6
there is, or there was in my time a reaping-hook sticking out of the side of the moon, this way, (drawing the figure on the ground with the end of his stick.)
Dan, said the eagle, I’m tired with this long fly; I had no notion 'twas so far. And, my lord, sir, said I, who in the world axed you to fly so far?—was it I? did I not beg, and pray, and beseech you to stop half an hour ago? There’s no use talking, Dan, said he; I’m tired bad enough, so you must get off, and sit down on the moon until I rest myself. Is it sit down on the moon? said I; is it upon that little round thing, then? why, then, sure I’d fall off, in a minute, and be kilt and split, and smashed all to bits;—you are a vile deceiver, so you are. Not at all, Dan, said he; you can catch fast hold of the reaping-hook that’s sticking out of the side of the moon, and ’twill keep you up. I won’t, then, said I. May be not, said he, quite quiet. If you don’t, my man, I shall just give you a shake, and one slap of my wing, and send you down to the ground, where every bone in your body will be smashed as small as a drop of dew on a cabbage-leaf in the morning. Why, then, I’m in a fine way, said I to myself ever to have come along with the likes of you, ⟨and⟩ so giving him a hearty curse in Irish, for fear ⟨he’d⟩ know what I said, I got off his back with a heavy heart, took a hold of the reaping-hook, and saw down upon the moon, and a mighty cold seat ⟨it⟩ was, I can tell you that.
When he had me there fairly landed, he ⟨turned⟩ about on me, and said, Good morning to you Daniel O’Rourke, said he; I think I’ve ⟨nicked⟩ you fairly now. You robbed my nest last year ('twas true enough for him, but how he found ⟨it⟩ out is hard to say,) and in return you are freely
