Poems (Bell)/The Katy-Did

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THE KATY-DID.
Patsey and Katy  One calm summer nightWent out for a walk  And the stars shone bright,Yes the evening was still ​And all down the road "Not a creature was stirringNot even a" toad. So gay and happyWere Patsey and Kate He said he "hopedNot a creature they'd mate." "For I've something quite privateTo say to ye, Kate."   (Katy-did, Katy-did.)He said "I was hearing That on one foine dayYou rode with O'Neil Down the old high-way."Said Katy "I never You're wrong thus to say,I have'nt seen Michael This many a day."Then out on the night air In tones harsh and unbidCried out a voice saying "She did, Katy-did.""O, What's that!" Cried Patrick Shure faith, I ne'er heardSo saucy a fellow No, it must be a bird!""A bird," then quoth Katy: "Now listen, now hark,For I never heard birds That would sing after dark.""And faith, (said the maiden) I'll never more walkBy night in a country Where birds can talk.   She did, Katy-did.And the poor Celtic maiden Then burst into tearsAnd her face (on Pat's shoulder) A doleful look wears."Ah, never mind, Katy," Quoth Patrick in glee,"Be my bride and forget it And come home with me,We'll leave old America Birds, that so loudly snore,And will hie away To old Ireland's shore."Then be it recorded In annals of bliss,The quarrel was settled In one ling'ring kiss,And as onto Pat's shoulder Kate's bonny head slidA voice still betrays them, Saying: "she did, Katy-did!"
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