MANUAL OF
MODERN SCOTS
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
C. F. CLAY, MANAGER
LONDON : FETTER LANE, E. C. 4
NEW YORK : THE MACMILLAN CO.
BOMBAY \
CALCUTTA I MACMILLAN AND CO., LTD.
MADRAS j
TORONTO : THE MACMILLAN CO. OF
CANADA, LTD.
TOKYO : MARUZEN-KABUSHIKI-KAISHA
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
MANUAL OF
MODERN SCOTS
BY
WILLIAM GRANT, M.A. (ABERDEEN)' "
LECTURER ON PHONETICS IN ABERDEEN TRAINING CENTRE
LECTURER (1916—1920) ON THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY
CONVENER OF THE SCOTTISH DIALECTS COMMITTEE
AND
JAMES MAIN DIXON, Lrrr.HuM.D.
M.A. ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH
PROFESSOR OF COMPARATIVE LITERATURE IN THE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
CAMBRIDGE
AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS
1921
SEEN BY
PRESERVATION
SERVICES
PREFACE
THE idea of this work first occurred to one of the authors,
Dr Main Dixon, in the course of his experience in lecturing
on Scottish Literature to his students in the University of
Southern California. He felt the need of a book to which he
could refer them for details of Scottish Grammar and Pronuncia-
tion, which he could employ, in class, for the recitation of our
literary masterpieces, and which the students themselves, after
they left the University, could use either for purposes of declama-
tion or teaching.
The book is divided into three parts. Part I describes the
sounds of Modern Scots with examples of their use written in the
alphabet of the International Phonetic Association. Part II
contrasts Scots Grammar with Standard English usage and gives
copious illustrations from Modern Scottish Literature. Part III
consists of a series of extracts from Modern Scots writers and a
selection of ballads and songs with phonetic transcriptions. Most
of these transcriptions are in Standard Scottish Speech (see
Introduction, p. xxi); Extracts XII A, XIII A, XVI A, XVII A,
IX B, XIV B, may be described as Standard Scottish with local
colour; Extracts VII A, XIV A, XX A, XXII A, XXIV A, are
intended to represent the exact speech of definite sub-dialects.
The authors desire to express their obligation to the following
publishers and writers for kindly allowing them to reproduce
copyright matter: Messrs Hurst and Blackett, Ltd. for the
passage from George Macdonald's Alec Forbes', Dr Charles
Murray, and his publishers Messrs Constable and Co., Ltd.,
for the poem of "The Whistle"; Messrs Douglas and Foulis for
the extract from Dr Alexander's Johnny Oibb; the Executors of
the late Dr John Watson for the passage from Beside the
Bonnie Brier Bush', Messrs Sands and Co. for the extract from
Salmond's.% Man Sandy1; Mr J. Logie Robertson for permission
1 My Man Sandy, published by Messrs Sands and Co., Edinburgh and
London, Is. net.
VI PREFACE
to print "The Absconding Elder" from his Horace in Homespun;
Mr Joseph Waugh for the story of the "Wooer" from Robbie
Loo; Mr J. J. Bell for the extract from Wee Macgreegor entitled
"Taiblet"; Mr Alexander Kennedy for permission to use Mr
Alexander Anderson's (Surfaceman's) poem of "Cuddle Doon";
the publishers of the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald
for the passage from Trotter's Galloway Gossip, Mr James S.
Angus for the verses entitled "Klingrahool"; Lady Murray,
Miss Hilda M. R. Murray and Sir Oswyn Murray for the extract
from the Southern Scottish version of "Ruth" by the late
Sir James A. H. Murray. Grateful acknowledgement is also due
(1) to Professor Lawrence Melville Riddle, Head of the French
Department in the University of Southern California, for his
careful revision of Part I and his many useful suggestions, (2) to
the Rev. Alexander Grieve, M.A., D.Phil., Glasgow, for valuable
assistance in the correction and criticism of Parts I and II, (3) to
the Rev. Robert McKinlay, M.A., Galston, for much information
on local dialect forms and middle Scots, (4) to the Reader and
Printers of the Cambridge University Press for their great
patience and care in the production of this work.
Finally the authors have to thank the Carnegie Trustees very
heartily for the financial guarantee with the help of which the
book is published.
W. G.
J. M. D.
December, 1920.
CONTENTS
PREFACE
VALUES OF PBONETIC SYMBOLS .
LIST OF CONTRACTIONS xix
INTRODUCTION .
PART I. PHONETICS
CONSONANTS:
List of terms used in describing consonants ....'. 3
Consonant Table
Plosives a
. . D
Nasals ....... 14
Laterals ^
Trills ' 19
Fricatives ....... 20
VOWELS :
List of terms used in describing vowels .... 34
Vowel Table 35
Vowel Systems compared of West Saxon, Scots, Modern English 36
Front Vowels 40
Back Vowels ........ 48
Mid Central Vowel . 54
Diphthongs ......... 56
VOWEL AND CONSONANT LENGTH . . .... 60
STRESS 62
WORDS IN THE BREATH GROUP ...... 63
INDEX OF WORDS USED IN PART I 66
PART II. GRAMMAR
CHAPTER I. THE ARTICLES
1. Indefinite article as " ane " . . . . . . .75
2. Use of" a" before vowels 76
3. Emphatic "a" as "ae" 76
4. Definite article for indefinite article 77
5. Definite article for pronoun ....... 77
6. Definite article in adverbial combinations ..... 77
7. Intrusive definite article in Sc 78
G. b
Vlll CONTENTS
CHAPTER II. NOUNS
PAGE
8. Plurals in "-en" 79
9. „ "-r" 79
10. Exceptional plurals 80
11. Nouns expressing time, space, weight, measure, and number . 80
12. Singular words treated as plurals 80
13. Spurious singular nouns ........ 80
14. Simpler verb form in place of noun derivative . . . . 80
15. Nouns intimately connected with family life . . . . 81
16. Familiar masculine or general personal terms .... 84
17. Feminine personal terms 87
18. Familiar terms of quantity 88
19. Standards of quantity, etc 92
20. Scottish coinage terms 93
CHAPTER III. PRONOUNS
21. Personal pronouns of the first person . . . . 95
22. „ „ second person 96
23. „ „ third person 97
24. Reflexive pronouns 98
25. Use of pronoun with " lane " . 100
26. Interrogative pronouns ........ 101
27. Relative pronouns 102
28. "M," "ilkin," as pronouns . 103
29. Indefinite pronouns 103
30. Equivalents of " anything? " nothing " . . . . .104
CHAPTER IV. ADJECTIVES
31. Cardinal numerals 105
32. Idiomatic uses of cardinals 105
33. Idiomatic compounds and phrases formed with cardinal
numerals .......... 105
34. Ordinal numerals . . 106
35. Uses and forms of "this," "these" 106
36. „ „ "that," "those" 107
37. Indefinite adjectives 107
38. Equivalents of "every'," "each" 108
39. Uses of "severals," "antrin," "orra" 108
40. Forms of "such" 109
41. Uses of " pickle" "puckle" " mair," " mae," " mickle" " muckle " 109
42. Some common comparatives and superlatives . . . .110
43. Free use of " -est" Ill
44. Special comparative uses Ill
45. Special intensive forms Ill
CONTENTS ix
CHAPTER V. VERBS
PAGE
46. Inflections of the present tense indicative 112
47. T3seof"the're,theywur" 113
48. Marks of the preterit in weak verbs 113
49. The present participle and gerund 113
50. Use of the present progressive form 114
51. Use of "on" "okn" with past participle or gerund . . . 114
52. Special negative forms 115
53. Auxiliary verbs. Forms and uses of " do " (O.E. don) . . 115
54. Forms and uses of " do " (can) 116
55. „ „ "will" . . . . . . . .116
56. \Jaeof "will" when omitted in E 117
57. Forms and uses of " shall " . . . . . . .117
58. „ "to be" 118
59. „ „ "have" . . ... . .119
60. „ „ "may" &G&" might" 120
61. „ „ "can" . . . . . . . ' . 120
62. „ „ "maun" .121
63. „ „ "dare". . . . . . . ' . 121
64. „ „ "owe," "ought" 121
65. „ „ "behoved" . >[ • - : • • 122
66. Forms of "need" ' . 123
67. Forms and uses of "let" . . .' 124
68. Causative use of "gar"
69. Preterit forms of " begin " . . . . • • •
70. Some impersonal verbs . . I25
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER V:
(A) List of irregular verbs
(B) Frequency of " -en " forms . . . . • V
(C) Order of verbs with " -na " suffix
CHAPTER VI. ADVERBS
71. Adverbs of time . . . • • • • •
72. „ place
73. „ manner • i3g
74. „ degree . • • • - •' ' •
75. „ inference and argument . ...
76. Some interrogative adverbs . . • . • ^
77. Adverbs of probability . . • • • ' •
78. „ affirmation and negation
79. Colloquial equivalents for the ordinary negative
80. The negative adverb in meiosis .
81. Adjectives as adverbs . • • • ' 144
82. Adverbs with auxiliary in place of verb . ^
S3. Adverbs of emphasis . . • • • . '
6 2i
CONTENTS
CHAPTER VII. PREPOSITIONS
84. UseofaWow" ......... 146
85. Forms and uses of " about " . . . . . . . 146
86. „ „ "above" ....... 147
87. Use of "a/" .... ...... 147
88. Forms and uses of "after" ....... 147
89. „ „ "against" ....... 148
90. „ „ "along" . . ..... 148
91. „ „ "among" ....... 148
92. Use of "aneath" ..... . . . .148
93. Forms and uses of " anent " ....... 149
94. „ „ "aside" . ...... 149
95. Equivalent of "as far as" . . . . . . .149
96. Forms and uses of "around" ....... 149
97. Uses of "at" .......... 150
98. „ "atkort" ........ .150
99. „ "atower" ......... 150
100. „ "ayont" ..... . . . .151
101. Forms and uses of " before " ....... 151
102. Useof"beheef" ....... . . 151
103. Equivalents of "behind" ........ 151
104. „ „ "below" ..... . . . .152
105. Forms and uses of " ben " ....... 152
106. „ „ "beneath" . . '. . . . . 152
107. ~Useof"benorth" ......... 152
108. Forms and uses of " besides " ....... 152
109. „ „ "between" . . . . .'./'. 158
110. „ „ "beyond" . . . . . . .153
111. Use of "boot" .......... 154
112. Forms and uses of " but " ..... . .154
113. „ „ "by" ... ..... 154
114. „ „ "down" ....... 155
115. Equivalents of " except " ........ 155
116. Forms and uses of "for" ...... . .156
117. „ „ «forby(e}" . . ..... 156
118. „ „ "from" ....... 157
119. „ „ "foment" ..... . .157
120. Use of "gin" .......... 157
121. Uses of " hard upon " . . ...... 158
122. Forms of "m" .......... 158
123. „ "into" ......... 158
124. Use of "let-abee" ......... 158
125. Forms and uses of " maugre " ....... 158
126. "near" 159
CONTENTS x-
127. Forms and uses of « of"
i28- " - "'/»• ;.".": GO
!»>• „ „ ««o»»
130. Use of "or" ^
131. Forms and uses of " out "
•*•••.. lOl
132.
' over '
162
133. „ . „ "round" ....
