“The Dying Rebel”

Description

Singer finds a wounded man dying. He asks to be given last rites. He has been deceived by the French and betrayed by a friend. His wife and brother are dead, his children alone. Unwittingly, he caused his landlord's death at pikemen's hands. He dies

Notes

William Ball was a writer of humorous verse about Irish history; in this index, see "Cockledemoy (The French Invasion)," "Do as They Do in France," "The Dying Rebel," "Faithless Boney (The Croppies' Complaint)" -- though he doesn't seem to have made much impression on the wider world of literature; I have been unable to find any of his writings in any of my literary references.

I wonder if this isn't an answer to something like "Betsy Gray." - RBW

Historical references

  • 1798 - Irish rebellion against British rule

References

  1. Moylan 138, "The Dying Rebel" (1 text)
  2. BI, Moyl138

About

Author: William Ball (source: Moylan)
Earliest date: "shortly after 1798" (according to Moylan)