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THE
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
A
PASTORAL COMEDY.
THE
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
A
PASTORAL COMEDY;
ALLAN RAMSAY
«
GLASGOW;
PRINTED AND SOLD BY ANDREW fOULlS^
M.DCC.XGVI,
THE
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
ACT I. SCENE L
Beneath the (buth-fide of a cralgy beild,
Where cryftal fprings ihe halcfbme waters yield,
Twa youthful Ihepherds on the gowans lay,
Tenting their flocks ae bonny morn of May.
Poor Roger granes till hollow echoes ring;
But blyther Patie likes to laugh and fing.
PATIE AND ROCERi
PATIE.
This funny morning, Roger, chears my blood,
And puts all nature in a jovial mood.
How heartfome 'tis to fee the rifing plants ?
To hear the birds chirm o er their pleafmg rants?
How halefome 'tis to fnufF the cauler air.
And all the fweets it bears when void of care ?
What ails thee, Roger, then ? what gars thee grane ?
Tell me the caufe of thy ill feafon'd pain.
R. I'm born, O Patie! to a thrawart fate;
I'm born to ftrive with hardlliips fad and great*
Tempefls may ceafe to jaw the rowan flood.
Corbies and tods to grein for lamkins blood ;
But I, oppreft with never ending grief,
Maun ay defpair of lighting on relief
A
2 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
P. The bees fliall loath the flower, and quit the hive.
The faughs on boggie-ground fliall ceafe to thrive.
Ere fcornfuU queans, or lofs of vvarldly gear.
Shall fplU my reft, or ever force a tear.
R. Sae might I fay ; but 'tis no eafy done
By ane vvhafe faul is fadly out of tune.
You have fae faft a voice, and flid a tongue,
You are the darling of baith auld and young.
If I but ettle at a fang, or fpeak.
They dit their lugs, fyne up their leglens cleek;
And jeer me hameward frae the loan or bught.
While I'm confus'd with mony a vexing thought :
Yet I am taU, and as well built as thee.
Nor mair unlikely to a lafs s eye.
For ilka flieep ye have, I'll number ten.
And fhould, as ane may think, come farer ben.
P. But ablins, nibour, ye have not a heart.
And downa eithly wi' your cunzie part.
If that be true, what fignifies your gear ?
A mind that's fcrimpit never wants fome care.
R. My byar tumbled, nine braw nowt were fmoor d.
Three elf-fliot were ; yet I thefe ills endur'd :
In winter laft, my cares were very fma',
Tho' fcores of wathers perifli'd in the fnaw.
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
P. Were your bein rooms as thinly ftock'd as mine,
Lefs you wad lofe, and lefs you wad repine.
He that has juft enough, can foundly fleep;
The o'er come only faflies fowk to keep.
R. May plenty flow upon thee for a crofs,
That thou may 'ft thole the pangs of mony a lofs.
0 mayfl thou doat on fome fair paughty wench.
That ne'er will lout thy lowan drouth to quench.
Till bris'd beneath the burden, thou cry dool.
And awn that ane may fret that Is nae fool.
P. Sax good fat lambs I fald them Ilka clute
At the Wefl-port, and bought a winfome flute,
Of plum-tree made, with Iv'ry virles round,
A dainty whiflle with a pleafant found :
I'll be mair canty wi't, and nee'r cry dool.
Than you with all your cafli, ye dowie fool.
R. Na, Patle, na ! I'm nae fic churllfli beaft.
Some other thing lyes heavier at my breaft :
1 dream'd a dreary dream this hinder night.
That gars my flefli a' creep yet with the fright.
P. Now to a friend how filly's this pretence.
To ane wha you and a' your fecrets kens :
Daft are your dreams, as daftly wad ye hide
Your well feen love, and dorty Jenny's pride.
. GENTLE SHEPHERD.
T"
Take courage, Roger, me your forrows tell.
And fafely think nane kens them but your fell.
R. Indeed now, Patie, ye have guefs'd o'er true.
And there is naething I'll keep up frae you.
Me dorty Jenny looks upon a fquint;
To fpeak but till her I dare hardly mint :
In ilka place flie jeers me air and late.
And gars me look bumbaz'd, and unko blate:
But yefterday I met her 'yont a know.
She fled as frae a fhelly-coated kow.
She Bauldy loes, Bauldy that drives the car;
But geeks at me, and fays I fmell of tar.
P. But Bauldy loes not her, right well I wat;
He fighs for Neps— -fae that may ftand for that.
R. I wifli I cou'dna loe her— but in vain,
I ftill maun doat, and thole her proud difdain.
My Bawty is a cur I dearly like.
Even while he fawn'd, £he (Irak the poor dumb t
If I had fill'd a nook within her breaft.
She wad have fliawn mair kindnefs to my beaft.
When I begin to tune my ftock and horn.
With a' her face flie fhaws a caulrife fcorn.
Laft night I play'd, ye never heard fic fpite.
O'er Bogie was the fpring, and her delyte ;
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Yet tauntingly {he at her coufin fpeer'd,
Gif flie cou'd tell what tune I play'd, andfneer'd.
Flocks, wander where ye like, I dinna care,
I'll break my reed, and never whiftle main
P. E'en do fae, Roger, wha can help mifluck,
Saebeins flie be fic a thrawn-gabet chuck?
Yonder's a craig, fince ye have tint all hope,
Gae till't your ways, and take the lover's lowp.
R. I needna mak fic {peed my blood to fpill,
1 11 warrant death come foon enough a will.
P. Daft gowk ! leave afF that filly whindging way ;
Seem carelefs, there's my hand ye'll win the day.
Hear how I ferv'd my lafs I love as well
As ye do Jenny, and with heart as leel :
Laft morning I was gay and early out.
Upon a dike I lean'd glowring about,
I faw my Meg come linkan o'er the lee;
I faw my Meg, but Meggy faw na me :
For yet the fun was wading thro' the mift.
And flie was clofs upon me ere flie wift ;
Her coats were kiltit, and did fweetly fliaw
Her ftraight bare legs that whiter were than fnaw :
Her cockernony fnooded up fou fleek.
Her haffet-locks hang waving on her cheek ;
B
I
(
(
6 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Her cheek fae ruddy, and her een lae clear; ■
I
And O! her mouth's like ony hlnny pear. j
Neat, neat flie was, in biiftine vvafte-coat clean, ^
As flie came Ikiffing o'er the dewy green. j
Blythfome, I cry'd, my bonny Meg, come here, J
I ferly wherefore ye're fae foon afteer; ;
But I can guefs, ye're gawn to gather dew :
She fcour'd awa, and faid, what's that to you? |
Then fare ye well, Meg Dorts, and e'ne's ye like, i
I carelefs cry'd, and lap in o'er the dike. '
I trow, when that flie faw, within a crack, i
She came with a right thievlefs errand back; '
Mifca'd me firft, — then bade me hound my dog,
To wear up three waff ews ftray'd on the bog. i
I leugh, and fae did flie; then with great hafl:e i
I clafp'd my arms about her neck and wafte, j
1
About her yieldinp; wafte, and took a fouth '
of fweeteft kifles frae her glowing mouth. j
While hard and faft I held her in my grips, I
My very faul came lowping to my lips. \
Sair, fair flie flet wi' me 'tween ilka fmack; j
But well I kent flie meant nae as fhe fpake. |
Dear Roger, when your jo puts on her gloom, ^
Do yc fae too and never fafli your thumb. |
J
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 7
Seem to forfake her, foon flie'll change her mood ;
Gae woo anither, and flie'll gang clean wood.
R. Kind Patie, now fair fa' your honeft heart,
Ye're ay fae cadgy, and have fic an art
To hearten ane : for now as clean's a leek,
Ye've cherifli'd me fince ye began to fpeak.
Sae for your pains, I'll make ye a propine,
My mother, (reft her faul!) fhe made it fine,
A tartan plaid, fpun of good Hawflock woo.
Scarlet and green the fets, the borders blew,
With fpraings like gowd and filler, crofs'd with black;
I never had it yet upon my back.
Well are ye wordy o't, wha have fae kind
Red up my revel'd doubts, and clear'd my mind.
P. Well hald ye there --and fince ye've frankly made
A prefent to me of your braw new plaid,
My flute's be your's, and flie too that's fae nice
Shall come a will, gif ye'll tak my advice.
R. As ye advife, I'fl promife to obferv't;
But ye maun keep the flute, ye beft deferv*t.
Novv tak it out, and gie's a bonny fpring,
For I'm in tift to hear you play and fing.
P. But firfl: we'll tak a turn up to the height.
And fee gif all our flocks be feeding right.
8 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
By that time, bannocks and a fliave of cheefe.
Will make a breakfaft that a laird might pleafe;
Might pleafe the daintieft gabs, were they fae wife.
To feafon meat with health inftead of fpice.
When we have tane the grace-drink at this well,
I'll whiftle fine, and fmg t'ye like myfell.
A c T I. s c E N E II.
A flowrle howm between twa verdant braes.
Where lafles ufe to wafh and fpread their claiths,
A trotting burnie wimpling thro' the ground,
Its channel peeblcs, fhining, fmooth, and round;
Here view twa barefoot beauties clean and clear ;
Firft pleafe your eye, next gratify your ear,
While Jenny what (he wifhes difcommends,
And Meg with better fenfe true love defends.
PEGGY AND JENNY.
JENNY.
C OME, Meg, let's fa' to wark upon this green,
The fhining day will bleech our linen clean ;
The water's clear, the lift unclouded blew.
Will make them like a lilly wet with dew.
P. Go farer up the burn to Habby's how.
Where a' the fweets of fpring and fummer grow;
Between twa birks, out o'er a little lin
The water fa's, and makes a fingand din;
GENTLE SHEPHERD-
A pool breaft-deep beneath, as clear as glafs,
KifTes with eafy whirles the bordring grafs:
We'll end our wafliing while the morning's cool.
And when the day grows het, we'll to the pool.
There wafli ourfells — 'tis healthfu* now in May,
And fweetly cauler on fae warm a day.
J. Daft laffie, when we're naked, what'U ye fay,
Gif our twa herds come brattling down the brae.
And fee us fae? — That jeering fallow Pate
Wad taunting fay, haith, lafTes, ye're no blate.
P. We're far frae ony road, and out of fight;
The lads they're feeding far beyont the height :
But tell me now, dear Jenny, (we're our lane)
What gar's ye plague your wooer with difdain ?
The nlbours a* tent this as well as I,
That Roger loes you, yet ye carna by.
What ails ye at him ? Trowth, between us twa.
He's wordy you the beft day e'er ye faw.
J. I dinna like him, Peggy, there's an end;
A herdmair ftieepifli yet I never kend.
He kaims his hair indeed, and gaes right fnug.
With ribbon-knots at his blew bonnet-lug;
Whilk penfily he wears a thought a-jee.
And fpreads his garters dic'd beneath his knee.
c
ro GENTLE SHEPHERD.
He falds his owrlay down his breaft with care ;
And few gang trigger to the kirk or fair.
For a' that, he can neither fing nor fay.
Except, HOW d'ye — or, there's a bonny day.
P. Ye dafli the lad with conftant flighting pride ;
Hatred for love is unco fair to bide :
But yell repent ye, if his love grows cauld.
What like's a dorty maiden when fhe's auld?
Like dawted wean that tarrows at its meat.
That for fome fecklefs whim will orp and greet.
The lave laugh at it, till the dinner's paft,
And fyne the fool thing is oblig d to fail.
Or fcart anither s leavings at the laft.
Fy, Jenny, think, and dinna fit your time.
J. I never thought a fingle life a crime.
P. Nor I — but love in whifpers lets us ken.
That men were made for us, and we for men.
J. If Roger is my jo, he kens himfell;
For fic a tale I never heard him tell.
He glowrs and fighs, and I can guefs the caufe.
But whas oblig d tofpell his hums and haws ?
When e'er he likes to tell his mind mair plain,
I'fe tell him frankly ne'er to do't again.
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
They're fools that flavery like, and may be free :
The cheils may a' knit up themfells for me.
P. Be doing your ways; for me, I have a mind
To be as yielding as my Patie's kind.
J. Heh! lafs, how can yd'loe that rattle-fcuU,
A very deil that ay maun hae his will?
We'll foon hear tell what a poor fighting life
You twa will lead, fae foon's ye're man and wife.
P. I'll rin the rifk ; nor have I ony fear.
But rather think ilk langfome day a year.
Till I with pleafure mount my bridal-bed.
Where on my Patie's breaft I'll lean my head.
There we may kifs as lang as killing's good.
And what we do, there's nane dare call it rude.
He's get his will : why no ? 'tis good my part
To give him that; and he'll give me his heart.
J. He may indeed, for ten or fifteen days,
Mak meikle o'ye, with an unco fraife ;
And daut ye baith afore fowk and your lane :
But foon as his newfanglenefs is gane.
Hell look upon you as his tether-ftake,
And think he's tint his freedom for your fake.
Inftead then of lang days of fweet delite,
Ae day be dumb, and a the neift he 11 flite :
12 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
And may be, in his barlickhoods, ne'er ftick
To lend his loving wife a loundering lick.
P. Sic coarfe-fpun thoughts as thae want pith to
My fettled mind, I'm o'er far gane in love.
Patie to me is dearer than my breath ;
But want of him I dread nae other fkaith.
There's nane of a the herds that tread the green
Has fic a fmile, or fie twa glancing een.
And then he Ipeaks with fic a taking art,
His words they thirle like mufick thro' my heart.
How blythly can he fport, and gently rave.
And jeft at fecklefs fears that fright the lave.'*
Ilk day that he's alane upon the hill.
He reads fell books that teach him meikle fkill.
He is— but what need I fay that or this ?
I'd fpend a month to tell you what he is !
In a' he fays or does, there's fic a gait.
The reft feem coofs compar'd to my dear Pate.
His better fenfe will lang his love fecure :
111 nature heffs in fauls that's weak and poor.
J. Hey! bonny lafs of Brankfome, or't be lang,
Your witty Pate will put you in a fang.
O! tis a pleafant thing to be a bride;
Syne whindging gets about your ingle-fide,
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Yelping for this or that with faflious din.
To mak them brats then ye maun toil and fpin.
Ae wean fa's fick, ane fcads ij:fell we broe,
Ane breaks his fliin, anither tynes his flioe;
The deel gaes o'er John Wobfber, hame grows hell.
When Pate mifca s ye war than tongue can tell.
P. Yes, 'tis a heartfome thing to be a wife.
When round the ingle-edge young fprouts are rife.
Gif I'm fae happy, I lliall have delight,
To hear their little plaints, and keep them right.
Wow ! Jenny, can there greater pleafure be.
Than fee fic wee tots toolying at your knee;
When a' they ettle at— their greateft wifli.
Is to be made of, and obtain a kifs?
Can their be toil in tenting day and night,
The like of them, when love makes care delight?
J. But poortith, Peggy, is the warfl: of a
Gif o'er your heads ill chance fliou'd beggary draw :
But little love, or canty chear can come,
Frae duddy doublets, and a pantry toom.
Your nowt may die— the fpate may bear away
Frae aff the howms your dainty rucks of hay. —
The thick blawn wreaths of fnaw, or blafliy thows,
May fmoor your wathers, and may rot your ews.
D
14 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
A dyvour buys your butter, woo and cheefe.
But, or the day of payment, breaks and flees.
With glooman brow the laird feeks in his rent :
'Tis no togi'e; your merchant's to the bent ;
His Honour mauna want, he poinds your gear :
Syne, driven frae houfe and hald, where will ye fl:<
Dear Meg, be wife, and live a Angle life ;
Troth 'tis nae mows to be a marry'd wife.
P. May fic ill luck befa that filly flie,
Wha has fic fears ; for that was never me.
Let fowk bode well, and flirive to do their befl: ;
Nae mair's requir d, let heaven mak out the reft.
I've heard my honeft uncle aften fay,
That lads fliou'd a' for wives that's virtuous pray :
Eor the maift thrifty man cou'd never get
A well ftor'd room, unlefs his wife wad let:
Wherfore nocht fliall be wanting on my part.
To gather wealth to raife my Shepherd's heart.
Whate'er he wins, I'll guide with canny care.
And win the vogue, at market, trone, or fair.
For halefome, clean, cheap and fufEcient ware.
A flock of lambs, cheefe, butter, and fome woo.
Shall firft be fald, to pay the laird his due ;
Sync a' bchind's our ain.— Thus, without fear,
Willi \o\c and rowth we thro' the warld will fteer
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
And when my Pate in bairns and gear grows rife.
He'll blefs the day he gat me for his wife.
J. But what if fome young giglet on the green.
With dimpled cheeks, and twa bewitching een.
Should gar your Patie think his haff-worn Meg,
And her kend kilTes, hardly wwth a feg?
P. Nae mair of that; — dear Jenny, to be free.
There's fome men conftanter in love than w^e :
Nor is the ferly great, when nature kind
Has bleft them with folidity of mind.
They 11 reafon calmly, and with kindnefs fmile,
When our fliort paflions w^ad our peace beguile.
Saewhenfoe'er they flight their maiks at hame,
'Tis ten to ane their wives are maifl: to blame.
Then Til employ with pleafure a* my art
To keep him chearfu', and fecure his heart.
At even, when he comes weary frae the hill,
I'll have a things made ready to his will.
In winter, when he toils thro* wind and rain,
A bleezing ingle, and a clean hearth-ftane.
And foon as he flings by his plaid and ftaif,
The feeihing pot's be ready to take aff".
Clean hagabag I'll fpread upon his board.
And ferve him with the bcft we can afford.
i6 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Good humour and white bigonets fliall be
Guards to my face, to keep his love for me.
J. A difh of married love right foon grows cauld.
And dofens down to nane, as fowk grow auld.
P. But well grow auld together, and ne'er find
The lofs of youth, when love grows on the mind.
Bairns, and their bairns, make fure a firmer tye,
Than ought in love the like of us can fpy.
See yon twa elms that grow up fide by fide,
Suppofe them, fome years fyne, bridegroom and bride
Nearer and nearer ilka year they've preft.
Till wide their fpreading branches are increaft,
And in their mixture now are fully blefl:.
This, fliields the other from the eaftlin blaft.
That, in return defends it frae the weft.
Sic as ftand fingle, — a fl:ate fae lik'd by you !
Beneath ilk ftorm, frae evVy airth, maun bow.
J. I've done, — I yield, dear laflie, I maun yield.
Your better fenfe has fairly w'on the field.
With the afliftance of a little fae
Lyes darn'd within my breaft this mony a day,
P. Alake! poor prifoner ! Jenny, that's no fair,
That yell no let the wee thing tak the air :
Haftc, let him out, we'll tent as well's we can,
Gif he be Bauldy's or poor Roger's man.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 17
J. Anither time's as good,— for fee the fun
Is right far up, and weVe no yet begun
To freath the graith; — if canker'd Madge our Aunt
Come up the burn, flie'U gie's a wicked rant:
But when we've done, I'll tell ye a' my mind;
For this feems true,— nae lafs can be unkind.
EXEUNT.
A G T 11. S G E N E 1. '
A fnug thack-houfe, before the door a green ;
Hens oil the midding, ducks in dubs are feen.
On this fide ftands a barn, on that a byre; *
A peat-flack joins, and forms a rural fquarc*
The houfe is Glaud's; — there you may fee him lean.
And to his divot-feat invite his frien'.
GLAUD AND SYMON.
GLAUD.
Ctood-morrow, nibour Symon, — come fit down.
And gles your cracks. — what's a' the news in town?
They tell me ye was in the ither day.
And fald your Crummock and her baflend quey.
I'll warrant ye've coft a pund of cut and dry;
Lug out yoiir box, and gie's a pipe to try.
S. With a my heart;— and tent me now, auld boy,
I've gather d nev\ s will kittle your mind with joy.
E
,8 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
I coud na reft till I came o'er the buriij
To tell ye things have taken fic a turn,
Will gar olir vile opprellbrs ftend like flaes.
And fl;:ulk in hidlings on the hether braes.
G. Fy, blaw! ah! Symie, ratling chiels ne'er ftand
To cleck and Ipread the grofleft lies aff hand,
Whilk foon flies round like will -fire far and neari
But loofe your poke, be't true or faufe, let's hear.
S. Seeing's believing, Glaudj and I have feen
Hab, that abroad has with our Mafter been ;
Our brave good Mafter, wha right wifely fled.
And left a fair eftate, to fave his head:
Becaufe ye ken fou well he bravely chofe
To ftand his liege s friend with great montrose.
Now Cromwell's gane to Nick; and ane cad monk
Has play'd the Rumple a right flee begunk,
Reftor'd king charles, and ilka thing's in tune:
And Habby fays, we'll fee Sir william foon.
