BISHOP HATTO

" Tell me, thou bonny bird.

When shall I marry me ? **
" —When six braw gentlemen

Kirkward shall cany ye."

" Who makes the bridal bed,

Birdie, say truly ? "
" —The grey-headed sexton

That delves the grave duly.

" The glow-worm o'er grave and stone
Shall light thee steady ; 10

The owl from the steeple sing
Welcome, proud lady ! "

SIR WALTER SCOTT

BISHOP HATTO
THE summer and the autumn had been so wet
That in winter the corn was growing yet;
'Twas a piteous sight to see all around
The grain lie rotten on the ground.
Every day the starving poor
Crowded around Bishop Hatto's door,
For he had a plentiful last-year's store,
And all the neighbourhood could tell 20
His granaries were furnish'd well.
At last Bishop Hatto appointed a day
To quiet the poor without delay ;
He bade them to his great barn repair,
And they should have food for the winter there.
Rejoiced such tidings good to hear,
The poor folk flock* d from far and near ;
The great barn was full as it could hold
Of women and children, and young and old.