6
When Davie saw her way sae winnin,
An' a' the chaps about her rinnin'
A racking love pain dirl'd within him,
Yet reason coudna' ha'd nor bin' him.
Tho' stung wi' guilt an' blate wi' shame,
Ae wish to share her smiles wi' them,
Sae with fear, hope, and agitation,
Gae her a kindly invitation.
She paus'd an' hankert—he insisted,
So down by Davie's tide she rested.
About themsels he turn'd the talk,
An' even proposed a private walk;
While Bessie heard and said but little,
An' seem'd to care it not a spittle.—
Sax minutes time did scarcely pass,
When 'twas his turn to tak' the glass,
An' notice, while the punch he sipped!
Sly in his pouch the pill she slipped:
Quick up wi' majesty she started,
An' bouncin' to the floor she airted,
Whence back wi her a spark came prancin,
An' gart her with him fa' a dancin'.
Poor Davie blushed—and ye could trace
The rainbow colours flush his face,
He naething said, but pensive fat,
Reflecting he'd got tit for tat;
An' whiles by stealth with envy keeket
At ilk blythe blade an Bessie cleeket,
Thought them halesale his mortal foes
An' keenly felt foreboding woes.—
He tr ed to hate her, but in vain.—
His saul in love took lowe again,
A love intenser far than ever,
Yet durstna mint to seek her favour,
While mirk despair, remorse an' sorrow,
His very inmost heart did harrow,
He curst his fate —thus anguish torn
The weddin left to shun her scorn,