G. That makes me blyth indeed; — but dinna flaw:
Tell o'er your news again ! and fwear till't a';
And faw ye Hab ! And what did Halbert fay ?
They have been e'en a dreary time away.
Now God be thanked that our laird's come hame ;
And his eftate, fay, can he eithly claim ?
GENTLE SHEPHERD. i
S. They that hag-raid us till our guts did grane,
Like greedy bairs, dare nae mair do't again ;
And good Sir william fliall enjoy his ain.
G. And may helang; for never did he ftent
Us in our thriving, with a racket rent :
Nor grumbl'd, if ane grew rich ; or flior d to raife
Our mailens, when we pat on Sunday's claith's.
S. Nor wad he lang, with fenfelefs fancy air.
Allow our lyart noddles to be bare.
" Put on your bonnet, Symon; — taka feat.— -
" How's all at hame?— how's Elfpa? how does Kate?
** How fells black cattle? what gie's woo this year?— ^
And fic like kindly queftions wad he fpeer.
G. Then wad he gar his Butler bring bedeen
The nappy bottle ben, and glaffes clean,
Whilk in our breaft rais'd fic a blythfome flame,'
As gart me mony a time gae dancing hame.
My heart's e'en rais'd ! dear nibour, will ye flay.
And tak your dinner here with me the day ?
We'll fend for Ellpath too— and upo' fight,
I'll whiftle Pate and Roger frae the height :
I'll yoke my fled, and fend to the neift town.
And bring a draft of ale baithfliout and brown.
And gar our cottars a', man, wife and wean.
Drink till they tine the gate to fliand their lane.
20 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
S. I wad na bauk my friend his blyth defign.
Gif that It hadna firfl: of a been mine :
For heer-yeftreen I brew'd a bow of maut,
Yeftreen I flew twa wathers prime and fat;
A firlot of good cakes my Elfpa beuk.
And a large ham hings reefliing in the nook :
I faw my fell, or I came o'er the loan.
Our miekle pot that fcads the whey put on,
A mutton-bouk to boil:— and ane we'll roafl;
And on the haggles Elfpa fpares nae coft;
Sma' are they fliorn, and {he can mix fu nice
The gufty ingans with a curn of fpice :
Fat are the puddings,— heads and feet well fung.
And we've invited nibours auld and young,
To pafs this afternoon with glee and game.
And drink our Mafter's health and welcome-hame.
Ye mauna then refufe to join the reft.
Since ye re my neareft friend that I like beft.
Bring wi'ye a' your family, and then,
When e'er you pleafe, 111 rant wi' you again.
G. Spoke like ye'r fell, auld-birky, never fear
But at your banquet I fliall firft appear.
Faith we fliall bend the bicker, and look bauld.
Till we forget that we are fail'd or auld.
GENTLE SHEPHERD'
Auld, faid I ! troth I'm younger be a fcore.
With your good news, than what I was before.
I'll dance or een! hey! Madge, come forth: d'ye hear?
ENTERMADGE.
M. The man's gane gyte ! dear Symon, welcome here.
What wad ye, Glaud, with a this hafte and din ?
Ye never let a body fit to fpin.
G. Spin! fnufF--gae break your wheel, and burn your tow.
And fet the meikleft peat-ftack in a low^
Syne dance about the bane-fire till ye die.
Since now again we'll foon Sir william fee.
M. Blyth news indeed! and wha was't tald you o't?
G. What's that to you? — gae get my Sunday's coat-
Wale out the whitefl: of my bobbit bands.
My white-fkin hofe, and mittons for my hands;
Then frae their wafliing, cry the bairns in hafte.
And make yourfells as trig, head, feet and waift.
As ye were a to get young lads or e*en;
For we're gaun o'er to dine with Sym bedeen.
S. Do, honeft Madge: — and, Glaud, I'll oer the gate.
And fee that a be done as I wad hae't.
F EXEUNT.
I
22 GENTLE SHEPHERD. i
I
A C T II. S C E N E II.
■i
The open field.— A cottage in a glen, 1
An auld wife fpinning at the funny end. — .
At a fmall diftance, by a blafted tree, i
With faldedarms, andhafF rais'd look, ye fee j
BAULD Y his lane. j
1
\
BAULDY. \
WhAT'S this! — I canna bear't! *tls war than hell. i
To be fae burnt with love, yet darna tell ! j
i
0 Peggy, fweeter than the dawning day.
Sweeter than gowany glens, or new mawn hay; ;
Blyther than lambs that frifk out o'er the knows,
j
Straighter than ought that in the foreft grows : ;
Her een the cleareft blob of dew outlines ;
The llUy in her breafl: its beauty tines. |
Her legs, her arms, her cheeks, her mouth, her een, j
Will be my dead, that will be fliortly feen !
For Pate loes her, — wae's me ! and flie loes Pate; ,
And I with Neps, by fome unlucky fate, j
Made a daft vow: — O but ane be a beaft I
That makes rafli aiths till he's afore the prieft !
1 darena fpeak my mind, elfe a' the three, j
Nae doubt, wad prove ilk ane my enemy.
i
i
4
J
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
'Tis fair to thole ; — 111 try fome witchcraft art.
To break with ane, and win the other's heart.
Here Maufy lives, a witch, that for fma' price
Can caft her cantrips, and give me advice.
She can o'ercafl: the night, and cloud the moon.
And mak the deils obedient to her crune.
At midnight hours, o'er the kirk-yards flie raves.
And howks unchriften'd weans out of their graves
Boils up their livers in a warlock's pow, *
Rins witherfliins about the hemlock low;
And feven times does her prayers backward pray.
Till Plotock comes with lumps of Lapland clay,
Mixt with the venom of black taids and fnakes ;
Of this unfonfy pictures aft flie makes
Of ony ane flie hates — and gars expire
With flaw and racking pains afore the fire;
Stuck fu' of prins, the devilifli pictures melt.
The pain, by fowk they reprefent, is felt.
And yonder's Maufe : ay, ay, flie kens fu' well.
When ane like me comes rinning to the deil.
She and her cat fit becking in her yard.
To fpeak my errand, faith amaifl: I'm fear'd :
But I maun do't, tho' I fliould never thrive,-
They gallop faft: that deils and laflTes drive. exit
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
ACT II. SCENE III.
A green kail-yard, a little fount.
Where water poplan fprings;
There fits a wife with wrinkled- front.
And yet flic fpins and fings.
MAUSE SINGS,
Peggy, now the king's come,
Peggy, now the king's come;
Thou may dance, and I fliall fing,
Peggy, fincc the king's come.
Nae mair the hawkies flialt thou milk,
But change thy plaiding-coat for filk,
And be a lady of that ilk,
Now, Peggy, fince the king's come.
ENTER BAULDY.
How does auld honeft lucky of the glen.*^
Ye look balth hale and fair at threefcore ten.
M. E'en twining out a thread with little din.
And beeking my cauld limbs afore the fun.
What brings my bairn this gate fae air at morn?
Is there nae muck to lead ? — to threfti nae corn?
B. Enough of baith: — but fomething that requires
Your helping hand, employs now all my cares.
M. My helping hand, alake ! what can I do.
That underneath baith eild and poortith bow ?
B. Ay, but ye're wife, and wifer far than we.
Or maift part of the parifli tells a lie.
M. Of what kind wifdom think ye I'm poffeft,
That lifts my character aboon the reft?
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 25
B. The word that gangs, how ye're fae wife and fell,
Yell may be tak it ill gif I fliou'd tell
M. What fowk fays of me, Bauldy let me hear;
Keep naething up, ye naething have to fear.
B. Well, fmce ye bid me, I fliall tell ye a ,
That ilk ane talks about you, but a flaw.
When laft the wind made Glaud a rooflefs barn;
When lafh the burn bore down my mither s yarn ;
When Brawny elf-fliot never mair came hame;
When Tibby kirn'd, and there nae butter came j
When Beffy Freetock's chufiy-cheeked wean
To a fairy turn'd, and cou'dna ftand its lane ;
When Watie wander'd ae night thro' the fhaw,
And tint himfell amaift amang the fnaw ;
When Mungo*s mear flood ftill,. and fwat with fright.
When he brought eafl the howdy under night ;
When Bawfy fliot to dead upon the green.
And Sara tint a fnood was nae mair feen :
You, Lucky, gat the wyte of a fell out.
And ilka ane here dreads you round about.
And fae they may that mint to do ye fliaith :
For me to wrang ye, I'll be very laith ;
But when I neift make grots, I'll ftrive to pleafe
You with' a firlot of them mixt with peafe.
G
,6 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
M. I thank ye, lad;— now tell me your demand,
And, if I can, I'll lend my helping hand.
B. Then, I like Peggy,— Neps is fond ofme;—
Peggy likes Pate, — and Patie's bauld and flee,
And loes fvveet Meg — but Neps I downa fee. —
Cou'd ye turn Patie's love to Neps, and than
Peggy's to me, — I'd be the happieft man.
M. I'll try my art to gar the bowls row right;
Sae gang your ways, and come again at night :
'Gainft that time I'll fome fimple thing prepare,
Worth all your peafe and grots ; tak ye nae care.
B. Well, Maufe, I'll come, gifl the road can find:
But if ye raife the Deil, he'll raife the wind;
Syne rain and thunder may be, w^hen 'tis late.
Will make the night fae mirk, I'll tine the gate.
We're a' to rant in Symie's at a feaft,
O! will ye come like badrans, for a jeft;
And there ye can our different 'haviours fpy :
There's nane fhall ken o't there but you and I.
M. 'Tis like I may,— but let na on what's pad
'Tween you and me, elfe fear a kittle caft.
B. If I ought of your fecrets e'er advance,
May ye ride on me ilka night to France, exit bauldy,
M A u s E her lane.
Hard luck, alakc! when poverty and eild.
Weeds out of fafliion, and a lanely beild.
I
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 27 |
I
With a fma* call: of wiles, fliould in a twitch, I
Gi'e ane the hatefu name, a wrinkled witch, i
This fool imagines, as do mony fic, I
That I'm a wretch in compad with auld Nick;
Becaufe by education I was taught
To fpeak and a£): aboon their common thought.
Their grofs miftake fliall quickly now appear ;
Soon fliall they ken what brought, what keeps me here ;
Nane kens but me, — and if the morn were come, *•
I
I'll tell them tales will gar them a' fing dumb. exit. i
A C T n. S C E N E IV. j
Behind a tree, upon the plain.
Pate and his Peggy meet ;
In love, without a vicious ftain, |
The bonny lafs and chearfu' fwain
Change vows and klfles fweet.
PATIEANDPEGGY.
i
PEGGY. » j
O Patie, let me gang, I mauna ftay,
We're baith cry'd hame, and Jenny flie's away. i
Pat. I'm laith to part fae foon ; now we're alane, \
And Roger he's away with Jenny gane : i
They're as content, for ought I hear or fee, I
To be alane themfells, I judge, as we.
Here, where primrofes thickeft paint the green.
Hard by this little burnie let us lean.
28 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Hark how the lavrocks chant aboon our heads !
How faft the weftlin winds fough thro' the reeds.
P. The fcented meadows,~birds,— and healthy breeze.
For ought I ken, may mair than Peggy pleafe.
Pat. Ye wrang me fair, to doubt my being kind;
In fpeaking fae, ye ca me dull and blind.
Gif I could fancy ought fae fweet or fair
As my dear Meg, or worthy of my care.
Thy breath is fweeter than the fweeteft brier ;
Thy cheek and breaft the fineft flowers appear.
Thy words excel the maift delightfu notes.
That warble through the merl or mavis* throats.
With thee I tent nae flowers that buflc the field.
Or ripefl: berries that our mountains yield.
The fweetefl: fruits that hing upon the tree.
Are far inferior to a kifs of thee.
P. But Patrick, for fome wicked end, may fleech.
And lambs fliould tremble when the foxes preach.
I darena flay — ye joker, let me gang,
Anither lafs may gar ye change your fang ; [
Your thoughts may flit, and I may thole the wrang.
Pat. Sooner a mother fliall her fondnefs drap.
And wrang the bairn fits fmiling on her lap;
The fun fliall change, the moon to change fliall ceafe,
The gaits to climb, — the flieepto yield the fleece.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 2
Ere ought by me be either faid or done,
Shall flcaith our love : I fwear bv all aboon.
P. Then keep your aith:— butmony lads will fwear,
And be manfworn to twa in hafFa year.
Now I believe ye like me wonder well ;
But if a fairer face your heart lliou d ileal.
Your Meg forfaken, bootlefs might relate.
How £he was dauted anes by faithlefs Pate.
Pat. I'm fure I canna change, ye needna fearj
Tho' we're but young, I've lo'ed you mony a year.
I mind it well, when thou coud'fl: hardly gang.
Or lifp out words, I choos'd ye frae the thrang
Of a' the bairns, and led thee by the hand.
Aft to the Tanfy-know, or Rafliy-ftrand.
Thou fmiling by my fide, — I took delite.
To pu' the rallies green, with roots fae white.
Of which, as well as my young fancy cou'd.
For thee I plet the flowry belt and fnood.
P. - When firft thou gade with fliepherds to the hill.
And I to milk the ews firft try'd my fkill;
To bear a leglen was nae toil to me.
When at the bught at e'en I met with thee.
Pat. When corns grew yellow, and the hether-bells
Bloom'd bonny on the moor and rifing fells,
H
30 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Nae birns, or briers, or whins e'er troubled me,
Gif I cou d find blae berries ripe for thee.
P. When thou did wreftle, run, or putt the ftane.
And wan the day, my heart was flightering fain :
At all thefe fports thou ftill gave joy to me;
For nane can wreftle, run, or putt with thee.
Pat. Jenny fings faft the broom of cowden-knows
And Rofie lilts the milking of the ews •
There's nane like Nanfie, jenny nettles fings ;
At turns in maggy lauder, Marion dings:
But when my Peggy fings, with fweeter fldll.
The BOAT-MAN, or the lass of patie s mill;
It is a thoufand times mair fweet to me :
Tho' they fing well, they canna fing like thee.
P. How eith can laflis trow what they defire !
And roos'd by them we love, blaws up that fire :
But wha loves beft, let time and carriage try;
Be confl:ant, and my love fliall time defy.
Be ftill as now, and a' my care fliall be.
How to contrive what pleafant is for thee.
Pat. Wert thou a giglet gawky like the lave,
That little better than our nowt behave ;
At nocht they'll ferly; — fenfelefs tales believe;
Be blyth for filly heghts, for trifles grieve : —
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Sic ne'er cou'd win my heart, that kenna how.
Either to keep a prize, or yet prove true.
But thou, in better fenfe, without a flaw.
As in thy beauty far excels them a*.
Continue kind; and a' my care fliall be,
How to contrive what pleafing is for thee.
P. Agreed; — butharken, yon's auld aunty's cry
I ken they'll wonder what can make us ftay.
Pat. And let them ferly. — Now, a kindly kifs.
Or fivefcore good anes wad not be amifs;
And fyne we'll fing the fang with tunefu' glee.
That I made up laft owk on you and me.
P. Sing firft, fyne claim your hire.
Pat. Well, I agree.
PAT IE fmgs.
By the delicious warmnefs of thy mouth.
And rowing eyes that fmiling tell the truth,
I guefs, my lafFie, that as well as I,
You're made for love ; and why fliould you deny
PEGGY fings.
But ken ye, lad, gin we confefs o'er foon.
Ye think us cheap, and fyne the wooing s done?
The maiden that o'er quickly tines her power.
Like unripe fruit, will tafte but hard and fowr.
32 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
P A T I E fings.
But gin they hing o'er lang upon the tree.
Their fweetnefs they may tine; and fae may ye.
Red cheeked you completely ripe appear;
And I have thoFd and woo'd a lang haff year,
PEGGY finging, falls into ? a t i e's arms.
Then dinna pu me, gently thus I fa
Into my Patie's arms, for good and a\
But flint your wiflies to this kind embrace
And mint nae farther till wev'e got the grace.
p A T I E with his left hand about her wafte.
O charming armfu'! hence ye cares away!
I'll kifs my treafure a the live lang day;
All night I'll dream my kifTes o'er again.
Till that day come that ye'll be a my ain.
SUNGBYBOTH.
Sun, gallop down the weftlin fkies.
Gang foon to bed, and quickly rife;
O lafli your fteeds, pofl: time away,
And hafte about our bridal day :
And if ye re wearied, honeft light,
Sleep, gin ye like, a week that night.
E X E
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
ACT III. SCENE I.
Now turri your eyes beyond yon fpreading lime,
And tent a man whofe beard fecms bleech'd with time;
An elvand fills his hand, his habit mean:
Nae doubt ye'll think he has a pedlar been.
But whiftit ! it is the knight in mafquerade,
That comes hid in this cloud to fee his lad.
Obferve how pleas'd the loyal fufTerer moves
Thro' his auld avenews, anes dclightfu' groves,
SIR WILLIAM SOLUS.
TThE gentleman thus hid In low difguire,
ril for a fpace unknown delight mine eyes^
With a full view of every fertile plain.
Which once I loft, — which now are mine again.
Yet 'midft my joys, fome profpefts pain renew,
Whilft I my once fair feat in ruins view.
Yonder, ah me ! it defolately ftands,
Without a roof ; the gates fallen from their bands ;
The cafements all broke down ; no chimney left ;
The naked walls of tap'ftry all bereft :
My ftables and pavilions, broken walls !
That with each rainy blaft decaying falls :
My gardens, once adorn d the moft compleat.
With all that nature, all that art makes fweet ;
Where, round the figur d green, and peeble walks.
The dewy flowers hung nodding on their ftalks :
34 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
But, overgrown with nettles, docks and brier.
No jaccacinths or eglin tines appear.
How do thofe ample walls to ruin yield.
Where peach and ne6l'rine branches found a bieldj
And balk'd in rays, which early did produce
Fruit fair to view, delightfu' in the ufe !
All round in gaps, the moft in rubbifli ly.
And from what ftands the wither'd branches fly.
Thefe foon fliall be repair'd :— and now my joy
Forbids all grief, — when I'm to fee my boy,
My only prop, and objedl of my care,
Since heaven too foon call'd home his mother fair.
Him, ere the rays of reafon clear d his thought,
I fecretly to faithful Symon brought.
And charg'd him ftridlly to conceal his birth,
'Till we fliould fee what changing times brought forth.
Hid from himfelf, he ftarts up by the dawn.
And ranges carelefs o'er the height and lawn,
After his fleecy charge, ferenely gay.
With other fliepherds whiffling o'er the day*
Thrice happy life ! that's from ambition free ;
Remov'd from crowns and courts, how chearfuUy
A quiet contented mortal fpends his time
In hearty health, his foul unftain'd with crime !
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 35
Now tow'rds good Symon's houfe I'll bend my way.
And fee what makes yon gamboling to day.
All on the green, in a fair wanton ring,
My youthful tenants gayly dance and fing. exit.
ACT III. SCENE II.
'Tis Symon's houfe, pleafe to ftcp in.
And vifit round and round ;
There's nought fuperfluous to give pain,
Or coftly to be found.
Yet all is clean : a clear peat-ingle
Glances amidft the floor ;
The green-horn fpoons, bcach-luggics mingle,
On fkelfs foregainft the door.
While the young brood fport on the green.
The auld anes think it bed.
With the brown cow to clear their een.
Snuff, crack, and tak their reft.
SYMON, GLAUD AND ELSPA,
GLAUD.
We anes were young our fells. — I like to fee
The bairns bob round with other merrilie.
Troth, Symon, Patie's grown a ftrapan lad.
And better looks than his I never bade,
Amang our lads, he bears the gree awa'.
And tells his tale the clevereft of them a .
E. Poor man ! — he's a great comfort to us baith :
God mak him good, and hide him ay frae fkaith.
He is a bairn, I'll fay't, well worth our care.
That gi'es us ne'er vexation late or air.
-.6 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
G. I trow, goodwife, if I be not mlftanei
He feems to be with Peggy's beauty tane.
And troth, my neice Is a right dainty wean^
As ye well ken : a bonnier needna be.
Nor better, — bet flie w^ere nae kin to me.
S. Ha! Glaud, I doubt that ne'er will be a match ;
My Patie's wild, and will be ill to catch :
And or he were, for reafons I'll no tell,
I'd rather be mixt with the mools myfell.
G. What reafon can ye have ? there's nane, I'm fure
Unlefs ye may caft up that flie's but poor :
But giff the laffie marry to my mind,
I'll be to her as my ain Jenny kind.
Fourfcore of breeding ews of my ain birn.
Five ky that at ae milking fills a kirn,
111 gi'e to Peggy that day flie's a bride ;
By and attour, gif my good luck abide.
Ten lambs at Ipaining-time, as lang's I live,
And twa quey cawfs I'll yearly to them give.
