Page:The Poetical Works of William Motherwell, 1849.djvu/473



And aye he waled the leanings lang, till we drew near the town, When I could hear the kimmers say—'There rides a comelie loun!' I turned wi' pride and keeked at him, but no as to be seen, And thought how do wie I wad feel, gin he made love to Jean! But soon the manly chiel, aff-hand, thus frankly said to me, 'Meg, either tak me to yoursel, or set me fairly free!'

To Glasgow Green I link'd wi' him, to see the ferlies there, He birled his penny wi' the best—what noble could do mair? But ere ae fit he'd tak me hame, he cries—'Meg, tell me noo: Gin ye will hae me, there's my lufe, I'll aye be leal an' true.' On sic an honest, loving heart how could I draw a bar? What could I do but tak Bab's hand, for better or for waur?