176 AI^EXANDER WII^ON : POEJT-NATURAWST 



Sad his wee drap brose he sippet, 

 Maggy's tongue gaed like a bell; 



Quietly to his bed he slippet, 

 Sighing aften to himsel' : 



"Nane are free frae some vexation, 



Ilk ane has his ills to dree f^ 

 But thro' a' the hale creation 



Is a mortal vexed like me !" 



A' night lang he rowt and gaunted, 



Sleep or rest he cou'dna tak ; 

 Maggy, aft wi' horror haunted, 



Mum'ling, started at his back. 



Soon as e'er the morning peepit. 

 Up raise Watty, waefu' chiel;^^ 



Kist his weanies, while they sleepit, 

 Wauken'd Meg, and sought fareweel. 



"Farewell, Meg! — and, O, may Heaven 

 Keep you aye within His care ; 



Watty's heart ye've lang been grievin'. 

 Now he'll never fash^* you mair. 



"Happy cou'd I been beside you, 

 Happy, baith at morn and e'en ; 



A' the ills that e'er betide you, 

 Watty aye turn'd out your f rien' ; 



"But ye ever like to see me 

 Vext and sighing, late and air ; 



Farewell, Meg ! I've sworn to lea' thee, 

 So thou'll never see me mair." 



22 Endure. =» pellow. « Disturb. 



