Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FIERCE AND BLOODY BATTLE OF THE WEDDIN MOUNTAINS, by DAMPHOOL JR.



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FIERCE AND BLOODY BATTLE OF THE WEDDIN MOUNTAINS, by                    
First Line: Nine valiant men of new south wales all armed to the teeth
Last Line: Cast at the solemn midnight hour when good folks are abed.
Subject(s): Crime & Criminals; Heroism; Hunting; Heroes; Heroines; Hunters


NINE valiant men of New South Wales all armèd to the teeth
Went forth to take one Gardiner, of bushrangers the chief;
And then Sir Frederick he did say, "Your reign will now be brief;
For all the fearful deeds you've done, your neck will come to grief!
Ho, yes," he said, "fierce Gardiner, your neck will come to grief."

Sir Frederick then and his nine men, set out one winter night
Towards the Weddin Mountains, as the moon was shining bright,
And how the jackasses did laugh upon the branches' height—
To see nine valiant cavaliers they thought a goodly sight!
And all to take one Gardiner they thought a goodly sight.

'Twas said in town, one Mrs Brown had got a house of call,
A little snug and quiet spot beneath a gum-tree tall;
A stable for his prancing grey behind the cottage wall,
And for himself a supper nice, the cosy bed and all—
"It pleasant is," quoth Gardiner, "the cosy bed and all."

Now of Sir Frederick's fighting men, two stood behind the pump,
And three bobbed down their valiant heads just hidden by a stump;
The others were placed in the rear to hit his horse's rump,
And then bold Pottinger did say: "His life's not worth a dump."
So thought the laughing jackasses, his life's not worth a dump.

And sure up rode bold Gardiner upon his prancing grey,
And then up jumped bold Pottinger, and said, "My friend, good day,
I've got nine valiant men at arms yourself to take away,
And to the gallows we will bear you, gallows-bird away."
"Ho, will you so?" says Gardiner, "I wish you then good day."

As Gardiner was trotting off, Sir Frederick took his gun,
And still he thought that Gardiner was poking of his fun,
From him and his nine valiant men, to think that he could run;
So taking aim at Gardiner he said, "My friend you're done,"
And all the laughing jackasses they thought that he was done.

And then instead of a report there only was a snick;
Said he, "Who loaded that there gun did do a scurvy trick."
But at the sight of Gardiner the valiant men turned sick,
While Gardiner he laughed aloud, and rode off like a brick,
And all the laughing jackasses they said he was a brick.

Sir Frederick then harangued his men, and said each scurvy knave
Should have the sack when he got back who could so bad behave;
So very careful were they all, their precious souls to save.
And then they took a little boy, they were so very brave,
Not one that day did run away! they were so very brave!

The military are ordered out, and troopers too, 'tis said,
Commanded by one Hamilton, Sir Frederick instead;
Tremendous Black will show the track, who fills us all with dread;
And each for Gardiner's charmèd life will carry charmèd lead,
Cast at the solemn midnight hour when good folks are abed.





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