134. „ „ "since" ....... i63
135. „ „ "through" 163
136. „ „ "Ml" .... 164
i3?- „ „ «to» ; ; 165
"under" 165
139- M „ "«p" . . 166
140. „ „ "upon" 166
141- „ „ "wanting" 166
142. „ „ "with" 167
143. „ „ "without" 167
144. Use of "yont" 167
CHAPTER VIII. CONJUNCTIONS
145. Connective conjunctions . 169
146. Causal „ 170
147. Adversative or concessive particles 170
148. Hypothetical conjunctions 171
149. Temporal „ ....... 171
150. Comparative „ 172
CHAPTER IX. INTERJECTIONS
151. Summoning interjections 173
152. Assertive „ ......... 173
153. Ejaculations of discomfort 174
154. „ astonishment or advice or reproof . . .175
155. Derisive ejaculations 176
156. Exclamations of disgust or impatience . . . . .176
157. „ resignation or assent . ... . • 177
158. Calls to animals 177
CHAPTER X. PREFIXES, SUFFIXES AND COMPOUNDS
159. The prefix "a-" 179
160. „ "be-" 179
161. „ "for-," "fore-" 179
162. „ "mis-" 180
163. Negative uses of "o^"and "wan" 181
Xll
CONTENTS
164.
165,
166.
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175.
176.
177.
178.
179.
180.
181.
182.
183.
184.
185.
186.
187.
188.
189.
190.
191.
192.
193.
194.
The suffix
"-d," "-ed",
"-me" . ...
"-fast" . ...
"->'" . . . . ,
"-heid"
«-ien .
"-le" .....
"-like* ...
"-lin? "-lins" "-lang"
"Most" ...
"-oc£" .
•-out" .
„ "-00*,
„ "-ous" . . . . ,
"-rick" . . . . .
"-rife" . . . ,
Compounds with "ahint" "behint"
"by, ""bye". ,
„ "cam-" "kam-" ,
"Deil" in compounds
Compounds with " down," " doon" "
„ "fore," "fur"
"gate," "
« ,•« »
j>
"oot-,""out-"
"oiver-," "owre-," "
Bibliography
INDEX of Words used in Part II
o'er-"
PAGE
182
182
182
183
183
183
183
183
184
184
185
185
186
186
186
187
187
188
188
188
188
190
190
191
192
192
193
194
194
195
195
197
487
PART III. READER: PROSE AND VERSE
I. Glaud and Symon. The Gentle Shepherd. Act n. 1. ALLAN
EAMSAY . . .
II. The Freebooter and the Bailie. Rob Roy. Ch. XXIII. Sir
WALTER SCOTT . . .
III. Dumbiedykes and Jeanie Deans. The Heart of Midlothian.
Ch. XXVI. Sir WALTER SCOTT
204
212
222
IV. The Gaberlunzie. The Antiquary. Ch. XII. Sir WALTER SCOTT 232
CONTENTS
V. Braid Claith. EGBERT FERGUSSGN . . 240
VI. Maudge and the Orphan. The Entail. Chs. I and IL
JOHN GALT 244
VII. Tana o' Shanter. EGBERT BURNS
VIII. MrsMacsbake. Marriage. Ch. XXXIV. SUSAN FERRIER." 266
IX. The Cotter's Saturday Night. EGBERT BURNS . . '. 278
X. The Eesurrectioners. Mansie Wauch. Ch. X. DAVID M.
MOIR 284
XI. The Auld Farmer's New- Year Morning Salutation to his
Auld Mare, Maggie. EGBERT BURNS ... . .294
XII. Blin' Tibbie. Alec Forbes of Howglen. Ch. XLIV. GEORGE
MACDONALD 302
XIII. The Whistle. CHARLES MURRAY 318
XIV. The "News'' of the Marriage. Johnny Gibb of Gushetneuk.
Ch. XL. WILLIAM ALEXANDER 322
XV. To a Mouse. EGBERT BURNS 334
XVI. The Saving of Annie. Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush. IAN
MACLAREN 338
XVII. The New Buits. My Man Sandy. Ch. X. J. B. SALMOND 356
XVIII. The Absconding Elder. LOGIE EOBERTSON . . . 364
XIX. The Wooer. Robbie Doo. JOSEPH L. WAUGH . . . 368
XX. Taiblet. Wee Macgreegor. J. J. BELL .... 376
XXI. Cuddle Doon. ALEXANDER ANDERSON . . . . 388
XXII. Faur Waur. Galloway Gossip. E. DE BRUCE TROTTER . 392
XXIII. Winter. Echoes from Klingrahool JUNDA (J. S. ANGUS) 398
XXIV. Euth, Ch. I, Southern Scots. The Dialect of the Southern
Counties of Scotland. Sir J. A. H. MURRAY . . 402
PART IV. EEADER: BALLADS AND SONGS
I. Sir Patrick Spens .406
II. The Twa Corbies . . . .' ... , . • 414
III. The Dowie Dens o' Yarrow . . ... .416
IV. Fair Helen of Kirkconnel 420
V. My Jo, Janet 424
VI. Annie Laurie. Lady JOHN SCOTT 426
VII. Maggie Lauder. FRANCIS SEMPILL ? . . . . . 428
VIII. Bessie Bell and Mary Gray. ALLAN EAMSAY .
IX. Tullochgorum. JOHN SKINNER 434
X. The Laird o' Cockpen. Lady NAIRNE ....
XI. The Land o' the Leal. Lady NAIRNE
XII. The Flowers of the Forest. JEAN ELLIOT ....
XIII. Auld Robin Gray. Lady ANNE BARNARD
XIV CONTENTS
PAGE
XIV. Logie o' Buchan. GEORGE HALKET? .... 450
XV. Auld Lang Syne. ROBERT BURNS 452
XVI. A man's a man for a' that. ROBERT BURNS . . . 454
XVII. Duncan Gray. ROBERT BURNS 458
XVIII. John Anderson, my jo. ROBERT BURNS .... 460
XIX. There was a lad. ROBERT BURNS 462
XX. Willie brewed a peck o' maut. ROBERT BURNS . . 464
XXI. 0 a' the Airts. ROBERT BURNS 466
XXII. Wae's me for Prince Charlie. WILLIAM GLEN . . .468
XXIII. When the kye comes hame. JAMES HOGG . . . 472
XXIV. My love she's but a lassie yet. JAMES HOGG . . . 476
XXV. There's nae luck about the house 478
XXVI. Gloomy winter's now awa'. ROBERT TANNAHILL . . 482
XXVII. Castles in the air. JAMES BALLANTINE 484
05
XVI
VALUES OF PHONETIC SYMBOLS
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VALUES OF PHONETIC SYMBOLS
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CONTRACTIONS
E. *Literary English as pronounced in Scotland by the majority of
educated speakers.
Sth. E. *Literary English as pronounced in London and the South of
England by the educated majority.
O.E. Old English, chiefly as it has come down to us in West Saxon
Texts.
Sc. Standard Scots — the language spoken in the mid area of
Scotland. See Introduction.
N.S.E.W. North, South, East, West.
M.Sc. Middle Scots (from 1450-1600).
Mod. Sc. Modern Scottish (from 1600).
Ph. Phonetics.
Gr. Grammar.
Du. Dutch.
Fr. French.
Gael. Gaelic.
Ger. German.
Gr. Greek.
It. Italian.
Lat. Latin.
Port. Portuguese.
Scan. Scandinavian.
Sp. Spanish.
sb. Substantive.
adj. Adjective.
pro. Pronoun.
vb. Verb.
adv. Adverb.
prep. Preposition.
conj. Conjunction.
inter. Interjection.
part. Participle.
pres. Present.
pret. Preterit.
* See Pronunciation of English in Scotland, by W. Grant, and Pronunciation
of English, by D. Jones. Cambridge University Press.
INTRODUCTION
THE phonetic texts in this volume are intended chiefly for
the use of students of Scottish literature who have few or
no opportunities of hearing the language in its spoken form.
A study of the texts will enable the student to read or recite
any passage from Scottish literature with a pronunciation which
would be recognised as Scottish wherever it be spoken. In our
Colonies, in the United States, in educational centres all over
the world, are to be found lovers of our national literature who
will welcome the means we offer, of increasing their enjoyment
of its masterpieces. It is a keen artistic pleasure — which is,
indeed, not a small thing — to be able
To lend to the rhyme of the poet
The beauty of the voice.
We have seen in recent years a revival of interest in Scottish
history, literature and antiquities. This renaissance has ex-
tended to our Scottish Schools, and Scottish literature is now
not only studied but read aloud and recited by our pupils. We
trust that the description of Scottish sounds and the series of
phonetic texts contained in this volume may prove helpful to
our teachers in settling difficulties of pronunciation and in
establishing a certain amount of uniformity in the public use
of our ancient national speech.
At the present time, Scottish dialect varies from one district
to another all over the Lowland area, in pronunciation, idiom,
vocabulary, and intonation. Most of our Scottish writers, how-
ever, have refused to bind themselves to any local form of
dialect. Like Moliere, they take their good where they can get
it. They use the Scottish tongue and address themselves to
Scottish speakers everywhere. They aim to be understood by the
nation and not merely by the parish or county. "I simply wrote
my Scots as I was able," remarks Stevenson, "not caring if it
hailed from Lauderdale or Angus, Mearns or Galloway ; if I had
ever heard a good word, I used it without shame, and when
INTRODUCTION xxi
Scots was lacking or the rhyme jibbed I was glad, like my
betters, to fall back on English." It is this ingrained conscious-
ness of a general Scottish speech— of a real "Lingua Scottica"
apart from dialect varieties — that explains the almost passionate
insistence of patriotic Scotsmen on the use of the term " Scottish
Language." And certainly the term "language" is as applicable
to our speech as it is to Danish or Norwegian, for like these, it
has a national life and a national literature behind it. Our
literature goes back to the time when Scotland had a King and
Court of her own itf Edinburgh, when Scottish was the language
of the University, the School, and the fashionable courtiers of
the ancient capital. The language was used all over Scotland
in official documents, Session Records, Town Council Minutes,
with practically no distinction of dialect. In The Heart of Mid-
lothian Scott makes the Duke of Argyll say of Lady Staunton
(Effie Deans) that her speech reminded him of " that pure court-
Scotch which was common in my younger days, but it is so
generally disused now that it sounds like a different dialect,
entirely distinct from our modern patois." Even at the present
time, however, we have still a vague belief in a standard pro-
nunciation corresponding to the written language. This belief
manifests itself in the public reading or recitation of whatever
is not patently topical in purpose. An Aberdonian reciting a
national ballad in public would instinctively avoid his local " fa "
for " wha " (who), and " meen " for " mune " (moon). So also a
Glasgow man would avoid as far as he could his local pronun-
ciation of WQ?ar (water), i.e. he would certainly insert the t.
Neither would completely veil his locality from the average
audience, but he would undoubtedly tone down his district pecu-
liarities. "That is not my Scots," a critic might say of his speech,
"but it is very good all the same."
Literary Scottish is undoubtedly founded on a Lothian dialect.
The Lothian type of Scottish speech is spread over a wide area
of Mid Scotland, comprising the counties of Berwick, Peebles,
Haddington, Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Fife, Clackmannan, Kinross,
Stirling, Dumbarton, Renfrew, Bute, Ayr, Lanark, Wigtown,
Kirkcudbright, and West Dumfries. The language spoken over
this Mid district might be conveniently styled "Standard
XX11
INTRODUCTION
Scots." It is not absolutely uniform over this area, but the
points of agreement are sufficient to mark it off distinctly from
the dialects of the Southern and North-Eastern Counties. It
corresponds better than the other dialects to the spelling of the
literary language, and it comprises the area of the Old Scottish
Court and the largest present Scottish population. We shall
use it, therefore, for the interpretation of literary Scottish in the
great majority of our phonetic texts, carefully noting variant
pronunciations and eliminating localisms which do not correspond
with general Scottish usage.
