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The Book of Common Order, commonly called John Knox's Liturgy

The Book of Common Order, commonly called John Knox's Liturgy

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xxvi Notices <strong>of</strong> Bishop Carszvell.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y shall raise thee the next day,<br />

<strong>The</strong>n alternately bearing thy body ;<br />

Young man, though great is thy mirth,<br />

<strong>The</strong> game <strong>of</strong> the grave shall be played with thee.<br />

A little bier which thou wouldst not like,<br />

<strong>The</strong>y shall take with thee to the mouth <strong>of</strong> the pit ;<br />

<strong>The</strong> hand that was kindest to thee once.<br />

Shall now shovel earth rapidly on thee.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y shall carry thee to the mouth <strong>of</strong> the grave<br />

Without strength, without sight, without power ;<br />

Thy friends following thee in grief,<br />

And thou shalt be left there alone.<br />

Miserable man, wilt thou not fear,<br />

Seest thou death hastening towards thee ì<br />

Thou art just as if on the brink <strong>of</strong> the grave,<br />

Even although thou shouldst live longest <strong>of</strong> any.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are numerous traditions throughout the West<br />

Highlands respecting Carswell, and these have in some<br />

cases taken the shape <strong>of</strong> popular rhymes. One has<br />

reference to his height, which is said to have been<br />

uncommon. <strong>The</strong> following are the lines :<br />

In English<br />

An Carsalach mòr tha'n Carnasaraidh,<br />

Tha na cuig cairt 'n a chasan ;<br />

Tha 'dhroll mar dhruinnein na corra,<br />

'S a sgròban lorn, gionach, farsaing.<br />

<strong>The</strong> great Carswell <strong>of</strong> Carnassery,<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are five quarters (45 inches) in his legs ;<br />

His rump is like the back <strong>of</strong> a crane,<br />

His stomach empty, greedy, capacious.<br />

Other fragments <strong>of</strong> a similar kind exist, but it is not<br />

necessary to give them. <strong>The</strong>y represent a feeling

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