Page:Burns' celebrated songs.pdf/14

 14

'I hae little tocher ; ye’ve made a gude offer;

'I’m now mair than twenty ; my time is but sma’ !

'Sae gie me your plaidy ; I'll creep in beside ye,

'I thought ye’d been aulder than threescore and twa!’

She crap in ayont him, beside the stane wa’,

Whare Johnny was list’ning, and heard her tell a’!

The day was appointed, his proud heart it dunted,

And struck ’gainst his side as if bursting in twa.

He wander'd hame weary, the night it was dreary,

And thowless, he tint his gate deep ’mang the sna’ ;

The howlet was screaming, while Johnny cried ‘ Women

‘ Wad marry the devil, wad he keep them bra’.

O the deil’s in the lasses, sae fond to gang bra’,

They’ll lie down wi’ auld men o’ fourscore and twa ;

The hale o’ this marriage is gowd in a carriage !

Plain luve is the cauldest blast now that can bla’ !

Yet, dotards, be wary, tak’ tent wha ye marry ;

Young wives in their coaches will whip and will ca’;

Till they meet wi’ some Johnny, that’s youthfu’ and bonny,

And he’ll gie ye horns on ilk hassit to claw !

Crazy Jane.

WHY, fair maid, in ev’ry feature,

Are such signs of fear express’d ?

Can a wand’ring wretched creature

With such terror fill thy breast ?

Do my frenzi’d looks alarm thee ?

Trust me, sweet, thy fears are vain ;

Not for kingdoms would I harm thee;

Shun not then poor crazy Jane.