A few texts with suitable explanations are also given of
other Scottish dialects. These are the dialects (1) of the
Southern Counties — Selkirk, Roxburgh, East and Central Dum-
fries ; (2) of the North-Eastern Counties — Aberdeen, Banff,
Moray, Nairn, Caithness; (3) of the Orkney and Shetland
Islands (founded on Standard Scottish with Scandinavian ele-
ments) ; (4) of Kincardine and Forfar (intermediate to the Mid
and North-Eastern).
The Alphabet used in the phonetic descriptions is that of
the International Association, with certain modifications to adapt
it to Scottish needs. The formation of the sounds is fully de-
scribed and key- words are given from modern European languages.
The authors hope that anyone with an elementary knowledge of
Phonetics will find little difficulty in following the texts.
PAETI
PHONETICS
G.
CONSONANTS
1. TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING CONSONANTS
Back Part of tongue opposite soft palate.
Blade Part of tongue between the point and the front
(i.e. middle) and opposite the upper teeth ridge.
Breathed Means that the consonant is produced with the
vocal chords wide apart so that breath passes.
Consonant Is a speech sound, breathed or voiced, in which the
breath current is completely or partially checked
in some part of the throat or mouth, or forces its
way out with audible friction.
Fricative Is a consonant in which the breath current, in its
passage out from the lungs, is so narrowed that it
has to force its way out with audible friction.
Front The middle of the tongue, opposite the middle of
the hard palate.
Glottal Implies that the stop or friction takes place in the
glottis, i.e. the space between the vocal chords.
Hard palate Part of the roof of the mouth between the upper
teeth ridge and the soft palate.
Lateral Is a consonant in which the breath current is
partially checked by some part of the tongue but
finds egress by the side or sides.
Nasal Is a consonant in which the breath current is
completely checked in the mouth but passes
through the nose.
Plosive Is a consonant in which the breath current is
momentarily checked ,on its way out and then
issues with a plosion.
Point Tip of tongue.
1—2
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Soft palate Is the soft, fleshy part in the roof of the mouth,
behind the hard palate.
Trill Is a consonant, produced by the vibration of some
flexible part of the vocal organs, e.g. by the tongue
or the uvula.
Uvula Pendulous tongue at the extremity of the soft
palate.
Vocal chords Are two elastic folds of mucous membrane, so
attached to the cartilages of the larynx and to
muscles that they may be stretched or relaxed
and otherwise altered so as to modify the sounds
produced by their vibration. (Imperial Dictionary.)
Voiced Means that the consonant is produced with the
vibration of the vocal chords and hence has a
musical quality.
PHONETICS
m
•II
1
J
Lat
3
I
1
i
0
BO
HP
O
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
PLOSIVES
3. A plosive is a consonant in which the breath current,
breathed or voiced, is completely checked in some part of the
mouth, generally issuing with a burst or plosion.
4. Breathed lips plosive. The breath current is blocked at
the lips, issuing after a short pause in a plosion.
5. The sound is the same as the E. p and is written with p
or pp (after short vowels).
Sc. Ph.
taupie 'taipi
tappit 'tapat
6. Notice p for E. b in
lapster 'lapstar
nieper (N.E. Sc.) 'nipar
E.
a foolish woman
topped.
lobster
neighbour.
7. Voiced lips plosive. Same sound as b in E. " but."
8. Generally spelled b or bb (after short vowels).
Sc. Ph. E.
birk birk birch
scabbit 'skabat scabbed.
9. Between in and ar, and m and 1, b does not occur in Sc.,
though found in E.
chalmer 'tfaimar chamber
lammer 'lamar amber
timmer 'tjmar timber
rummle rAml rumble
skemmel skeml shamble
thummle OAHI! thimble
tummle tAml tumble.
10. m and b are both voiced sounds and formed at the lips.
In m, however, the nasal passage is open. If, in pronouncing m,
the nasal passage is closed prematurely, the consonant b will be
heard.
PHONETICS
11. Note b in Sc. instead of E. p in 'barlj "parley,"
'babtist(W. and Sth. Sc.) " baptist," kabtn (W. Sc.) "captain!"
1 2. Breathed point plosive. This consonant is formed gene-
rally as in E., the breath current being blocked at the point of
the tongue and the apex of the upper gum. In some dialects,
e.g. in Orkney and Shetland, the point of the tongue is advanced
to the teeth.
13. t is dropped
Sc. Ph. E.
(1) after k:
perfec 'perfak perfect
reflec ra'flek reflect
stric str^k strict ;
(2) after p:
corrup ko'rAp corrupt
empy 'empj empty
temp temp tempt;
(3) after x medial in a few words :
lichnin 'Ipman lightning
tichen tjxn tighten
frichen frpm frighten
fochen foxn fought.
14*. Note that in dialects in which the suffix vowel is dropped,
inflectional t is retained after p and k : e.g. sipped, sjpt ;
keeked, kikt.
15. The loss of final t in the words in Ph. § 13 (1), (2) may
have been begun in such combinations as strict truth, strjkt try9
where t after k becomes first a pure stop and then disappears
completely. In E. "empty" (O.E. l&mtig) the p is originally
intrusive. If the sound m is unvoiced and denasalized before
the tongue takes the position for t, p will be the result. This
new formation mpt is not an easy one and therefore not long
stable. In E. ordinary pronunciation p is generally dropped,
hence 'emtt ; in many Sc. dialects the original t is lost, hence
'empi.
8 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
16. t is usually unsounded between f and n, s and 1, s and n :
Sc. Ph. E.
cuisten kysn cast (pt. part.)
soften safn soften
wrastle or} rasl )
, . \ wrestle ;
warsle j warslj
but castle is very generally pronounced 'kastal.
17. The verbal or adjectival termination ed becomes at
after p, t, k, b, d, g, except in Caithness dialect where it is ad.
So. Ph. E.
Tiappit . 'hapat covered
frichtit 'frprtat frightened
gairdit 'gerdat guarded
raggit 'rag at ragged
rubbit 'rAbat rubbed
swickit 'swjkat deceived.
18. An inorganic t occurs in suddent, SAdnt, suddently,
'sAdntlf, probably due to the influence of words like evident,
apparent, etc. So also we find inorganic t in oncet, WAnst,
jfnst; twicet, twaist (Lnk.), perhaps on the analogy of the
regular ordinal termination t in fift, sixt, etc.
19. In anent, foranent, a'nent, fora'nent, "in front of," "in
comparison with," the t is excrescent. The O.E. is anefn (lit.
on even) which later became anemn and anen, then anent In
Wyclif 's time a Genitive ending in es was added on the analogy
of words like ihennes = " thence," etc., and his form of the word
is anentis.
20. t replaces k in twAlt " quilt," in many dialects.
21. In Forfar and East Perth, t1 takes the place of k
before n as
Sc. Ph. E.
knee tni: knee
knife tnaif knife
knock tnok clock
knowe tnAU knoll.
1 This t must have been preceded by a sound intermediate to t and k, properly
a breathed front plosive formed in the same part of the mouth as the fricatives j 5.
PHONETICS 9
22. t takes the place of E. 9 in ordinals :
Sc. Ph. E.
sixt sfkst sixth.
23. In the Orkney and Shetland dialects t and d (both
point teeth sounds) replace th in such words as thin and the,
thus dat tin tji] = " that thin thing."
24. For tu and ton = " thou," see Ph. § 217 (d).
d
25. Voiced point plosive. This is the voiced sound corre-
sponding to t and is pronounced generally in the same way as
in E. In the Orkney and Shetland dialects, the point of the
tongue is advanced to the teeth.
26. Many of the Scottish dialects, especially the North East,
have no d after n and 1 as in E.
(1) after n :
Sc. Ph. E.
can'le kanl1 candle
hari nan1 hand
Ian Ian1 land
leri Un lend
souri (noise) sun sound
souri (healthy) sun sound
thunner 'OAnar thunder
wunner 'wAnar wonder.
In leri, souri (noise) and thunner the d in E. is inorganic.
(2) after 1:
auV ail old
caul' kail cold
fauV fail fold.
Usage in Mid. Sc. varies, so we write such words in the texts
land1, aild, etc.
26 (a). In the N.TZ.feedle, fidl ; wordle, wordl show a meta-
thesis of d and 1 as compared with the E. forms.
27. The sound d in hand is produced by closing the nasal
passage, without stopping the emission of voice. If the nasal
passage is kept open till the end of the word, no d is heard, but
1 a:
10 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
only a prolongation of the n. This prolonged n may still be
heard in some dialects, although in most it has now been' short-
ened. 1 and d are likewise formed in the same part of the mouth
— i.e. between the tip of the tongue and upper teeth ridge — only
in 1 the sides of the tongue droop to allow the emission of the
voiced breath. The change from Id to a lengthened 1 is there-
fore a very simple one.
28. In some Mid. and Sth. dialects, it = it becomes d after
voiced sounds : e.g.
aa meind oad fine.
a maind od fain.
" I remember it well."
hwaat izd ? hwaat wuzd ?
A\dt IZd ? AVat WAZd ?
" What is it ? " " What was it ? "
Wilson's Lowland Scotch, p. 86.
hi gies the marid.
hei giiz $e mand.
" He gives it to the man."
Murray's Dialect of Sth. Sc. p. 191.
t however is also found.
28 (a). Notice d in bodm, "bottom," and in dffz'lako,
dishilago, from " tussilago, coltsfoot."
29. d takes the place of 9 or $ in E., in
Sc. Ph. E.
study or stiddy 'stAdi or 'stidi stithy
smiddy 'smidi smithy
widdy 'widi, 'wAdi withy — hangman's noose,
the gallows.
30. In the Buchan dialect d is used for ft before ar. In the
fisher dialects of Aberdeenshire d in these words is point teeth
plosive.
fader 'fadar father
midder 'midar mother
bridder 'bridar brother
idder 'idar other
badder 'badar bother.
PHONETICS 1 1
31. At an early period in the history of the language, a
change of d to S before er, ar had occurred all over the country.
Thus we get forms like ether, father, blether (see Ph. § 85),
O.E. nledre, feeder, bltedre. In the N.E. (also in Linlithgow and
Edinburgh to some extent) a further change took place. All
words having $ar substituted dar : thus ether, father, blether,
become edder, fader, bledder, and, further, words like " brother,
other, feather," O.E. broftor, ofter, fefter, become bridder, idder,
fedder.
32. Voiced front plosive. This is the plosive corresponding
to the fricative j in " young " (see Ph. § 105). The front (i.e. the
middle) of the tongue rises further than for j until it presses
against the hard palate so as to form a stop to the breath
current, j is not common in Sc. but may be heard in some
parts of Buchan, e.g. am jaan a'wa: hem, am gyaun awa'
hame, " I am going away home."
33. Breathed back plosive. This sound is the same as k in
E. "cook" and is formed by the back of the tongue pressing
against the soft palate. When a front vowel follows k, the area
of articulation is further forward on the roof of the mouth.
34. k is written with the letter c.
(1) Before back vowels :
Sc. Ph. E.
cauf kaif chaff
cour ku:r cower
cowt kAut colt
curchie 'kArtfi curtsey.
(2) Before r, 1 :
crap krap crop
. deed klid clothe.
12
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
(3) Before front vowels derived from back vowels, c also
is more common than Jc :
Sc. Ph. E.
cairts kerts cards
cuinie 'kynji coin or corner
caits kyts ankles
scuil (old) skyl school.
But
kail
kaim
skule
kel
kem
skyl
cole
comb
school.
