Page:Ancient and modern history of Buck-haven in Fifeshire.pdf/18

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THE HISTORY OF

bagpipe had to do for a', and the fidler got nought to do but sup kail, and pike banes wi' the rest o' them.

Now my Lord's cook was to order the kettle, but Pate o' the Pans play'd a sad prat, by casting in twa pounds of candle among the kail, which made them fat, for some could not sup them, for the candle wicks came ay into their cutties like sutter's lingles in the the dish, but some wi' stronger stomachs, stripped them through their teeth like ratton tails, an said, mony a ane wad be blythe o' sic a string to tie their hose wi' in a pinch; my Lord and the Gentry, Mess John and the clerk were all placed at the head of the table, opposite to the bride, but would sup none of the candle kail. Wise Willy and the Bridegroom served the table, and cried, Sup and a sorrow to you, for I never liked sour kail about my house; when the flesh came, the bride got a ram's rumple to pick, she takes it up and wags it at my Lord, saying, Ti hie, my Lord what an a peice is that? O, said he, bride, that's the tail piece, it belongs to you, Me, my Lord, it's no mine, I never had a ting like dat, it's a fish tail, see as it wags. it's a bit o' a dead beast. O yes, said he, bride, you hit it now; but how come you to eat with your gloves on? Indeed my Lord, there is a reason for dat, I hae scabbit hands. O fy, said he, I cannot believe you, so she pulls down a piece o' her gloves, and shews him, O yes, said he, I see it is so; Aha, but my Lord, I wish you saw my a—, it's a' in ae hatter; O fy, said he, bride, you should not speak so before Ladies and your maiden: I wonder, said he to Wise Willy her father, you do not teach your daughter to speak otherwise. A by my fae, my Lord, ye may as soon kiss her a—, as gar her speak otherwise; I find so, said my Lord, but it lies much in lack of a teacher.

The next dish that was presented on the table, was roasted hens, and the bride's portion being laid