Page:Watty & Meg, or, The wife reform'd.pdf/3

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"What's the matter, Watty, wi' you?
Trouth your chaſts are ſa'ing in!
Something's wrang—I'm vext to ſee you—
Gudeſafe! but ye’re deſp'rate thin."

"Ay, quo' Watty, things are alter't,
But it's paſt redemption now!
For O I wiſh I had been halter'd
When I marry'd Maggy Howe!

I've been poor, and vext, and raggy,
Try't wi' troubles no that ſma';
Them I bore—but marrying Maggy
Laid the capſtane o' them a'!

Night and day ſhe's ever yelpin',
Wi' the weans ſhe ne'er can 'gree;
When ſhe's tir'd wi' perfect ſkelpin',
Then ſhe flies like fire on me!

So ye, Mungo, then ſhe'll claſh on
Wi' her everlaſting clack;
Whyles I've had my nieve, in paſſion,
Liftet up to break her back!"

"O, for gudeſafe, keep frae cuffets!"
Mungo ſhook his head and ſaid;
"Weel I ken what ſort o’ life it is!
Ken ye, Watty, how I did?

After Beſs and I were kippl't,
Soon ſhe grew like ony bear?
Brak my ſhins, and when I ⟨tippl'd⟩
Harl’t out my very hair!

For a wee I quaitly knuckl't,
But when naething would prevail,
Up my claes and caſh I buckl't,
Beſs, for ever fore you weel;