Note also schule as a common spelling for " school."
35. The letter k is used regularly before e and i and y, i.e. :
(1) before e, i, j, ai :
keckle kekl
ken ken
kep
kist
kivvy
kypie
kep
kist
'kivi
'kaipi
cackle
know
catch
chest
covey, group
a game of marbles played
with a hole in the ground
make or become known
belly.
kythe kai6
kyte kait
(2) before n :
knee kni: knee
kneel knil kneel
knock knok clock.
36. The pronunciation of k before n is still to be heard in
the North-East, but it is practically obsolete in the Mid. district.
37. Many Sc. words have k instead of E. ch, = tj, supposed
by many to be the result of Scandinavian influence.
kirk k^rk church
birk bjrk birch
poke pok pouch
breeks briks breeches
sic sjk such
lerrick, larick 'lerjk, 'lank larch.
PHONETICS 13
38. ski replaces E. si in many words and is written scl
or ski.
Sc. Ph. E.
sclice (O.Fr. esclice) sklais slice
sclate (O.Fr. esclat) sklet slate
sclent sklent slant
sdender (O.Fr. esclendre) 'sklencfor slender.
39. sk often stands for E. sh = f .
skelf(O.K scilfe) skelf shelf
skemmels (O.E. scamel) skemlz shambles.
40. N.B. :
paitrick1 'petrik partridge
acqueesh a'kwif between.
9
41. Voiced back plosive. Corresponds to the so-called hard g
in E. " gun." It often stands for E. final dge = d5 as in :
42. Sc. Ph. E.
brig brl9 bridge
rig rig ridge
segg seg sedge.
43. g is rarely pronounced now before n as in gnaw. In
Buchan it may still be heard, e.g. " a gnawing tooth " becomes
a gnyauvin teeth — a 'gnjaivan ti9.
44. Glottal stop or plosive. This sound is produced by the
sudden closing of the glottis followed by a slight plosion. It may
occur before the voiceless plosives p, t, k, and sometimes before
n and n. It may be heard occasionally in other positions, for
instance finally in exclamation No ! no? ! It is most common
in the Mid. region, especially between Glasgow and Stirling, but
does not extend into the Southern Counties or Galloway. ? very
frequently takes the place of a medial or final consonant, e.g.
" butter, water, that " may be pronounced 'bA?ar, 'waPar, Sa?
as in the Glasgow district. The reader may use this sound before
1 Fr. perdrix, Lt. perdicem.
14 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
t, p, k or omit it. We have used this symbol in the extract from
J. J. Bell's Wee Macgreegor.
NASALS
45. A nasal consonant is a speech sound in which the breath
current is checked in some part of the mouth, but finds free
passage through the nose.
m
46. Voiced lips nasal. The same sound as m in E. " more,"
etc. This sound differs from the stop consonant b in the fact
that the breath current passes through the nose. Hence m often
develops into b arid b is often changed into m. Many words in
Sc. have no b after m as in E. See Ph. § 9.
n
47. Voiced point nasal. This sound is identical with E. " n "
in " no," etc. The point of the tongue touches the apex of the
upper gum. Only in cases of assimilation is it advanced to the
teeth, e.g. in lenth, Ien9, " length." In the Insular dialects it is
generally of the point teeth variety.
48. n differs from the stop d only in one detail, viz. that
the breath current passes through the nose. Hence nd may
easily change into n and n develop into nd. Sc. generally has n
instead of E. nd. See Ph. § 26 (1).
49. Note n for E. 1 and E. r in
Sc. Ph. E.
flannen 'flanan flannel
garten 'gertan garter
and the loss of n in upo, a'po = " upon."
50. n takes the place of TJ (see Ph. § 51) by assimilation in :
Sc. Ph. E.
lenth Ien9 length
strenth strenO strength.
PHONETICS 15
51. Voiced back nasal. In this sound the breath current is
checked between the back of the tongue and the soft palate and
finds egress through the nose. It is practically the stop g nasal-
ized. The sound is heard in E. " song."
52. It is written ng at the end of a syllable and n before a
back consonant.
Sc. Ph. E.
bink birjk shelf
gang garj go
King hji] hang
singe SITJ singe.
53. In words of the following class, g is not heard in Sc. :
hungry 'hATjn
langer rlai)ar
single SITJ!
54. The E. verbal termination ing is replaced by in, or
more commonly an in Sc. Most Sc. dialects have lost the dis-
tinction between the old Pres. Part, in an(d) and the infinitive
or verbal noun in in(g). The Caithness and Southern dialects
still mark the distinction.
Siena gutterin a noor saw.
'sikna 'gAtajin a nu:i so,:.
" Such messing I never saw."
Fat ir ye gutteran aboot.
fat u ji 'gAtajan a' but.
" What are you messing about ? "
Nicolson's Caithness Dialect, p. 19.
The heale beakin o neuw beak'n breid 'at schui was thrdng
beakand yestreen.
$e hial 'biakin o niu 'biakrj brid at J0 WAZ 9rarj 'biakan
je'strin.
" The whole baking of new baked bread that she was busy
baking last night."
Murray's Dialect of the Sth. Comities of Sc. p. 211.
16 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
55. The breathed nasals m, n, TJ, are not regular sounds in
most of the Sc. dialects ; m may be heard in the exclamation
mmm = iphm I
T) occurs in the Shetland dialect :
knee fjrji: knee
buncle bjofjkl a knot or lump.
P
56. Voice front nasal. Raise the front of the tongue (as in j)
until it blocks the breath current across the middle of the hard
palate, then drive the voice through the opened nose-passage
and the result is the sound ji. Heard in Fr. sign6, It. degni,
Sp. canon, Port, minha. In Sc. this sound survives only in the
dialect of the Sth. Counties. In Middle Scots it was written nj,
(cf. I % Ph. § 61) ; this n% was confused with nz and hence arose
the modern spelling pronunciation of some proper names that
had originally p.
E. Ph. Modern Sc. Ph. Middle Scots Ph.
Menzies 'menziz 'miniz 'mijiiz
Mackenzie ma'kenzi ma'kini (rare) ma'kipi
Cockenzie ko'kenzi ko'ken(j)i ko'kejii
Gaberlunzie gaber'lAnzi gabar'lunji gaber'lupi.
This old sound is now generally represented by TJ or TJJ or nj, e.g. :
Middle Sc.
feinzit
meinzie
spanzie
cuinzie
57.
Ph.
'fejut
'mejn
'spojii
'kypi
Words like
Mod. Sc.
feinyit
meingie
spaingie
cuinyie
"sing" and
Ph. E.
'fenit (rare) feigned
'meni crowd
'speni Spanish cane
'kynji (rare) coin.
"reign" (Fr. rbgne) were rhymes
or half-rhymes until a comparatively recent period :
" Yes, in the righteous ways of God
With gladness they shall sing,
For great's the glory of the Lord
Who shall for ever reign."
Scottish Metrical Psalms (138. 5).
58. Note form drucken \ , , I " drunken."
jdrAkn) K
(drAkTjJ
PHONETICS 17
LATERALS
59. Voiced point lateral, (a) This sound is formed by the
point of the tongue touching the apex of the upper gum while
the breath current escapes by the side or sides of the tongue.
The back of the tongue is not raised. This is the sound that is
commonly heard in E. words beginning with 1. It does not ring
so sharp and clear as Fr. 1, in which the point of the tongue is
always more advanced — touching the teeth. This form of 1 is
rare in Sc.
60. Voiced point-back lateral. (6) This variety of 1 is formed
in the same way as (a) except that the back of the tongue is
also raised as for the vowel u or o. The acoustic effect is that
of a deeper sound. It is common in E. after a vowel or consonant.
In the E. little the first I is (a) and the second (6). In Sc. little
both I's are of the (b) variety and the vowel is not I as in E. but
I or a or A.
61. Voiced front lateral, (c) In this sound the front, i.e. the
middle of the tongue, presses against the hard palate and the
breath current escapes at the side or sides of the tongue. The
French call this sound I mouille. It is replaced now in Standard
French by j but survives in the dialects and it is heard also in
It. egli, Sp. llano, Port, filho. It is still used in Sth. Sc. (see
Murray's Dialect of the Southern Counties of Scotland, p. 124),
but in the other dialects it has been replaced by 1 or Ij. Its
phonetic symbol is A". In Middle Scots this A was written 1}
(cf. n%, Ph. § 56). The printers confused this digraph with Iz
and this new spelling has influenced the pronunciation of some
words ; e.g. Dal^ell was printed Dalzell and many people now
pronounce it dal'zel instead of dal'jel or the popular di'el and
da'el.
Middle Scots. Pb. Mod. Sc. Ph.
bailzie 'be^Ci baillie 'baili, 'bety'i
spulzie 'spy^1 spulyie 'spyli, 'spuli
toilzeour 'te^ur teyler 'teityer, 'teller.
G. 2
18
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
62. When I occurs between back consonants, a peculiar
sound is often heard in Sc., which is formed in the back of the
mouth by a narrowing of the breath passage. This sound may
be heard instead of 1 (6) in such phrases as muckle gowk, " big
fool," muckle gweed, " much good."
63. In our general texts, we shall use only the symbol 1
denoting in most cases the voiced point-back lateral.
64. After short back vowels in Sc., 1 became a vowel and
formed a diphthong with the preceding vowel.
(1) When the preceding vowel was a, the resulting diph-
thong au was monophthongized at an early period into a:,
sometimes shortened.
Sc.
ba'
ha'
cauk
hause
palmie
saut
scaud
W attie
Ph.
ba:
ha:
ka:k
hais
E.
ball
hall
chalk
halse (neck)
a stroke on the hand
salt
scald
Walter.
sa:t
skaid
'watt
In Mid. Sc. this a: is also pronounced 9:.
(2) ol becomes ou and remains so in Sth. Sc. (Ph. § 209).
In the other dialects ou has been levelled under AU (Ph. § 207).
bowe bAU boll
cowt kAUt colt
knowe knAU knoll
powe PAU poll
rowe TAU roll.
(3) ul became uu and then ui, sometimes shortened to u
and in stressless position unrounded to A.
buik buk bulk
kum culm
coom
couter
foo
'kutar
fu:
culter
full
PHONETICS 19
Sc. Ph. E.
foomart,fumartl 'fumart fulmart
poo, pu pu: pull
poopit 'pupit pulpit
shoother 'fuftar shoulder
sud sAd, sud should.
65. The letter " I " in the above cases was retained in the
written language long after it ceased to be sounded. Its appear-
ance came to indicate a long vowel or diphthong and consequently
it was often inserted in words to which it did not belong etymo-
logically. Examples of this curious spelling may be found in
Modern Sc.
nolt nAUt neat (cattle)
chalmer 'tfaimar chamber.
This intrusive " 1 " was sometimes even pronounced, thus the
" Nolt Loan " in Arbroath, Forfar, is now pronounced nolt Ion.
66. Note 1 for n in
chimley 'tfimli, 'tf Ami; chimney.
THE TRILL
67. Voice point trilled. This sound is formed by the trilling
of the point of the tongue against the upper gum. It occurs in
words in all positions.
68. In Celtic districts a point fricative consonant with the
point of the tongue turned backwards is commonly heard, the
symbol for which is J. The voice point fricative, commonly called
untrilled r, is not a Sc. sound.
1 Fumart=ful(to\il)mart. w = u: was shortened in the compound, ul became
a diphthong and then a long vowel. The u is now generally short.
2—2
20
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
69. In many Sc. words as compared with E., r exchanges
position with the preceding or following vowel.
