Page:Monk and the miller's wife (2).pdf/3

 Not less this note your notice claims— The scholar's name was Master James. Now smiling muse, the prelude past, Smoothly relate a tale shall last As lang as Alps and Grampian hills, As lang as wind or water-mills. In enter'd James, Hab saw and kenn'd him, And offer'd kindly to befriend him Wi' sic guid cheer as he could make Baith for his ain and father's sake. The scholar thought himsel right sped, And gae him thanks in terms weel bred. Quoth Hab, "I canna leave my mill As yet; but step ye west the kill A bowshot, and ye'll find my hame: Gae warm ve, and crack wi' our dame, "Till I set aff the mill, syne we Shall tak what Betsy has to gie." James, in return, what's handsome said, Ower lang to tell; and aff he gaed. Out o' the house some light did shine, Whilk led him till't as wi' a line: Arriv'd, he knock'd, for doors were steekit; Straight thro' a window Bessy keekit, And cries, "Wha's that gies fouk a fright At sic untimous time o' night?" James wi' guid humour maist discreetly, Tauld her his circumstance completely. "I dinna ken ye," quoth the wife, "And up and down the thieves are rife; Within my lane I'm but a woman, Sae I'll unbar my door to nae man; 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."