POEMS 173 



"What's the matter, Watty, wi' you? 



Trouth your chafts** are fa'ing in ! 

 Something's wrang — I'm vex'd to see you — 



Gudesake ! but ye're desp'rate thin !" 



"Ay," quo' Watty, "things are alter'd, 



But it's past redemption now; 

 Lord ! I wish I had been halter'd 



When I marry'd Maggy Howe! 



"I've been poor, and vex'd, and raggy, 



Try'd wi' troubles no that sma'; 

 Them I bore — but marrying Maggy 



Laid the cap-stane o' them a'. 



"Night and day she's ever yelping. 

 With the weans® she ne'er can gree; 



When she's tired with perfect skelping,^ 

 Then she flees like fire on me. 



"See ye, Mungo! when she'll clash on^ 



With her everlasting clack,^ 

 Whiles I've had my neive,^*' in passion, 



Lifted up to break her back." 



"O, for Gudesake, keep frae cuffets !" 



Mungo shook his head and said : 

 "Weel I ken what sort of life it's ; 



Ken ye, Watty, how I did? — 



"After Bess and I were kippled. 



Soon she grew like ony bear ; 

 Bark my shins, and, when I tippled, 



Harl't out my very hair! 



"Cheeks. « Children. ''Whipping. » Chatter. 



9 Din. 10 Clenched fist. 



