University of Virginia Library


321

THE SNUFFIE AULD MAN.

By the cosie fire-side, or the sun-ends o' gavels,
The snuffie auld bodie is sure to be seen.
Tap, tappin' his snuff-box, he snifters and sneevils,
And smachers the snuff frae his mou' to his een.
Since tobacco cam' in, and the snuffin' began,
There hasna been seen sic a snuffie auld man.
His haurins are dosen'd, his een sair bedizzen'd,
And red round the lids as the gills o' a fish;
His face is a' bladdit, his sark-breest a' smaddit—
As snuffie a picture as ony could wish.
He maks a mere merter o' a' thing he does,
Wi' snuff frae his fingers an' draps frae his nose.
And wow but his nose is a troublesome member—
Day and nicht, there's nae end to its snuffie desire;
It's wide as the chimlie, it's red as an ember,
And has to be fed like a dry whinnie-fire.
It's a troublesome member and gi'es him nae peace,
Even sleepin', or eatin', or sayin' the grace.
The kirk is disturb'd wi' his hauchin' and sneezin',
The dominie stoppit when leadin' the psalm;
The minister, deav'd out o' logic and reason,
Pours gall in the lugs that are gapin' for balm.
The auld folks look surly, the young chaps jocose,
While the bodie himsel' is bambazed wi' his nose.

322

He scrimps the auld wife baith in garnal and caddy;
He snuffs what wad keep her in comfort and ease;
Rapee, Lundyfitt, Prince's Mixture, and Taddy,—
She looks upon them as the warst o' her faes.
And we'll ne'er see an end o'her Rooshian war
While the auld carl's nose is upheld like a Czar.