Page:Braes of Birniebouzle.pdf/6

 and bannocks were na scanty,

A good fat sow a sleeky cow

were standing in the byre;

While lazy puss with mealy mouse,

were playing at the fire.

Good signs are these my mither says

and bids me tak the miller;

For foul day or fair day

he's ay bringing till her:

For meal and ma’t she disna want,

nor ony thing that’s dainty,

And now and then a kecklin hen,

to lay her eggs in plenty.

In winter when the wind and rain

blaws o’er the barn and byre:

The miller by a clean hearth-stane,

Beside a fire;

He sits and cracks and his tale,

o’er ale that is right happy;

Who'd be a Queen that gaudy thing,

when a miller’s wife' sae happy.

By pleasure long infected.

Kind heaven when least expected

My devious path directed

to Nan of Logie green;

Where thousand sweets repose 'em

In quiet's unruffled bosom,