5. A RIVER, A PIG, AND BRAINS
Last fall, to sell his oldest perry,
Old Willum Fry did cross the ferry,
And thur inside of an old sty
’A seed a leanish pig did lie:
A rakish, active beast ’a was
As ever rooted up the grass:
Eager as bees on making honey
To stuff his self. Bill did decide
To buy un with the cider money
And fat un up for Easter-tide.
He bought un, but no net ’ad got
To kip thic pig inside the boat.
“The’ll drown wi’ pig and all at ferry!”
Cried one. Said Fry, “Go, bring some perry,
And this old drinking-horn you got,
Lying inside the piggery cot!”
He poured a goodish swig and soon
—As lazy as a day o’ June—
Piggy lay boozed, and so did bide
Snoring, while him and Fry were taken
’Cross Severn: and ’a didn’t waken
Until the boat lay safely tied
Up to a tree on t’other side.