Sc. Ph. E.
corss kors, kors cross
girse girs grass
Curshanks 'kArfaijks Cruickshanks
kirsen 'kjrsan christen
warsle warsl, wairsl wrestle
brunt brAnt burnt
crub krAb kerb
truff trAf turf
rhubrub 'rubrAb rhubarb
provribs 'provribz proverbs
wrat wrat wart.
70. In many speakers a vowel is heard (1) before "r" in
words like
shrub JarAb
shrill f aril ,
(2) Occasionally after r, before 1 and m, as in :
farrel 'farAl a quarter of cakes
airm 'erAm arm
worm 'wArAm
71. In the Avoch dialect of the Black Isle, Rosshire, r takes
the place of n in words like knife, knee, knock, etc. = kraif, kri:,
krok.
72. In the N.E. fre:=/rom becomes fe:. In Sth. Sc., an
unvoiced r is heard in some parts in words like three, thrae (frae),
throat, rii, rae:, rot.
FRICATIVES
73. A fricative is a consonant breathed or voiced where the
breath passage is narrowed so that the breath has to force its
way out with audible friction.
74. Breathed lip-teeth fricative. This consonant is formed
between the lower lip and upper teeth as in E. f.
PHONETICS
21
75. v is the voiced counterpart of the last sound and is also
similar to E. v.
76. f takes the place of E. v in the plurals of some nouns.
Sc. Ph. E.
knifes1 knaifs knives
leafs lifs leaves (sb.)
wifes waifs wives.
77. f and v often disappear medially and finally in Sc.
e'en
i:n
even
ower
Aur
over
weel-faurt
doo
gie, gya, gae
lea'
'wil rfa:rt
du:
gi:, gja:, ge:
li:
well favoured
dove, pigeon
give, gave
leave
lo'e
lu:
love
pree
shirra
pri:
'fira
prove, taste
sheriff.
78. f and v are often
lost after 1 and r.
•
del'
del
delve
twal'
twal
twelve
sel'
sel
self
ser
seir
serve
hairst
herst
harvest
siller
'sflar
silver, money.
79. f for 9 occurs in 'fj£rzdf, Fuirsday, "Thursday," in a
number of Scottish dialects. The N.E. has Feersday, rfi:rzdj,
also frok for throck, " the lower part of the plough to which the
share is fastened." In Roxburgh feet — fit is used for theet, " the
rope, chain or trace by which the horse draws the plough." In
Caithness, " thresh " (vb.) and meeth, " sultry " are pronounced
fief, mif. Cf. prov..E.y£ftfc for think and Russ. Feodor — Theodore,
1 In Sth. Sc. leaf, thief, knife, life, wife, take v in PI. half, laif (loaf),
shelf, elf, take f (Murray, Dialect of S. Counties, p. 157).
22 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
80. For fas a substitute for IA see Ph. § 122.
81. v is often a substitute for an original w (1) initially
before r and (2) finally. This change is mostly confined to the
N.E.
Sc. Ph. E.
vrang
vraT)
wrong
vrat
vrat
wrote
blauve
bljaiv
blow
gn(y}auve
gnjaiv
gnaw
lavyer
'laivjar
lawyer
myauve
mja:v
mew
schauve
fa:v
sow (corn)
snauve
snjaiv
snow.
e
82. Breathed point-teeth fricative. This sound is formed
between the point of the tongue and the upper teeth. It is the
same sound as is heard in E. " thin " and is written th in Sc.
Sc. Ph. E.
baith be9 both
bothy 'bo9i bothy
graith gre9 harness
tho 9o: though
thole 9ol endure
threip 9rip insist upon, argue.
83. (1) 9 may replace xt in some Northern dialects in :
micht, mith . mi9 might (vb.)
dochter, dother fdo9ar daughter.
drouth and drucht, dru9, drAxt are heard in Sc. for "drought"
and " dry ness."
In Middle Sc. cht is a spelling for an original th in many
words, e.g. aicht, baicht, facht, for aith (oath), baith (both),
faith.
(2) 9 replaces f in Sth. Sc. infrae, i.e. " from," = 9rae:, 9re
(unaccented).
PHONETICS 23
84. Voiced point-teeth fricative. As in E. " the " and written
tk in Sc.
Sc. Ph. E.
thae $e: those
thir ftp* these
thon Son yon, that
thonder 'Sondar yonder
$u: thou.
85. Sc. has developed $ from an original d where it does
not occur in E., generally before ar. See, however, Ph. §§ 30, 31.
blether 'blfeftar bladder
consither kan'si<5ar consider
ether 'etSar adder
ether 'e$ar udder
lether 'leftar ladder
poother 'pillar powder
shoother 'fuftar shoulder.
These words may also be heard with d probably through the
influence of E. ,
86. 6 or ft is often lost in final position.
fro fro: froth
lay le: lathe
mou mu: mouth
quo kwo: quoth
unca 'ATjka very or extraordinary.
From O.E.uucup with
change of accent.
wi* wj with.
87. In Sc. generally S is lost in the relative that which
becomes at or t. In the N.E. the dropping of $ in the pro-
nominals this, that, they, their, there, was once universal and
may still be noticed in some parts and with old speakers. In
Caithness it is the rule yet. In the Strathearn dialect of Perth-
shire, when the combines with the prepositions of, in, at, on, to,
24 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
with, by, the result is ee = i, e.g. dhe haid ee toon, $a hed i tun =
" the head of the town " ; ee big hoos, i big hus = " in the mansion
house" (Wilson's Lowland Scotch, pp. 110 — 112). In Galloway
we may hear such phrases as i' e toon, i e tun ; intae e inns,
'inte e inz, " into the inns " ; i' e mornin, i e 'mornin, " in the
morning " (Trotter's Galloway Gossip).
88. Breathed fore-blade fricative. The same sound as in
E. "some." The breath forces its way between the blade (just
behind the point) and the apex of the upper gum, the breath
passage is shaped like a pipe, the sides of the tongue pressing
against the upper teeth.
89. As in E., s is generally written initially with s, some-
times with c in romance words before e — medially by ss and s
(especially in derivatives), finally by ss, se and ce. se and ce are
used as in the corresponding E. words, but less regularly.
Sc. Ph. E.
soop sup sweep
ceety 'siti city
bossie 'bosi basin
fousom fusm nauseous
mousie 'rnusi a little mouse
foustie 'fusti fusty
hooses 'husaz houses
cess ses a tax
gress gres grass
lass las girl
loss los lose
corss kors, kors cross
crouse krus bold, brisk
grice grais a young pig
'tice tais entice
wyce, wise wais wise.
90. In the Sh. dialect fornenst appears instead of foranent.
See Ph. § 19. We may have here a metathesis form for Wyclif s
PHONETICS 25
anentis, influenced perhaps also by such words as against. In
the English dialects also the st forms of this word are quite
common. See E.D.D. under forenent.
91. Note 8 for E. f (sh) :
Sc. Ph. E.
ase es ash (of coal, etc.)
buss bAS bush
sal sal shall
sud SAd, sid, sad, sud should
wuss WAS wish.
92. Voiced fore-blade fricative. Same sound as in E. " zone."
93. z occurs medially and finally. Medially it is generally
written s, but z and zz are also used by writers who wish to
indicate the exact pronunciation. Finally z is written s (1) in
words like is, his, was, has, which originally had an s sound :
(2) in the plural termination s and es after voiced sounds : in
other cases se and ze are used1.
Sc. Ph. E.
bosie 'bo:zi bosom
cruisie, cruizie 'kruizi, 'kr0:zi oil-lamp
mizzour 'mizar, 'mezar measure
rouser 'ruizar -watering-can
heese hiiz hoist
roose, reese, rooze ruiz, ri:z, r^iz praise
grieves gri:vz farm bailiffs
lugs 1A9Z ears
mutches 'mAtfaz women's caps.
94. N.B. In words ending in sure the pronunciation is z,
though E. influence has also introduced 5.
layser 'leizar, rli:zar, rle:sar leisure
pleiser 'pleizar, rpli:zar, 'pleisar, 'pillar pleasure.
1 Final z before a pause or a breath consonant is generally partially unvoiced
and in a very exact transcript would be written zz.
26
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
f
95. Breathed after-blade fricative. The after-blade is raised
towards the after-gum and the point of the tongue hangs down.
The breath passage is wider and shallower than for s.
96. This sound is generally written sh in Sc., older sch.
Sc. Ph. E.
shim fim hoe
shogue fog shake or swing
cowshen 'kAufan caution
gabbie-gash 'gabi'gaj chatterbox.
97. / takes the place of E. s in many Sc. words : occasionally
the original s spelling is retained.
(1) Initially:
schir1
shoo
shunners
suet
suit
sune
fu:
'JAiiarz
fuat
Jut, fyt
fyn
sir
sew *
cinders
suet
suit
soon.
(2) Medially:
Elshiner
'elfmar
Alexander
gushet
'gAfat
gusset
offishers
'ofifarz
officers
veshel
vefl
vessel.
(3) Finally:
'•
creish
krif
grease
hersh
her/
hoarse
minsh
minj
mince
notis
'noti/
notice
rinsh
nnf
rince.
1 Note gutcher = " grandfather 5> from guid schir, pronounced '
PHONETICS 27
98. These two sounds make a sort of consonantal diphthong.
Initially they are written ch : medially and finally tch, since ch in
these two positions generally stands for x in Sc. Some Romance
words still retain ch for tf when no ambiguity arises.
Sc. Ph. E.
channer 'tfanar mutter
chowks t/Auks jaws
latch latf idle (v.)
wutchuk 'wAt/Ak swallow (bird)
mooch mutf sneak about
pooch put/ pocket.
99. tf often takes the place of E. dfr
parritch 'pantf porridge
marriage 'merit f marriage
Note eetch it/ adze.
100. In some districts of Scotland, e.g. Caithness, Avoch in
Eastern Ross, Cromarty, Chirnside in Berwicksh., f takes the
place of tf in many words initially, e.g. Serz az gyd fiiz t
'fjrset az waz 'ivar Joud wt Jafts, There's as gude cheese in
Chirnside as was ever chewed with chafts (jawbones). On the
other hand we find chop, t/op, in Nth. Sc. for " shop," and chingle,
tf ITJ! in general use = " shingle."
101. Voiced after-blade fricative. Same sound as in E.
" pleasure."
Sc. Ph. E.
pushion puigan, pAgan poison
fashion 'fuijan, rfA5an2 pith
Fraser ffre:5ar Fraser.
1 Also 'paizan. 2 Also 'fijan, 'fisan.
28
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
102. This consonant diphthong has the same spellings as
in E. Initially j, medially dg, finally dge or in Romance words
ge, when no ambiguity arises.
Sc.
jaud
jile }
jeyle}
jouk
jow
fodgel
brain(d)ge]
breenge j
ginge-bread
waages
wadge
Ph.
brands]
brinds J
E.
jade
jail
duck
toll
fat
dash or
plunge
ginger-bread
wages
wedge.
103. A number of words, generally of Romance origin,
beginning with d5, are spelled with g when the vowel following
is i, 6, i, \.
geal
gee
gentie]
gentle)
geeble
gigot
gimp
d3ibl
freeze
a fit of temper
gentle
splash
leg of mutton
slender.
dsjmp,
Many of these are also written with j, no doubt to avoid
ambiguity, e.g. jeal, jeeble, jimp.
104. In N.E. Aberdeenshire gang is pronounced
(see Ph. § 32) from gJiTj from
from
PHONETICS 29
j
105. Voiced front fricative. It is the sound of initial y in
E. young, and is generally so written in Sc.
106. (1) It occurs initially (a) arising out of an earlier
diphthong :
Sc.