E. Ye offer fair, kind Glaud; but dinna fpeer
What may be is not fit ye yet fliould hear.
S. Or this day eight days likely he fliall learn,
That our denial difna flight his bairn.
G. Well, nae mair o't,— come, gie's the other bend
Wc'H drink their healths, whatever way it end.
GENTLE SHEPHERD-
THEIR HEALTHS GAE ROUND.
S. But will ye tell me, Glaud,— by fome 'tis faid,
Your niece is but a foundling that was laid
Down at your hallon-fide, ae morn in May,
Right clean row'd up, and bedded on dry hay ?
G. That clatteran Madge, my titty, tells fic flaws,
Whene' er our Meg her cankart humour gaws.
ENTER JENNY.
J. O father ! there's an auld man on the green.
The felleft fortune-teller e'er was feen :
He tents our loofs, and fyne whops out a book.
Turns o'er the leaves, and gies our brows a look;
Syne tells the oddeft tales that e'er ye heard.
His head is gray, and lang and gray his beard.
S. Gae bring him in ; we'll hear what he can fay :
Nane fliall gang hungry by my houfe to day.
EXIT JEN
But for his telling fortunes, troth I fear.
He kens nae mair of that than my gray mear.
G. Spae-men! the truth of a their faws I doubt ;
For greater liars never ran there out.
Returns jenny, bringing in sir william; wit!
themPATiE.
S. Ye re welcome, honefb carle;— here tak a feat.
K
38 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
S. W. I give you thanks, goodman ; ITe no be blate.
GLAUD drinks.
Come fye, friend:— How far came ye the day?
S. W. I pledge ye, nibour : — e en but little way :
Roufted with eild, a wee piece gate feems lang;
Twa miles or three s the maift that I dow gang.
S. YeVe welcome here to ftay all night with me.
And take fic bed and board as we can gi'e.
S. W. That's kind unfought. — Well, gin ye have a bairn
That ye like well, and wad his fortune learn,
I fliall employ the fartheft of my fkill.
To Ipae it faithfully, be't good or ill.
s Y M o N pointing to p a t i e.
Only that lad;— alake ! I have nae mae.
Either to mak me joyfu now, or wae.
S.W.Young man,let*sfeeyour hand;— what gars yefneer?
P. Becaufe your fkill's but little worth I fear.
S. W. Ye cut before the point — But, Billy, bide,
I'll wager there's a moufe mark on your fide.
E. Betooch-us-too ! and well I wat that's true :
Awa, awa ! the deil's o'er grit wi' you.
Four inch aneath his oxter is the mark,
Scarce ever feen fince he firft wore a fark.
S. W. I'll tell ye mair, if this young lad be fpar'd
But a fliort while, he'll be a braw rich laird.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 39
E. A laird! — hear ye, goodman! what think ye now?
S. I dinna ken : ftrange auld man ! w^hat art thou ?
Fair fa your heart; 'tis good to bode of wealth :
Come turn the timmer to laird Patie's health.
patie's health gaes round.
P. A laird of twa good whiftles, and a kent,
Twa curs, my trufty tenants, on the bent.
Is all my great eftate— and like to be :
Sae, cunning carle, ne'er break your jokes on me.
S. Whiflit, Patie,— let the man look o'er your hand,
Aftimes as broken a fliip has come to land.
SIR WILLIAM looks a little at patie's hand, then
counterfeits falling into a trance, while they en-
deavour to lay him right.
E. Preferve's ! the man's a warlock, or pofleft
With fome nae good — or fecond fight, at lead:
Where is he now ?
G. He's feeing a' that's done
In ilka place, beneath or yont the moon.
E. Thefe fecond fighted fowk. his peace be here !
See things far aff, and things to come, as clear
As I can fee my thumb.— Wow, can he tell
(Speer at him, foon as he comes to himfell)
How fo'on we'll fee sir william.'* whiflit, he heaves.
And fpeaks out broken words like ane that raves.
40 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
S. Hellfoongrow better ;->-Elfpa, hafte ye, gae.
And fill him up a tafs of uCjuebae.
SIR WILLIAM ftarts up, andfpeaks.
A knight that for a Lyon fought,
Againft a herd of bears.
Was to lang toil and trouble brought.
In which fome thoufands fliares.
But now again the Lyon rares.
And joy Ipreads o*er the plain :
The Lyon has defeat the bears.
The knight returns again.
That knight, in a few days, fliall bring
A fliepherd frae the fauld.
And fliall prefent him to his king,
A fubjedl true and bauld.
He MR. PATRICK fliall be call'd :
All you that hear me now.
May well believe what I have tald :
For it fliall happen true.
S. Friend, may your Ipaeing happen foon and weel;
But faith, I'm redd you ve bargain'd with the deil.
To tell fome tales that fowks wad fecret keep :
Or do ye get them tald you in your fleep \
S. W. Howe'er I get them, never fafli your beard;
Nor come I to redd fortunes for reward ;
I
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 41 j
But I'll lay ten to ane with ony here.
That all I prophefy fliall foon appear.
S. You prophefying fowks are odd kind men !
They're here that ken, and here that difna ken, >
The wimpled meaning of your unco tale, <
Whilk foon will mak a noife o*er moor and dale.
i
G. *Tis nae frna' fport to hear how Sym believes.
And takes*t for gofpel what the Ipae-man gives
Of flawing fortunes, whilk he evens to Pate :
But what we with, we trow at any rate.
S. W. Whiflit, doubtfu' carle; for ere the fun ' 1
Has driven twice down to the fea, I
What I have faid ye {hall fee done ' , \
In part, or nae mair credit me. i
G. Well, be't fae, friend, I fliall fay naething mair^ |
But I've twa fonfy laflis young and fair.
Plump ripe for men: I wifli ye cou'd forefee j
Sic fortunes for them might prove joy to me. ■
S. W. Nae mair thro' fecrets can I fift, j
Till darknefs black the bent : I
I have but anes a day that gift; 1
Sae reft a while content.
S. Elpfa, caft on the claith, fetch but fome meat.
And, of your beft, gar this auld ftranger eat. ^
■ . L I
1
42 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
S. W. Delay a while your hofpitable care;
I'd rather enjoy this evening calm and fair.
Around yon ruin'd tower, to fetch a walk
With you, kind friend, to have fome private talk.
S. Soon as you pleafe I'll anfwer your defire: —
And, Glaud, you'll take your pipe befide the fire;
We'll but gae round the place, and foon be back.
Syne fup together, and tak our pint, and crack.
G. I'll out a while, and fee the young anes play.
My heart's ftill light, abeit my locks be gray, exeunt.
ACT III. SCENE III.
Jenny pretends an errand hame,
Young Roger draps the reft.
To whifpcr out his melting flame.
And tliow his laffie's bread.
Behind a bufli, well hid frac, fight, they meet ;
See Jenny's laughing ; Roger's like to greet.
Poor Shepherd!
ROGER AND JENNY.
ROGER.
Dear jenny, I wad fpeak to ye, wad ye let;
And yet I ergh, ye're ay fae fcornfu' fet.
J. And what would Roger fay, if he could fpeak?
Am I oblig d to guefs what ye're to feek?
R. Yes, ye may guefs right eith for what I grien,
Baith by my fervice, fighs, and langing een.
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
And I maun out wl't, tho' I rifle your fcorn ;
Ye're never frae my thoughts baith ev'n and morn.
Ah ! cou'd I loe ye lefs, I'd happy be ;
But happier far, cou'd ye but fancy me.
J. And whakens, honeft lad, but that I may;
Ye canna fay that e'er I faid ye nay.
R. Alake ! my frighted heart begins to fail,
Whene'er I mint to tell ye out my tale,
For fear fome tighter lad, mair rich than I,
Has win your love, and near your heart may ly.
J. I loe my father, coufin Meg I love ;
But to this day, nae man my mind could move:
Except my kin, ilk lad's alike to me ;
And frae ye all I beft had keep me free.
R. How lang, dear Jenny? — fayna that again;
What pleafure can ye tak in giving pain?
I'm glad, however, that ye yet fland free :
Wha kens but ye may rue, and pity rne?
J. Ye have my pity elfe, to fee ye fet
On that whilk makes our fweetnefs foon forget.
Wow ! but we're bonny, good, and every thing;
How fvveet we breathe, whene'er we kifs, or fing!
But we're nae fooner fools to give confent.
Than we our dafRn and tint power repent :
44 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
When piifon'd In four wa's, a wife right tame,
Altho' the firft, the greateft drudge at hame.
R. That only happens, when for fake of gear,
Ane wales a wife, as he would buy a mear,-
Or when dull parents bairns together bind
Of different tempers, that can ne'er prove kind.
But love, true downright love, engages me,
Tho' thou fliould fcorn, — ftill to delight in thee.
J. What fuggar'd words frae wooers lips can fa !
But girning marriage comes and ends them a*.
IVe feen with fliining fair the morning rife.
And foon the fleety clouds mirk a' the fkies.
I've feen the filver Ipring a while rin clear.
And foon in mofly puddles difappear.
The bridegroom may rejoice, the bride may fmile ;
But foon contentions a their joys beguile.
R. I've feen the morning rife with faireft light.
The day unclouded fink in calmeft night.
I've feen the fpring rin wimpling thro' the plain,
Increafe and join the ocean without ftain.
The bridegroom may be blyth, the bride may fmile;
Rejoice thro' life, and all your fears beguile.
J. Were I but fure you lang wou'd love maintain.
The fewefl words my eafy heart cou d gain :
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 4,
For I maun own, fince now at laft you re free,
Altho* I jok'd, Ilov'dyour company;
And ever had a warmnefs in my breaft.
That made ye dearer to me than the reft.
R. I'm happy now ! o'er happy ! had my head ! —
This gufli of pleafure's like to be my dead.
Come to my arms ! or ftrike me ! I'm all fir'd
With wondering love ! let's kifs till we be tir'd.
Kifs, kifs ! we'll kifs the fun and ftarns away,
And ferly at the quick return of day !
O Jenny ! let my arms about thee twine.
And brifs thy bonny breafts and lips to mine.
J. With equal joy my eafy heart gi'es way.
To own thy well try'd love has won the day.
Now by thefe w^armeft kifles thou haft tane.
Swear thus to love me, when by vows made ane.
R. I fwear by fifty thoufand yet to come.
Or may the firft ane ftrike me deaf and dumb.
There fliall not be a kindlier dauted wife.
If you agree with me to lead your life.
J. Well, I agree : — neift, to my parent gae.
Get his confent; — he'll hardly fay ye nay.
Ye have what will commend ye to him well,
Auld fo'wks, like them, that wants na milk and meal.
. M
^6 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
R. My faulds contain twice fifteen forrow nowt.
As mony newcal in my byers rowt ;
Five pack of woo I can at Lammas fell.
Shorn frae my bob-tail'd bleeters on the fell :
Good twenty pair of blankets for our bed,
With miekle care, my thrifty mither made.
Ilk thing that makes a heartfome hoiife and tight,
Was ftill her care, my father s great delight.
They left me all, which now gi'es joy to me,
Becaufe I can give a my dear, to thee :
And had I fifty times as meikle mair,
Nane but my Jenny fliould the famen Ikair.
My love and all is yours ; now had them faft.
And guide them as ye like, to gar them laft.
J. I'll do my beft— but fee wha comes this way,
Patie and Meg; — befides, I mauna ftay :
Let's fteal frae ither now, and meet the morn;
If we be feen, we'll drie a deal of fcorn.
R. To where the faugh-trees fliades the mennin-pool,
I'll frae the hill come down, when day grows cool :
Keep trifte, and meet me there ; — there let us meet.
To kifs, and tell our love;— there's nought fae fvveet.
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
ACT III. SCENE IV.
This fcene prefents the knight and Sym
Within a gallery of the place,
"Where all looks ruinous and grim ;
Nor has the baron fliown his face.
But joking with his ftiepberd Icel,
Aft fpeers the gate he kens fu* well.
SIR WILLIAM AND SYMON.
SIR WILLIAM.
To whom belongs this houfe fo much decay'd?
S. To ane that loft it, lending generous aid.
To bear the Head up, when rebellious Tail
Againft the laws of Nature did prevail.
Sir WILLIAM WORTHY is our mafter s name,
Whilk fills us all with joy, now He's come hame.
(Sir WILLIAM draps his mafking beard,
Symon tranfported fees
The welcome knight, with fond regard.
And grafps him round the knees.)
My mafter ! my dear mafter !— do I breathe.
To fee him healthy, ftrong and free frae (kaith ;
Return d to chear his wifliing tenants fight.
To blefs his son, my charge, the worlds delight!
S. W. Rife, faithful Symon ; in my arms enjoy
A place; thy due, kind guardian of my boy :
48 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
I came to view thy care In this difguife.
And am confirm'd thy conduft has been wife ;
Singe ftill the fecret thou'fl: fecurely feaFd,
And ne'er to him his real birth reveal'd.
S. The due obedience to your And: command
Was the firft lock; — neift, my ain judgment fand
Out reafons plenty : fince, without eftate,
A youth, tho' Iprung frae kings, looks baugh and blate.
S. W. And aften vain and idly fpend their time,
'Till grown unfit for ailion, pafl: their prime,
Hang on their friends — which gie's their fauls a caft,
That turns them downright beggars at the laft.
S. Now well I wat, fir, ye have fpoken true;
For there's laird Kytie's fon, that's lo'ed by few :
His father fteght his fortune in his wame.
And left his heir nought but a gentle name.
He gangs about fornan frae place to place.
As fcrimp of manners, as of fenfe and grace;
OpprefFmg all as punifliment of their fin,
That are within his tenth degree of kin :
Rins in ilk trader's debt, wha's fae unjuft
To his ain fam'ly, as to give him truft.
S. W. Such ufelefs branches of a common-wealth,
Should be lopt off, to give a ftate mair health.
GENTLE SHEPHERD- 49
Unworthy bare refleftion. — Symon, run
O'er all your obfervations on my Ton ;
A parent's fondnefs eafily finds excufe :
But do not with indulgence truth abufe.
S. To fpeak his praife the langeft fimmer day
Wad be o'er fliort, — cou'd I them right difplay.
In word and deed he can fae well behave.
That out of fight he runs before the lave ;
And when there's e'er a quarrel or conteft,
Patrick's made judge to tell whafe caufe is befl: ;
And his decreet ftands good; — he'll gar it ftand :
Wha dares to grumble, finds his corredling hand ;
With a firm look, and a commanding way,
He gars the proudefl: of our herds obey.
S.W.Your tale much pleafes;— my good friend, proceed:
What learning has he? Can he write and read?
S. Baith wonder well; for, troth, I didna fpare
To gi'e him at the fchool enough of lair ;
And he delites in books : — he reads, and fpeaks
With fowks that ken them, Latin words and Greeks.
S. W. Where gets he books to read ?— and of what kind?
Tho' fome give light, fome blindly lead the blind.
S. Whene'er he drives our flieep to Edinburgh port.
He buys fome books of hiflory, fangs or fport :
N
50 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Nor does he want of them a rowth at will.
And carries ay a poutchfu to the hill.
About ane Shakfpear, and a famous Ben,
He aften fpeaks and ca's them beft of men.
How fweetly Hawthrenden and Stirling fing,
And ane ca'd Cowley, loyal to his king.
He kens fu well, and gars their verfes ring.
I fometimes thought he made o'er great a frafe,
About fine poems, hiftories and plays.
When I reprov'd him anes, — a book he brings,
With this, quoth he, on braes I crack with kings.
S. W. He anfwer d well ; and much ye glad my ear,
When fuch accounts I of my fliepherd hear.
Reading fuch books can raife a peafant^s mind
Above a lord's that is not thus inclin'd.
S. What ken we better, that fae findle look.
Except on rainy Sunday's, on a book ;
When we a leaf or twa half read haff Ipell,
Till a the reft fleep round, as well's our fell ?
S. W. Well jefted, Symon : — but one queftion more
I'll only a{k ye now, and then give o'er.
The youth's arriv'd the age when little loves
Flighter around young hearts like cooing doves :
Has nae young laflie, with inviting mien.
And rofy cheek, the wonder of the green.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 51
Engag'd his look, and caught his youthfu heart?
S. I fcar'd the warfb, but kend the fmalleft part.
Till late I faw him twa three times mair fweet,
With Glaud's fair Neice, than I thought right or meet:
I had my fears ; but now have nought to fear.
Since like your fell your fon will foon appear.
A gentleman, enrich'd with all thefe charms.
May blefs the faireft beft born lady*s arms.
S. W. This night muft end his unambitious fire.
When higher views fliall greater thoughts infpire.
Go, Symon, bring him quickly here to me,-
None but your felf fliall our firft meeting fee.
Yonder's my horfe and fervants nigh at hand.
They come jufl: at the time I gave command;
Straight in my own apparel I'll go drefs :
Now ye the fecret may to all confefs.
S. With how much joy I on this errand flee !
There's nane can know, that is not downright me.
EXIT SYMON.
SIR WILLIAM folus.
When the event of hopes fliccefsfully appears.
One happy hour cancells the toil of years.
A thoufand toils are loft In Lethe's ftream.
And cares evanifli like a morning dream ;
52 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
When wlfli'd for pleafures rife like morning light.
The pain that's paft enhances the delight.
Thefe joys I feel that words can ill exprefs,
I ne'er had known without my late diftrefs.
But from his ruflic bufinefs and love,
I muft in hafte my Patrick loon remove.
To courts and camps that may his foul improve.
Like the rough diamond, as it leaves the mine,
Only in little breakings fliews its light.
Till artfu polifliing has made it fliine :
Thus education makes the genius bright, exit,
A C T IV. S C E N E I.
The Scene defcrlb'd in former page,
Glaud's onfet. — Enter Maufc and Madge.
MAUSE AND MADGE.
M A U S E.
C3uR Laird's come hame ! and owns young Pate his
That's new's indeed ! — (heir!
As true as ye ftand there.
As they were dancing all in Symon's yard.
Sir WILLIAM, like a warlock with a beard
Five nives in length, and white as driven fnaw,
Amang us came, cry'd, " Had ye merry a."
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
We ferly'd meikle at his unco look.
While frae his poutch he whirled forth a book.
As we ftood round about him on the green.
He view'd us a', but fix'd on Pate his een ;
Then pawkily pretended he cou'd fpae.
Yet for his pains and fl^ill wad naething ha'e.
Mau. Then fure the laffes, and ilk gaping coof.
Wad rin about him, and had out their loof.
M. As faft as flaes fkip to the tate of woo,
Whilk flee Tod Lawrie hads without his mou'.
When he to drown them, and his hips to cool.
In fimmer days Aides backward in a pool :
In fliort, he did for Pate, braw things fortell,
Without the help of conjuring orfpell.
At laft, when well diverted, he withdrew,
Pu'd aff his beard to Symon, Symon knew
His welcome mafter; — round his knees he gat,
Hang at his coat, and fyne for blythnefs grat.
Patrick was fent for ; — happy lad is he !
Symon tald Elfpa, Elfpa tald it me.
Ye'U hear out a the fecret ftory foon ;
And troth 'tis e'en right odd when a* Is done.
To think how Symon ne'er afore wad tell,
Na, no fae meikle as to Pate himfell.
o
54 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Our Meg, poor thing, alake! has loft her jo.
Mau. It may be fae ; wha kens? and may be no.
To lift a love that's rooted, is great pain ;
Even Kings have tane a Queen out of the plain :
And what has been before, may be again,
M. Sic nonfenfe! Love tak root, but tocher good,
*Tween a herd's bairn, and ane of gentle blood :
Sic fafliions in King bruce's days might be;
But ficcan ferlies now we never fee.
Mau. Gif Pate forfakes her, Bauldy flie may gain ;
Yonder he comes, and wow but he looks fain !
Nae doubt he thinks that Peggy's now his ain.
M. He get her ! flaverin doof ; it fets him weil
To yoke a plough where Patrick thought to till.
Gif I w^ere Meg, I'd let young mafter fee —
Mau. Ye'd be as dorty in your choice as he :
And fb wad I, But whiflit, here Bauldy comes.
Enter BAULDY finging.
Jenny faid to Jocky, Gin ye winna tell,
Yefhall be the lad, I'll be thelafs my fell;
Yc'rea bonny lad, and I'm a laflie free;
Ye're wclcomer to tak me than to let me be."
I trow fae. — Laffes will come too at laft,
Tho' for a while they maun their fnaw-ba's caft.
Mau. Well, Bauldy, how gaes a'.^^ —
B. Faith unco right :
I hope we'll a' fleep found but ane this night.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 55
M. And wha's the unlucky ane, if we may alk ?
B. To find out that, is nae difRcult tafk;
Poor bonny peggy, wha maun think nae mair
On Pate, turn'd Patrick, and sir William's heir.
Now, now, good Madge, and honed Maufe, fland be.
While Meg's in dumps, put in a word for me.
Ill be as kind as ever Pate could prove;
Lefs wilful, and ay conflant in my love.
M. As Neps can witnefs, and the bulliy thorn,
Where mony a time to her your heart was fworn :
Fy 1 Bauldy, blufli, and vows of love regard ;
What other lafs will trow a manfvvorn herd ?
The curfe of Heaven hings ay aboon their heads.
That's ever guilty of fic finfu' deeds.
I'll ne'er advife my niece fay gray a gate ;
Nor will flie be advis'd, fu' well a wat.
B. Sae gray a gate 1 manfworn ! and a* the reft :
Ye leed, auld Roudes — and, in faith, had beft
Eat in your words ; elfe I lliall gar ye ftand
With a het face afore the haly band.
M. Ye'll gar me ftand ! ye flieveling-gabit brock ;
Speak that again, and, trembling, dread my rock.
And ten fliarp nails, that when my hands are in.
Can flyp the Ikin o' ye r cheeks out o'er your chin.
56 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
B. I tak ye witnefs, Maufe, ye heard her fay.
That I'm manfworn: — I winna let it gae.
M. Ye're witnefs too he ca'd me bonny names,
And fliould be ferv'd as his good breeding claims.
Ye filthy dog! —
Flees to his hair like a fury. — A ftout battle. —
MA USE endeavours to redd them.
Mau. Let gang your grips, fy, Madge ! howt Bauldy
I wadna wifli this tulzie had been feen; (leen:
Tis fae daft like. —
BAULDY gets out of madge's clutches with a
bleeding nofe.
M. ^"Tis dafter like to thole
An ether-cap, like him to blaw the coal :
It fets him well, with vile unfcrapit tongue,
To caft up whether I be auld or young;
They're aulder yet than I have married been,
And or they died their bairns bairns have feen.
Mau. That's true ; and Bauldy ye was far to blame, 1
To ca' Madge ought but her ain chriften'd name.
B. My lugs, my nofe, and noddle finds the fame. J
M. Auld Roudes ! Filthy fallow ; I ftiall auld ye.
Mau. Howt no!— yell e en be friends with honeft Bauldy.
I
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 57
Come, come, fliake hands this maun nae further gae:
Ye maun forgi'e'm. I fee the lad looks wae.
B. In troth now, Maufe, I have at Madge nae fpite;
But flie abufing firft, was a the wite
Of what has happen d : and fliould therefore crave
My pardon firft, and fliall acquittance have.
M. I crave your pardon ! gallows-face, gae greet.
And own your fault to her that ye wad cheat,
Gae, or be blafted in your health and gear,
'Till ye learn to perform, as well as fwear.
Vow, and lowp back! — was e'er the like heard tell?
Swith, tak him deil; he's o'erlang out of hell.
B A u L D Y running off.
His prefence be about us ! curft were he
That were condem'd for life to live with thee.
EXIT BAULDY.
MADGE laughing.
I think I've towzl'd his harigalds a wee;
He'll no foon grein to tell his love to me. ^
He's but a rafcal that wad mint to ferve
A laflie fae, he does but ill deferve.
Mau. Ye towin d him tighdy, — I commend ye fort;
His blooding fnoot gave me nae little Iport :
58 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
For this forenoon he had that fcant of grace.
And breeding baith, — to tell me to my face.
He hop'd I was a witch, and wadna ftand.
To lend him in this cafe my helping hand.
M. A witch ! — how had ye patience this to bear.
And leave him een to fee, or lugs to hear ?
Mau. Auld wither d hands, and feeble joints like mlne^
Obliges fowk refentment to decline ;
Till aft 'tis feen when vigour fails, then wc
With cunning can the lack of pith fiipplie.
Thus I pat aff revenge till it was dark.
Syne bade him come, and we fliould gang to wark :
Im fure he'll keep his trifte ; and I came here
To feek your help, that we the fool may fear. ' ■
M. And fpecial Iport we'll have, as I proteft ;
Yell be the witch, and I lliall play the ghaift ;
A linen llieet w^ound round me like ane dead,
I'll cawk my face, and grane, and fliake my head.
We'll fleg him.fae, he'll mint nae mair to gang
A conjuring, to do a laflie wrang.
M. Then let us gae ; for fee, 'tis hard on night.
The weftlin clouds fliine red with fetting light.
EXEUNT.
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
A C T IV. S C E N E II.
When birds begin to nod upon the bongh,
And the green fwaird grows damp with falling dcvv,
While good Sir William is to reft retir'd.
The Gentle Shepherd tenderly Infpir'd,
Walks through the broom with Roger ever leel,
To meet, to comfort Meg, and tak farewell.
PATIE AND ROGER.
ROGER,
Wo W ! but I'm cadgie, and my heart lowps light.
0 Mr. Patrick ! ay your thoughts were right :
Sure gentle fowk are farther feen than we.
That nathing ha'e to brag of pedigree.
My Jenny now, who brak my heart this morn.
Is perfeft yielding,— fweet, — and nae mair fcorn.
1 fpake my mind — flie heard — I fpake again.
She fmil'd — I kifs'd — I woo'd, nor woo'd in vain.
P. I'm glad to heart — But O ! my change this day
Heaves up my joy, and yet I'm fometimes wae.
I've found a father, gently kind as brave.
And an eftate that lifts me 'boon the lave.
With looks all kindnefs, words that love confeft;
He all the father to my foul expreft.
While clofe he held me to his manly breaft.
Such were the eyes, he faid, thus fmil'd the mouth
Of thy lov'd mother blefling of my youth ;
6o GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Who fet too foon ! — and while he praife beftow'd,
Adown his graceful cheeks a torrent flowed.
My new-born joys, and this his tender tale.
Did, mingled thus, o*er a my thoughts prevail :
That fpeechlefs lang, my late kend Sire I viewed,
While gufliing tears my panting breaft bedew'd.
Uniifual tranfports made my head turn round,
Whilft I my felf with rifing raptures found : ►
The happy fon of ane fae much renown d.
But he has heard ! — too faithful Symon s fear
Has brought my love for Peggy to his ear :
Which he forbids ! — ah ! this confounds my peace.
While thus to beat, my heart fliall fooner ceafe.
R. How to advife ye, troth I'm at a ftand ;
But were t my cafe, ye*d clear it up aff hand.
P. Duty, and haflen reafon plead his caufe :
But what cares love for reafon, rules and laws ?
Still in my heart my fliepherdefs excells.
And part of my new happinefs repells.
R. Enjoy them baith.— sir william will be won :
Your Peggy's bonny ; — you re his only fbn.
P. She's mine by vows, and flronger ties of love;
And frae thefe bands nae change my mind fhall move.
ril wed nane elfe ; thro' life I will be true :
But ftill obedience is a parent's due.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 61
R. Is not our mafter and your fell to ftay
Amang us here? — or are ye gawn away
To London court, or ither far aff parts.
To leave your ain poor us with broken hearts ?
P. To Edinburgh ftraight to-morrow we advance, |
To London neift, and afterwards to France, >
Where I muft ftay fome years, and learn — to dance,]
And twa three other monky-tricks. — that done,
I come hame ftruting in my red-heel'd flioon.
Then 'tis defign'd, when I can well behave.
That I maun be fome petted thing's dull flave.
For fome few^ bags of cafli, that I wat weel
I nae mair need nor carts do a third wheel.
But Peggy, dearer to me than my breath.
Sooner than hear fic news, fliall hear my death.
R. " They wha have jufl: enough, can foundly fleep;
The o'ercome only faflies fowk to keep." —
Good Mr. Patrick, tak your ain tale hame. j
P. What was my morning thought, at night's the fame. ^
The poor and rich but differ in the name. J
Content's the greateft blifs we can procure
Frae 'boon the lift.--- -Without it kings are poor.
R. But an eftate like your's yields braw content.
When we but pick it fcantly on the bent :
i
1
62 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Fine claiths, faft beds, fweet houfes, and red wine.
Good chear, and witty friends, whene'er ye dine ;
Obeyfant fervants, honour, wealth and eafe :
Wha's no content with thefe, are ill to pleafe.
P. Sae Roger thinks, and thinks not far amifs;
But mony a cloud hings hovering o*er the blifs.
The paffions rule the roafl:;-.and, if they're fowr.
Like the lean ky, will foon the fat devour.
The fpleen, tint honour, and affronted pride,
Stang like the fharpeft goads In gentry's fide.
The gouts and gravels, and the ill difeafe.
Are frequenteft: with fowk o'erlald with eafe;
While o'er the moor the fliepherd, with lefs care.
Enjoys his fober wifli, and halefome air.
R. Lord, man! I w^onder ay, audit delights
My heart, whene'er I hearken to your flights.
How gat ye a' that fenfe, I fain wad lear.
That I may eafier difappointments bear.
P. Frae books, the wale of books, I gat fome fkill;
Thefe beft can teach what's real good and ill.
Ne'er grudge ilk year to ware fome ftanes of cheefe.
To gain thefe filent friends that ever pleafe.
R. I'll do't, and ye fhall tell me which to buy:
Faith I'fe ha'e books, tho' I fliould fell my ky.
i
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
But now let's hear how you're defign'd to move
Between sir William's will, and Peggy's love.
P. Then here it lyes; — his will maun be obey'd
My vows I'll keep, and flie fliall be my bride :
But I fome time this laft defign maun hide.
Keep you the fecret clofe, and leave me here;
I fent for Peggy, — yonder comes my dear.
R. Pleas'd that ye truft me with the fecret, I
To wyle it frae me a' the deils defy. exit r
p A T I E folus.
With what a ftruggle muft I now Impart
My father's will to her that hads my heart !
I ken flie loves, and her faft faul will fink.
While it ftands trembling on the hated brink
Of difappointment. — Heaven ! fupport my fair.
And let her comfort claim your tender care.
Her eyes are red ! —
. ENTER PEGGY.
— My Peggy, why in tears ?
Smile as ye wont, allow nae room for fears :
Tho' Tm nae mair a fliepherd, yet I'm thine.
P. I dare not think fae high : I now repine
At the unhappy chance, that made not me
A gentle match, or ftill a herd kept thee.
64 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Wlia can withoutten pain, lee firae the coaft i
The flilp that bears his all like to be loft ? \
Like to be carry'd, by feme rever's hand, \
Far frae his wimes, to fome diftant land ! '
Pat. Ne'er quarrel fate, whilft it with me remains.
To raife thee up, or ftill attend thefe plains. ;
My father has forbid our loves, I own : ;
But love's fuperior to a parent's frown. j
I falfehood hate : come, kifs thy cares away;
I ken to love, as well as to obey. 1
j
Sir WILLIAM'S generous; leave the tafk to me, j
To make ftridl duty and true love agree. j
P. Speak on ! — fpeak ever thus, and ftill my grief;
1
But ftiort I dare to hope the fond relief. \
New thoughts, a gentler face will foon infpire, ■
That with nice air fwims round in filk attire : j
Then I, poor me ! — with fighs may ban my fate, |
j
When the young laird's nae mair my heartfome Pate ;
Nae mair again to hear fweet tales expreft, |
By the blyth fliepherd that excell'd the reft : 1
Nae mair be envy'd by the tattling gang.
When Patie kifs'd me, when I danc'd or fang : j
Nae mair, alake ! we'll on the meadow play ! I
And rin hafF breathlefs round the rucks of hay;
,1
j
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 6s
As afdmes I have fled from thee right fain.
And fa'n on purpofe, that I might be tane.
Nae mair around the Foggy -know I'll creep.
To watch and ftare upon thee, while afleep.
But hear my vow — 'twill help to give me eafe ;
May fudden death, or deadly fair difeafe.
And warfl: of ills attend my wretched life,
If e'er to ane, but you, I be a wife.
Pat. Sure Heaven approves—and be affur'd of me,
I'll ne'er gang back of what I've fworn to thee :
And time, tho' time maun interpofe a while,
And I maun leave my Peggy and this ifle;
Yet time, nor diftance, nor the faireft face.
If there's a fairer, e'er fball fill thy place.
I'd hate my rifmg fortune, fliould it move
The fair foundation of our faithful love.
If at my feet were crowns and fcepters laid,
To bribe my foul frae thee, delightful maid ;
For thee I'd foon leave thefe inferior things
To fic as have the patience to be kings.
Wherefore that tear } believe, and calm thy mind.
P. I greet for joy, to hear thy words fae kind.
When hopes were funk, and nought but mirk defpair
Made me think life was little worth my care,
R
66 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
My heart was like to burfl: ; but now I fee
Thy generous thoughts will fave thy love for me.
With patience then I'll wait each wheeling year,
Hope time away, till thou with joy appear;
And all the while Til ftudy gentler charms.
To make me fitter for my traveller s arms :
I'll gain on uncle Glaud, — he's far frae fool.
And will not grudge to put me thro' ilk fchool ;
Where I may manners learn —
Pat. That's wifely faid.
And what he wares that way fliall be well paid.
Tho' without a' the little helps of art,
Thy native fweets might gain a prince's heart :
Yet now, left in our ftation, we offend.
We muft learn modes, to innocence unkend ;
Affe£l aftimes to like the thing we hate.
And drap ferenity, to keep up ftate : (lay;
Laugh, when we're fad ; fpeak, when we've nought to
And, for the faftiion, when we're blyth, feem wae :
Pay compliments to them we aft have fcorn'd ;
Then fcandalize them when their backs are turn'd.
P. If this is gentry, I had rather be
What I am ftill; — but I'll be ought with thee.
Pat. No, no, my Peggy, Ibutonlyjeft
With gentry's apes ; for ftill amangft the beft.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. ^7
Good manners give integrity a bleez.
When native virtues join the arts to pleafe.
P. Since with nae hazard, and fae finall expence.
My lad frae books can gather ficcan fenfe ;
Then why, ah ! why fliould the tempeftuous fea.
Endanger thy dear life, and frighten me?
Sir William's cruel, that wad force his fon.
For watna-whats, fae great a rifk to run.
Pat. There is nae doubt, but travelling does improve.
Yet I would fliun it for thy fake, my love.
But foon as I've fliook aff my landwart caft.
In foreign cities, hame to thee I'll hafte.
P. with every fetting day, and rifing morn,
I'll kneel to Heaven, and alk thy fafe return.
Under that tree, and on the Suckler Brae,
Where aft we wont, when bairns to run and play;
And to the HifTel-fliaw where firfl: ye vow'd
Ye wad be mine, and I as eithly trow'd,
I'll aften gang, and tell the trees and flowers.
With joy, that they'll bear witnefs I am yours.
Pat. My dear, allow me, frae thy temples fair,
A fhining ringlet of thy flowing hair ;
Which, as a fample of each lovely charm,
I'll aften kifs, and wear about my arm.
6S GENTLE SHEPHERD.
P. Were't in my power with better boons to pleafe,
I'd give the beft I could with the fame eafe ;
Nor wad I, if thy luck had fain to me.
Been in ae jot lefs generous to thee.
Pat. I doubt it not ; but fince we Ve little time.
To ware't on words, wad border on a crime :
Love's fafter meaning better is expreft.
When 'tis with kifles on the heart impreft.
EXEUNT.
ACTV. SCENE I.
See how poor Bauldy flares like ane pofleft.
And roars up Symon frae his kindly reft.
Bare leg'd, with night-cap, and unbutton'd coat,
See, the auld man comes forward to the fot.
SYMON AND BAULDY.
SYMON.
What want ye, Bauldy, at this early hour,
While drowfy fleep keeps a' beneath its pow r ?
Far to the north, the fcant approaching light
Stands equal 'twixt the morning and the night
What gars you fhake and glowr, and look fae wan ?
Your teeth they chitter, hair like briftles ftand*
B. O len me foon fome water, milk or ale,
My head's grown giddy, — legs with fliaking fail ;
GENTLE SHEPHERD,
ril ne'er dare venture forth at night my lane :
Alake ! I'll never be my fell again,
ril ne'er o'erput it ! Symon ! O Symon ! O !
SYMON gives him a drink.
S. What alls thee, gowk! — to make fae loud ado ?
You Ve wak'd sir william, he has left his bed;
He comes, I fear ill pleas'd : I hear his tred.
Enter sir william.
S W. How goes the night ? does day-light yet appear
Symon, you re very timeoufly afteer.
S. Tm forry, Sir, that we've difturb'd your reft :
But fome ftrange thing has Bauldy's fp'rit oppreft;
He's feen fome witch, or wreftl'd with a ghaift.
B. O ay, — dear Sir, in troth 'tis very true;
And I am come to make my plaint to you.
SIR WILLIAM fmiling.
I lang to heart —
B. Ah! Sir. the witch ca'd Maufe.
That wins aboon the mill amang the haws.
Firft promis'd that flie'd help me with her art,
To gain a bonny thrawart laffie s heart.
As flie had trifted, I met wi'er this night ;
But may nae friend of mine get fic a fright !
For the curs' d hag, inftead of doing me good.
The very thought o'ts like to freeze my blood 1
70 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Rals'd up a ghalft or deil, I kenna whilk.
Like a dead corfe in flieet as white as milk, -
Black hands it had, and face as wan as death.
Upon me fafl: the witch and it fell baith,
And gat me down ; while I, like a great fool.
Was laboured as I wont to be at fchool.
My heart out of its hool was like to lowp ;
I pithlefs grew with fear, and had nae hope.
Till, with an elritch laugh, they vanifli'd quite :
Syne I, haff dead with anger, fear and Ipite,
Crap up, and fled flraight frae them, Sir, to you.
Hoping your help, to gi'e the deil his due.
I'm lure my heart will ne'er gi'e o'er to dunt.
Till in a fat tar-barrel Maufe be burnt.
S. W. Well, Bauldy, whate'er's juft jttiall granted be;
Let Maufe be brought this morning down to me.
B. Thanks to your honour; foon fliall I obey :
But firft I'll Roger raife, and twa three mae.
To catch her faft, e'er Ihe get leave to fqueel.
And caft her cantrips that bring up the deil.
EXIT BAULDY.
S, W. Troth, Symon, Bauldy s more afraid than hurt.
The witch and ghaift have made themfelves good fport.
What filly notions crowd the clouded mind,
That is thro' want of education blind !
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 71
S. But does your honour think there's nae fic thing
As witches raifing deils up thro' a ring,
Syne playing tricks ? a thoufand I cou'd tell,
Gou'd never be contriv'd on this fide hell.
S. W. Such as the devil's dancing in a moor
Amongft a few old woman craz'd and poor.
Who are rejoic'd to fee him frilk and lowp
O'er braes and bogs, with candles in his dowp ;
Appearing fometimes like a black -horn'd cow,
Aftimes like bawty, badrans, or a fow :
Then with his train thro* airy paths to glide.
While they on cats, or clowns, or broom-ftaffs ride ;
Or in the Ggg-fliell (kirn out o'er the main.
To drink their leader s health in France or Spain :
Then aft by night, bumbaze hare-hearted fools.
By tumbling down their cup-board, chairs and ftools.
Whate'er's in fpells, or if there witches be.
Such whimfies feem the moft abfurd to me.
S. 'Tis true enough, we ne*er heard that a witch
Had either meikle fenfe, or yet was rich.
But Maufe, tho' poor, is a fagacious wife,
And lives a quiet and very honefl: life ;
That gars me think this hoblefliew that's paft
Will land In naething but a joke at laft.
If
72 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
S. W. I'm fure it will : — but fee increafing light
Commands the imps of darknefs down to night ;
Bid raife my fervants, and my horfe prepare,
Whilft I walk out to take the morning air. exeunt.
A C T V. S C E N E II.
While Peggy laces up her bofom fair,
With a blew fnood Jenny binds up her hair ;
Glaud, by his morning ingle takes a beek.
The rifing fun fhines motty thro' the reck,
A pipe his mouth ; the laffes pleafc his ecn,
And now and then his joke maun interveen.
GLAUD, JENNY AND PEGGY.
GLAUD.
I wifli, my bairns, it may keep fair till night ;
Ye do not ufe fae foon to fee the light.
Nae doubt now ye intend to mix the thrang,
To take your leave of Patrick or he gang.
But do ye think that now when he*s a laird.
That he poor landwart lafles will regard ?
J. Though he's young mafter now, I'm very fure
He has mair fenfe than flight auld friends, tho' poor.
But yefterday he ga'e us mony a tug.
And kifs'd my coufin there frae lug to lug.
G. Ay, ay, nae doubt o't, and he'll do't again ;
But, be advis'd, his company refrain :
Before, he as a fhepherd fought a wife^
With her to live a chafte and frugal life;
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 73
But now grown gentle, foon he will forfake
Sic godly thoughts, and brag of being a rake.
P. A rake! — what's that? — fure if it means ought ill.
He'll never be't; elfe I have tint my fkill.
G. Daft lallle, ye ken nought of the affair,
Ane young and good and gentle's unco rare.
A rake's a gracelefs fpark, that thinks nae fliame.
To do what like of us think fin to name :
Sic are fae void of fliame, they'll never flap
To brag how aften they have had the clap. (flufli'd.
They'll tempt young things, like you, with youdith
Syne make ye a* their jefl:, when ye're debauch'd.
Be wary then, I fay, and never gi'e
Encouragement, or bourd with fic as he.
P. Sir William's virtuous, and of gentle blood;
And may not Patrick too, like him, be good ?
G. That's true, and mony gentry mae than he.
As they are wifer, better are than we ;
But thinner fawn : they're fae puft up with pride.
There's mony of them mocks ilk haly guide.
That {haws the gate to heaven.— I've heard my fell.
Some of them laugh at doomfday, fin and hell.
J. Watch o'er us. father! heh! that's very odd;
Sure him that doubts a doomfday, doubts a god.
74 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
G. Doubt! why, they neither doubt, nor judge, nor think.
Nor hope, nor fear ; but curfe, debauch and drink :
But I'm no faying this, as if I thought
That Patrick to fic gates will e er be brought.
P. The LORD forbid ! na, he kens better things :
But here comes aunt ; her face fome ferly brings.
ENTER MADGE.
M. Hafte, hafte ye; were a fent for o'er the gate,
To hear, and help to redd fome odd debate
'Tween Maufe and Bauldy, 'bout fome witchcraft fpell.
At Symon s houfe : the knight fits judge himfell.
G. Lend me my ftaff; — Madge, lock the outer door.
And bring the lafTes wi' ye; 111 ftep before, exit glaud,
M. Poor Meg !— look, Jenny, was the like e*er feen ?
How bieer'd and red with greeting look her een ?
This day her brankan wooer takes his horfe.
To ftrute a gentle ipark at Edinburgh crofs ;
To change his kent, cut frae the branchy plain.
For a nice fword, and glancing headed cane ;
To leave his ram-horn Ipoons, and kitted whey.
For gentler tea, that fmells like new won hay ;
To leave the green-fwaird dance, when we gae milk.
To ruftle 'mang the beauties clad in filk.
But Meg, poor Meg ! maun with the fliepherd flay.
And tak what god will fend, in hodden-gray.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 75
P. Dear aunt, what need ye fafli us wi your fcorn ?
That's no my faut that I'm nae gentler born.
Gif I the daughter of fome laird had been,
I ne'er had notic'd Patie on the green :
II ow fince he rifes, why fliould I repine ?
If he' s made for another, he'll ne'er be mine :
And then, the like has been, if the decree
Defigns him mine, I yet his wife may be.'
M. A bonny ftory, trowth ! — but we delay :
Prin up your aprons baith, and come away, exeunt.
ACTV. SCENE III.
Sir William fills the twa arm'd chair,
While Symon, Roger, Glaud and Maufe,
Attend, and with loud laughter hear
Daft Bauldy bluntly plead his caufe :
For now 'tis ttll'd him that the taz
Was handled by revengefu* Madge,
Becaufe he brak good breeding's laws,
And with his nonfenfe rais'd their rage.
SIR WILLIAM, PATIE, ROGER, SYMON, GLAUD,
BAULDY AND MAUSE.
SIR WILLIAM.
A. ND was that all? well, Bauldy, ye was ferv'd
No otherwife than what ye well deferv'd.
Was it fo fmall a matter, to defame,
And thus abufe an honefl: woman's name ?
Befides your going about to have betray'd,
By perjury, an innocent young maid.
76 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
B. Sir I confefs my faut, thro* a the fteps,
And ne'er again fliall be untrue to Neps.
Mau. Thus far, Sir, he obligd me on the fcore;
I kend not that they thought me fic before.
B. An t like your Honour I belie vd it well;
But troth I was e en doilt to feek the deil :
Yet, with your Honour s leave, tho' flie*s nae witch,
She's baith a flee and a revengefu —
And that my fome-place finds but I had beft
Had in my tongue ; for yonder comes the ghalft,
And the young bonny witch, whafe rofy cheek
Sent me, without my wit, the deil to feek.
ENTER MADGE, PEGGY, AND JENNY.
SIR WILLIAM, looking at PEGGY.
Whofe daughter s flie that wears th' Aurora gown.
With face lb fair, and locks a lovely brown ?
How Iparkling are her eyes ! what's this ! I find
The girl brings all my fifter to my mind.
Such were the features once adorn d a face,
Which death too foon deprived of fweeteft grace.
Is this your daughter, Glaud ^
G. Sir flies my niece ;
And yet flie's not: — but I fliould hald my peace,
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
S. W. This is a contradiftion : what d' ye mean? .
She Is, and is not! pray thee, Glaud, explain.
G. Becaufe I doubt, if I fhould make appear
What I have kept a fecret thirteen year.
M. You may reveal what I can fully clear.
S. W. Speak fbon ; I'm all impatience ! - — -
p. So am I !
For much I hope, and hardly yet know why.
G. Then, fince my mafter orders, I obey. — ~
This bonny fundling, ae clear morn of May^
Clofe by the lee-fide of my door I found.
All fweet and clean, and carefully hapt round.
In Infant-weeds of rich and gentle make.
What coud they be, thought I, did thee forfake ?
Wha, warfe than brutes, cou'd leave exposed to air
Sae much of innocence fae fweetly fair,
Sae helplefs young ? for flie appear d to me
Only about twa towmands auld to be.
I took her in my arms, the bairnie fmil'd
With fic a look wad made a favage mild.
I hid the ftory : flie has paft fmcefyne
As a poor orphan, and a niece of mine.
Nor do I rue my care about the we'an,
For flie's well worth the pains that I have tane.
u
!
']
I
i
78 GENTLE SHEPHERD. \
Ye fee flie's bonny, I can fwear fiie s good.
And I am right fure flie's come of gentle blood : i
Of whom I kenna. — Naething ken I mair, i
Than what I to your Honour now declare.
S. W. This tale feems ftrange !
p. The tale delights my ear; !
S. W. Command your joys, young man, till truth appear. ]
M. That be my talk.— Now, Sir, bid all be hufli; ■
Peggy may fmile;— thou haft nae caufe to blufh. ^
Long have I wifli'd to fee this happy day, j
That I might fafely to the truth give way ; j
That I may now sir william worthy name, j
The beft and neareft friend that flie can claim: 1
He faw't at firft, and with quick eye did trace .
His fifter's beauty in her daughter's face, |
S. W. Old woman, do not rave,— prove what you fay •
'Tis dangerous in affairs like this to play.
P. What reafon. Sir, can an old woman have '
To tell a lie, when flie's fae near her grave?
But how, or why, it fliould be truth, I grant, 1
I every thing looks like a reafon want. |
o M N E s.
The ftory's odd ! we wifli we heard it out. j
S.W. Make hafte, good woman, and refolve each doubt, '
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 7^
M A u s E goes foreward, leading p e g g y
to SIR WILLIAM.
Sir, view me well : has fifteen years fo plow'd
A wrinkled face that you have often view'd.
That here I as an unknown ftranger ftand, j
Who nurs'd her mother that now holds my hand? }►
Yet ftronger proofs I'll give, if you demand. J
S. W. Ha ! honeft nurfe, where were mine eyes before !
I know thy faithfulnefs, and need no more;
Yet, from the lab rinth to lead out my mind,
Say, to expofe her, who was fo unkind.
SIR WILLIAM embraces p e g g y, and makes her
fit by him.
Yes, furely thou rt my niece; truth muft prevail:
But no more words, till Maufe relate her tale.
P. Good nurfe, go on ; nae mufic s haff fae fine.
Or can give pleafure like thefe words of thine*
M. Then, it was I that fav d her infant-life.
Her death being threatned by an uncle s wife.
The ftory's lang ; but I the fecret knew.
How they purfu'd, with avaritious view.
Her rich eftate, of which they re now pofleft :
All this to me a confident confeft.
I heard with horror, and with trembling dread.
They'd fmoor the fakelefs orphan in her bed !
8o GENTLE SHEPHERD,
That very night, when all were funk in reft.
At midnight hour, the floor I faftly preft.
And flaw the fleeping innocent away;
With whom I travel'd fome few miles e'er day :
All day I hid me,— when the day was done^
I kept my journey, lighted by the moon.
Till eaftward fifty miles I reach'd thefe plains.
Where needful plenty glads your chearful fwains j
Afraid of being found out, I to fecure
My charge, e'en laid her at this fliepherd's door,
And took a neighbouring cottage here, that I,
Whate'er fliould happen to her, might be by*
Here honefl Glaud himfell, and Symon may
Remember well, how I that very day
Frae Roger's father took my little crove.
GLAUD, with tears of joy happing down his
beard.
I well remember t. Lord reward your love:
Lang have I wifli'd for this ; for aft I thought.
Sic knowledge fometime fliould about be brought.
P. 'Tis now a crime to doubt, — my joys are full.
With due obedience to my parent's wifl.
Sir, with paternal love furvey her charms.
And blame me not for rufliing to her arms.
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
She's mine by vows ; and would, tho' ftill unknown.
Have been my wife, when I my vows durfl own.
S. W; My niece! my daughter! welcome to my care.
Sweet image of thy mother good and fair.
Equal with Patrick : now my greateft aim
Shall be, to aid your joys, and well match'd flame.
My boy, receive her from your father's hand.
With as good will as either would demand.
p A T I E and PEGGY embrace, and kneel to
SIR WILLIAM.
p. With as much joy this bleiSing I receive.
As ane wad life, that's finking in a wave.
SIR WILLIAM raifes them.
I give you both my blefling : May your love
Produce a happy race, and ftill improve.
Peg. My wifties are compleat,— my joys arife.
While I'm haff dizzy with the bleft furprife.
And am I then a match for my ain lad*
That for me fo much generous kindnefs had ?
Lang may sir william blefs thefe happy plains, .
Happy while Heaven grant he on them remains.
P. Be lang our guardian, ftill our mafter be ; |
We 11 only crave what you fliall pleafe to gi'e : ^
The eftate be your's, my Peggy's ane to me
82 GENTLE SHEPHERD.
G. I hope your Honour now will take amends
Of them that fought her life for wicked ends.
S. W. The bafe unnatural villain foon fliall know,
That eyes above watch the affairs below.
I'll ftrip him foon of all to her pertains,
And make him reimburfe his ill got gains.
Peg. To me the views of wealth and an eftate.
Seem light when put in balance with my Pate :
For his fake only. 111 ay thankful bow
For fuch a kindnefs, beftofmen, to you.
S. What double blythnefs wakens up this day !
I hope now, Sir, you'll no foon hafte away.
Sail I unfaddle your horfe, and gar prepare
A dinner for ye of hale country fare ?
See how much joy unwrinkles every brow;
Our looks hing on the twa, and doat on you :
Even Bauldy the bewitched has quite forgot
Fell Madge's taz, and pawky Maufe's plot.
S. W. Kindly old man, remain with you this day
I never from thefe fields again will ftray :
Mafons and wrights my houfe fliall foon repair.
And bufy gardners fliall new planting rear ;
My father's hearty table you foon fliall fee
Reftor d, and my befl: friends rejoice with me.
GENTLE SHEPHERD. 83
S. That^s the beft news I heard this twenty year;
New day breaks up, rough times begin to clear.
G. God fave the King, and fave sir william lang,
To enjoy their ain, and raife the ifhepherds fang.
R. Wha winna dance.'* wha willrefufe tofing?
What fliepherd's whiftle winna lilt the fpring ?
B. I'm friends with Maufe,— with very Madge I'm 'greed,
Altho' they fkelpit me when woodly fleid :
I'm now fu' blyth, and frankly can forgive,
To join andfing, " Lang may sir william live."
Mad. Lang may he live : — and, Bauldy, learn to fteek
Your gab a wee, and think before ye fpeak ;
And never ca' her auld that wants a man,
Elfe ye may yet fome witches fingers ban.
This day I'll wi' the youngeft of ye rant.
And brag for ay, that I was ca d the aunt
Of our young lady, — my dear bonny bairn !
Pec. No other name I'll ever for you learn.—
And, my good nurfe, how fliall I gratefu' be.
For a thy matchlefs kindnefs done for me ?
M. The flowing pleafures of this happy day
Does fully all I can require repay.
S. W. To faithful Symon, and kind Glaud, to you, '
And to your heirs I give in endlefs feu, *■
The mailens ye poffefs, as juftly due, J
8.^- GENTLE SHEPHERD.
For afting like kind fathers to the pair
Who have enough befides, and thefe can Ipare.
Maufe, in my houfe in cahnnefs clofeyour days,
With nought to do, but fing your Maker s praife. .
o M N E s.
The LORD of heaven return your Honour s love,
Confirm your joys, and a' your bleffings roove.
PAT IE, prefenting ROGER to sir will! am.
Sir, here's my trufty friend, that always fliar d
My bofom fecrets, ere I was a laird ;
Claud's daughter Janet (Jenny thinkna fhame)
Rais d, and maintains in him a lover s flame :
Lang was he dumb, at laft he fpake, and won.
And hopes to be our honeft uncle's fon :
Be pleas'd to Ipeak to Glaud for his confent,
That nane may wear a face of difcontent.
S. W. My fon's demand is fair, — Glaud, let me crave,
That trufty Roger may your daughter have.
With frank confent ; and while he does remain
Upon thefe fields, I make him chamberlain.
G. You crowd your bounties. Sir, what can we fay, |
But that we're dyvours that can ne'er repay ? y
Whate'er your Honour wills, I fliall obey. J
Roger, my daughter, with my bleffing, take.
And ftill our mafter's right your bufinefs make.
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
Pleafe him, be faithful, and this auld gray head
Shall nod with quietnefs down amang the dead.
R. I ne'er was good a (peaking a* my days,
Or ever lo'ed to make o'er great a fraife :
But for my mafter, father and my wdfe,
I will employ the cares of all my life.
S. W. My friends, I'm fatisfied you'll all behave
Each in his ftation, as I'd wifli or crave.
Be ever virtuous, foon or late you'll find
Reward, and fatisfa^tion to your mind.
The maze of life fometimes looks dark and wild;
And oft when hopes are higheft, we're beguil'd :
Aft, when we ftand on brinks of dark defpair.
Some happy turn with joy dilpells our care.
Now all's at rights, who fmgs beft let me hear.
Peg. When you demand, I readieft fliould obey :
I'll ling you ane, the newefl: that I ha e.
Sings to the tune of corn-riggs are bonny.
My Patie is a lover gay,
His mind is never muddy*
His breath is fweeter than new hay.
His face is fair and ruddy :
His fliape is handfome, middle fize ;
He's comely in his wauking :
Y
GENTLE SHEPHERD.
The flilning of his een furprlfe ;
'Tis heaven to hear him tawklng.
Laft night I met him on a bawk.
Where yellow corn was growing,
There mony a kindly word he (pake.
That fet my heart a glowing.
He kifs d, and vow'd he wad be mine.
And lo*ed me beft of ony.
That gars me like to fing fmce fyne,
O corn-riggs are bonny.
Let lafTes of a filly mind
Refufe what maift they're wanting;
Since we for yielding were defign'd.
We chaftly fliould be granting.
Then Til comply, and marry Pate,
And fyne my cockernonny
He*s free to touzel air or late.
Where corn-riggs are bonny.
EXEUNT 0
THE END.
GLOSSARY.
j
\
i
A
GLOSSARY:
O R,
EXPLANATION OF SCOTS WORDS, WHICH ARE RARELY
OR NEVER FOUND IN THE MODERN ENGLISH WRITINGS.
Some general Rules, Jloeiving ivherein many Southern and IS'orthern -words are
originally the fame^ having only a letter changed for another ^ or fometimes oni
taken anvay or added,
1. In many words ending with an / after an a or «, the / is rarely founded.
Scots. Englifli. Scots. Englifli.
A* Ail. Sma, Emalh
Ba, Ball Sta, Stall.
Ca, Call. ■ Wa, Wall.
Fa, Fall. Fou, or Fu, Full.
Ga, Call. Pou, or Pu, Pull.
Ha, Ball. Woo, erU, Wool.
II, The / changes to a, iv^ or a, after o or a, and is frequently funk before another confo«
nantj as,
Scots. Englifn. Scots. Englifh.
"DAwm, T>Alm. Goud, Gold.
^ Bauk, Baulk. Haff, H^^.
Bouk, Bulk. How, Hole or hollowt.
Bow, Howms, Holms.
Bowt, Maut, Mj//.
CafF, C^^. Pow, Poll.
Cow, Coll or Clip. Row,
Faut, f<2z///. Scawd,
Faufe, Falfe. Stown, Stoln.
Fowk, Fo//&. Wawk, Walk.
Fawn, jR2//f«.
III. An o before changes to Zj or au;
5cofj. Englifli. Scots. Englifli.
ATJld, n^^- »'"hac'-
Bauld, ^ Bold. Said, So/c/.
Cauld, Co/c/. Tald, Told.
Fauld, Wad, Would.
4
4
GENERAL RULES.
TV The 0. oe.
or ow, is changed to a, ae,
or al ; as.
Scots.
TIT-
Englilh.
ocots.
iLnguin.
A E, or ane,
Aeteen,
^m.
^ Oaten.
Law,
Mae,
Low.
Moe.
Aff,
Off.
Mailt,
Mojl.
Aften,
Often.
Mair,
More.
Aik,
Oak.
Mane,
Maw,
Moan.
Aith,
Oath.
Mow.
Ain, or awn,
Own.
Na,
No.
Alane,
Amaift,
Alone.
Nane,
None.
Almojl.
Naithing,
Nothing.
Amang,
Among.
Pape,
Pope.
Airs,
Oars.
Rae,
Roe.
Aits,
Oats.
Rair,
Roar.
Apen,
Open.
Raip,
Rope.
Awner,
Owner.
Raw,
Saft,
Row.
Bain,
Bone.
Soft.
Bair,
Boar.
Saip,
Soap.
Baith,
Both.
Sair,
Sang,
Sore.
Blaw,
Blow.
Song.
Braid,
Broad.
Slaw,
Slow.
Claith,
Cloath.
Snaw,
Snow.
Craw,
Crow.
Strake,
Stroak.
Drap,
Drop.
Staw,
Stole.
Fae,
Foe.
Stane,
Stone.
Frae,
Fro, or from.
Saul,
Soul.
Gae,
Go.
Tae,
Toe.
Gaits,
Goats.
Taiken,
Token.
Grane,
Groan.
Tangs,
Tongs.
Haly,
Holy.
Tap,
Top.
Hale,
Halefome,
Whole.
Thrang,
Throng.
Wholefome.
Wae,
Woe.
Hame,
Home.
Wan,
Won.
Hait, or het,
Hot.
War,
Worfe.
Laith,
Loath.
Wark,
Work.
Laid,
Load.
Wame,
Womb.
Lain, orlen.
Loan.
Warld,
World.
Lang,
Long.
Wha,
Who.
V. The o or u is frequently changed into ij as.
Scots.
Englifh.
Scots.
Englifli.
A Nither,
Bill,
A Nother.
■^^ Bull.
Ither,
Other.
Mither,
Mother.
Birn,
Burn.
Nits,
Nuts.
Brither,
Brother.
Nife,
Nofe.
Fit,
Foot.
Pit,
Put.
Fither,
Fother.
Rin,
Run.
Hinny,
Honey.
Sin,
Sun.
A I R
AlBLINS, perhaps.
Aboon, above.
Aikcrbraid, the breadth of an acre.
Air, long fince. It. Early. Air up^ foon
up in the morning.
ATT
Ambrie, cup-board.
Anew, enough.
Aries, earnefi of a bargain.
Afe, alhes.
Atains, or atanes, at once, at the fame time
Aitoury out-over.
GLOSSARY.
B I R
Auld-farran, ingenious.
Aurgkbargin or Eagglebargin^ to contend
and wrangle.
Awfojne, frightful, terrible.
Ayndf the breath.
B A
BACK-SET, a furloin.
Badrans^z cat.
Baid, flaid, abode.
Bairns, children.
Bale/2, whale-bone.
Bang, is fometimes an aflion of hafte. We
fay, he or it came with a bang. — A bang
alio means a great number. Of cujlomers
foe had a bang.
Bangfier, a bluitering roaring perfon.
Bannocks, a fort of bread thicker than cakes,
and round.
Barkcn'd, when mire, blood, Sec. hardens
upon a thing like bark.
Barlikhood, a fit of drunken angry paflion.
Barrow-trams, the Haves of a hand-barrow.
Batts, colick.
Bawbee, halfpenny.
Bauch, forry, indifferent.
Bawfy, bawfand fac'd, is a cow or horfe with
a white face.
Bedeen, immediately; in hafte,
Beft, beaten.
Bcgoud, began.
Begrutten, all in tears.
Beik, to bafk.
Beild or beil, a (helter.
Bein, or been, wealthy. A been houfe a warm
well furnifhed one.
Beit, or beet, to help, repair.
Bells, bubles.
Beltan, the 3d of May, or Rood-day.
Bended, drunk hard.
Benn, the inner-room of a. houfe.
Bennifon, bleffing.
Benfell, or Berfail, force.
.6^72^, the open field.
Beuk, baked.
Bicker, a wooden difh.
Bickering, fighting, running quickly ; fchool-
boys battling with ftones.
Bigg, build. Bigget, built. Biggings, build-
ings.
Biggcnet, a linen cap or coif.
Billy, brother.
Byre, or byar, a cow-ftall.
Birks, birch-trees.
Birle, to drink. Common people joining
their farthings for purchafing liquor, they
call it birling a bawbee.
Birn, a burnt mark.
Birns, the ftalks of burnt heath.
Birr, force, flying fwiftly with a noife.
Birs'di bruifed.
BUM
Biftfe or beetle, a wooden mell for beating
hemp, or a fuller's club.
Bljck-a-viced, of a black complexion.
Blae, pale blew, the colour of the fkin when
bruifed.
Blafum, beguile.
Blate, bafliful.
Blatter, a rattling noife.
Bleech, to blanch or whiten.
Bleer, to make the eye water.
Bleez, blaze.
Blether, foolifh difcourfe. Blethcrer, a bab-
ler. Stammering is called blethering.
Blin, ceafe. Never hlin, never have done.
Blinkan, the flame rifing and falling, as of
a laaip when the oil is exhaufted.
Boak or boke, vomit.
Boal, a little prefs or cupboard in the wall.
Bodin or boddcn, provided or furniflied.
Bodle, one fixth of a penny Englifh.
Bodword, an ominous mefTage. Bodwords
are now ufed to exprefs ill-natured mef-
fages.
Boglebo, hobgoblin or fpe£tre.
Bony, beautiful.
Bonywalys, toys, gu-gaws.
Bofs, empty.
Bouk, bulk.
Bourd, jeft or dalley.
Bouze, to drink.
Brcchcn, a kind of water gruel of oat-meal,
butter and honey.
Brae, the fide of a hill, bank of a river.
Braird, the fird fprouting of corns.
Brander, a gridiron.
Brands, calves of the legs.
Brankan, prancing- A capering.
Branks, wherewith the ruftics bridle their
horfes.
Bratle, noife, as of horfe feet.
Brats, rags.
Braw, brave. Fine in apparel.
Brecken, fearn.
Brent-brow, fmooth high fore-head.
Brigs, bridges.
Brtfs, to prefs.
Brock, a badger.
Broe, broth.
Browden, fond.
Browfer, brewer. Browfl, a brewing.
Bruliment, a broil.
Bucky, the large fea-fnail. A term of re-
proach, when we exprefs a crofs-natured
fellow, by thrawn Bucky.
Buff, nonfenfe. As, he blether'' d buff.
Bught, the little fold where the ews are in-
clofed at milking-time.
Buller, to bubble. The motion of water at a
fpring-head, or noife of a rifmg tide.
Bumbazed, confufed. Made to ftare and look
like an idiot.
^ GLO SSARY.
C L A
Bung, completely fudled, as it were to the
bung.
Bunkers, a bench, or fort of long low chefts
• that ferve for feats.
Bumler, a bungler.
Burn, a brook.
Biijh, to deck. Drefs.
Bujline, fultain (cloth.)
But, often, {or without. As, but feed or fa-
I'our.
Bykes, or Bikes, neft or hives of bees.
Bygane, by pad.
Bywordf a proverb.
C A
CADGE, carry. Cadger is a country car-
rier, &c.
Caff, a calf. ChafF.
Callan, boy.
Cam/chough, ftern, grim, of a diftorted coun-
tenance.
Cangle, to wrangle.
Cankerd, angry, palTionately fnarling.
Canna, cannot.
Cant, to tell merry old tales.
Cantrips, incantations.
Canty, chearful and merry.
Capernoited, whimfical, ill-natured.
Car, fledge.
Carna, care not.
Carle, a word for an old man.
Carline, an old woman. Gire-Carline^ a
giant's wife.
Cathel, an hot pot, made of ale, fugar and
eggs.
Cauldrife, fpirltlefs. Wanting chearfulnefs
in addrefs,
Cauler, cool or frefh.
Cawk, chalk.
Chafts, chops.
Chaping, an ale meafure or floup, fomewhat
lefs than an Englilh quart.
A-Char or a-jar, afide. When any thing is
beat a little out of its pofition, or a door or
window a little opened, we fay. They're a-
char or a-jar.
Charlewain, Charles-wain. The conftella-
tion called the plow, Urja major.
Chancy, fortunate, good-natur'd.
Chat, a cant name for the gallows.
Chiel, a general term, \A^& felloWf ufed fome-
times with refpeiEl; as. He's a very good
chiel ; and contemptuoufly, That chiel.
Chucky, a hen.
Chirm, chirp and fing like a bird.
Clan, tribe, family.
Clank, a fliarp blow or ftroke that makes a
noife.
Clajhes, chat.
Clatter, to chatter.
Claught, took bold.
Claucr, to Ipeak nonfenfe.
Claw, fcratch.
DAD
Cleeh, to catch'as with a hook.
Cleugh,yz den betwixt rocks.
Clinty, hard, ftony.
Clock, a beetle.
Cloited, the fall of any foft moid thing.
Chfs, a court or fquare ; and frequently a lane
or alley.
Clour, the little lump that rifes on the head,
occafioned by a blow or fall.
Clute or Cloot, hoof of cows or flieep.
Cockernony, the gathering of a woman's hair
when it's wrapt or fnooded up with a band
or fnood.
Cockjlool, a pillory.
Cod, a pillow.
Coft, bought.
Cog, a pretty large wooden difh the country
people put their pottage in.
Cogle, when a thing moves backwards and
forwards inclining to fall.
Coodie, a fmall wooden velTel, ufed by feme
for a chamber-pot.
Coof, a ftupid fellow.
Coor, to cover.
Coojler, a fton'd horfe.
Cooji, did call. Cooflen, thrown.
Corby, a raven.
Cofie, warm, Ihelter'd in a convenient place.
Cotter, a fub-tenant.
Cowp, to fall ; alfo a fall.
Cowp, to change or barter.
Cowp, a company of people ; as, merry, fenfc-
lefs, corky cowp.
Cour, to crouch and creep.
Couthy frank and kind.
Crack, to chat.
Creel, bafket.
Crijh, greafe.
Croil, a crooked dwarf.
Croon or crune, to murmure, or hum o'er a
fong. The lowing of bulls.
Croufe, bold.
Crive, a cottage.
Crummy, a cow's name.
Cryne, flirink, or become lefs by drying.
Cudiegh, a bribe or prefent.
Culzie, intice or flatter,
Cun, to tafte, learn, know.
Cimzie or coonie, coin
Cum, a fmall parcel.
Curfche, a kerchief. A linen drefs wore by
our Highlajid, women.
Cutled, ufed kind and gaining methods for
obtaining love and friendfliip.
Cutis, lots. Thefe cutts are ufually made of
firaws unequally cut.
Cutty, fliort.
D A
DAB, a proficient.
Dad, to beat one thing againfl another. He
fell with a dad. He claddcd his head a«
gainft the wall, &c.
G LOS S A R Y.
D R E
Dafi, fooliffi; and fometimes wanton.
Daffin^ folly. Wagrie.
Dail, or dale, a valley. Plain.
Daintiths, delicates. Dainties,
Dainty, is ufed as an epithet of a line man or
•n-oman.
Dander ; wander to and fro, or faunter.
Dang, did ding, beat, thruft, drive. Ding,
dang, moving halliiy one on the back of
■ another.
Darn, to hide.
Dajh, to put out of countenance.
Dawty, a fondling. Darling. To dawt, to
cocker, and carefs with tendernefs.
Deave, to ftun the ears with noife.
Dees, dairy-maids.
Dcray, merriment. Joiity. Solemnity. Tu-
mult. Diforder. Noife.
Dern, fecret. Hidden. Lonely.
Deval, to defcend, fall, hurry.
Dcivgs, rags or fliapings of cloth.
Didle, to act or move like a dwarf.
Dight, deck'd. Made ready ; alfo, to clean.
Dinna, do not.
Dirk, a fmarting pain quickly over.
Dit, to ftop or clofe up a hole.
Divot, broad turf.
Docken, a dock, (the herb.)
Doilt, confufed and filly.
Doited, dozed or crazy, as in old age.
Doll, a large piece dole, or fliare.
Donk, moift.
Dotr/ie, afFedtedly neat. Clean, when ap-
plied to any little perfon.
D')ofart, a dull heavy headed fellow.
Dool, or drule the goal which the gamellers
ftrive to gain firft, (as at foot-ball.)
Dool, pain, grief.
Doris, a proud pet.
Doriy, proud. Not to be fpoke to. Con-
ceited, appearing as difobliged.
Do/end, cold, impotent.
Doiigbt, could. Avail'd.
Doughty, ftrong, valiant and able.
Doiiks, dives under water.
Doufe, folid. Grave. Prudent.
Dow, to will, to incline, to thrive.
Dow, dove.
Dow'd, (liquor) that's dead, or has loft, the
fpirits ; or wither'd (plant.)
Dowff, mournful, wanting vivacity.
Dowie, melancholy. Sad. Doleful.
Downa, dow not, i, e. though one has the
power, he wants the heart to do it.
Doiup, the Arfe, the fmail remains of a can-
dle, the bottom of an egg-ihell. Better hnff
egg as tocm doivp.
Drant, to ipeak flow, after a fighing manner.
Dree, to fuffer, endure.
Dreery, wearifome, frightful.
J9ra^^, flow, keeping at diftance. Hence an ill
payer of his debts, we call dreigb. Tedious.
F E I
Dribs, drops.
Drizcl, a little water in a rivulet, fcarce ap-
pearing to run.
Droning, fitting lazily, or moving heavily.
Speaking with groans.
Drouked, drench'd, all wet.
Dubs, mire.
Dung, defeat.
Dunt, ftroke or blow.
Dunty, a doxy.
Durk, a poinyard or dagger.
Dyn/es, trembles, fhakes.
Dyvcr, a bankrupt.
E A
EGGS, incites, flirs up.
Eard, earth, the ground.
Edge, of a hill, as the fide or top.
Een, eyes.
Eild, age.
Eildccns, of the fame age.
Eiih, eafy. Eiibar, eafier.
Eibiick, elbow.
Elj-jhot, bewitched, fiiot by farles.
Elfon, a fhoemaker's awl.
Elriicb, wild, hideous, uninhabited, except
by imaginary ghofts.
Endlang, along.
Ergb, fcrupulous, when one makes faint at-
tempts to do a thing without a fteady re-
folution.
Erjl, time paft.
Ejller, Hewn flone. Buildings of fuch we
call ejllcr-work.
Ether, an adder.
Etle, to aim, defign.
Evened, compared.
Eydent, diligent, laborious.
F A
FA, a trap, fuch as is ufed for catching rata
or mice.
Fadge, a fpungy fort of bread in Ihape of a roll.
Fag, to tire, to turn weary.
Fail, thick turf, fuch as are ufed for build-
ing dikes for folds, inclofures, &c.
Fain, expreiTes earnefl: defires ; as fain would
I. Alfo, joyful, tickled with pleafure.
Fait, neat, in good order.
Fairfaw, when we wiih well to one, that a
good or fair fate may befall him.
Fang, the talons of a fowl. To fang, to grip,
or hold faft.
Fafh, vex or trouble. Fajhous, troublefome.
Faugh, a colour between white and red.
Faugh riggs, fallow ground.
Feck, a part, a quantity ; as, jtiai,^ feck, the
greatefl number; nae feck, very few.
Fcckfow, able, aftive.
Fecklefs, feeble, little and weak.
Feed or fead, feud, hatred, quarrel.
Fell, many, feveral.
b
8 GLOSSARY.
GAB
Fc?i, fiiift- Fending, living by induftry.
Mnke a fen, fall upon methods.
Terlie, wonder.
Fernzier, the lafl: or fore-run year.
File, to defile or dirty.
FireJJaught, a flafh of lightning.
Fi/tle, to ftir, a ftir.
Fit/led, the print of the foot.
Fizzing, whizzing.
Fhifing, moving up and down, raifing wind
by motion, as birds with their wings.
Flags, flaflies, as of wind and fire.
Flane, an arrow.
Flang, flung.
Flaughter, to pare turf from the ground.
Flaw, lie or fib.
Fleeuh, to cox or flatter.
Fleg, fright.
Flewet, a fmart blow.
Fley, or flie, to affright. Fleyt^ afFrald or
terrified.
Flinders, fplinters.
Flit, to remove.
Flite, to Jiyie, to fcold, chide. Flety did
fcold.
Flujlm, floods.
Fog, mofs.
Foordays, the morning far advanc'd, fair day-
light.
Forty, befides,.
Forebears, forefathers, anceftors.
Forfairn, abufed, befpatter'd.
Forfoughten, weary, faint and out of breath
with fighting.
Forgainjl, oppofite to.
Forgethcr, to meet, encounter.
Forleet, to forfake or forget.
Forejlam, the fore-head.
Fouih, abundance, plenty. >
Fozy, fpungy, foft.
Fran, to make a noife. We ufe to fay one
makes a frais, when they boaft, wonder,
and talk more of a matter than it is worthy
of, or will bear.
Fray, buflle, fighting.
Frcik, a fool, light, impertinent fellow.
Frcrnit, ftrange, not a-kin,
Frijlcd, trulfed.
FniJIo, brittle, like bread baken with butter.
Fi'ff, to blow. Fiiffin, blowing.
Furder, profper.
Furthy, forward.
FuJIj, brought.
Fyk, to be reltlefs, uneafy.
Furlel, four pecks.
G A
GAB, the mouth. To prat, gab fae gaj}}.
Gabbing, pratting pertly. To gab again, •when
fervants give faucy returns when repri-
mandetl.
Gabby, one of a ready and eafy exprefTion j
the fame with auld gabbct.
G O W
Gadge, to didate impertinently, talk Idly
with a ftupid gravity.
Gafaw, a hearty loud laughter. To gawfg
laugh.
Gait, a goat.
Gams, gums.
Gar, to caufe, make or force.
Gare, greedy, rapacious, earnefl to have a
thing.
Gajl), folid, fegacious. One with a long out
chin, ■wecd.WgaJh-gabbet, or gaJJj-beard.
Gate, way.
Gaunt, yawn.
Gawky, idle, flaring, idiotical perfon.
Gawn, going.
Gaws, galls.
Gawfy, jolly, buxome.
Geek, to mock.
Geed, or gade, went.
Genty, handfome, genteel.
Get, brat, a child by way of contempt or
derifion.
Gielainger, an ill debtor.
Gif, if.
Gilligacus, or gillygapus, a ftairing gaping
fool, a gormandizer.
Gilpy, a rogulfh boy.
Gimmer, a young fheep, (Ew.)
Gin, if.
Gird, to flrike, pierce.
Girn, to grin, fnarl. Alfo a fnare or trap,
fuch as boys make of horfe hair, to catch
birds.
Girth, a hoop.
Glaiks, an idle good for nothing fellow.
Glaiked, foolifh, wanton, light. To give
the glaiks, to beguile one, by giving him
his labour for his pains.
Glaijier, to bawl or bark.
Glamour, juggling. When devils, wizards,
or jugglers deceive the fight, they are faid
to cail glamour o'er the eyes ofthefpectator.
Glar, mire, ouzy mud.
Glee, to fquint.
Gleg, fharp, quick, aftive.
Glen, a narrow valley between mountains.
Gloom, to fcoul or frown.
Glooming, the twilght or evening-gloom.
Glowr, to flare, look ftern.
Glunjh, to hang the brow and grumble.
Goan, a wooden difh for meat.
Goolie, a large knife.
Gorlings, or gorblings, young unfleg'd birds
Gojffie, gofTip.
Gowans, daizies.
Gove, to look broad and ftedfafl, holding up
the face.
Gowf, befides the known game, a racket or
found blew on the chops, we call a gowf on
the haffet.
Gotuk, the cuckow. In derifion we call a
thoughtlefs feliow, and one who harps too
long on one fubjedt, a gowk.
GLOSSARY.
H I R
Cowlj a howling, to bellow and cry.
Goujly, ghaftly, large, wafte, defolate, and
frightful.
Grany, grandmother, any old woman.
Grape, a trident fork. Alfo to grope.
Gree, prize, vidory.
Green, to long for.
Greet, to weep. Grat, wept.
Grieve, an overfeer.
Groff, grofs, coarfe.
Grotts, mill'd oats.
Grouf, to ly flat on the belly.
Grounche, or glunjh, to murmure, grudge.
Grutten, wept.
Gryfe, a pig.
Gumpiion, good fenfe.
Gurly, rough, bitter cold (weather.)
Gyfend, when the wood of any velfel is llirunk
with drinefs.
Cyilings. Young children.
H A
HJFFET, the cheek, fide of the head.
Jiagabag, coarfe nappery.
Haggije. a kind of pudding made of the lungs
and liver of a fheep, and boiled in the big
bag.
Hags, hacks, peat-pits, or breaks in mofly
grour.d.
Hain, to fave, manage narrowly.
Halefome, wholefome: as, hale, whole.
Hallen, a fcreen.
Hameld, domeilic.
Hamely, friendly, frank, open, kind.
Hanty, convenient, handfome.
Harle, drag.
Harns, brains. Harn-parii the fcull.
HarJJnp, ruin.
Hajh, a floven.
Haveren, or havrel, one who talks nonfenfe.
Haughs, valleys, or low grounds on the fides
of rivers.
Havins, good breeding. Haviour, hehzviom.
Haws, the throat, or fore part of the neck.
Heal, or heel, health, or whole.
Heepy, a perfon hypocondriac.
Heeryejireen, the night before yefternight.
Heez, to lift up a heavy thing a little. A
heezy is a good lift.
Hefiit, accultonied to live in a place.
Height, promifed. Alfo, named.
Henipy, a tricky wag, fuch for whom the
hemp grows.
Hereit, ruined in eftate, broke, fpoiled.
Hefp, a clafp or hook, bar or bolt. Alfo, in
yarn, a certain number of threads.
Hether-bells, the heath bloflbm.
Heugh, a rock or ffeep hill. Alfo, a coal-pit.
Hiddils, or hidlings, lurking, hidding-places.
To do a thing m hidlings, i. c. privately.
H'rple, to znove flowly and lamely.
Hirjle, to move as with a ruitling noife.
HirJIe^ or hirfdak, a flock of cattle.
KEN
Ho, a fingle flocking.
Hobblcfloow, confufed racket, noife.
Hool, hufli. Hool'd, inclofed.
Hooly, flow.
Hoji, or ivhojl, to cough.
Hou, or hu, a cap or roof-tree.
How, low ground, a hollow.
How! Ho!
Howderd, hidden.
Howdy, a midv/ife.
Howk, to dig.
Howms, plains on river fides.
Ho;vt, fy!
Howtowdy, a young hen.
Hurkle, to crouch or bow together like a cat,
hedge-hog, or hare.
Hut, a hovel.
Hyt, mad.
J A
yJCK, Jacket,
yag, to prick as with a pin.
Jaw, a wave or gufh of water.
Jap, the dafhing of water.
Icejhcgles, icicles.
jce, to incline to one fide. To jee back and
fore, is to move like a balk up and down,
to this and the other fide.
Jig, to crack, make a noife like a cart-wheel.
yinip, flender.
yip, gypfie.
Ilk, each. Ilky every.
Ingan, onion.
higle, fire.
yo, fweat-heart.
youk^ a low bow.
ire, fearful, terrified, as if afraid of fome
ghoR or apparition. Alfo, melancholy.
r/e, I fliall; as /'//for 1 will.
Ijles, embers.
yunt, a large joint or piece of meat.
yute, four or dead liquor.
yybe, to mock. Gibe, taunt.
K A
Kaber, a rafter.
Kale, or kail, cole-wort, and fometlmes broth.
Kacky, to fhite.
Kain, a part of a farm-rent paid in fowls.
Kame, comb.
Kanny, or canny, fortunate. Alfo, warry,
one who manages his affairs difcreetly.
Kebiick, a cheefe.
Keckle, to laugh, to be noify.
Kedgy, jovial.
Keek, to peep.
Keljgm^oih with a freeze, commonly made
ornative black wool.
Kemp, to ftrive who fliall perform mofl of
the fame work, in the fame time.
