Page:Comical story of Thrummy Cap and the ghaist (1).pdf/3

 THRUMMY CAP.

A TALE.

N 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 plaiding jockey coat, And eke he on his head had got A Thrummy Cap, baith large and stout, Wi' flaps ahind, as wee'ls a snout, 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 nieve he drave awa' And car'd for neither frost nor sna'. The tither 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'rdly John. Sae on they gade at a guid scow'r. Cause that they saw a gath'ring show'r