When once he shakes hands with a tankard of ale.
It had appeared in a Chap-book (circa 1794, according to Wm. Logan; see his amusing “Pedlar’s Pack,” pp. 224-6), with other five verses inserted before the Finale. We give them to complete the tale:—
There’s the blacksmith by trade, a jolly brisk blade,
Cries, “Fill up the bumper, dear host, from the pail;”
So cheerful he’ll sing, and make the house ring,
When once he shakes hands with a tankard of ale.
Laru la re, laru, &c. So cheerful, &c.
There’s the tinker, ye ken, cries “old kettles to mend,”
With his budget and hammer to drive in the nail;
Will spend a whole crown, at one sitting down,