4
Then her din grew leſs and leſs aye,
Haith I gart her change her tune:
Now a better wife than Beſſy
Never ſtept in leather ſhoon.
Try this, Watty---Whan ye ſee her
Raging like a roaring flood;
Swear that moment that ye'll lea' her!
That's the way to keep her gude!"
Laughing, fangs, and laffes, ſkirls
Echo'd now out-through the roof,
Done! quo' Pate, and syne his erls
Nail't the Dryſter's wauket loof.
I' the thrang o' ſtories telling,
Shakin hauns, and ither cheer,
Swith! a chap comes on the hallan,
Mungo, is our Watty here?
Maggy's weel kent tongue and hurry,
Darted through him like a knife!
Up the door flew like a fury!
In came Watty's ſcawlin wife.
Scarcely had ſhe croſs'd the threſhold,
Till ſhe rais'd a clam'rous din,
Which made Watty ſhak an' tremble,
For to hear her thus begin:
«Ye naſty, gude-for-naething being!
O ye ſnuffy, drunken ſow!
Bringan wife and weans to ruin,
Drinkin' here wi' ſic a crew!
Devil nor your legs were broken!
Sic a life nae fleſh endures---
Toilan like a ſlave to ſlocken
You, you dyvour, and your 'hores!
