Page:Comical sayings of Paddy from Cork (6).pdf/20

20 Tom. O but Paddy, by your account, you are three dozen of years old already.

Teag. O what for a big fool are you now Tom, when you count the years I lay sick; which time I count no time at all.

A NEW CATECHISM, &c.

Tom. OF all the opinions professed in religion tell me now, Paddy, of what profession art thou?

Paddy. Arra, dear shoy, my religion was too weighty a matter to carry out of mine own country: I was afraid that you English Presbyterians should pluck it away from me.

Tom. What, Paddy, was your religion such a load that you could not carry it along with you?

Paddy. Yes, that it was, but I carried it always about with me when at home, my sweet cross upon my dear breast, bound to my dear button hole.

Tom. And what manner of worship did you perform by that?

Paddy. Why I adored the cross, the pope, and the priest, cursed Oliver as black as a crow, and swears myself a cut throat against all Protestants and church of Englandmen.

Tom. And what is the matter but you would be a church of England mar, or a Scotch Presbyterian yourself Paddy?

Paddy Because it is unnatural for an Irishman; but had shaint Patrick been a Presbyterian, I had been the same.

Tom. And for what reason would you be a Presbyterian then, Paddy?

Paddy. Because they have liberty to eat flesh in lent and every thing that's fit for the belly.

Tom. What, Paddy, are you such a lover of flesh that you would change your profession for it.

Paddy. O yes that's what I would, I love flesh of all kinds, sheep's beef, swine's mutton, hare's flesh,