A Book of English Literature, Selected and Ed

While Common Sense has ta'en the road,
An's aff, an' up the Cowgate
Fast, fast that day.

Wee Miller niest1 the guard relieves,
An' orthodoxy raibles,2

Tho' in his heart he weel believes

An' thinks it auld wives' fables:

But faith! the birkie3 wants a manse,

So cannilie1 he hums them;

Like hafflins-wise5 o'ercomes him

Altho' his carnal wit an' sense

At times that day.

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His talk o' hell, whare devils dwell,
Our vera "sauls does harrow"
Wi' fright that day.

A vast, unbottomed, boundless pit,
Filled fou o' lowin 18 brunstane,19
Whase ragin flame an' scorchin heat
Wad melt the hardest whun-stane!20
The half-asleep start up wi' fear
An' think they hear it roarin,
When presently it does appear
'Twas but some neebor snorin,
Asleep that day.

Now butt an' ben" the change-house' fills 'Twad be owre lang a tale to tell

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How monie stories past,
An' how they crouded to the yill,21
When they were a' dismist;
How drink gaed round in cogs 22 and caups 23
Amang the furms24 an' benches:

An' cheese and bread frae women's laps 205
Was dealt about in lunches

An' dawds25 that day.

In comes a gawsie, 26 gash27 guidwife
An' sits down by the fire,

Syne28 draws her kebbuck29 an' her knife;
The lasses they are shyer:

The auld guidmen about the grace

Frae side to side they bother,

Till some ane by his bonnet lays,
And gi'es them't,30 like a tether,
Fu' lang that day.

Waesucks!31 for him that gets nae lass,
Or lasses that hae naething!
Sma' need has he to say a grace,
Or melvie32 his braw claithing!
O wives, be mindfu' ance yoursel
How bonie lads ye wanted,
An' dinna for a kebbuck-heel33
Let lasses be affronted
On sic a day!

Now Clinkumbell, wi' rattlin tow,34
Begins to jow35 an' croon;

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Some swagger hame the best they dow,36
Some wait the afternoon.

At slaps the billies38 halt a blink,
Till lasses strip their shoon:

18 flaming. 19 brimstone.

22 wooden bowls.

24 wooden seats.

27 clever.

30 gives it to them.