Page:Comical history of Simple John and his twelve misfortunes (10).pdf/24

      24  The History of Simple John, &c.

“ useless, no worth the keeping in a " houfe, bat to ca’ him out to die; “ like an auld beast at a dyke-side,” " Hout tout, co the auld wife, we’ll “ mak o’ him and he’ll mend again;” so John got peace made up after a’, and he was easier mended than the burnt web; got all his treadles and warklooms set in order, the wife’s tongue excepted, which was made of wormwood, and the red of her body of sea-water, which is always in a continual tempest.

So John appeals to a Jedburgh Ju- ry, if it be not easier to deal wi’ fools, than headstrong fashious fouks; owns he has but an empty scull, but his wicked wife wants wit to pour judge- ment into it, never tells him o’ dan- ger, till it come upon him, for his Mither said, he was a biddable bairn, if ony body had been to learn him wit.

F I N I S.

___________________________________________

Glasgow, Printed by J. & M. Robertson,

Saltmarket, 1800.