Ph.
E.
yerl
jerl
earl
yertli)
yird }
jer9)
Jirdj
earth
yernin
'jernan, 'jjrnan
rennet
yin
jm
one
yowe
JAU
ewe.
(b) From
fronted g :
yeld
jeld
barren
yett
jet
gate.
(2) Before u followed by a back consonant or by r, written
iu or eu or ui.
beuk, Uuk bjuk book
heuk ' hjuk hook
kyeuk kjuk (N.E.) cook
muir mjuir moor
leuch Jjux laughed.
(3) In some words it takes the place of 1 in some dialects.
ploo pju: plough
Woo bju: blue
ploy pjoi pastime
kyuk (Strathearn, kjAk cloak
Perthsh.)
yokes (neighbour- jeks laiks, marbles staked
hood of Glasgow) in the game.
107. j is dropped in your = i:r (N.E. and Sth. Sc.) and in ye
(unemphatic) = i in other dialects.
30 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
108. Breathed back fricative. The final consonant sound in
Sc. loch, lox and in Ger. ach. When the preceding vowel is a
front one the tongue advances almost into the front position as
in laigh, lex+ (low), heich, hix+ (high). It then resembles ch
in Ger. ich but in our texts we have not thought it necessary
to use a separate symbol.
109. In Orkney and Shetland x takes the place of k before
w, thus :
question becomes 'xwestjan.
110. In many of the Mid.1 dialects x stands for 9 before r,
thus :
twa or three becomes rtwaxri,
thrice „ xrais,
throo „ xru:,
throat „ xrot.
111. In Sth. Sc. x occurs with simultaneous lip-rounding
after a back vowel in words like lauch (laugh), leuwch (laughed,
O.E. hloh), lowch (loch), ruwch (rough), thus written phonetically
lax*, ljux*, lox*, TAX*. The existence of this rounded x has
to be postulated to explain the development of O.E. final h = x
into a vowel or f as in modern English " dough," " laugh." See
note to Ph. § 160.
112. Breathed front fricative. Formed between the front
of the tongue and the hard palate. It is similar to the sound
in German ich and is the breathed counterpart of j. It is heard
in Sc. often in the beginning of words, instead of h as in Hugh,
hook, SJu:, 9Juk. It is also heard finally after a front vowel
(more especially i) as a substitute for x, thus :
Sc. Ph. E.
heich hi9 high.
1 e.g. Stirling.
PHONETICS 31
In general the tongue is never so far advanced on the roof
of the mouth as for the German sound, and the sound might
be described as an advanced x. In the general texts x will be
used indifferently for the back and advanced forms of the sound
written ch.
w
113. Voiced lips-back fricative. This sound is written and
pronounced in much the same way as in E. The back of the
tongue rises simultaneously with the rounding of the lips, w used
to. be pronounced regularly before r in words like wright, wring,
write, wrong, wren, wretch, wrought, but its use is becoming rarer.
Sometimes a distinct vowel is heard between w and r.
114. In the North East w becomes v. This v was originally,
no doubt, a bilabial sound like the Ger. u in Quelle, but it is
now labio-dental. vrprt, vrait, vraij, vratj = wright, write,
ivrong, wretch are still current in the N.E. Sc.
115. w is lost very frequently before vowels, especially
before u.
Sc. Ph. E.
oo (Sth. Sc.) u: we
oo' u: wool
athin a'9;n within
athoot a'9ut without
ook uk week
soom sum swim
soop sup sweep
towmont 'tAumant twelvemonth
umman 'Aman woman
toonty (Sth. Sc.) 'tunti twenty.
116. Occasionally w is developed from u as in E. "one" =
WAH.
wir (unemphatic) wjr, WAr, war our
oonerstan wunar'stan understand.
117. For its development in N.E. Sc. before an original o
see Ph. § 152, and in Sth. Sc. before initial o see Ph. § 210.
32
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
118. In some of the Sc. dialects w often replaces v: for v — w
see Ph. § 81. We have a similar phenomenon in the Cockney
speech of Dickens' time, e.g. winegar and weal for vinegar and
veal. So in Sc. we may hear wirtuous, weggybun, wanish, for
virtuous, vagabond, vanish. If v was at one time bi-labial, the
confusion between it and w, in Middle Sc. texts, may be easily
understood.
119. w sometimes takes the place of E. j, developing in
most cases out of an original u.
Sc.
actwally
anwall
gradwal
richtwis (O.E. rihtwls)
Ph.
E.
'dktfwali
'anwal
actually
annual
'gradwal
'r^xtwis
gradual
righteous.
Al
120. This sound is produced in the same way as w, only
breath is used instead of voice.
121. wh is the common modern spelling, taking the place
of the older quh, qwh. In some dialects the back action of the
tongue is very marked so that the result might be represented
almost by XAI or XA. AY is almost unknown in Sth. Eng. but may
be heard in the North of England. It is the rule in Scotland in
all words spelled wh. Examples :
Sc.
whan, quhan
whare, quhar
whitrit, quhitrit
whilk, quhilk
wha, quha
Ph.
Aian
Atair
'AiAtrjt, '
Alglk, AlAlk
Aia.:, Aie:
E.
when
where
weasel
which
who.
121 (a). For AIA in Sth. Sc. = hua see Ph. § 210.
122. In the N.E. the back action of the tongue has been
eliminated, producing (1) a bi-labial f and (2) later on, the
lip-teeth f of ordinary speech. Hence the above words are pro-
nounced fan, far, etc., fan, fair, etc. in the N.E.
PHONETICS 33
123. In the dialect of Avoch (Eastern Ross) and Cromarty
A\. is lost in the interrogatives wha, whase, what, whan, whare,
which become a, as, at, an, ar, respectively, e.g.
" Where are you going, boy ? "
air t$u gean, bjox ?
124. Breathed glottal fricative. This sound is produced by
the friction of the outgoing breath on the edges of the vocal
chords, or against the interior walls of the larynx. It is really
a stressed breath. Hence its liability to disappear to conscious-
ness when the syllable in which it occurs loses the stress. As
in E., words with the minimum of stress tend to lose the " h,"
e.g. him, her, his. See Ph. § 217 (6). On the other hand, notice
that us AS when stressed becomes hAZ, hjz.
125. As in E., the pronoun " it " has generally lost its
aspirate, but unlike E. the " h " may be retained under emphasis,
e.g. " You are it," in the game, i.e. the person who has to pay
the penalty, e.g. to stay in the house, becomes in Sc. ye re hit,
jir h^t or jir hAt. For other examples see Gr. § 23.
126. In some dialects the "h" is omitted or inserted
contrary to E. usage, e.g. in the fisher speech of Avoch and
Cromarty in the Black Isle, in Footdee Aberdeenshire, and in
Cove in Kincardineshire. In his History of Buckhaven, Fife-
shire, Dougal Graham (18th century) records a like peculiarity
in that fishing village. If we may judge from the literary
texts and public records that have come down to us, there was
a similar hesitancy in the use of h in Middle Scots on the part
of many writers.
G.
VOWELS
127. A vowel is a speech sound in which the breath
current, normally voiced, issues from the mouth without a
check — complete or partial — and without audible friction.
128. TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING VOWELS
High indicates that the tongue is raised as far as it can go
without producing audible friction, the mouth opening being
small.
Low indicates that the tongue is as far down as possible,
and the mouth-opening at its maximum.
Mid indicates that the tongue is midway between high and
low and that the mouth is half open.
Front indicates that the highest point on the surface of the
tongue is in the front and opposite the middle of the hard
palate. The short slope is to the front and the long slope to
the back.
Back indicates that the highest point on the surface of the
tongue is in the back and opposite the soft palate. The long-
slope is to the front.
Central indicates that there is a very slight rise on the surface
of the tongue midway between the point and the back. The
tongue lies very nearly flat on the floor of the mouth in the
position for easy breathing. Other names used by phoneticians
for this position are mixed, flat, neutral.
Tense indicates that the muscles of the tongue are drawn
tight, a condition of the tongue that generally produces a clearer
and more ringing sound.
Lax indicates that the muscles of the tongue are relaxed so
that the upper surface is not so convex as in the tense sound.
Rounded indicates that the contraction of the lips has come
into play to modify the sound. In back vowels the cheeks also
play an important part in the production of the sound.
PHONETICS
35
3—2
rd in ordinary
spelling
s l^-i
| g At/oJ
a^ o * £!, 1 llS-a^^l
Illllf^ bb^|S.^^
o
X"™^ ^^*^ x^**~ X"~X ^^*^
t*
i— I <N T— I (N ^
^3
•
1
a
a
II
bD <3
fl '3
D ^ & & ^~^ ^
0 & 0 0 .p .p., -5100^ § P
Modern !
H a
d§
«2 &
"O D !O «O "S "M M W rj* pj
•3
rH^ sT" Cl-^S ""^
0
O)
o
-si
O J3 cv §
'43 "8
-4-3 £J
cr ^ ° ° °* - >M » ^ ^^ •?,
r/^ S3
^^ ^"^ ^"^ x*-^. v>^1^
2
r— ( (M
PH
<D .^ -S
m CD 2^ g, *- O Q^
4*
I
•° i S?3c.i
iiiiii-?lii!
0)
'^^ ^*~^ fl x^-^x— Vx^-N
3
r— 1 (M i — 1 (N T^H
Q
A
O
03
uf
1
O
x_^ v^^ "IH" .^
T-H C^
d
1
i Ja s Ji lf (
1
1
3 § 5 is i^1! !l So^ /I ^ ^ ^
CQ
^^s x^s -> £ |^ ^^
1
1 £8
•3
— ^ ,op ^ £
is
^ t^QpI^ .-^ ^ £j^ ^ 03 1r^
0 1(8 ,« ,« ,« .« KD ,0 « ,« ,0
•B
O
Modern Eng
Sth. Englis
ronunciatio
Scot
ft
8
s
u> --j
c<i
SH
•S
g-s
§
rH CO
3S
02. O
^H CO
-g
31
OQ
1
5 &CT3 0
-
II
40 fl
^H Q. a
CO
Sod
^d
o rt o • •
o o* d G^I ^^* o •^s* 01 G^I d
rH (N CO OO»^d •«-• <«>CO
rH JO CO rH rH
I
O P
S k-^
H ^ -U3
I 1
O)
« oT
d d «
rH CO CO
G<1 02
- d
g g
0) u)
13
CM (N 02
02 co PH CD <1> i-O ^
rH 01 CO rH^CO^ CO^ r7 rH^O?
^ O
CD CD CD
11
^ U g fl I
40 s~^
43|
'^^:3 |3 £
8 2 ^1 a ^ ^
O
*
O 02 02 ^
Modern Eng]
>th. English
renunciation
000
&-S &
:o :g =o
1-4
9
:O
"• e.
G
.2
8 §
w <& w O "Q O
O *o O < § "3
1
'ft 0
"En
^r ^
43 a
t i
§
3
5
>> fl o
•llf jl§
^3 rJO 02 £
^ °
111 1S:r
1
1
M>M* °S3 ®3j ^ — p-
OJ
0)
P
o
1
fl
0
M
1 ^ ^ III)
^5 O
ii 8 ^
S-f^ s S)^
O rO O 02 -CO *"3
S
CO
s
1
3
P-H
J
1
SH -^ bO
.M -rH >i OO O
1— 1
o "o o ^ ^ ^
I— 1
hH
40 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
NOTE TO VOWEL TABLES
Literary English and Scots are descended from sister dialects
of Teutonic speech in Britain. The first comes from an East
Midland form, the second from the Northern or Anglian dialect
which from a very early period was spoken between the Humber
and the Forth and subsequently extended to all the Scottish
Lowlands. The only Old English dialect that has come down
to us in a satisfactory literary form is the West Saxon speech of
King Alfred. This dialect has been written with great phonetic
accuracy and as we cannot put our hands on the original form of
Teutonic from which all these dialects presumably have sprung,
it serves as a very valuable test of the development of the vowels
in English and Scots. Naturally West Saxon stands in closer
relationship to the Teutonic languages of the Continent than
do its modern collateral descendants, and so it serves to link up
our modern dialects with Teutonic speech in general.
