It was a great thing to think that folk would tak' me seriously.
I've been amusing people for these many years.

It seemed presumptuous, at first, when I set out to talk to them of other and more serious things.
"Hoots!" I said, at first, when they wanted me tae speak for the war and the recruiting or a loan.

"They'll no be wanting to listen tae me.
I'm just a comedian." "You'll be a relief to them, Harry," I was told.

"There's been too much serious speaking already." Weel, I ken what they meant.

It's serious speaking I've done, and serious thinking.