at your side!'
 * I turned to look: the elf was off!
 * Then what was I to do?
 * O, I laughed to think what a fool I'd been;
 * And the fairy was laughing too.


 * Let out; a spree, an entertainment. (General.) 'Mrs. Williams gave a great let out.'


 * Libber; this has much the same meaning as flipper, which see: an untidy person careless about his dress and appearance—an easy-going ould sthreel of a man. I have heard an old fellow say, regarding those that went before him—father,