Welsh Journals

The following poem, dating presumably from the middle years of the last century, has been copied from a manuscript (apparently the only one existing) in the possession of Mr. John Davies, Parish Clerk of Montgomery since 1891. There is no date to the poem, but Squire Harrison is no doubt a member of the Caerhowel family; Major Robert J. Harrison, who was born about 1780 and who married in 1810, was the father of the Rev. R. J. Harrison, Vicar of For- den, and grandfather of Major R. J. Harrison, the first Mayor of Montgomery. Mr. Davies tells me that the squire is said to have wagered his carriage and pair on the event. The poem, for all its metrical crudity, has a homely style and vigour and, as a memorial of the days when the community was both obliged and ready to provide its own entertainment, Young Bloody should be of interest to readers of the Montgomeryshire Collections." A Pri^e-Fight Poem. "YOUNG BLOODY. Come all you gallant boxers In boxing take delight, Draw near and I will tell you Of a famous noble fight. It was as hard a battle, boys, As ever yet was seen. And now, for it was fought, my boys, On Ludlow Castle Green. Success unto Young Bloody, Let every hearty sing, He is the conquering hero And the champion of the ring. The match was made between two gentlemen Of courage stout and bold, The money stake was entered down Five hundred pounds in gold. J.D.K.Ll CHORUS.