Page:Humorous exploits of Mally Dyver.pdf/6

 TAX'D DOGS' GARLAND.

PON the road, the other day, I chanc'd to overtake, Sir, Two country-men upon the road, Who great complaint did make, Sir.

One of the two right mournful ſaid, Oh! have you heard the news, Sir, A heavy tax is laid on Dogs, Which are of ſo great uſe, Sir.

Six Shillings now we all muſt pay, If that a Dog we keep, Sir, Poor people cannot this afford, Tho' they ſhould loſe their ſheep, Sir,

l'm eventy years, or thereabout, My neighbour's ixty-ax, Sir, But never ſaw the like of this, To lay on Dogs a tax, Sir.

Wow man, I think, there's mony ways, To clear the nation's load, Sir, Than to oppreſs a poor man ſo, and tax his very Dog, Sir.

This morning, or I came frae hame, I ſaw three Collies die, Sir, Their owner's could not pay the tax, Tho't had been but Shillings three, Sir.