174 AlvEiXANDER WII^ON : POET-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'll 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. 



