Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, &c./Part 5/Farmer's Rhymes and Proverbs

PROVERBS.

He that would have his fold full
Must keep an old tup and a young bull.
He who will have a full flock
Must have an old stagge [gander] and a young cock.

A cod's head is a cod's head still,
Whether in a pewter or a silver dish.

Good-will, when getten, is as good as gowd [gold].

A creaking door hangs long o' th' hinges.

There 's a hill again a slack, all Craven through. (About equivalent to "every bean hath its black.")

"No, thank you," has lost many a good butter-cake.

He'll go through th' wood, and ta' th' crummock [crooked stick] at last.

Candlemas-day coom and goan,
Th' snow lies on a whot stoan.

If you willn't when you may,
When you will, I'll say you nay.

The third time throws best; or, pays for all.

Stroke with one hand and strike with the other.

When ability faileth friendship decayeth.

He shall find my frowns lie buried with his follies, and my favours to be revived with his good fortunes.

'Bout's bare, but it's yeasy. Bout, Lancashire for without, i.e., he that is without money is bare, but it is easy [safe] travelling—he has no fear of robbery. John Byrom quotes this proverb in a letter after noticing an alarm about highwaymen, and adding—"This is a terror that poor folks know nothing on."

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