Awm weel sure we can easily spare 'em,
But as sooin as they're able, awl mak 'em all fly!
Never mind' if aw dooant! harum scarum!




An Old Man's Christmas Morning.

Its a long time sin' thee an' me
have met befoor, owd lad,--
Soa pull up thi cheer, an' sit daan,
for ther's noabdy moor welcome nor thee:
Thi toppin's grown whiter nor once,--
yet mi heart feels glad,
To see ther's a rooas o' thi cheek,
an' a bit ov a leet i' thi e'e.

Thi limbs seem to totter an' shake,
like a crazy owd fence,
'At th' wind maks to tremel an' creak;
but tha still fills thi place;
An' it shows 'at tha'rt bless'd
wi' a bit o' gradely gooid sense,
'At i' spite o' thi years an' thi cares,
tha still wears a smile o' thi face.

Come fill up thi pipe--
for aw knaw tha'rt reight fond ov a rick,--
An' tha'll find a drop o' hooarm-brew'd