Ken, to know ; uled in England as a noun.
a thing within ken, /. e. within view.
GLOSSARY.
Lie
Kent, a long (laff, fuch as fhepherds ufe fot
leaping over ditches.
Keep, to catch a thing that moves towards
one.
Kicjl, did cad. Vid. cooji.
Kilted, tuck'd up.
Kimmer, a female goflip.
Kirn, a churn, to churn.
Kirtle, an upper petticoat.
Kitchen, all iorts of eatables, except bread.
Kittle, difficult, myfterious, knotty (writings.)
Kittle, to tickle, ticklifh.
Knacky, witty and facetious.
Knoit, to beat or ftrike fliarply.
Knoos'd, buffeted and bruifed.
Knoofl, or knuijl, a large lump.
Know, a hillock.
Knuhlock, a knob.
Knuckles, only ufed in Scots for the joints of
the fingers next the back of the hand.
KoTV, goblin, or any perfon one Hands in
awe to diloblidge, and fears.
Ky, kine or cows.
K'sth, to appear. He'll kyth in his ain colours.
Kyt, the belly.
L A
LA GGERT, befpatter'd, covered with clay.
Laigh, low.
Laits, manners.
Lak or lack, undervalue, contemn; as, he
that laks my mare, would buy my mare.
Landart, the, country, or belonging to it.
Ruftic.
hane, alone.
Langour, languilhing, melancholy. To hold
one out of langour, i. e. divert him.
Lankale, coleworts uncut.
Lap, leaped.
Lapper'^d, cruddled or clotted.
Lare, a place for laying, or that has been
layn in.
Lare, bog.
Lave, the reft or remainder.
Lawin, a tavering reckoning.
Lawland, low country.
Lavrock, the lark.
Lauiy, or Lawtith, juftice, fidelity, honefty.
Leal, true, upright, honed, faithful to trull:,
loyal. A leal heart never lied.
Leam, flame.
Lear, learning, to learn.
Lee, untill'd ground; alfo an open grafly
plain.
Leglcn, a milking-pale without one lu^ or
handle.
Leman, a kept mifs.
Lends, buttocks, loins,
Leugh, Inughed.
Lew-warm, lukewarm.
Libhit, gelded.
Lick, t-o whip or beat; item, a wag or cheat,
is called a great lick.
M E I .
Lied, ye lied, ye tell a lie.
Lift, the {ky or firmament.
Liggs, Lyes.
Lills, the holes of a wind inftrument of mu-
fick; hence. Lilt up a fpring. Lilt it oitt.
Take of your drink merrily.
Limmer, a whore.
Limp, to halt.
Lin, a cataraft.
Ling, quick career in a flraight line, to gallop.
Lingle, cord, (hoe-maker's thread.
Linkan, Walking fpeedily.
Lire, breafts. Item, the moft mufcular parts ; .
fometimes the air or complexion of the ,
face.
Lirk, a wrinkle or fold.
Lijk, the flank.
Lith, a joint.
Loan, a little common near to country villa»
ges, where they milk their cov^s.
Loch, a lake.
Loe, to love.
Loofy the hollow of the hand.
Looms, Tools, inftruments in general. Vef-
fels.
Loot, did let.
Low, flame. Lowan, flaming.
Lown, calm. Keep lown, be fecret. ^
Loun, rogue, whore, villain.
Launder, a found blow.
Lout, to bow down, making courtefie. To
ftoop.
Luck, to enclofe, fliutup, faften; hence, Lu-
cken handed, clofe filled, Lucken, gowans^
booths, &e.
Lucky, Grandmother or goody.
Lug, ear. Handle of a pot or veflTcI.
Luggie, a difli of wood with a handle.
Lum, the chimney.
Lure, rather.
Lyart, hoary or grey-hair'd.
MA
MA GIL, to mangle.
Maik or make, to match, equal.
Maikle/s, matchlefs.
Mailen, a farm.
Makly, feemly, well proportlon'd.
Makfna, 'tis no matter.
Mali/on, a curfe, malediftion.
Mangit, gall'd or bruifed or bruifed by toil,
or ftripes.
Mank, a want.
Mani, to ftammer in fpeech.
March or merch, a land-mark, border of.
lands.
Marh, the marrow.
Marrow, mate, fellow, equal, comrade.
MaJJi, to mafli, in brewing. Mafimg-lootn,
malli-vat.
Maun, mud. Mauna, mud not, may not.
Mcikle, much, big, great, lai— c.
I
GLOSSARY. II
O N Y
Me'tth, limit, mark, fign.
Mends, fatisfaftion, revenge, retaliation. To
make a mends, to make a grateful return.
Menfe, dilcretion, fobriety, good breeding.
Mensfou, mannerly.
Menziey company of men, army, affembly,
one's followers.
Meffen, a little dog, lap-dog.
Midding, a dunghill.
Midges, gnats, little flies.
Mtni, aflfededly modeft.
Mini, aim, endeavour.
Mirk, dark.
Mifcaw, to give names.
Mi/chance, misfortune.
Mijken, to negleft or not take notice of one j
alfo, let alone.
Mijlujhous, malicious, rough.
Mijlers, necellities, wants.
Mittans, woolen gloves.
Many, many.
Mods, the earth of the grave.
Mou, mouth.
Moup, to eat, generally ufed of children, or
of old people, who have but few teeth, and
make their lips move fail, though they eat
but flow.
Mow, a pin or bing, as of feuel, hay fiieaves
of corn, &c.
Mouus, jefts.
Muckle, keMeikk.
Murgii:ied, mifiaanaged, abufed.
Mutch, coif.
Mutckken, an Englijh pint.
N A
JsACKTor knacky clever.adivein fmall affairs.
Neefe, nofe.
Netle, to fret or vex.
Neivfangle, fond of a new thing.
Nevel, a found blow with the nive or fifi:.
Nick, to bite or cheat. Nicked, cheated :
alfo as a cant word to drink heartily ; as He
nicks fine.
2^ieji next.
Nijfer, to exchange or barter.
Niffr.ajen, trifling.
Nignays, trifles.
Nips, bitts.
Nither, to n;raiten. Nithered, hungered or
half fliarved in maintenance.
Nive, the fill.
Nock, notch or nick of an arrow or fpindle.
Noit, {^sknoit.
Nowt, cows, kine.
Nowther, neither.
Nuckle, new calv'd (cows.)
O E
OE, a grandchild.
O'er or owre, too much j a A* o*ers is vice.
Overcome, fuperplus.
Onyy any.
PRY
Or, fometimes ufed for e'er or before. Or
day, i. e. Before day break.
Ora, any thing over what's needful.
Orp, to weep with a conclufive pant.
Oughtlens, in the leafl:.
Owk, week.
Our lay, a cravat.
Owfen, oxen.
Owthur, either.
Oxier, the arm-pit.
P A
PADDOCK, a frog. Paddock- Ride^ th«
fpawn of frogs.
Paiks chaftifement. To paik, to beat or be«
labour one foundly.
Pang, to fqeez, prefs or pack one thing into
another.
Paughty, proud, haughty.
Pawky, witty or fly in word or adion, with-
out any harm or bad defigns.
Peer, a key or wharf.
Peets, turf for fire.
Pegb, to pant.
Pcnfy, finical, foppifli, conceited.
Perquire, by heart.
Pctt, a favourite or fondling. To pettle, to
dandle, feed, cherifii, flatter. Hence, to
take the pett, is to be peevifli or fullen, as
commonly petts are when in the lead: dif-
obliged.
Pibroughs, fuch Highland tunes as are play'J
on bag- pipes before them when they go
out to battle.
Pig, an eardiern pitcher.
Pike, to pick out, or chufe.
Pimkin, pimping, mean, fcurvy.
Pine, pain or dining.
Pingle, to contend flrive or work hard.
Pirn, the fpool or quill within the fliuttle,
which receives the Yarn. Pirny, (cloath
or a web) of unequal threads or colours,
ftripped.
Pith, ftrength, might, force.
Plack, two bodies, or the 3d of a penny Eng-
lifli.
Pople or paple, the bubling, purling or boyl-
ing of water. (Popling.)
Poortith, poverty.
Powny, a little horfe or gallowayj alfo a turky.
Poufe, to pufli.
Poiitch, a pocket.
Pratick, praftice, art, flratagem. Priving
pratick, trying ridiculous experiment.
Prets, tricks, rogueries. We fay. He plaid me a
pret, i. e. Cheated. The callan'sfou of pretSy
i. e. Has abundance of waggifli tricks.
Prig, to cheapen, or importune for a lower
price of goods one is buying.
Prin, a pin.
Prive, to prove or tafle.
Propine, gift or prefen^.
Prpi or Prime, to fill or fluff.
GLOSS ARY.
SAL
Putt a /lane, throw a big ftone.
^ey, a young cow.
R A
RJCKLESS, carelefs. One who does
thing? without regarding whether they be
good or bad, we call him racklefs handed,
Rae, a roe.
Raffan, merry, roving, hearty.
Raird, a loud found.
Rair, roar.
Rak or Rook, a mifl or fog.
Rampage, to fpeak and a£t furioufly.
Rafhes, ruflies.
Rave, did rive or tear.
Raugbt, reached.
Rax, to ftretch. Rax'd, reached.
Ream, zxQzxn. Whence, i^^^zw/w^; zs^rea/fi'
i?ig liquor.
Redd, to rid, unravel. To feperate folks
that are fighting. It alfo fignifies clearing
of any pafTage. I'm redd, I'm apprehen-
five.
Rede, council, advice ; as, / ivadna red ye
to do that.
Reck, reach ; alfo fmoak.
Reeji, to raft, or dry in the fmoak.
Reft, bereft, robbed, forced or carried away.
Reif, rapine, robbery.
Reik or Rink, a courfe or race.
Rever, a robber or pirate.
Reivth, pity.
Rice, or Rife, bulrulhes, bramble-branches,
or twigs of trees.
Rife or Ryfe, plenty.
Rift, fo belch.
Rigging, the back or rig-back, the top or
ridge, of a houfe.
Ripples, a weaknefs in the back and reins.
Rock, a diftaff.
Roufe, or rufc, to commend, extoll.
Roove, to rivet.
Roifan, a rat.
Roundel, a witty, and often fatyrick kind of
rhyme.
Rowan, rolling.
Rowt, to roar, efpecially the lowing of bulls
and cows.
Rotvth, plenty.
Ruck, a rick or (lack of hay or corns.
PmIc, the red taint of the completion.
Ruefu, doleful.
Rug, to pull, take away by force.
Rumple, the rump.
Rungs, fmall boughs of trees lop'd off.
Runkle, a wrinkle. Runckle, to rufle.
Rype, to fearch.
S A
SAEBEINS, ko\i\^\ti%. Since.
Saiklef, guiltlcfs, free.
Sain'd, biefl'ed.
Sal/, fhall. Like foud iot JJpou/J.
8 K I
Sand-blind, pur-blind, mort-fighted.
Sar, favour or fmell.
Sark, a (hirt.
Saugh, a willow or fallow tree.
Saw, an old faying or proverbial expreffion.
Scad, fcald.
Scar, the bare places on the fides of hills
walhen down with rains.
Scart, to fcratch.
Scawp, a bare, dry piece of ftony ground.
Scon, bread the country people bake over the
fire, thinner and broader than a bannock.
Scowp, to leave or move haflily from one place
to another.
Scowth, room, freedom.
Scrimp, narrow, flraitned, little.
Scroggs, fliurbs, thorns, briers. Scraggy,
thorny.
Scuds, ale. A late name given it by the
benders.
Scunner, to loath.
Sell, felf.
Seuch, furrow, ditch.
Sey, to try.
Seybow, a young onion.
Shan, pitiful, filly, poor.
Sham, cow's dung.
Shaw, a wood or foreft.
Shawl, fhallow.
Shawps, empty hulks.
Sheen, Ihining.
Shill, flirill, having a fliarp found.
Shire, clear thin. We call thin cloath, or
clear liquor, y2)/>if; alio, a clever wag, A
fhire lick.
Shog, to wag, {hake, or jog backwards and
forwards.
Shool, fliovel.
Shoon, flioes.
Shore, to threaten.
Shotle, a drawer.
Sib, a-kin.
Sic, fuch.
Sicker, firm, fecure.
Sike, a rill or rivulet, commonly dry in fum-
mer.
Siller, Silver.
Sindle or Sink, feldom.
Sinfyne, fince that time. Lang finfyne, long
ago.
Skciill, to fcatter.
Skair, fliare.
Skaiih, hurt, damage, lofs.
Skeigh, fkittifli.
Sketf fhelf.
Skelp, to run. Ufed when one runs barefoot.
Alfo a fmall fplinter of wood. //. to flog
the hips.
Skiff, to move fmoothly away.
Skink, a kind of (trong broth made of cows
hams or knuckles ; alfo, to fill drink in a
cup.
Skirt, to fliriek or cry with a Ihrill voice.
GLOSSARY. 13
S P E
Sklate^ flate. Skai/ie, is the fine blue flate.
Scowrie, ragged, nally, idle.
Skreed, a rent.
Skybald, a tatterdemalion.
Skyt, fly out haftily.
Slcide, or Jlaid, did Aide, moved, or made a
thing move eafily.
Slap or Jluk, a gap, or narrow pafs between
two hills. Slap, a breach in a wall.
Sleeky fmooth.
Sleet, a ftiower of half melted fnow.
Slerg, to bedawb or phiifler.
Slid, fmooth, cunning, flippery; zs. He's a
yiid loivn. Siidry, flippery.
Slippery, fleepy.
Slonk, a mire, ditch or fiough ; to wide thro'
a mire.
Slote, a bar or bolt for a door.
Slough, huflv or coat.
Smaik, a filly little pitiful fellow j the fame
with Smatrhet.
Smirky, fmiling.
Smittle, infectious or catching.
Smoor, to fmother.
Snack, nimble, ready, clever.
Sned, to cut.
Sneer, to laugh in derif-on.
Sneg, to cut; as, Sneg'd off at the web-end.
Snell, fharp, fmarting, bitter, firm.
Snib, fnub, check or reprove, corred.
Snifter, to fnulFor breathe thro' the nofe a
little ftopt.
Snod, Metaphorically ufed for neat, hand-
fome, tight.
Snood, the band for tying up a woman's hair.
Snool, to difpirit by chiding, hard labour,
and the like ; alio, a pitiful grovling Have.
Snocve, to whirl round.
Snoiter, foot.
Snurl, to riiflle or wrinkle.
Sod, a thick turf.
Sonfy, happy, fortunate,lucky;fometimes ufed
for large and lufty.
Sore, forrel, redifli coloured.
Sorn, to fpunge.
Sofs, the noife that a thing makes when it falls
to the ground.
Sough, the found of vvind amongfl; trees, or of
one fieeping.
Soivens, flumry, or oat-meal fowr'd amongfl
Water for lome time, then boil'd to a con-
fifiency, and eaten with milk or butter.
Soivf, to conn over a tune on an indru-
ment.
Spae, to foretell or divine. Spaemen, pro-
phets, augurs.
Spain, to wean from the breaft.
Spait, a torrent, flood, or inundation.
Spang, a jump; to leap or jump.
Spaul, flioulder, arm.
Speel, to climb.
Speer, to afk, inquire.
S W E
Speldcr, to fplit, ftretch, fpread out, draw a^*
funder.
Spence, the place of the houfe where provifi-
ons are kept.
Spill, to fpoil, abufe.
Spoolie, fpoil, booty, plunder.
Spraings, ftripes of different colours.
Spring, a tune on a mufical inltrument.
Sprujh, fpruce.
Spruiil'd, fpeckled, fpotted.
Spunk, tinder.
Slakvart, ftrong and valiant.
Stang, did fl;ing; alfo a fting or pole.
Stank, a pool of Handing water.
Stark, firong, robuO:.
Starns, the Itars. Siarn, a fmall moity. We
fay. Ne'er a Jlarn.
Stay, fteep ; as, Set a Jlout heart to a Jlay
brae.
Steek, to fhut, clofe.
Stegh, to cram.
Stend, or Jien, to move with a hafty long
pace.
Stent, to flretch or extend.
Stipend, a benefice.
Stirk, a fleer or bullock.
Stoit, or Jiot, to rebound or refledt.
Stoor, rough, hoarfe.
Stoit, to cut or crop. A Jlou, a large cut or
piece.
Stound, a fmarting pain or flitch.
Siour, dufl agitated by winds, men or horfe
feet. To Jlour, to run quickly.
Stowlh, fteaith.
Strnpan, clever, tall, handfome.
Strath, a plain on a river-nde.
Streek, to flretch.
Striddle, to flride, applied commonly to one
that's little.
Strinkle, to fprinkle or flraw.
Stroot, or Jlrute, fluff'd full, drunk.
Strunt, apett. To take thejirunt, to be pet-
ted or out of humour.
Studdy, an anvil, or fmith's filthy.
Sturdy, giddy-headed. //. flrong.
Sttire, OK floor, fliff', flrong, hoarfe.
Sturt, trouble, diflurbance, vexation.
Stym, a blink, or a little fight of a thing,
Suddle, to fully or defile.
Siiniph, blockhead.
Sunkan, fpleenatick.
Sunkots, fomething.
Swak, to throw, call with force.
S-wankies, clever young fellows.
Swarf, to fwoon away.
Swajh, fquat, fudled.
Swatch, a pattern.
Swats, fmall ale.
Swetch, burden, weight, force.
Sweer, lazy, flow.
Sweeties, confeftions.
Swelt, fufFocated, choaked to death.
14
GLOSSARY.
TOO
Smth, begone quickly.
Swlther, to be doubtful whether to do this or
that.
Spe, afterwards, then.
T A
Tackel^^zXi arrow.
Taid, toad.
Tane, taken.
Tap, a head. Such a quantity of lint as fpin-
Iters put upon the didafF, is called a Lint-
tap.
T ape, to ufe any thing fparingly.
T appit-hen, the Scots quart-ftoup.
T arrow, to refufe what we love, from a crofs
humour.
Tartan^ crofs ftrip'd fluff, of various colours,
checker'd. The Highland plaids.
Tafs, a little dram-cup.
Tate, a fmall lock of hair, or any little quan-
tity of wool, cotton, he.
Taunt, to mock.
Tawpy, a foolifh wench.
T az, a whip or fcourge.
Ted, to fcatter, fpread.
Tee, a little earth on which gamefters at the
gowf fet their balls before they flrike them
off.
Teen, or tynd, anger, rage, forrow,
Teet, to peep out.
Tenfome, the number of ten.
Tent, attention. Tenty, cautious.
Thack, thatch.
Thae, thofe.
Tharms, fmall flripes.
Theck, to thatch.
Thig, to beg or borrow.
Thir, thefe.
Thole, to endure, fufFer.
Thow, thaw.
Thowlefs, unaflive, filly, lazy, heavy.
Thrawart, forward, crofs, crabbed.
Thrawin, flern and crofs-grain'd.
Threep or threap, to aver, alledge, urge and
affirm boldly.
Thrimal, to prefs or fqueez through with dif-
ficulty.
Thud, a blaft, blow, ftorm, or the violent
found of thefe. Crfd heh at ilka thud,
i. e. Gave a groan at every blow.
Tid, tide or time, proper timej as, He took the
tid.
Tift, good order, health.
Tine, to lofe. Tint, loft.
Tinfel, lofs.
Tip or tippony, ale fold for two-pence the
Scots pint.
Tirle, or tirr, to uncover a houfe.
Titty, fifter.
Tocher, portion, dowry.
Tod, a fox.
Tooly, to fight. A fight or quarrel.
W H I
Toom, empty, applied to a barrel, purfe, houfe,
&c. It. To empty.
Tojh, tight, neat.
Tofie, warm, pleafant, half fuddled.
To the fore, in being, alive, unconfumed.
Toufe, or toufle, to rumple, teaze.
Tout, the found of a horn or trumpet.
Tow, a rope.
Towmond, an year or twelvemonth.
Trewes, hofe and breeches all of a piece.
Trig, neat, handfome.
Troke, exchange.
True, to trow, truft, believe.
Truf, fteal.
Tryjl, appointment.
Turs, turfs. Turs, trufs.
Twin, to part with, or feperate from.
Twitch, touch.
Twinters, fheep of two years old,
Tydie, plump, fat, lucky.
Tynd, vid. Teen.
T'yji, to intice, ilir up, allure.
U G
IJgg, to detefl, hate, naufeate.
Ugfome, hateful, naufeous.
■ Umwhi/e, the late, or deceaft fometlme ago.
Of old.
Undocht or Wandocht, a filly weak perfon.
Uneith, not eafy.
Ungeard, naked, not clad, unharnefs'd.
Unko or unco, uncouth, ftrange.
Unli'fum, unlovely.
