634 Father Murphy's Sermon on 



when we've done that, the king is to ask Dan what he'll have next, and 

 Dan is to say, that he leaves it entirely to himself; but that's only 

 making pretence, for immediately after that Dan is to make a great 

 speech, you'll see it at full length- in the Register, if you've grace and 

 then the next news will be that Dan is to have it all his own way, and 

 to get the royal command, as it were, to have a parliament in Dublin, 

 and then all the true gentry '11 come forward, and never was such a sight 

 seen in the memory of man as there'll be that day in Ireland. That's 

 the reason that Dan is keeping himself so quiet, for fear he'd spoil what's 

 coming. (" Three cheers for Dan" a simultaneous cry from the multi- 

 tude.^ 



And do you think, when you've a parliament of your own, that 

 there'll be such doings at the elections as there was in the ould times ? 

 No such thing. Never a man will shew his face that isn't a friend to 

 the people. There'll be no soldiers to keep you from voting for your 

 own friend, and there'll be no landlords to drive you* out if you vote 

 against them. Besides, you're to vote all as one as if every body's eyes 

 were shut, and nobody could see who you voted for : so that there'll be 

 nothing but fair play, and fair play's a jewil. Then, instead of voting 

 as you do now, every four or five years, you'll have a vote every year, 

 or oftener, may be ; for our parliament will be like a bed of onions, it '11 

 last 'till the year's out, and then you'll sow the seed again. (When's the 

 wedding to be, Paddy Farrel ? It isn't clear to me, but you're teasing 

 the soul out of the little girl for nothing at all. I'll be after coming 

 down to you to-morrow night, so mind and have the kettle schreeching 

 on the hob at eight o'clock, you divil !) 



Now, boys, after what I've told you, what'll you vote for ? For the 

 lives of ye, don't say, when you're asked the question, that you'll vote for 

 the rapale, yet a while but say that you vote for reform. That's the 

 word. May be there's some of ye never heard of reform before ? Then 

 the more's your merit for making much of it now. Sure it's a token 

 you've the true faith in you. St. Peter voted for reform, and this is St. 

 Peter's parish, and the chapel you're standing in, for there's no seats for 

 ye to sit upon all in good time for the seats any way ; this chapel is 

 built on a rock, and so is your church ; and that's another reason why 

 you should vote for reform. Only it'ud be demeaning him, St. Peter 

 would come down among ye, and vote for Dan just like one of yourselves, 

 without the least pride, for he's no upstart ; only you see its mighty 

 busy he is, but he's watching you for all that ; and there's never a one 

 of ye that gives a wrong vote that he won't remember it, when you're 

 coming to him to beg of him to shew you the short cut to purgatory, to 

 save you going round. And now, boys, disperse yourselves quietly, and 

 keep the tongue in the mouths of ye, in regard to what I told you this 

 day. The mother of all the saints be with you this night. It's myself 

 that mortifies myself day and night for your sakes, but my kingdom's 

 before me, and the trouble's a pleasure when we get our reward for it. 

 Vote for reform, boys. It 11 be as good as board and lodging for nothing 

 for you. It'll put the clothes on your back, and the bread in your 

 mouths, and it'll make ould Ireland as free as if she was nothing but a 

 butterfly flying for the bare life for ever and ever through the air. Three 

 cheers for reform, boys, and then go your ways as I bid you. ( Three 

 cheers accordingly.) Come back, you spalpeens, is that the way you're 

 slinking off with yourselves ? It's lately come to ye to forget Dan ! {A 

 roar, and a multitudinous number of cheers for Dan). Hullabaloo ! and 



