Page:Aloway Kirk, or, Tam O' Shanter (NLS104186395).pdf/6

6 A murdere's banes in gibbet airns; Twa span long, wee unchristened bairns; A thief, new cutted frae a rape, Wi' his last gasp his gah did gape: Five tomahawks, wi' blud red-rusted : Five scimitars, wi' murder crusted ; A garter, which a babe had strangled : A knife a father's throat had mangled, Whom his ain ſon of life bereft, The grey hairs yet stack to the heſt: With mair o' Forrible and awfu' Which een to name wad be unlawfu? Three lawyers' tongues. turn'd inside out. Wi'lies ſeem'd like a beggar clout; Three Priests hearts, ratten, black as muck, Lay stinking, vile, in every neuck.—

As Tamie glow'd, amaz'd and curious, The mirth and fun grew fast and furious ; The piper loud and louder blew : The dancers quick and quicker flew; They reel'd, they set, they cross d, they cleekit, Till ilka Carlin ſwat and reekit, And koost her dudies to the wark, And linkit at it in her sark!

Now, Tam, O Tam! had they been queens A' plump and strapping in their teens; Their sarks, instead o' creeshie flanen, Been snaw white, ſeventeen hundred linen! Thir breeks o' mine, my only pair That ance were plush o gude blue hair, I wad hae gien them aff my hurdies, For a blink o' the bory burdies!

But wither'a bedlams, auld and droll,