'How a young lady's heart was won _All by_ the loving of a farmer's son.'
(The two lovely airs of these will be found in two of my books: for the first, see 'The Mountains high' in 'Ancient Irish Music'; and for the second { 207} see 'Handsome Sally' in 'Old Irish Folk Music and Songs.')
'He saw her on that day, and _never laid eyes on her_ alive afterwards.' (Speech of Irish counsel in murder case: 1909.) A common expression.
A wish for success either in life or in some particular undertaking--purely figurative of course:--'That the road may rise under you.' As the road continually rises under foot there is always an easy down hill in front. (Kerry.)
Regarding some proposal or offer:--'I never said against it'; i.e. I never disapproved of it--declined it--refused it.
Be said by me: i.e. take my advice. (General.)
When a cart-wheel screeches because the axle-tree has not been greased, it is _cursing for grease_. (Munster.)
When a person wishes to keep out from another--to avoid argument or conflict, he says:--'The child's bargain--let me alone and I'll let you alone.'
When a person goes to law expenses trying to recover a debt which it is very unlikely he will recover, that is 'throwing good money after bad.'
'I'm the second tallest man in Mitchelstown'--or 'I'm the next tallest.' Both mean 'there is just one other man in Mitchelstown taller than me, and I come next to him.'
'Your honour.' Old English: very common as a term of courtesy in the time of Elizabeth, and to be met with everywhere in the State papers and correspondence of that period. Used now all through Ireland by the peasantry when addressing persons very much above them. { 208}
_The cabman's answer._ I am indebted to this cabman for giving me an opportunity of saying something here about myself. It is quite a common thing for people to write to me for information that they could easily find in my books: and this is especially the case in connexion with Irish place-names. I have always made it a point to reply to these communications. But of late they have become embarrassingly numerous, while my time is getting more circumscribed with every year of my long life. Now, this is to give notice to _all the world and Garrett Reilly_ that henceforward I will give these good people the reply that the Dublin cabman gave the lady. 'Please, sir,' said she, 'will you kindly tell me the shortest way to St. Patrick's Cathedral.' He opened the door of his cab with his left hand, and pointing in with the forefinger of his right, answered--'In there ma'am.' { 209}