Page:Watty and May, or, The wife reclaimed.pdf/13

13 A just account o’ ilka plack. So ilka ane agreed to gie’ Out o’ his flock, some twa, some three. Till he a handsome drove collecket, And to the south his way direcket. He mounted was upon a pony ; A dog his servant was, and crony ; And by his side, like ony lord, There hung a braid sheep-headed sword, No as a weapon o’ offence, But case o’ need for self-defence. For, they wha liket, rich or poor, Might wear a sword, in days o’ yore. Baith air and late, baith wet or dry, The dog and Donald drave the kye. At length wi’ muckle toil and care, A’ safe and sound, they reached the fair. The kye was sauld, the price was paid ; Twas down in yellow guineas laid, The goud he in his purse soon steeket : The price was mair than he expecket. Whilk raised his heart, and I wat weel. He thought himsel’ a clever chiel. Instead o’ Donald lounging careless About the fair, to keek at ferlies ; To bouse wi’ limmers, or to gamble, Or spend his cash in ony ramble ; He wisely mounts his Highland shelty, And takes the road on helty skelty. As he rode on, and cracked his whup, A gentleman came riding up, Who bade good-day, wi’ friendly air, And spiered if he’d been at the fair, So Donald without vain parade, Returned him thanks, and said he had. And a’ his business tap an’ tail o’t, When at the fair he tauld the hale o’t. Right crouse they grew wi’ ane anither, And mony stories tauld to either. ’Bout kings, and priests, and great com- manders ; The war in Britain, France, and Flanders When mony miles they’d rode in league, They in a hollow reached a brig,