THRUMMY CAP
A TALE
In ancient times, far i' the north;
A hunder miles ayont the Forth,
Upon a' stormy winter day,
Twa men forgather'd o' the way,
Ane was a sturdy bardoch chiel
An' frae the weather happit weel,
Wi' a mill'd pleiding jockey-coat
And eke he on his head had got
A thrummy cap baith large and stout,
Wi' naps ahind as weel's a shout,
Whilk button'd close aneath his chin,
To keep the cauld frae getting in;
Upon his legs he' had gammashes,
Whilk sodgers term their spatterdashes,
An' on his hands, instead o' gloves,
Large doddy-mittens, whilk he'd roose
For warmness, an' an aiken stick
Nae verra lang, but unco thick,
Intil his neive---he drave awa,
And card for neither frost: nor sna,
The ither was just the reverse,
O' claes and courage baith was scarce,
Sae in our tale, as we go on,
I think we'll ca? him cow’rldy John.
Sae on they gade at a gude scow'r
'Cause that they a saw gath'ring show'r,
