Page:Comical sayings of Pady from Cork, with his coat button'd behind (1).pdf/8

 8 PADY FROM CORK.

but what is the reaſon that you Iriſh people ſwear always by ſhains Patrick, what is he this ſhaint Patrick.

Teag. Arra dear honey, he was the best ſhaint in the world, the father of all good people in the kingdom, he has a great kindneſs for an Iriſhman, when he hears him calling on his name; he was the firſt that ſow'd the potatoes in Ireland, for he knew it was a bit of good fat ground, it being a gentleman's garden before Noah's flood.

Tom. But dear, Pady, is ſhaint Patrick yet alive, that he hears the Iriſh people when they ſpeak of his name,

Teag. Arra, dear honey, I don't know whether he is dead or alive, but it is a long time ſince they kill'd him, the people turned all heathens, but he could not change his profeſſion and was going to run the country with it and for taking his goſpel away to England, ſo the barbarous tories of Dublin cutted off his head, and what do you think he did when his head was off.

Tom. What could a dead man do you fool?

Teag. Dead faith he was not ſuch a big fool as to die yet, he ſwim'd over to England after this and brought his head along with him.

Tom. And how did he carry his head and ſwim too.

Teag. Arra dear bonny he carried his head in his teeth.

Tom. No Pady, it wont hold; I muſt have caution for that.

Teag. If you won't believe me, I'll ſwear it over again.

PART. II.

Tom. And how did you get ſafe out of Scotland at laſt.

Teag. By the law dear honey, when I came, to Port Patrick, and ſaw my own kingdom, I thought I was ſafe at home, but I was clean dead and almoſt drowned before I could get riding over the water; for I with nine or ten paſſengers more, leapt into a little young boat, having but four men dwelling in a little houſe, in the one end of it which was all thacked with deals; and after they had pulled up her tether-ſtick, and laid her long halter over her mane, they pulled up a long big ſheet, like three pair of blankets to the riggen of the houſe, and the wind blew in that, which made her gallop up one hill and down another, I thought ſhe would have run