Come get the black, the mourning pall, The reason I will mention now, And with it, blockheads, bards, and all, Assist to cover Dia's hall For the loss of Johnny Kenchinow. And is he gone? cry one and all. To keep you in suspension now Is not my wish-yes, at the call Of death was lately doomed to fall Lamented Johnny Kenchinow, If anyone refuse to yawl, Ye bards, I will convince you now, That, though at first a stubborn Saul Ye be, ere long repentant Paul Shall weep for Johnny Kenchinow. Alas! this world's a slippery ball; And do I reprehension now Deserve for saying that a straw'll At times compel a man to sprawl Like peerless Johnny Kenchinow. Messina's cobbler, him of Gaul Nay, he whose home Valentia now Is-never pierced with shining awl A shoe more sure than Death's sharp claw'll Pierce us like Johnny Keuchinow. Great man! to see thy empty stall- A stall there' not a bench in now Unnerves me quite. I scarce can scrawl A word; while tears more sour than gall Flow for thee, Johnny Kenchinow. What though thy legs were strong and tall, Them is the wet clay drenching now; And eke those hands, so wont to haul The mutton from the well filled wall By thee built, Johnny Kenchinow. Thy widow's purse, of course, is small; So may the State a pension now Allow her, as a threadbare shawl And sieve-like shoes for respite call In vain from Johnny Kenchinow. Her name likewise no man dare maul; She is an upright wench (and now I talk of wenches) none could squall So loud by half, or rather bawl, At the wake of Johnny Kenchinow. But Judy's praises here to drawl Is none of my intention now- In sooth, 'twere needless, and withal My muse is ill-disposed to brawl For aught save Johnny Kenchinow. Ye far-famed wits whom rhymes enthrall, I pray you pay attention now: Say, will you come? Oh, yes! you shall To view the worms that slowly crawl O'er the head of Johnny Kenchinow. And if the sight your souls appal, Pray tell me what must fence you now Against that grief which doubtless all Who view this woe-creating scrawl Must feel for Johnny Kenchinow? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SLAVE SINGING AT MIDNIGHT by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW BOSTON by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON SONGS OF TRAVEL: 44 by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON THE WATERFALL by HENRY VAUGHAN MARECHAL NIEL by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH TWELVE SONNETS: 10. THY WHITENESS by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |