Page:Magic pill, or, Davie and Bess (3).pdf/2



In yonder glen, beside a meadow,

Liv'd Nanse, an auld, ben honest widow,

Wha had ae daughter named Bess,

An' Bessie was a bonnie lass.

To ilka lad her mind was steeket,

Excepting Davie whom she liket;

Wha was a braw, blythe, rustic Billie,

As ever canter'd on a Fillie.

And counted it the height o' bliss,

To love and be belov'd by Bess.

They pledg'd their oaths, to join their hands,

As weel as hearts, in marraige bands;

An' wi' the custom condescended

To tell auld Nanse what was intended,

Wha wi' a mother's transport bless'd them,

An' a the joys o' wedlock wish'd them.

Now Nanse an' Bessie to their liken

Made ready blankets, sheets and tyken,

An' ither things for back and bedding,

In expectation o' the wedding—

But while they made sic preparation,

Poor Bess turn'd pale wi' sad vexation,

For Davie took up wi' anither,

And left poor Bessie a' thegither.

Nanse, griev'd to see her Bessie mourn,

Sae sair affronted and forlorn,

Sat out ae day, thro' dirt an' water,

To get advice about the matter

Frae a learn'd doctor she'd heard tell o',

Wha had some drugs could fix the fellow.

To wave descriptions, how she wan'erin'

Athort the city lang gade daunerin',

How chiels and hizzies at her sneert,

When for the docter's house she speert.

Suffice it, when we only tell

At length she gat him by himsel',

An' after she a preface made,