Page:York dialogue between Ned and Harry, or, Ned giving Harry an account of his courtship and marriage state.pdf/21

(21) II. Tak your auld cloak about ye.

when the rain rain'd cauld, And froſt and ſnaw on ilka hill, And Boreas, with his blaſts ſae bald, Was threat'ning a' our ky to kill; Then Bell, my wife, wha loves na ſtrife, She ſaid to me right haſtily, Get up, goodman, ſave Cromie's life, And tak your auld cloak about ye.

My Cromie is an uſeful cow, And ſhe is come of a good kine; Aft has ſhe wet the bairn's mou, And I am latch that ſhe ſhou'd tyne; Get up, goodman, it is fou time, The ſun ſhines in the lift ſae hie; Sloth never made a gracious end, Go tak your auld cloak about ye.

My cloak was anes a good grey cloak, When it was fitting for my wear; But now it's ſcantly worth a groat, For I ha'e worn't this thirty year; Let's ſpend the gear that we ha'e won, We little ken the day we'll die: Then I'll be proud, ſince I ha'e ſworn To ha'e a new cloak about me.

In days when our king Robert rang, His trews they coſt but ha'f a crown: