Page:Monk and the miller's wife (1).pdf/4

[4] But ſince 'tis very like, my dow, That a' ye're 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 cou'dna 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, Thro' whilk he ſaw a glent o' light, That gave diverſion to his ſight! By this he quickly could 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 modeft ear, And beet the lewder youthfu' flame, That we by ſatire ſtrive to tame. Suppoſe the wicked action o'er, And James continuing ſtill 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 roaſted hen, And twa good bottles, ſtout 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,