Page:Watty and Meg, or, the wife reclaimed.pdf/14

 14 Spare sarely frae his flock to sell They would mak' up a drove amang them, He pledged his word he wouldna' wrang them; But render at his coming back, A just account o' il'ka 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-beaded sword, No as a weapon o' offence, But case o' need for self-defenee. For, they wha liket, rich or poor, Might wear a sword, in days o'yore. Baith air and late, baith wet and 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 were sauld, the price was paid; 'Twas down in yellow guineas laid, The gowd 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 keel: at ferlies ; To bonse wi' limmers, or to gambla, 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, Bo Donald without vain parade, Retnmed hiru thanks, and said he had And a' bis business, tap an' tail o't,