Page:Old maid and widow, or, The widow the best wife.pdf/15

Rh The smile that manners claimed as civil,

Wou’d gart her greet— and played the d—l!

Such was the life that Watty led,

A jealous wife— an’ childless bed!

An’ to a friend, whom he cou’d trust,

‘Mind this,’ said he, ‘when I’m in dust,

‘Altho’ she were wi’ siller laden,

‘O never marry an A M!’

Now Mr. Preses, I’ve a fear,

That Katharine’s wearied you fu’ sair;

Be thankfu’ Sir, she’s not your wife,

An’ think on Watty’s waefu’ life,

But if ye’ll thole me for a little,

I’ll fit your taste— I’ll wad my whittle!

John Thomson lived in Gowan fau’d,

A stout, weel-biggit, simple lad;

Did little good-an’ nought o’ harm,

Wi’ twa cows lab’ring of a farm:

When he sat down wi’ fowk to crack,

He meant aye better than he spak’;

E’en they wha thought him saft an’ silly

Ca’d him a kind, good-hearted billy.

He was na rich, but borrowed naething,

An’ far frae pridefu’ in his claithing;

His coat, tho’ hale at kirk or fair—

Was seenil brushed— he didna care: