Poets and Dreamers Part 24

GREY-HAIRED MAN. Are you Raftery?

BLIND MAN.

Who will give Raftery a s.h.i.+lling?

Here is his platter: who is willing?

Who will give honour to the poet?

Here is his platter: show it, show it.

GREY-HAIRED FARMER. You're welcome; you're welcome! That is Raftery, anyhow! (_Puts money in the plate._)

BLIND MAN.

Come hither, girls, give what you can To the poor old travelling man.

GREY-HAIRED MAN. Aurah Susan, aurah Oona, are you looking at who is before you, the greatest poet in Ireland? That is Raftery himself. It is often you heard talk of the girl that got a husband with the praises he gave her. If he gives you the same, maybe you'll get husbands with it.

FIRST GIRL. I often heard talk of Raftery.

THE OTHER GIRL. There was always a great name on Raftery.

(_They put some money in the plate shyly._)

BLIND MAN.

Before you go, give what you can To this young girl and this young man.

FIRST GIRL (_to_ MARY). Here's a couple of dozen of eggs, and welcome.

THE OTHER GIRL. O woman of the house! I have nothing with me here; but I have a good clucking hen at home, and I'll bring her to you to-morrow; our house is close by.

MARY. Indeed, that's good news to me; such nice neighbours to be at hand. (_Several men and women come into the house together, every one of them carrying something._)

SEVERAL (_together_). Welcome, Raftery!

BLIND MAN.

If ye have hearts are worth a mouse, Welcome the bride into her house.

(_They laugh and greet_ MARY, _and put down gifts--a roll of b.u.t.ter, rolls of woollen thread, and many other things._)

OLD FARMER. Ha, ha! That's right. They are coming in now. Now, Raftery; isn't it generous and open-handed and liberal this country is?

Isn't it better than the County Mayo?

BLIND MAN.

I'd say all Galway was rich land, If I'd your s.h.i.+llings in my hand.

(_Holds out his plate to them._)

OLD FARMER (_laughing_). Now, neighbours, down with it! My conscience! Raftery knows how to get hold of the money.

A MAN OF THEM. _Maisead_, he doesn't own much riches; and there is pride on us all to see him in this country. (_Puts money in the plate, and all the others do the same. A lean old man comes in._)

MARTIN (_to_ MARY). That is John the Miser, or Seagan na Stucaire, as they call him. That is the man that is hardest in this country. He never gave a penny to any person since he was born.

MISER. G.o.d save all here! Oh, is that Raftery? Ho, ho! G.o.d save you, Raftery, and a hundred thousand welcomes before you to this country. There is pride on us all to see you. There is gladness on the whole country, you to be here in our midst. If you will believe me, neighbours, I saw with my own eyes the bush Raftery put his curse on; and as sure as I'm living, it was withered away. There is nothing of it but a couple of old twigs now.

BLIND MAN.

I've heard a voice like his before, And liked some little voice the more; I'd sooner have, if I'd my choice, A big heart and a small voice.

MISER. Ho! ho! Raftery, making poems as usual. Well, there is great joy on us, indeed, to see you in our midst.

BLIND MAN. What is the present you have brought to the new-married woman?

MISER. What is the present I brought? O _maisead_! the times are too bad on a poor man. I brought a few fleeces of wool I had to the market to-day, and I couldn't sell it; I had to bring it home again. And calves I had there, I couldn't get any buyer for at all. There is misfortune on these times.

BLIND MAN. Every person that came in brought his own present with him. There is the new-married woman, and let you put down a good present.

MISER. O _maisead_, much good may it do her! (_He takes out of his pocket a small parcel of snuff; takes a_ _piece of paper from the floor, and pours into it, slowly and carefully, a little of the snuff, and puts it on the table._)

BLIND MAN.

Look at the gifts of every kind Were given with a willing mind; After all this, it's not enough From the man of cows--a pinch of snuff!

OLD FARMER. _Maisead_, long life to you, Raftery; that your tongue may never lose its edge. That is a man of cows certainly; I myself am a man of sheep.

BLIND MAN. A bag of meal from the man of sheep.

FAIR YOUNG MAN. And I am a man of pigs.

BLIND MAN. A side of meat from the man of pigs.

MARTIN. Don't forget the woman of hens.

BLIND MAN.

A pound of tea from the woman of hens.

After all this, it's not enough From the man of cows--a pinch of snuff!

ALL.

After all this, it's not enough From the man of cows--a pinch of snuff!

OLD FARMER. The devil the like of such fun have we had this year!

MISER. Oh, indeed, I was only keeping a little grain for myself; but it's likely they may want it all. (_He takes the paper out, and lays it on the table._)

BLIND MAN. A bag of meal from the man of sheep.