Page:Four funny tales.pdf/19



That a' y'ere telling may be true, Hae, there's a key, gang in your way At the neiſt door there's braw ait ſtrae; Streek down upon't, my lad and learn They're no ill lodg'd that get a barn." Thus, after meikle clitter clatter, James fand he coudna mend the matter; And ſince it might nae better be, With reſignation took the key, Unlockt the barn-clam up the mou, Where was an opening near the hou, Through whilk he ſaw a glent of light, That gave diverſion to his fight: By this he quickly cou'd diſcern A thin wa' ſep'rate houſe and barn, And thro' this rive was in the wa', All done within the houſe he ſaw: He ſaw (what ought not to be ſeen, And ſcarce gave credit to his een) The pariſh prieſt of reverend fame In active courtſhip with the dame——— To lengthen out deſcription here, Would but offend the modeſt ear, And beet the lewder youthfu' ſlame That we by ſatire ſtrive to tame. Suppoſe the wicked action o'er, And James continuing fill to glowr; Wha ſaw the wife as faſt as able, Spread a clean ſervite on the table, And ſyne frae the ha' ingle bring ben A pyping het young roalied hen, And twa good bottles Gout and clear, Ane of ſtrong ale, and ane of beer.

But wicked luck, juſt as the prieſt Shot in his fork in chucky's breaſt, Th' unwelcome miller ga'e a roar, Cry'd, 'Beſſy, haſte ye ope the door.'——— With that the haly letcher fled, And dain'd himſelf behind a bed;