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And ay she wint, and ay she swat;
I wat she made nae jaukin;
Till something held within the pat;
Gude L—d! but she was quakin!
But whether 'twas the deil himsel,
Or whether 'twas a bauk-en',
Or whether it was Andrew Bell,
She didna wait on talkin
To spier that night.

Wee Jenny to her grannie says,
'Will ye gae wi' me, grannie?
I'll eat the apple^[1] at the glass
I gat frae uncle Johnnie.'
She fuff't her pipe wi' sic a lunt,
In wrath she was sae vap'rin,
She notic't nae an isle burnt
Her braw new worset apron
Out-through that night.

'Ye little skelpie limmer's face,
I daur you try sic sportin,
As seek the foul thief ony place,
For him to spae your fortune;
Nae doubt ye may get a sight,
Great cause ye hae to fear it;

will hold the thread; demand, 'Wha hauds?' that is, 'Who holds?' An answer will be returned from the kiln pot, by naming the Christian and Sirname of your future spouse.

↑ Take a candle, and go alone to a looking-glass; eat an apple before it; and, some traditions say, you should comb your hair all the time: the face of your conjugal companion to be, will be seen in the glass, as peeping over your shoulder.

[2] Take a candle, and go alone to a looking-glass; eat an apple before it; and, some traditions say, you should comb your hair all the time: the face of your conjugal companion to be, will be seen in the glass, as peeping over your shoulder.

[1]