Kk: Keen

DefinedThe funeral cry or wail of lament for the dead, practice by the Irish peasantry. Said to be an imitation of the wail of the banshee.Cocktale Party BanterThe keen was heard loud and clear.Literary ContextIt could be no surprise therefore to the lord lieutenant to learn that his administration was attacked in parliament particularly by Shaftesbury but he had the satisfaction at the same time to hear of the keen though polite defence made by his son the generous Ossory After justifying several particulars of Ormond's administration against that intriguing patriot Ossory proceeded in the following words Having spoken of what the lord lieutenant has done I presume with the same truth to tell your lordships what he has not done He never advised the breaking of the triple league he never advised the shutting up of the exchequer he never advised the declaration for a toleration he never advised the falling out with the Dutch and the joining with France he was not the author of that most excellent position Delenda est Carthago that Holland a protestant country should contrary to the true interests of England be totally destroyed I beg that your lordships will be so just as to judge of my father and all men according to their actions and their counsels."

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