Page:Comical stories of Thrummy Cap and the Ghaist (NLS104185773).pdf/3



In ancient times, far i' the north; A hunder miles ayont the Forth, Upon a' stormy winter day, Twa men forgather'd o' the way, Ane was a sturdy bardoch chiel An' frae the weather happit weel, Wi' a mill'd pleiding jockey-coat And eke he on his head had got A thrummy cap baith large and stout, Wi' naps ahind as weel's a shout, Whilk button'd close aneath his chin, To keep the cauld frae getting in; Upon his legs he' had gammashes, Whilk sodgers term their spatterdashes, An' on his hands, instead o' gloves, Large doddy-mittens, whilk he'd roose For warmness, an' an aiken stick Nae verra lang, but unco thick, Intil his neive---he drave awa, And card for neither frost: nor sna, The ither was just the reverse, O' claes and courage baith was scarce, Sae in our tale, as we go on, I think we'll ca? him cow’rldy John. Sae on they gade at a gude scow'r 'Cause that they a saw gath'ring show'r,