Page:Scotland's skaith, or, The history o' Will & Jean (1).pdf/6

 Simmer's heat had loſt its fury: Calmly ſmil'd the ſober c'en; Laſſes on the bleachfield hurry Skelping bare-fit owre the green

Labour rang wi' laugh and clatter, Canty Hairſt was juſt begun, And on mountain, tree and water Glinted ſaft the ſettin Sun.

Will and Tam wi' hearts a' lowpin Mark'd the hale, but cou'd nae bide; Far frae hame, nae time for ſtoppin; Baith wiſh'd for their ain fire ide.

On they travell'd, warm and drouthy, Cracking owre the news in town, The mair they crack'd, the mair ilk youth aye Pray'd for drink to waſh news down.

Fortune wha but ſeldom liſtens To poor Merit's modeſt pray'r; And on fools pours needleſs bleſſings, Harken'd to our drouthy pair.