Page:Monk and the miller's wife (4).pdf/6

 That done, he says, “Now, now ’tis come,

And in the bole beside the lum:

Now set the board; gudewife; gae ben,

Bring frae yon-bole a roasted hen.”

She wouldna gang, but Habby ventur'd;

And soon as he the amrie enter'd,

It smell’d sae weel, he short time sought it,

And wondring, ’tween his hands he brought it.

He view'd it round; and thrice he smelt it,

Syne with a gentle touch he felt it,

Thus ilka sense he did conveen,

Lest glamour had beguil'd his een;

They a' in ae united body,

Declar'd it a fine fat how-towdy,

“Nae mair about it," quoth the miller;

The fowl looks wiel, and we’ll fa’ till her.”

“Sae be’t,” says James; and in a doop

They snap't her up baith stbop and roop.

“Niest, O! cries Halbert, ‘could your skill

But help us to a waught o’ yill

I'd be oblig'd t’ye a’ my life,

And offer to the duel my wife;

To see if he'll discreeter mak her,

But that I'm fiey'd he winna tak her.”

Said James, "ye offer very fair,

The bargain's hadden, say nae mair.”

Then thrice he shook n willow-wand,

With kittle words thrice gave command;

That done, with looks baith learn’d and grave,

Saidh, “now' ye'll get what you would have;

Twa bottles of as nappy liquor

As ever ream'd in horn or bicker,

Behind the ark that hauds your meal,

Ye’ll find twa standing corkit weil.”