Page:Thrummy cap (1).pdf/11

 11 The ghaist against the ither twa;

Whilk close they drave baith back an' fore

Atween the chimla' an' the door.

Thrummy a while beheld the play,

Syne rinnin' up, he this did say—

"Ane for ane may weel compare,

But twa for ane is rather sair;

The play's nae equal, say, I vow,

Dear brither Thrummy, I'll help you."

Syne wi' his fit he kicked the ba',

Gar'd it play stot against the wa'.

Quick then as lightning frae the sky

The spectres ga'e a horrid cry

An' vanished in a clap o' thun'er,

While Thrummy at the same did won'er.

The room was quiet noo an' mirk,

An' Thrummy, stilping in his sark,

Glaumpin' the gate back to his bed,

He thinks he hears a person tread,

An' ere he gat without the door

The ghaist again stood him afore,

An' in his face did starin' stan'

Wi'a big can'le in its han.'

Quo' Thrummy, “Frien', I want to know

What brings ye frae the shades below.

I in my Maker's name command

Ye'll tell yer story just aff-hand.

Fat wad ye hae?—I'll do my best

For you, to lat you be at rest."

Then says the ghaist," 'Tis forty year

Since I've been doomed tae wander here;

In a' that time there has been nane

Behaved sae bold as ye have been;

Sae if you'll do a job for me

Disturbance mair I'll never gie."