Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/130

12 They were my darlings and my pride,
 * My boyhood's only riches,—

"Farewell, farewell," I faintly cried,
 * "My breeches! Oh my breeches!"

That night I saw them in my dreams;
 * How changed from what I knew them!

The dews had steeped their faded threads,
 * The wind had whistled through them;

I saw the wide and ghastly rents
 * Where demon claws had torn them;

A hole was in their amplest part,
 * As if an imp had worn them.

I have had many happy years,
 * And tailors kind and clever;

But those young pantaloons have gone
 * Forever, and forever!

And not till time has cut the last
 * Of all my earthly stitches,

This aching heart shall cease to mourn
 * My loved, my long-lost breeches.

O. W. Holmes

, then! tell me, Shawn O'Ferrall,
 * Tell me why you hurry so?"

"Hush, ma bouchal, hush and listen;"
 * And his cheeks were all aglow.

"I bear ordhers from the captain:
 * Get you ready, quick and soon;

For the pikes must be together
 * At the risin' of the moon."

"Oh, then! tell me, Shawn O'Ferrall.
 * Where the gatherin' is to be?"

"In the ould spot by the river,
 * Right well known to you and me.