164 THE HORSE : ITS TAMING, 



" Three off; that's all. Too young for you? Yes, Boss, 

 You want a steady, settled-down old hoss ; 

 A young 'un wouldn't never have the stay 

 To work everyday. 



" He's got a wicked eye? Oh, yes! That's so. 

 Awfully wicked, ain't you, hey? Come here, Joe; 

 ' Over ! ' — good boy. There ain't no fence stops him. 

 The wicked limb! 



" He wants to buy you, Joe, you wicked dog. 

 You pigeon-toed, in-kneed, long-headed hog; 

 If he tried to buy a hair in your tail 

 I think he'd fail. 



" Don't fool round there at his latter end. 

 He's none too quiet: you ain't no friend 

 Of his — He knows you'd buy him. 

 So don't try him. 



"Why won't I sell him? Go ask the wife. 

 If food was money and coin was our life. 

 And you offered her money and wanted Joe, 

 She'd tell you *Go!' 



" She'd tell you how, nigh on two years ago, 

 (Joe can remember it. Can't you, Joe? 



I 



