Page:Thrummy Cap and the ghaist (3).pdf/2



THRUMMY CAP,

A TALE.

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In ancient times, far i' the north, A hundred miles ayont the Forth, Upon a stormy winter day, Twa men forgather'd o' the way Ane was a sturdy bardoch chiel, An' frae the weather happit weel, Wi'a mill'd plaiding jockey-coat, And eke he on his head had got A thrummy cap, baith large and stout, Wi' flaps ahind, as weel's a snout, Whilk button'd close beneath his chin, To keep the cauld frae getting in; Upon his legs he had gammashes, Whilk sodgers term their spatterdashes; An' on his hands, instead o' glo'es, Large doddy mittens, whilk he roose For warmness, an' an aiken stick, Nae verra lang, but unco thick, lntil bis neive--he drave awa, And card for neither frost nor snaw. The ither was just the reverse, O' claes and courage baith was scarce ; Sae in our tale, as we go on, I think we'd ca' him cow'rdly John. Sae on they gade at gude scow'r,                       'Cause that they saw a gath'ring show'r,