Vougy, elevated, proud.
Wad or wed, pledge, wager, pawn; alfo,
wound.
Waff, wandring by itfclf.
Wak, moift, wet.
Wale, to pick and chufe.
Walop, to move fwiftly with much agitation.
Wally, chofen, beautiful, large.
Wame, womb.
Wandought, want of dought. Impotent.
Wangrace, wickcdnefs, want of grace.
War, worfe.
Warlock, wizard.
Wat or wit, to know.
Waught, a large draught.
Wee, little.
Wean or wee am, a child.
Wean, thought, imagin'd, fuppofed.
Weer, to flop or oppofe.
Weir, war.
Weird, fate or defliny.
Weit, rain.
Werp, infipid, wallowifh, wanting falc.
Whauk, whip, beat, flog.
Whid, to fly quickly.
Whilk, which.
Whilly, to cheat. WhiUy-ivha, a cheat.
Whinding, whining.
Whins, furze.
GLOSS ARY.
W R E
W.iifit, hufii. Hold your peace.
Whifi, to pull out haltily.
Whomilt, turn'd upfide down.
Wight, flout, clever, adive. Item., a man or
perfon.
Wimpling, a turning backward and forward,
windinsf like the meanders of a river.
Win or won, to refide, dwell.
Winna, will not.
Winnocks, windows.
Win/on, gaining, defirable, agreeable, com-
plete, large.
Wirrykow, a bug-bear or goblin.
Wifent, parch'd, dry'd, wither'd.
Wijile, to exchange (money.)
Wither/bins, motion againft the fun.
Woo or w, wool.
Wood, mad.
Woody., the gallows.
Wordy, worthy.
Wow! wonderful! ftrange !
Wreaths, of fnow, when heaps of it are blown
y U L
together by the wind.
IVyJing, inclining. To wife, to lead, train.
Wyfon, the gullet.
Wyt, to blame. Blame.
Y A
TJMPH, to bark, or make a noife like
little dogs.
Tap, hungry, having a longing defire for a-
ny thing ready.
Tealtou, yea wilt thou.
Ted, to contend, wrangle.
Teld, barren, as a cow that gives no milk,
Terk, to do any thing with celerity.
Tejk, the hiccup.
Tett, gate.
Tejlrecn, yefternightr
Toudiih, youthfulnefs.
Touden, wearied.
Towf, a fwinging blow.
Tuke, the itch.
Tule, Chriftmafs.
FINIS.
The Wawking of the Fauld.
m
i
-4 •M-
* — #
My P^ggJ is a young thing, jaft entery ^in her teenss Fair as the day, and
1
t
i - -
1 —
f ..-
— ' ]
f 1
m
•
I*
K ,1
fweet as mav, Fair as the day, and ai.- >va^s , gaj;. mj^ > Peggy is a joang thing, and
— ' f — ■ ■■ ' ' " " ' '
— 0
I'm not ve_ry said; Yet veil [ like to meet her, at the wawking of the fauld My
1
3
P 6
1^
V I I I ISA
Peggv fpeaks fae fweetly, when _ e'er we meet a _ lane, I wifli nae mair. to lav my care, f
r — ^
1 j
m —
m
f-^ —
m
—J
1
^ —
wifh nae mair of a' that's rare, mv I^eggV fpeak.s fae fweetly, to a' the lave I'm cauld; But
5
i
fhe gars a' mv fpirits glow, at wawk _ ing of the fauld
i
My Peggy fmiles fae kindly.
Whene'er I wiiilper love.
That I look down on a' the town.
That I look down upon a crown;
My Peggy fmiles fae kindly.
It makes me blytb and bauld;
And naithing gi'es me fic delight.
As wawking of the fan Id.
My Peggy fings fae faftly,
When on my pipe I play.
By a' the reft it is confeft.
By a' the reft, that fhe fings beft:
My Peggy fings fae faftly,
And in her fangs are taaid.
With innocence, the wale of fenfe.
At wawking of the fauld.
2
Fy gar rub her .o'er wi' ftrae.
Slowifh X*-^ Dear Roger, if yonr Jen _ i
nj geek, And anfwer kindnefs wi' a flight. Seem
-1* — f-
i
ua_con_cern'd at her ne - gleet for wo _ man in a man de _ light
Bnt
6 ■ '(5-.
1^
-t- —
i
them def _ pife who 're foon defeat, And w." a fimple face give way To
"* — - — » — = — ■ ■ — ■■ ' '
w
is:
« 6-
h\ n n 'f,
=^i=U-ff:^^i .1. Hi I
repnife
then be not blate, Pu/h baldly on, and win the dav.
m
When maidens, innoce^itlv yonng.
Say aften what they never mean.
Ne'er mind their pretty lying tongne.
Bat tent the language of their een:
If thefe agree, and fhe perfift
To anfwer a*' yonr love with hate.
Seek elfewhere to be better bleft.
And let her figh when 'tis too late.
Polwart on the green.
S lowi fh
The dor_ty will repent. If lovers heart grew canicl. And na'ie her frjles will
i
■
-✓^-^ *ii+c 4-ri/-i'
^^^^^
i !
eats, tho' hanger crave; Whimpers and tarrows at its meat, And's laaght at by the
i
lave: Thev jeft it^ till the 'l-.n-oe-s paA; Thus, bv it _ Telf a^ _bns'd. The
* ~ V — ■ 't^ \ — r-m r—Ml
fool thing is o _ bl'g o' to faft, Or eat what they've re _ _ fiis'd
!1| ',-rrc=;>:
O clear mother, v.hrit fhall T do.
^1
rj
1^
: 1
-*
r
OWlitl
O dear feggy, love's be - guil _ -no; , \\p oaght not to tnift his fruiting;
■0 — «-
Better far to do
as
I do. Left a harder lyck be - tide voir. Laf _ s^s
Q
• —
m
— (
1A7 r» £> n
i
H'-T»-n>
wnen
hen their fancy's carried, Think of noaght but to be mar_ ried. Ran _ ning
i
i
i-«-r
.'fV;.i 1 1 ■ 1
^1^;
-r^ to
a
' JLi
_i — 1
life def.
. trovs
— '
Hartfome.
free, and
yoath _ fa'
joys-
'J •
H — -1 1- —
How can I be fad on my wedding-day.
1
Livelv
How fhall I be fad when a hnf^ _ band I hae That
r r
has bet - ter fenic lhan o _ nj of thae Sour weak fil _ ly fal_lows, that
-H P
r • r •
i
ftn _ dj, like fools, To fink their am joy, and make their wives fnools. The
r^^Tf
^ --' — 1
1--^
-
5=
^^^^^^
(*-^ man who is prr _ dent ne er light -lies his wife, Or wi' dnil re _ proaches
r r
g — #-
con
- ra _ ges ftrife; He praif_ es her virtues, and ne'er will a_ bnfe Her
3^
tor a Imall rai
or a fmall failing, but find
an
ex _ cnfe .
1
Nanfy's to the green -wood gane
c5
—
1 — ^
p
a' that we can do or fay 'GainTt lo^e, nae think _ er heeds us: They
ken cur :;..^c x3 -^cge the fae That the be^rt - ftncgs leads as
^at not
CauM Jiail in Aberdeer£.
^ k 1 — It
^ -k r-l S =3
C^.n Id be
the
re _ beis cait. Op _ prsfscrs bnfe j blooey i
Qaick ^^^'Z^
hope we'll fee them at the laft ftrang a' cp in a woody. Bleft be he of
^^^^^
worth and . fenfe. And e _ Ter high in ftation. That brave _ ly ftands in
non .
■6
m
Mucking of Geordy's b)'re
; — ; k — \ — N !■> , J ^ ^ [ —
The laird wjia in riches and honocr T^.'arf thrive, fhoald be kind _ Ij and
^^-4-, 1
i
i
free. Nor rack his poor tenants wha labour To rife aboon po_ver_ _ ty; Elfe
p.' m. - .
p
m
like tile pick— fcorfe that's an _ fother'd. And barden'd, will tarn _ ble down faint: Th
us
i
I
■i"
-^l*-^ virtne bj ibardrrio is fmotiier'd. And racktrs aft tinr their rent.
? 1 1
-T— c-= — r i-r-'-^^ — *-T —
0
r-^ '
1
-J p_^-_pt->-+ 4-T
:^_J_
1
^ -iH—
Carle, an' the kingr come,
Peggy, now the king's c^e, Peqgv, new the king's come Thoa maj dance, and I fhall
I ^
C-^ — J — 5 — 1 J J J ^ 1 .-jj
•
U jrnr ITT
! .J._^
Ml
r J, ~i
—J
^-4
P
-^•^ -ooat i.y: Hlk, Ar.d 'oe a laclv of that Now, 'Peggy, fmce the king's coire.
. The vellow- hair'd ladie.
7
-*v^- — ^ ■ I — ' ^ = — ' ^ y — r
Slow When firft my dear ladie gade to the green hill. And I at "evv -
milk _ ing firft fej'd nay yoang flcill. To bear milk bowie nae pain was to
me. When I at th;.- baght _ ing for _ gather 'd wi'
the*
P A T I E .
When corn-rigs Mfav'd yellow, and blue heather-bells
Blooma bonny on moorland, and fweet rifuig feils,
Nae birns, briers, or breckens gave tronble to uie.
If I fonnd the berries right ripen 'd for thee.
Pegcy.
When thoc ran, or HTeftied, or putted the ftane.
And came aff the v:ctcr, my heart was ay fain :
Thy ilka fpcrt manly gave pleafure to me;
For naae can pntt, wreftle, or run fWift as thee.
Oar
Pa Ti E.
s faftly the Cowden -broom-knows
And Rofisy lilts iweetly the Milking the ews;
1 here's fev* Jer.-y Nettles like Nanfy can fingJ
At throv"-t-ic-^«'Cod -ladie, Befs gars ocr'lags ring:
Bat v-ben m-r dear "Peggy iings wi' better [kill.
The Boat--^a- , Tv.eed-fide.or the Lafj of the Mill,
It's mrny tiznec^ f Taster aE(^ pleafant to me;
For tto' they 'irLQ r-i'^ely^ they cannot like thee.
PFG G Y.
How- eafy can j.r<i';:2.<; trow' what- they defire.
And .praiftC" fae kieatf "ncr<,a!"es love's f;re:
Gi e ras tu'ii tcis pl^-'Jur':;. m/ itirclj ili'/Ll b.c,
'^^'^ m^\t=''vi ■K'-'.T and iVrccler f'cr thee.
♦
8
Bv the delicious warmnefs of lh\ mouth.
Patie Sings. _
Bj the de licions warm - r>e£s of thj month, And row ing
kt^^ —
^ 9it
b/f^' f
J ^
W-^ — ^ — J
^ eyes tha
t fmil _ ing
tell the troth, I
gaefs, my iaf_ fie, that, as
1 i F i 1— 1 1 — -
—r-r-
■-—i j — J L:_
Peggy Sings
ken ye, lad, gin we con - fefa o'er foon, Ye think as cheap, and fyn^ the
^^^^^^^^^^
— — P — 1 — : — k —
woo
—
=• f f
ing s done: The
maiden that o'er quickly tines her power. Like aa_ ripe
■ 1 ! 1 ; 7 t- A 1 . , ill
v.. c
r —
_j — m 4 4- — — ,
I ' ■
frail
\-
t, will tafte but
iiard and fowT.
\ s \ H
N.B. The i?^ Meafure muft be repeated
for Paties laft verfe.
1^. ' • ' ' } i • .
Patie Sings.
Bat gin t^ey h ing o'er lang apon the tree.
Their fweetnefs they may tine; and fae may ye-.
Red cheeked yoa completely ripe appear'.
And I ha'e thol'd and vroo'd a laag H;«ff-veqir.
9
Peggy ringing, falls into Patie's arms.
Then dinna pa me; gently thus I fa'
Into mj Patie's arms, for good and a'.
But ftint joar wifhes to this kind embrace.
And mint nae farer till we've got the grace.
Pat IE (with his left hand about her waift.)
O charming armfa' hence ye cares away,
I'll kifs my treafnre a' the live-lang day;
A' night I'll dream my klfses o'er again.
Till that day come that ye'll be a' my aim .
Sung by both
Brixkly
■-^ -1—
•
— J
1 J
1
J J' U^
■J~ lafh your fteeds poft
h-^ — \ —
time away, A
nd
nafte a _ boar car
3nd
J— J-i
\\ dayl
And
M i !>■ 1—
if ye're wearied.
W d—* 1
M
r r- 1 ^ 1
y t r :
m
hon _ eft light. Sleep, gin ye like, a week that night. And if ye're wearied.
nil J . J I
7^
honeft light. Sleep, gin ye like, a week tha
ni;
ght.
Happy ClovMi .
m
Hid from him _ felf, now bj the dawn. He ftarts
as
frrfh
as
rr-r
rof _ _ es blawn;
And
rang _ es o er
the
height
s and
<^ After his bleet _ . iag flocks. Health _ ful and in _ no _ re3t_lv gav. He
chants and -vhifc _ ies out the day; Un . _ taaght to fmile.
an(
1* r r ^ f
then be - - tray like court - ly weather - ^ cock
-<~^ then b
Life happy, from ambition free,
Envy, and vile hypocrifv,
Where truth and love with Joy agree,
UnPuUiedwith a crime:
Unmovd with what difturbs the great,
In proping of their priile and ftate:
He lives, and unafraid oi iite,
Corittiitcd fpcuds rix tiiiu'.
Jenny.
n
Slowifh -ly Were I-
i
fscr'd jon Q. con _ _ ftant prove, Ycu ; i
Ibonld nae mair com _ plain; The
mi
5a _ fy 3aaid os
_ I
_ fet wi' love. Few
=5^
words will qcick _ Iv gain: For I maft onn, now fince joar free. This
too fond heart of
mine Has
Lang , . a
black _ _ fole
Roger.
I'm happy now; ahl let my head
Upon thy breaft recline- '
The pleafnre ftrikes me neau--hand dead;
Is Jenny then fae kind?
O let me briz thee to my heart,
.And ronnd my arms entwine:
Delightfa* thoaghtl we'll never part.
Come, prefs -thy month to mine.
1S4
SlQwifb
o'er Bog^ie
gree" . ye're Sure o me; Next to aiv father gae:. Male
■r ' r rr f .r
r? — h
i
him
con _ tent to gi e con _ fent. He'll hard _ ly fay jon '^^J-
' or
^
pi
jon have what he wad be at. And will com. mend you weel. Since
i
i
parents aald think love grows cauld, VVheo bairns want milk and meal
i r I
^
Shon'd he, deny, I carena by.
He'd contradict in vain;
Tho' a' my kin had faid and fworn
But thee I will hae nane.
Then never range nor learn to change.
Like thofe in high degree:
And if he prove faithful in love,
Yba'U find nae fault in me.
Enter Bauldy Singing.
If re; ^^'^^^ J i J i Jj
Jenny faid to Jockey,
1 . I jr LJ
gin ye win _ na tell. Ye fhall be the hd I U
Z=^=^ ^— ^ ^^rz=:
1^5 ■■:
ii
if
be the lafs my - fell; Ye' re a bon - nj lad, and I'm a laf _ sle free; Ye'
re
i
m
i
— *- — ^frr
we.. _ CO _ iiier to tak me than to let me ce .
f- ji JTT3 r r 1 '"
Kirk wad let me be.
Doty, and part of reafon Pleati ftrong on the pa _ rent's fide, Vi'iiich
Livelv
m
love fo fn - perior calls trea _ fon The ftrong - eft maft be obej'd; For
i
m
i
J r-f r 1
f rifr
now, tho* I'm ane of the gen _ try. My conftancy falfhood re _ pells. For
r 1 ^1 'I
change in niy heart has no entry ftill there my dear Peggy excells
f] 111* ^-
i
i
14
Woes my hearl lhal. we I'liou'd i'jnXtr.
SI
GW
Speak
On, _
1 ^
_fpeak thas, and
1 1 1
ftill my grief, Hold
up
a heart that's
1 a. .7'^
6
1 . 4
' 1 .
fink _ ing aa _ der Thefe fears.
foon will want re lief.
P
Pate maft from his Peggy funder. A gentler face, and fiik at _ tire
rich in beau _ tjs blof _ fom, A _ lake poor
la _ dy rich
oor rae;
now confpire. To fteal thee from thy f^ggy'^ bpfom
J ■ J1 ^ J ^ J «
1 f
No more the fliepherd who excell'd
The reft, whofe wit made them to wonder.
Shall now his . Peggy's praifes tell :
Ahi I can die, but never funder.
Ye meadows where we aften ftray'd.
Ye banks where we were wont to wander
Sweet- fcented ruckaf roand which we play'd.
You'll lofe your fweets when we're afnnder.
Again, ah! fhall I never creep
Around the know wi' filent duty.
Kindly to watch thee while afleep.
And wonder at thy manly beauty.
Hear, heav'n while folemnly I vow,
Tho' thou fliould prove a wand 'ring lover,
Thro' life to thee I fhall prove true.
Nor be a wife to any other.
Twetd Side.
SI
ow
When bcpe was qnite fnnk in des_pair, Mv heart it w;;i- gcii.t; to'
X
3:
3=2:
r7 I n
/):g
1 J J J 1
4
i
P
fave't for thy fakr. V, her, e'er mv Io^ = tra _ vels by Jav, Wher
' I - , m # • m , 1
1 J
^-f — w p-^
11 1 '
^ ^ ^ ! __J- 1 0
/iff J 1 h—L
ftay,
i^>f5 J
And I
fo
al
ke
ep
hi
^ - tti -f — • — ^ — ' ■ = —
HQ e _ - ver in ^-^^^ •
1
1 *
-
For beauiy that's only Ocin deep,
Muft fade, like the gowaus in May;
But inwardly rooted will keep
For ever, withoct a decay.
Nor age, nor the changes of life.
Can c|nench the fair fire of love,
If virtue's ingrain'd in the wife,
And the hulband ha'e fenfe to apoi-ovr.
With patience I'll wait the lang year.
And ftndy the gentleft charms;
Hope time away, till thou appear
To lock thee for ay in thofe arms.
VVhilft thou was a fliepherd, I priz'd
\o higher degree in this life;
But now I'll endeavour to rife
To a height that's becoming thy wife.
16
Very Slo
Bafh aboon Traquair.
At ^ fetting day and rif- _ ing morn, VNi' foul that ftill fliall
Ipve thee, I'll afk of heav'n
thv fafe re - _ turn, AVi'
that can im- prove thee I'll vifit aft the Birk _ en bnfli Where
j J- f If : ^ 1^
firft thoa kind - - Ij tald
:De
Sweet talcs of love.
auc
l>" r T
5
my blufh Whilft round thou didft in _ fald
To a' our haunts I will repair,
To Greenwood -fliaw or fountain;
Or where the fimoier-day I'd fliare
Wi' thee upon von mountain.
There will I tell the trees and flow'rs.
From thoughts unfcign'd and tender.
By vows vou're mine, by love is yours
A heart which cannot wander.
m
fol _ low healti _ fnl la _ boc-s of the day; V»:th _ out a g'^^^ty ~
m
HTinkle his brow. The lark and tlie lin_net tend his levee, And iie r
Joins t^'ieir concert
5^
driving his plow. From toil of grimace and pa _ gean _ try free
6. 6
6^3
While floftercl with wine, or madden'd with lofs
Of half an eftate, the prey of a main.
The drunkard and gamelter tamble and tofs,
Wifii»ng for calmEefs and flnmber in vain;
Be my portion health and C|cietnefs of mind,
Plac'd at dee diftance from parties and ftate,
Where neither ambition nor avarice blind.
Reach h:m who has happinefs link'd to his fate.
18
Corn-Riggs .
Andante
My Patie is
a io _ _ ver gay. His mind is ne _ _ ver
^'V'c r 1
-P 1
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r r J
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J f g J'l jj]^
fair and rud _ _ dj,
His
fhape is hand _ fome mid _ die fize. He' J
mm
p
i
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^-4— J
r ^ J
c , a
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[ — H
l-^-J—i
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r — 1
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_ prife; 'Tis heav'n
to
lear
him
taw _ _ ki
r r I 3
33
Laft night I met him on the bawk.
Where yellow corn was growing.
There mony a kindly word he fpake.
That fet my heart a glowing.
He kifs'd. and vowel he wad be mine,
And loo'd me beft of ony;
That gars me like to fing Onfyne,
"O corn-riggs are bonny."
Let lafses of a filly mind
Refafe what maift they're wanting;
Since we for yielding are defign'd.
We chaftely Ihonld be granting;
** Then I'll comply, and marry Pate,
And fyne my cokernony,
He's free to totizlr, air or late.
Where corn -ri^C'' ^n"e bonny.
Pi n ) s .
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