Page:Watty and Meg, or, The wife reformed (3).pdf/3

 "Ay, quo' Watty, things are alter't,

but its past redemption now!

For O I wish I had been halter'd,

when I marry'd Maggy Howe!

I've been poor, and vext, and raggy,

try't wi troubles no that sma';

Them I bore-but marrying Maggy

laid the capstane o' them a'!

Night and day she's ever yelpin',

wi' the weans she ne'er can 'gree;

When she's tir'd wi' perfect skelpin',

then she flies like fire on me!

See ye, Mungo, then she'll clash on

wi' her everlasting clack;

Whyles I've had my nieve, in passion,

liftet up to break her back!

"O for gudesake, keep frae cuffets!"

Mungo shook his head, and said,

"Weel I ken what sort o' life it is!

ken ye, Watty how I did?

After Bess and I were kippit,

soon she grew like ony bear!

Brak my shins, and when I tippl't,

harl't out my very hair!

For a wee I quietly knucklt,

but when naething would prevail,

Up my claes and cash I buckl't;

Bess, for ever fare ye well!

Then her din grew less and less aye;

haith I gart her change her tune;