Page:Monk and the miller's wife (1).pdf/5

 Th' unwelcome Miller ga'e a roar, Cry'd, "Beſſy, haſte ye ope the door." With that he haly letcher fled, And dart'd himlſelf behind a bed; While Beſſy huddl'd a' things by, That nought the cuckeld might eſpy; Syne loot him in-but out of tune, Speer'd why he left the mill ſae ſoon? "I come," ſaid he, "as manners claims, To crack and wait on Mr. James: Whilk I ſhou'd do, tho' ne'er to bizzy: I ſent him here, goodwife, where is he?" “ Ye ſent him here! (quoth Beſſy, grumbling), Kent I this James? -A chiel came rumbling! But how was I aſſur'd, when dark, That he had been nae thieviſh ſpark, Or ſome rude wencher gotten a doze, That a weak wife cou'd ill oppoſe?" "And what came of him!-Speak nae langer," Cries Halbert, in a highland anger. "I ſent him to the barn," quoth ſhe. "Gae quickly bring him in," quoth he. James was brought in-the wife was bawked- The prieſt ſtood close-the Miller cracked- Then ask'd his ſunkan gloomy ſpouſe, What ſupper had ſhe in the houſe, That might be ſuitable to gie Ane of their lodger's qualitie? Quoth ſhe, " Ye may wiel ken, goodman, Your feaſt comes frae the pottage pan : The ſtov'd and roaſted we afford, Are aft great ſtrangers on our board." "Pottage!" qoth Hab, "ye ſenseless tawpie! Think ye this youth's a gilly-gawpie; And that his gentle ſtomach's master To worry up a pint of plaster,