Note 102 — The country-mans lamentation for the death of his cow.

[26.] A Lady in this Kingdom hearing that a Lady, that was a Person of Quality, did much long for Oysters, she then sent a Foot-man of hers, that was an Irish Man, to the said Lady with a Barrel of Oysters, and as he was going, he met an Arch Wag by the way, who askt him whither he was going? Then he told him: "O. Donniel, says he, you must gut them before you go, or else they will Poyson the Lady; I Predde,102 says he, show me how to do it. So the Fellow took them and opened them, and took out all the Oysters and put them into a Wooden Dish that was by, and then put all the Shells again into the Barrell: Now, says he, you may carry them, for they are all gutted: E. Fait,103 said Donniel, for this kindness, I'll give thee a pint of Wine out of the Vails that I shall have of my Lady: but I know not how they were accepted.