174 AI^XANDER WII/SON: po^-naturaust 



"For a wee I quietly knuckled, 

 But when naething would prevail, 



Up my claes and cash I buckled, 

 Bess, for ever fare-ye-weel — 



"Then her din grew less and less aye, 

 Haith I gart her change her tune; 



Now a better wife than Bessy 

 Never stept in leather shoon. 



"Try this, Watty — When ye see her 



Raging like a roaring flood. 

 Swear that moment that ye'U lea' her ; 



That's the way to keep her good/' 



Laughing, sangs, and lasses' skirls,^^ 



Echo'd now out-thro' the roof ; 

 "Done!" quo' Pate, and syne his erls^^ 



Nail'd the Dryster's wauked loof.^^ 



In the thrang of stories telling. 



Shaking hauns, and ither cheer; 

 Swith ! a chap comes on the hallan,^* 



"Mungo, is our Watty here?" 



Maggy's well kent tongue and hurry. 



Darted thro' him like a knife ; 

 Up the door flew — like a Fury 



In came Watty's scawling wife. 



"Nasty, gude-for-naething being ! 



O ye snuffy, drucken sow! 

 Bringing wife and weans to ruin, 



Drinking here wi' sic a crew ! 



" Peals of laughter. ^^ pledge money. " Hardened palm. 



" Outside-door. 



