’Twas guilty sinners that he meant,
Not angels such as you.”
Ready-witted “graces before meat” were evolved by the poet on demand, time and again. Having met some friends to dine with them at the Globe Tavern, Dumfries, on one occasion, when a sheep’s head happened to be the fare provided, he was asked to give something new as a grace, and instantly delivered the following, which has certainly little wit to recommend it:—
“O Lord, when hunger pinches sore,
Do Thou stand us in stead,
And send us from thy bounteous store
A tup, or wether’s head.”
After having dined, however, and greatly enjoyed the repast, he was appealed to to return thanks, and did so in four lines revealing native wit, by saying:—
“O Lord, sine we have feasted thus,
Which we so little merit,