Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SLEWED!, by HENRY (HARRY) HARBORD MORANT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SLEWED!, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It was threatening to rain as the red sun sank down
Last Line: Like paddy, my mate, in the dark get astray.
Alternate Author Name(s): Breaker, The; Lumpkin, Tony
Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Animals; Drinks & Drinking; Horses; Travel; Wine; Journeys; Trips


IT was threatening to rain as the red sun sank down,
And the races were over in Bidgeebel town:
"A long ride out home is too much of a lark,
'Tis likely to rain and the night will be dark;
Will you start out tonight, Pat! what do you say?
In town till the morning I'll certainly stay."

But snake-headed Paddy must needs mount his horse—
In a hurry to get to the station, of course.
Much whisky he'd swallowed that day, had my mate,
And his bump of locality never was great.
He rode out in the darkness, gave Cockie his head—
And Cock Robin steered for the racecourse instead

Of the road to the station; whilst Paddy, half screwed,
Ne'er dreamt for an instant how much he was slewed.
The bay horse Cock Robin ain't slow—for a hack—
And once had been trained on that Bidgeebel track;
And all through that night he paced on, and ne'er showed
Inclination to shift from "the track" to the road.

Around! and around! 'twas an unending ride,
But Cockie ne'er faltered, nor wavered, nor shied;
He stuck to that track, and—though Pat's a big weight—
Seemed to freshen each time that he "entered the straight".
Dark and chill was the night, in the sky not a star—
Though they went a long journey they didn't get far.

Till at length when the dawn-light appeared in the east,
And the rider was sobered and tiring his beast,
Pat gazed at the grandstand: "Oh, what can this be?
Are these station-buildings? Begorrah!" said he.
Then he suddenly "dropped"; so came back—and got tight,
And (foolishly) told how he'd put in the night.

To bushmen who liquor, the lines of this lay
(If they happen to read 'em!) a moral convey:
If in town they get tight
They should camp there that night;
Or, I don't say they will, but they possibly may,
Like Paddy, my mate, in the dark get astray.





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