Page:Scotland's skaith, or, The sad effects of drunkenness (2).pdf/4



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Luckless was the hour whan Willie, Hame returning frae the fair, O'ertook Tam, a neebour billie, Sax miles frae their hame and mair.

Simmer's heat had lost, its fury; Calmly smiled the sober e'en, Lasses on the bleachfield Hurry, Skelping barefit owre the green:

Labour rang wi laugh and clatter, Canty hairst was just begun, And on mountain, tree, and water, Glinted saft the setting sun.

Will and Tam, wi hearts a' louping, Markt the hale, but could nae bide; Far frae hame, nae time for stopping:—- Baith wished for their ain fire side.

On they travelled, warm aud drouthy, Cracking owre the news in town; The mair they crackt, the mair ilk youth aye Prayed for drink to wash news down.

Fortune, wha but seldom listens To poor Merit's modest prayer, And on fools pours needless blessings, Hearkened to our drouthy pair.

In a howm, wha's Bonny burnie Whimpering rowed its crystal food, Near the road whar travellers turn aye, Neat and bield a cot-house stood: