The Poetry Corner

Kitty Of Coleraine

By Edward Lysaght

As beautiful Kitty one morning was tripping, With a pitcher of milk from the fair of Coleraine, When she saw me she stumbled, the pitcher it tumbled, And all the sweet buttermilk water'd the plain. "O, what shall I do now, 'twas looking at you now, Sure, sure, such a pitcher I'll ne'er meet again! 'Twas the pride of my dairy: O Barney M'Cleary! You're sent as a plague to the girls of Coleraine." I sat down beside her, and gently did chide her, That such a misfortune should give her such pain; A kiss then I gave her, and ere I did leave her, She vow'd for such pleasure she'd break it again. 'Twas hay-making season, I can't tell the reason, Misfortunes will never come single, that's plain, For, very soon after poor Kitty's disaster, The devil a pitcher was whole in Coleraine.