Ancient Scottish ballads, recovered from tradition, and never before ...

203
But he miclit Iiae chosen a hier match,
Than onie shepherd's lassie."
Then up bespak his brither John,
Says, " Ye've deen* us meikle wrang, O,
Ye've married een below our degree,
A lakej to a' our kin, O."
" Hold your tongue, my brither John,
I have deen you na wrang, O,
For I've married een to wirk and win,;{:
And ye've married een to spend O.
The first time that I had a wife,
She was far abeen § my degree, O;
I durst na come in her presence,
But wi' my hat upo' my knee, O.
The first wife that I did wed,
She was far abeen my degree, O,
She wadna hae vvalk'd to the yetts o' Drum
But ||
' Deen—done, f
the pearls abeen her bree,5f O.
Lake—stain. \ To wirk and ivin—to work
and gain. § Abeen—above. || But—without, f Bree—brow.