Blair Collection > Beside the fire

GULEESH NA GUSS DHU. lOg
Guleesh went up to him and put his hand on his
shoulder. The Pope turned round, and when he saw
Guleesh standing behind him he frightened up.
"Don't be afraid," said Guleesh, "we have a parish
priest at home, and some thief told your honour a
lie about him, and he was broken ; but he's the decentest
man ever your honour saw, and there's not a man,
woman, or child in Ballynatoothach but's in love with
him .
"Hold your tongue, you bodach,'" said the Pope.
"Where are you from, or what brought you here?
Haven't I a lock on the door ? "
"I came in on the keyhole," says Guleesh, "and I'd
be very much obliged to your honour if you'd do what
I'm asking."
The Pope cried out : " Where are all my people ?
Where are my servants ? Shamus ! Shawn ! I'm
killed ; I'm robbed."
Guleesh put his back to the door, the way he could not
get out, and he was afraid to go near Guleesh, so he had
no help for it, but had to listen to Guleesh's story ; and
Guleesh could not tell it to him shortly and plainly, for
he was slow and coarse in his speaking, and that angered
the Pope ; and when Guleesh finished his story, he vowed
that he never would give the priest his pardon ; and he
threatened Guleesh himself that he would put him to
death for his shamelessness in coming in upon him in
the night ; and he began again crying out for his ser-
vants. Whether the servants heard him or no, there
was a lock on the inside of the door, so that they could
not come in to him.
" Unless you give me a bull under your hand and seal,
and the priest's pardon in it," said Guleesh ; " I'll burn
your house with fire."