The Leprechaun

By Robert Dwyer Joyce 1830-83 In a shady nook one moonlight night,


A leprechaun I spied



In scarlet coat and green of cap,


A cruiskeen by his side

******************************************************


'Twas, tick, tack, tick, his hammer went,


Upon his weeny shoe,



And I laugh to think of a purse of gold,


But the fairy was laughing too.

******************************************************

With tip-toes step and beating heart, Quite softly I drew night.

There was mischief in his merry face, and twinkle in his eye;

He hammered and sang with a tiny voice, And sipped the mountian dew;

Oh, I laughed to think he was caught at last, But the fairy was laughing too.

*****************************************************

As quick as I thought I grasped the elf, "your fairy purse", I cried,

"My purse" he said "tis in her hand that lady by your side."

I turned to look, the elf was off, and what was I to do?

Oh, I laughed to think what a fool I'd been, And the fairy was laughing too.

******************************************************

Have a happy St. Patrick's Day. C&G Design