Page:Four funny tales.pdf/21



Then James, wha had as good a gueſs Of what was in the houſe, as Beſs, With pawky ſmile, this plea to end, To pleaſe himſel and eaſe his friend, Firſt open'd, with a flee oration, His won'rous ſkill in conjuration. Said he, "By this fell art I'm able To whop aff any great man's table Whate'er I 'ike to make a mail of, Either in part, or yet the hail of——— And if ye pleaſe I'll ſhaw my art,——— Cries Halbert, Faith with all my heart!' Beſs fain'd herſelf,———cry'd, 'Lord be here!' And near hand fell a ſwoon for fear. James leugh, and bade her naithing dread, Syne to his conjuring went with ſpeed: And firſt he draws a circle round, Then utters mony a magic found Of words part Latin, Greek and Dutch, Enow to fright a very witch: That done, he ſays, 'Now, now 'tis come, And in the boal beſide the lum; Now ſet the board; good wife gae ben, Bring frae yon boal a roalled hen' She wadna gang but Haby ventur'd; And ſoon as he the ambrie enter'd, It ſmelld fae wiel he ſhort time ſought it, And won'ring, 'tween his hands he brought it. He view'd it round and thrice he ſmell'd it, Syne with a gentle touch he felt it. Thus ilka ſenſe he did convene, Leſt glamour had beguil'd his e'en; They all in an united body, Declar'd it a fine fat how towdy. 'Nae mair about it," quoth the miller, 'The fowl looks wiel, and we'll fa' till her.' Sae be't ſays James; and in a doup, They mapt her up baith ſtoup and roup.