Tom. But dear Pady, is shaint Patrick yet alive, that he hears the Irish people when they speak of his name?
Teag. Arra, dear honey, I don’t know whether he be dead or alive, but it’s a long time since they killed him, the people turned all heathens, for he would not change his profession, and was going to run the country with it, and for taking his gospel away to England, so the barbarous tories of Dublin cutted off his head, and what do you think he did when his head was off?
Tom. What could a dead man do you fool?
Teag. Dead, faith he was not such a big fool as to die yet, he swimmed over to England after this, and brought his head along with him.[166]
Tom. And how did he carry his head and swim too?
Teag. Arra, dear honey, he carried his head in his teeth.
Tom. No, Pady, it won’t hold, I must have caution for that.
Teag. If you won’t believe me, I’ll swear it over again.