The Scottish songs - National Library of Scotland

681
Nae sooner they smile on the lasses,
Than they are taen far enench ben
But when I speak to them that's stately,
I find them aye taen wi' the gee,
And get the denial fu' flatly ;
— ;
What think ye can ail them at me ?
I have a gude ojffer to make them,
If they would but hearken to me ;
And that is, I'm willing to take them.
Gin they wad be honest and free.
Let her wha likes best write a billet,
And send the sweet message to me ;
By sun and by moon, I'll fulfil it,
Though crooked or crippled she be !
THE WANTON WIFE.
ALLAN CUNNINGHAM.
NiTH, trembling to the reaper's sang,
Warm glitter'd in the harvest sun,
And murmured down the lanesome glen,
Where a wife of wanton wit did won.
Her tongue wagged wi' unhaly wit,
Unstent by kirk or gospel bann
An' aye she wished the kirkyard mools
Green growing o'er her auld gudeman.
Her auld gudeman drapped in at e'en,
Wi' harvest heuk—sair toiled was he ;
Sma' was his cog and cauld his kail,
Yet anger never raised his ee
He blessed the little, and was blithe,
While spak the dame, wi' clamorous tongue,
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