FRONT VOWELS
131. High front tense. The tongue occupies the forepart of
the mouth, the point rests on or close behind the lower teeth
ridge and, behind the point, the tongue arches up towards the
teeth ridge and hard palate. The front of the tongue is opposite
the middle of the hard palate, the space between being just
sufficient to allow of the egress of the breath current without
audible friction. The muscles of the tongue are tense, and the
lips form a large ellipse with the corners well apart. This
vowel is heard in E. deep ; in Fr. id ; in Ger. Biene, ihn ; in Sp.
and It. vino. In Sth. E., i is either much prolonged or diph-
thongized, when i becomes ri or ij, thus deep is drip or dijp.
132. In Sc. i is spelled (1) ee, (2) ie, (3) ei, (4) ea, (5) e-e.
Sc. Ph. E.
(1) cleek klik hook
deevil diivl devil
dree dri: undergo
eelie-lamp 'ili'lamp oil-lamp
PHONETICS 41
Sc. Ph. E.
reek rik smoke
seeven siivn seven
speer, speir, spier spiir ask
weel wil well (adj., adv.).
(2) bield bile? protection
Hieland 'hilanc? Highland
shieling 'fil^n summer hut.
(3) dreich drix wearisome
heich hix high
wm£ nist next
reive riiv plunder.
(4) gear giir property
raira rim, cream.
(5) recfe rid advice
remede and remeid n'mid remedy.
For final i diphthongised in Sth. Sc., see Ph. § 203.
133. N.B. Words of Romance origin retain this vowel in
Sc., e.g. :
bapteese bap'tiiz baptise
ceevil siivl civil
obleedge a'blid5 oblige
peety 'piti pity
poseetion pa'zi/n position.
134. High front lax. This vowel is formed in very nearly
the same position as for i, only the tongue is a little lower and
its upper surface less convex owing to the muscles being relaxed.
It is identical with the vowel in E. hit etc., Ger. mity nicht. It
occurs also as the first element in the Sth. E. diphthong in " sea,
heafc," etc. ; sii, hrit, sij, hijt.
135. In Sc. i is generally spelled with the letter "i" :
Sc. Ph. E.
brither 'briflar brother
fivver 'fivar fever
mither 'mitJar mother.
42 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
136. This sound or (i) frequently takes the place of A especi-
ally before a nasal.
Sc. Ph. E.
din din dun
nit nit nut
simmer 'simar summer
sin sin son
sin sin sun
sinery 'sinri sundry
sipper 'sipar supper
winner 'wmar wonder.
137. In Sc. Dialect generally, the pure i sound is not so
common as in E., its place being taken by \.
138. High front lax lowered. The tongue is still further
lowered from the i position until it is at least half way down
to the mid position. The vowel in acoustic effect is midway
between i and e, i.e. between the sounds in E. " pit " and " pet."
In some dialects, especially in the North, the tongue is flattened
as well as lowered, so that the sound in acoustic effect approaches
9. See Ph. § 188. In other dialects e (see Ph. § 144) is heard
instead of i in many words in all positions, e.g. pit becomes pet
In E. the second vowel in " pity" is often pronounced as \.
139. The vowel i is generally spelled "i" in Mod. Sc., and
in final position (2) ie or (3) y. In Middle Sc. it was generally
written " y."
Sc. Ph. E.
(1) find f\nd find
Kill nil hill
nicht npct . night
things Ojrjz things
will J wjl will.
(2) tassie 'tasi cup.
(3) tuppenny 'tfpnf, 'tApnt twopenny.
1 WA! is more common.
PHONETICS 43
140. Mid front tense. The tongue is now lower than for
any of the previous vowels, and the mouth more open. As the
tongue is tense, the acoustic effect is sharp and clear, e is
heard in E. mate', Fr. ete\ Ger. See', Du. reel. It is always
diphthongized in Sth. E. : thus mate is meit or meit.
141. The most common spellings for e1 in Sc. are (1) cw2,
(2) ae, (3) a-e, (4) ay2.
Sc. Ph. E.
(1) mair me:r more
pairt pert part
stravaig stra'veg wander aimlessly.
(2) blae ble: blue, livid
mae me: more
strae stre: straw
tae te: toe.
1 In some Sc. dialects, e.g. Morayshire, when e is short or half-long, it
changes somewhat in quality. The sound is formed with the tongue lower and
less tense as in baith, ane, bale (fester) = beT0, cTn, beTl which might be written
also b|6, tn, b^l.
2 The spellings at, ay, for the vowel e have a curious origin. They indicated
first a diphthong as in dai, mai, sayde, paie, for "day, may, said, pay." In
course of time this diphthong was monophthongized, resulting in a long vowel.
The old spelling was retained for this long vowel. The i or y came to be
regarded as a sign of length and was later extended to mark length in the
vowels e and o and u. Again in words like name, schame, O.E. nama, scamu,
the a standing in open position (see Ph. § 146 (2)) had been lengthened in the
13th century and the suffix e, representing nearly all the old terminations, had
come to be regarded as a mark of length and was added to many words which
had originally a long a, as bane O.E. ban, " a bone." Thus there arose two
ways of indicating a long a, viz. : ai, ay, and a + consonant + e.
E.
battle
have
more.
dead
remedy
before
good
Old Sc.
Middle Sc.
batale
bataill
have
haiff
rnare
mair
So also
with e, o, and u :
dede
deid
remede
remeid
before
befoir
gude
guid
44
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
(3)
(4)
Sc.
blate
quate
splay
Ph.
blet
kweit
sple:
E.
shy
quiet,
split.
142. In Sth. Sc. a diphthong is used instead of e in words
derived from original long a or open a (see Ph. § 146 (2)),
e.g. stane, stian, O.E. stdn, hate (vb.), hiat, O.E. hatian.
143. In Forfar, Kincardine, Aberdeen and on the Banffshire
coast, this e becomes i before n as bin, stin = E. " bone, stone ";
O.E. ban, stan.
144. Mid front lax. In Sc. Dialect, the tongue is always
lower than for e, the mouth more open and the tongue-surface
less convex, owing to the laxness of the muscles. E. " men, pen,"
etc. Ger. Fest, Thrdne.
145. e is spelled in Sc. (1) e, (2) ai.
(1)
(2)
Ph.
'etarkap
ben
'bletSsr
bres
gles
ken
epl
bern
kern
'menar
sedl
Note e may also be heard in (2).
146. Many words in Sc. have an e or e vowel where E. has
an a vowel. This is frequently the case (1) in words ending in
r + cons., and s + cons., e.g. E. "arm, harm, sharp, yard," become
in Sc. erm, herm, Jerp, jerd, and " brass, fast, glass," become,
bres, fest, gles ; (2) in words where a short a (ea, &) stood
originally in an open syllable. A syllable is said to be open
when it ends with a vowel as a in " la-dy " and ow in "low." When
Sc.
ettercap
ben
blether
bress
gless
ken
aipple
bairn
cairn
mainner
saiddle
E.
spider, spitfire
inside room
bladder
brass
glass
know.
apple
child
heap of stones
manner
saddle.
PHONETICS 45
the syllable ends in a consonant, it is said to be closed as in " lad,
bath." In early Middle English and Sc. the short vowels, a, e, o,
in open syllables were lengthened and had a different develop-
ment from the same vowel in a closed syllable. Thus O.E.
ba&ian becomes bathe, but O.E. bte& becomes bath. E. " glad "
comes from O.E. nom. gfoed, but Sc. " glaid " from an oblique case
of the adjective like glade or gladum, where a was in open
position. So Sc. rfe¥ar goes back to Nom. Sing, f seder, but E.
" father " to some form like fsedres orftedras, where se is in closed
position.. Chaucer's "small" in smale foules would give Mod.
Eng. "smail," a form which actually occurs in the proper name
Smail and the Sc. place-name Smailholm. The nominative
smsel is the ancestor of Sc. " sma'," and E. " small," by regular
process of change in each of the dialects.
y
147. High front lax rounded, y is an i pronounced with
lip-rounding. It is like the vowel in Ger. Hutte, and is generally
heard short and occurs before all consonants except r and voiced
fricatives. In a few dialects this vowel is tense and very nearly
equivalent to Fr. u in mur.
148. y is commonly written (1) ui, (2) u-e, (3) oo.
Sc. Ph. E.
(1) buist byst mark on cattle
cuit kyt ankle
fruit fryt fruit
guim gym gum
tuim tym toom (empty).
(2) bude byd behoved
excuse (sb.) ek'skjys excuse
guse gys goose
mune myn moon
schule skyl school
spune spyn spoon
use (sb.) jys use.
(3) loof lyf hollow of hand
shoon fyn shoes.
46
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
149. Mid front tense rounded. In pronouncing this vowel,
the tongue is in the position for e (Ph. § 140), with the lips
slightly rounded. The vowel eu in Fr. pen has very nearly the
same sound. $ occurs in final position and before voiced frica-
tives, such as z, v, 9 and r, and is normally long.
150. 0 is written (1) ui, (2) u + e, (3) oe, (4) o, (5) oo.
Sc.
(1) cruive
fuird
muir
pair
(2) excuse (vb.)
use (vb.)
(3) shoe
(4) do
(5) too
Ph.
kr^iv
m0:r
eks'kj^iz
tf.
E.
pen for live stock
ford
moor
poor,
excuse
use.
shoe,
do.
too.
151. The original vowel in most of the words containing y
or 0 appears to have been a long o in O.E. and Scan, and u in
Fr., e.g. O.E. mona, Sc. myn ; Scan, hrosa, Sc. r^iz ; Fr. user,
Sc. J0:z. This o (or u) was fronted and became 0. 0 remained
before voiced fricatives and r and in final position, but in other
cases it was generally raised and shortened to y. In many dis-
tricts of the Mid. area, recent unrounding has taken place so
that y becomes i and ^ becomes e. Thus fruit, use (sb.), shoon
become frit, jis, fin, but puir, use (vb.), shoe become pe:r, jeiz,
f e:. In some districts this unrounding is so recent that middle-
aged people remember the difference between their own sound
and that of the older generation. In other cases the change goes
back to the seventeenth century. In the Records of Stitchil1
(1674) there is an entry of "5/6 as the price of 'shin,'" i.e. "shoes."
Another instance from Kirk Session Records is given in Henry's
History of the Parish Church of Galston1 (Ayrshire) under date
1 We are indebted to the Rev. Mr McKinlay, Galston, for pointing out these
instances.
PHONETICS 47
Oct. 1635 : "The collection to the pare (i.e. poor) sail be gathered
at the entrie of the people to the kirk." The conventional spelling
disguises this change but it crops out occasionally, e.g. in the
song of " Guid Ale." Burns writes :
I sell'd them a' just ane by ane
Guid ale keeps my heart abune.
ane and abune 'would make a perfect rhyme in Burns' local pro-
nunciation, al though the spelling conceals this fact :
a seld Sam a: djist jm bs jm
gid jil kips ma hert a'bin.
