Page:Watty and May, or, The wife reclaimed.pdf/15

15 They will believe what you say to them, From evidence that you shall gi’e them. From every one I rob, I’ve credit. By giving me his hand I did it; My comrades and I together, This token give to one another. So, one of your hands must go with me, Come, take your choice, which shall it be ? ‘ My dog is gane, and darling purse ; And now my hand ! still worse and worse. Ha’e mercy on me,’ Donald prays, ‘ I’ll be a beggar a’ my days.’ ‘ No mercy for you, cried the wretch, ‘ Come, down with it, I’ll make quick

despatch. ’

‘ Weel, wee!,’ says Donald ‘ I submit ; But ae request grant, if it’s fit, That is, since my lelt hand must go, Driv’t aff at ae most desperate blow, No on the saft green, there, perhaps, Ye’ll pine me sair, by several chaps ; But ye’ll at ance, maire siccer do’t, On yonder smooth tree’s spreading root.’ Poor Donald’s prayer was heard ; he then Made bare his left hand shackle bane, And on the tree toot laid it quaking, The robber now his aim was taking, Wi’ baith hands rais’d the vengeful whittle, And as he struck wi’ awfu’ ettle Sly Donald slipt his arm ajee ; And firm the sword stack in the tree. ‘ Ha’e at you now, ye cruel wretch ! ’ Quo Donald, ‘ I am now your match.’ Wi’ that he seized him by the collar. Gie’d him a jerk that gart him gollar, His Highland blood boiled in a passion ; He gie’d his face a horrid bashin’ ; Syne drew his cravat round so tight, That hailh, he strangled him maist out right. By these means, Donald man’d to mak’, His hands secure ahind his back. Syne on the beast he put the billy, Wi’s feet tied underneath its belly. The dog whilk Donald mourned fu’ sair.