But whatever way I caress'd them
There's something still ails them at me.
O, If I ken'd how but to gain them,
How fond of the knack wad I be!
Or what an address could obtain them,
It should be twice welcome to me.
If kissing and clapping wad clense them,
That trade of should drive till I die
But however I study to ease them,
They've ailful an exception at me
There's wratacks an cripples, an' crawshake,
An' the wan dog (illegible text) I ken.
No sooner they speak to the wrenches,
But they are ta'en far enough hen
But when I speak to them that's stately,
I find them ay ta'en wi' the gee;
An' get the denial right flatly:
What thi- (illegible text) can ail them at me.
I have yet but ae offer to mak them,
If they wad but mearken to me
An' that is arm willing to tab them,
If they their consent wad but me
Let her that consent write a bill
An' get it transmitted to me
I hereby engage to fulfil it
Tho' cripple, tho' blind she sud be.
