Page:Fasten's-day, a poem, or, Kilmarnock races, and frolics, on that celebrated day.pdf/5

 5 But now the Cryer proudly marches, And on his halbert high he perches The Breeks, the Shoes, the Purse, the Bonnet, Cries come and stake who mean to win it. These were ambition's valued bays, In ancient happier simple days; But nought with racers now will do, Save yellow sovereigns one or two, For gold now only is the prize That glitters in ambition's eyes. But fancy fain would flap her wing, And Fasten's varied frolics sing, And hie down to Kilmarnock place, To see old Killie's far-fam'd race; Or rove about Barbadoes green, And paint the strange and varied scene. As Killie's stream comes rumbling down, So crowds comes pouring from the town, Recruiting parties proudly stalking, Lads and lasses busy talking; A ring of Callans young things coaxing, And here a batch of blackguards boxing: The playful boys at ball or shinty, Are flying swift like ony linty, When he! a tap comes from the drum, And all those noisy groupes are dumb.