Page:Famous battle between Captain Ward and the rainbow (1).pdf/7

 Maggy, quoth he, an' by my bags,
 * I'm fidgin' fain to see thee;

Sit down by me, my bonny bird,
 * in troth I winna steer thee;

For I'm a piper to my trade,
 * my name is Rob the Ranter,

The lasses loup as they were daft,
 * when I blaw up my chanter.

Piper, quoth Meg, ha'e you your bags,
 * or is your drone in order;

If you be Rob I've heard of you,
 * live you upon the border?

The lasses a' baith far an' near,
 * ha'e heard o' Rob the Ranter;

I'll shake my foot wi' right good will,
 * gif ye'll blaw up your chanter.

Then to his bags he flew wi' speed,
 * about the drone he twisted;

Meg up an' wallop'd o'er the green,
 * for brawly could she frisk it.

Weel done, quoth he, play up, quoth she,
 * weel bob'd, quoth Rob the Ranter,

'Tis worth my while to play indeed,
 * when I hae sic a dancer.

Weel hae you play'd your part, quoth Meg,
 * your cheeks are like the crimson;

There's name in Scotland plays sae weal,
 * since we lost Habby Simpson.