Well, since ye bid me, I shall tell ye a'
That ilk ane talks about you, but a flaw.
When last the wind made Glaud a roofless barn;
When last the burn bore down my mither's yarn;
When Brawny, elf-shot, never mair came hame;
When Tibby kirn'd, and there nae butter came;
When Bessy Freetock's chuffy-cheeked wean
To a fairy turn'd, and cou'dna stand its lane;
When Wattie wander'd ae night thro' the shaw
And tint himsell amaist amang the snaw;
When Mungo's mare stood still and swat wi' fright,
When he brought east the howdy under night;
When Bawsy shot to dead upon the green;
And Sara tint a snood was nae mair seen;--
You, lucky, gat the wyte of a' fell out;
And ilka ane here dreads ye round about,--
And say they may that mint to do ye skaith:
For me to wrang ye I'll be very laith;
But when I neist make groats, I'll strive to please
You with a firlot of them mixt with pease.

MAUSE.
I thank ye, lad!--Now tell me your demand;
And, if I can, I'll lend my helping hand.

BAULDY.
Then, I like Peggy; Neps is fond of me;
Peggy likes Pate; and Patie's bauld and slee,
And looes sweet Meg; but Neps I downa see.
Could ye turn Patie's love to Neps, and then
Peggy's to me, I'd be the happiest man.

MAUSE.
I'll try my airt to gar the bowls row right;
Sae gang your ways and come again at night;
'Gainst that time I'll some simple things prepare,
Worth all your pease and groats, tak ye nae care.

BAULDY.
Well, Mause, I'll come, gif I the road can find;
But if ye raise the deil, he'll raise the wind;
Syne rain and thunder, maybe, when 'tis late
Will make the night sae mirk, I'll tine the gate.
We're a' to rant in Symie's at a feast,--
O! will ye come, like badrans, for a jest?
And there you can our different haviours spy;
There's nane shall ken o't there but you and I.

MAUSE.
'Tis like I may: But let na on what's past
'Tween you and me, else fear a kittle cast.

BAULDY.
If I aught of your secrets e'er advance,
May ye ride on me ilka night to France!

MAUSE.
This fool imagines--