Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/253

 "As thick (friendly) as inkle weavers." Inkle, or beggar's inkle, is a kind of coarse tape, used by cooks to secure meat previously to being spitted; and by farriers to tie round horses' feet, &c. The introduction of this kind of tape was from the Low Countries during the persecutions of the sixteenth century. The traffic was carried on by a few foreign weavers, who kept the secret among themselves; and being of one trade, country, and religion, of course became staunch and familiar friends. Hence the expression.

The proverb, "It is the still (quiet) sow that eats up the draff," is prevalent in Scotland as well as in Lancashire. "As the sow fills the draff sours," also occurs in the North. The dialects of the North counties are very similar to the Lowland Scotch. If he had as much brass (money) as he has in his face he would be a rich man. Heart healing reacheth to the bottom of the sore. The more common the good the better it is. Envy may have its wish, but will miss its end. Who more bold than blind Bayard? One scabbed sheep may infect the whole.

Better late than never. Enough you've got—then ask for noa more. It is good to cut our coats according to our cloth. The burnt child dreads the fire. Great hopes are quickly dashed. Hopes come oft in heaps.