“Captain Fowler”
Description
Orangeman Captain Dick Fowler arrives in hell. Fowler says that if a croppy brings him water he will "own to him I've done great wrong." Beelzebub explains that no croppy can help him: "it was for Freedom those boys fell And heaven is their station"
Notes
Moylan: "Richard Fowler was a distiller living in Dunlavin, who in November 1797 had been condemned in the Union Star as 'a notorious informer and one of those principled murderers, orangemen'." Moylan lists other "activities" contributing to Fowler's reputation. - BS
I can't help but think this is inspired by the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), for which see, e.g., "Dives and Lazarus" [Child 56]. I can't prove it, though. - RBW
References
- Moylan 39, "Captain Fowler" (1 text)
- BI, Moyl039