Page:Bailie Nicol Jarvie's journey to Aberfoil.pdf/6

6 THE AULD SARK SLEEVE.

(Comic Recitation.)

A Reverend and esteemed divine,

Upon a Sabbath-day short syne,

While studious, a diawer unlocket,

To get a napkin for his pocket;

But, by mistak', dina perceive

He whippet'int an Auld Sark Sleeve!

Straight to the kick, I took his way,

The pu'pit speel'd—sung psalms—did pray.

When preachin, in a little space

He wished to wipe his sonsy face;

But mony a ane could scarce behave,

When he brought forth the Auld Sark Sleeve.

Its ragged edges he ne'er heeded,

But gart it do the turn he needed:

Bauldly the people he addressed,

An' earnest hame the matter pressed—

Meanwhile exposing in his neive

The dirty, ragged, Auld Sark Sleeve!

But on a kittle point he landed,

Which chosen scripture proofs demanded

He then the Bible grippet quickly,

To trace the puzzlin' topie strictly—

While he wi' looks composed an' grave,

Did lay aside the Auld Sark Sleeve!

Upon the pu'pit edge he laid it,

Till through the Bible he pervadet

Explaining that dark eritic point

Some heretic put out o' joint.