Page:Four funny tales.pdf/9



Jock was fellin' Pate ſome tallow,
 * a' the reſt a racket hel',

A' but Walty, wha poor fallow
 * ſat and ſmoket by himſel'.

Mungo fill't him up a toothfu’
 * drank his health and Meg's in age:

Watty puffin' out a monthfu',
 * pledg'd him wi' a dreary grane.

'What's the matter, Watty, wi' you!
 * 'trouth your chafts are a' fa'n in!

'Something's wrang———I'm wae to ſee you———
 * 'Gudelake! bur ye're deſp'rate thin.'

'Ay,' quo Watty, 'things are alter't,
 * 'but it's paft redemption now;

'L———d! I wiſh I had been halter'd
 * 'whan I married Maggy How

'I've been poor, and vex'd, and raggy,
 * 'try'd wi' troubles no that ſma';

'Them I bore———but marrying Maggy
 * 'laid the cap ſtane o' them a'.

'Night and day ſhe's ever yelpin.
 * 'wi' the weans ſhe ne'er can gree;

'When ſhe's tyr'd wi' perfect ſkelpin,
 * 'then ſhe flies like fire on me.

'See ye, Mungo! when ſhe'll claſh on
 * 'wi' her everlaſting clack,

'Whiles I've had my nieve, in paſſion,
 * 'lifted up to break her back!

'O, for Gudeſake keep frae cuffets!
 * Mungo ſhook his head and ſaid,

'Weel I ken what ſort o' life it's;
 * 'ken ye Watty, how I did?

'After Beſs and I war kippl't,
 * 'ſoon ſhe grew like ony bear:

'Brake my ſhins, and when I tippl't,
 * 'harlt out my very hair.