The CHRONICLE of the DAYS called DAFT

[Jack]

The CHRONICLE of the DAYS called DAFT

CHAPTER I.
1. The evening of the new year. 6. They go into the market place. 9. The coming of the new year.
12. Exchange tokens of goodwill. 16. Proclaim their superiority.
19. Denial of same, and consequent unfriendliness. 23. Forgiveness.
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IT came to pass that at eventide, when the time drew nigh that the old year should depart,
much people were gathered together.
2. For it is written in the Book of Chronicles of Bygone Times. There shall be much rejoicing at my departure.
3. And the people which gathered themselves were of the nation which is known among the lands of the earth as Scotland.
4. And as it drew near to twelve upon the clock the one spake unto the other in this wise, saying. Let us go hence,
for it is meet that we should make merry and be glad;
5. For this is the evening which is called, in the tongue of the Scots, Hogmanay; which, being interpreted,
meaneth the eve of the New Year.
6. Then, when they had girded their loins, and had prepared themselves against their journey,
did they take their departure.
7. And when they had come unto the market place, much people had gathered together from the highways and byeways,
and all places of the city.
8. And one said unto the other, Behold the day is at hand, for it is near to twelve upon the clock.
9. And the clock did strike twelve.
10. And behold a great shout, as of a great and mighty multitude, did rise unto the heavens,
and all manner of men did run hither and dither, crying with a loud voice unto every one to who they did come, A Guid New Year.
11. Then did they blend their voices in song, and make a mighty noise, for it was the new year,
and much happiness did fill the market place.
12. From the pockets of their garments did they draw forth measures of that liquid which is called whisky,
but which in divers places has been named John Barleycorn.
13. Now John, which was surnamed Barleycorn, did make his way freely among the multitude,
and many of the Scots which were gathered did lose their speech that was natural and become eloquent,
14. And said all manner of things which they had done of which the world had never known,
15. (For it is not given unto all men to do great things -- even though they be Scots),
16. And did say (even as their fathers before them),
We are great men, we have done great things in the sight of Heaven and in our own eyes.
17. And our reward is sure, for is it not written, The saints shall inherit the earth? and we are the saints.
18. Therefore in the days which are yet to come shall it be told unto all manner of men how in the Land of Cakes
there was a people known for the love they bore into their enemies.
19. Now, there was one who was not like-minded unto the others,
and he did venture to say that that which was spoken was not of truth, but of lies.
20. And did say that when they shall ask what manner of enemies were beloved by these men,
their sons shall make answer that the enemies so beloved were The World, the Flesh, and the Devil.
21. And the others waxed wroth and did curse and swear and did spit upon the ground.
22. And John, the same which was Barleycorn, did urge them to fight, and they did fight.
23. After much fighting and soiling of garments, which were new, they did vow to forget that which was past and to be friends.
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CHAPTER II.
1. Resolve on course to be followed. 3. See strange things.
11. Betake themselves to their respective houses.
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WHEN the year waxed old by reason of five-and-thirty minutes, they did resolve upon that which they would do.
2. And when they had considered among themselves they parted asunder to go their several ways,
that it might be fulfilled which was written, Let this be a time of merriment among us.
3. But John, that was called Barleycorn, did wrestle with them, and they were sore amazed.
4. For that which had heretofore been straight had become crooked,
and walls were built where in time past there had been paths.
5. Now there was much tribulation among them,
for they were fearful that they might fail in the mission to which they had been called.
6. For as it was written in the "Fathers", so had they endeavoured to.
7. The same was what is called in the tongue of the ages that are byegone "First Fittin'".
8. Now it came to pass that after a time each one came into his senses, and he did think.
9. And this was what he did think, and it was after this manner that he did reason:
10. Whereas some time nigh unto the present i did see a multitude of moons where now i see only two,
and did find crooked paths where now they are almost straight,
therefore shall i go on my way rejoicing in that i am a sober man.
11. And thus it came to pass that after they had again partaken of that which is called whisky,
they proceeded on their journeys.
12. And after many twistings and turnings and seeing of many strange sights did they find their way to their homes.
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CHAPTER III.
1. Dawn and reflections. 6. Comfort and consolation.
9. Declaration of faithfulness.
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WHEN it was morning there was much weeping and sighing.
2. For John, which was surnamed Barleycorn, was not there, and they did yearn for him,
even as the stomach yearneth for meat and the soul for that which is not carnal.
3. And as they did sigh and lean their heads upon the bed they did reflect upon that which they had done.
4. (For is it not written in the Book of Chronicles of Bygone Times,
A man shall do much, and he shall be pained thereat?
5. And pleasure and rejoicing may endure for a night, but sorrow and sickness cometh in the morning?).
6. Yet withal they were not sad as those which know no comforting.
7. For were they not faithful in a few things? were they not of those which add unto their faith works?
8. Verily, verily i say unto you they were of those.
9. Thus wise did they speak the things which were in their hearts, and after this fashion did they reason:
10. We have kept the faith once delivered to our fathers,
and the spirit of John Barleycorn has gone with us to fill us unto the uttermost.
11. Yet it is meet that these things should be.
12. For now shall it be known in this earth that we have kept the faith even as our fathers.
13. Yea even from the night which is called Hogmanay unto the morning which is called New Year.
14. Now these are all the words which were written in the book of the Chronicle of the Days called Daft.

The End

[From "Scottish Life and Character in Anecdote and Story" by William Harvey, Stirling 1899.
Originally contributed to the "Stirling Observer" newspaper - pre 1899]
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[CatrionaL]

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