See also verse 4 in Burns' poem " To a Mouse," p. 335.
152. In the N.E. this 0 vowel (derived from O.E. o, Scan. 6,
Fr. K) was raised at a very early period to y without being
shortened and was then unrounded to i. It is possible that 0
may have been unrounded to e and then raised to i. In either
case the result was i. Thus :
N. Sc. Ph. Mid. Sc. Ph.
freet frit fruit fryt
meen min mune myn
peer piir pair p0:r
shee /i: shoe ffo
sheen Jin shoon Jyn.
When a back consonant preceded the original long o, it seems
to have been rounded, and a glide developed between it and the
vowel, which afterwards became w. Thus :
N. Sc. Ph. Mid. Sc. E.
cweed kwid cuid a small tub
cweet kwit cuit ankle
gweed gwid gude good
skweel skwil schule school.
153. For heuk, heuch, etc. see Ph. § 160.
154. y and 0 are eminently unstable vowels in Sc. and the
variations perceptible in different districts and in close proximity
are very numerous. Sometimes the distinction between y and 0
does not seem to hold, or a rounded central vowel is used instead
of either.
48
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
155. Low front lax. This is the same sound as the vowel
in Sth. Eng. man. It does not occur regularly in Mid. Scottish
but may be heard in the dialect of the Southern Counties as a
substitute for e in words like beg, men, pen, Berwick, Nellie. The
symbol is not used in the general texts.
156. Low front tense. Sth. E. "fair," f§a; Fr. fete, pere.
This is a very broad substitute for the e of "men" in some
dialects (e.g. in the Langholm dialect of Dumfries) but the
symbol is not used in the general texts.
BACK VOWELS
u
157. High back tense rounded. The highest point on the
surface of the tongue is in the back, the tongue is raised as far
as possible without producing audible friction, its muscles are
tense so that its surface bulges upwards, the lips are drawn
together at the corners and protruded. E. " food, rue, blue " (in
Sth. E. this vowel is often diphthongised = uu or uw) ; Fr. roue,
foule ; Ger. Buhle ; It. and Sp. uno ; Du. goed.
158. u is commonly spelled in Sc. (1) oo, (2) ou, (3) u :
S.
(1) broon
coo
doo
(2) doute
goun
roun(d)
soun(d)
(3) /«'
pu
Ph.
brun
ku:
du:
dut
gun
rund
sum/
fu:
pu:
E.
brown
cow
dove,
doubt
gown
round
sound (sb., vb.).
full
pull.
PHONETICS 49
159. In some parts of the country, e.g. in Celtic districts
and in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, the tongue is decidedly
advanced from the back position and a sound is produced that
in acoustic effect is midway between u and y.
160. In the N.E. and in some parts of the Mid. area an
original long o before a back consonant becomes ju1 or iu.
Sc. Ph. E.
beuk (buik) bjuk book
eneuch a'njux enough
heuk hjuk hook
heuch hjux crag, gully
leuch ljux laughed
sheuch /UX (from sjux) ditch.
In the N.E. district between Moray and Caithness original
long o before r has also been developed into ju.
muir mju:r moor
puir pju:r poor.
161. In some districts of the Mid. area the u of ju before a
back consonant has been lowered and unrounded, hence eneuch,
heuk, heuch, etc. become a'njAX, hJAk, hjAx, etc.
162. In the dialect of the Sth. counties, u in final position
has been diphthongized, producing AU. Thus coo, poo, you
become kAU, PAU, JAU.
163. High back lax rounded. The tongue is slightly lower
than for u, its surface less convex and the lips are not so pursed.
Same vowel as in Sth. E., bull, full. Rare in Sc. except in the
Southern Counties where it is the first element of the diphthong
ua, used instead of o in words like bore, buar ; sole (of a shoe),
su9l(seePh.§210).
1 The process may have started with the rounding of the back consonant,
i.e. the action of the lips used in forming o may have been kept up while k or x
was being sounded. Then a strong glide may have developed between o and k
or x. The development of leuch = " laughed" may be thus summarised, O.E.
hloh (/i = x), hloh<", louh, l^ux, leux, liux, ljux. See Ph. § 111.
G. 4
50 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
O
164. Mid back tense rounded. The tongue is lowered from the
u position but is still kept tense, the lips are less rounded, o is
the same vowel sound as in E. load, rode (Sth. E. diphthongizes
this sound): Fr. beau, tdt\ Ger. Sohn, Boot', Du. wonen. The
most frequent source of o is O.E. short o standing in open position
(see Ph. § 146 (2)) and lengthened in early Middle English and Sc.
165. o is generally written (1) o, (2) o-e, (3) oa.
Sc. Ph. E.
(1) corn korn corn
horn horn horn.
(2) hole hoi hole
thole 6ol bear.
(3) body 'bodi body
foalie 'foil foal
" woa wo: whoa.
166. This vowel is frequently diphthongized in Sth. Sc. and
becomes uo. See Ph. § 210.
o
167. Mid back lax rounded. The lips are less rounded than
for o and the tongue position lower, o is the same vowel as in
E. cost, on, etc. ; Fr. tort ; It. notte ; Ger. Sonne. It is quite dis-
tinct from the Sth. E. sound in cost which is a low backgrounded
vowel, o is common in the Sc. of the Sth. Counties and in the
North in words where an original o stood in close position (see
Ph. § 146 (2)). In the Mid. districts there has been a strong
tendency to make this vowel more tense, so that in many words o
has completely displaced o and in others o and o seem to be used
indifferently, the latter being preferred for emphatic utterance.
168. o is the common spelling of the vowel o.
Sc. Ph.
coft (bought) koft
frost frost
knock (clock) knok
lot lot
post post
rod rod
PHONETICS 51
169. This vowel is generally unrounded in Sc. to a when
it is in contact with a lip-consonant — seemingly by a process of
dissimilation.
Sc. Ph. E.
bather 'baftar bother
baimet 'banat bonnet
craft kraft croft
drap drap drop
hap hap hop
la.fi laft loft
pat pat pot
Rab rab Rob
saft saft soft
stammick 'stamik stomach
tap tap top.
170. In districts where the original o becomes o, the vowel
is unrounded to A in many words, e.g.
bunnet1 'bAnat bonnet
buther 'bA$ar bother
munny mAiif many
Rubbert1 'rAbart Robert
stummick1 'stAmik stomach.
171. Low back tense rounded. The tongue is in the lowest
position in the back of the mouth, but the lips are less rounded
than for o. The vowel occurs in E. law, cause, ball. It is common
in Mid. Sc. In the North, in Galloway and in the Southern
Counties it is of rare occurrence, being replaced by a broad a
sound. It varies over the country from 9 to o and o on the one
hand and to a and a (in Celtic areas) on the other.
172. (1) a, (2) aa, (3) a, (4) aw, (5) au, (6) al are the most
common spellings of 9. All the words given in Ph. § 176 may
be pronounced with 9 instead of a.
1 In these words A may possibly be the unrounded form of Anglo-French u.
4—2
52
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
173. Low back lax. This is the most open sound of a which
is heard very commonly in E. father, Fr. pdte, Ger. Name.
174. A lighter sound of a is often heard where the mouth
is only half open and which might be described as mid back lax.
175. a is generally fully long when final, and before a voiced
fricative and r. It is also long when it represents an older diph-
thong, arising generally from a lost consonant (1, g, w) with the
spellings al, aw, au.
176. Common spellings for this long sound are (1) a, (2) aa,
(3) a', (4) aw, (5) au, (6) al.
(1)
(2)
Sc.
da
twa
wha
haar
haave
(3) a'
(4)
(5)
ca
f*
sa
blaw
chaw
saw
tawse
baur
cauk
daur
fause
Ph.
dai
twa:
Ava:
hair
haiv
a:
ka:
fa:
sa:
bla:
tfa:
sa:
ta:z
ba:r
ka:k
da:r
fa:s
saix
bauld
cauld
fauld
auld
E.
father
two
who.
cold sea mist
grey.
all
call, drive
fall
salve.
blow
chew
sow
strap (for punishing).
joke
chalk
dare
false
willow
bold
cold
fold
old.
PHONETICS 53
Sc. Ph. E.
(6) chalmer 'tjaimar chamber
kalflin 'haifltn half-grown
halse ha:s neck.
177. In the Mid. Sc. dialects 9 is used very widely instead
of a: in words of this class. See Ph. § 171.
178. In other cases a is of medium length or short, i.e. when
it does not occur finally or before voiced fricatives and r and
when it does not represent an older diphthong. Ph. § 175.
Sc. Ph. E.
chafts tfafts jaws
dag dag rain or wet
fallow 'fala fellow
lass las girl
sax saks six
thack Oak thatch.
179. For a representing an older o, see Ph. § 169.
180. Low back lax advanced. In this vowel the tongue is
advanced bodily from the position of a but without the pro-
nounced rising in the front which characterizes genuine front
vowels. The sound is used regularly in the Northern English
in words like man. It is similar to the vowel in the Fr. patte.
It may be heard in Scottish dialect in districts that have come
under Celtic influence in the North as a substitute for a. The
symbol is not used in the general texts.
181. Mid back tense. This vowel is heard in E. but, hut, cur,
etc. In Sth. E., the tongue is generally advanced and before r
invariably flattened in words of this class. The short a in the
German mann sounds very like this Sc. vowel, only in the German
vowel the tongue is lax. In some Scottish dialects the tongue
is lowered.
54
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
182. The common spellings of A are
(1) u} (2) ou, (3) o.
Sc.
Ph.
E.
(1) lull
bAl1
bull
cut
kAt
cut
putt
pAt
put (at golf).
(2) young
JATJ
young
touch
tAtf
touch.
(3) come
kAm
come
work
WArk
work (vb.).
183. Words with
the spellings whi,
wi in E. generally have
A in Sc.
whustle
MASl
whistle
whurl
ALATl
whirl
swirl
swArl
swirl
wull
WAl
will
wutch
WAtf
witch.
184. In some districts, especially those on the Highland
Border, this A sound very commonly takes the place of i or j as
Sc.andE. Ph.
ditch dAtf
fill fAl
fish fAf
hill hAl
little lAtl
185. For son, summer, etc., see Ph. § 136.
186. For A in eneuch, etc., see Ph. § 161.
187. For A unrounded from o, see Ph. § 170.
188. Mid central. In the formation of this vowel the tongue
lies nearly flat in the mouth, the centre being slightly raised,
the mouth is half open as for easy breathing. This sound may
be heard in the first syllable of E. " attack." It occurs generally
in unaccented position as a substitute for any vowel, but it may
be heard also in Sc. before r in accented position, instead of t
or A and is then tense as a rule. Examples : third, bird ; 6ard,
bard.
1 Also bil or bil.
PHONETICS 55
189. In some of the Northern dialects another flat vowel
may be heard, viz. the high central lowered. It takes the place
of i in words like put, foot, hit, him, and occurs also in termina-
tions such as er. Thus in Sc. on^ may hear five variants of the
word "put" — sometimes more than one in the same dialect,
viz. pit, pet, pi't, pAt, pat.
190. In nearly all suffixes the original vowel is reduced
to 9, e.g. :
Sc. Ph. E.
visible 'vizabl visible
kalian 'halan cottage partition
oxter 'okstar armpit
painfu 'penfa painful
barra' 'bars barrow
elbuck 'elbak elbow.
191. Note: na = not, in dinna, winna (will not), etc., is
pronounced na, although ne is also heard.
192. The termination y or ie is generally sounded \, though
a short e is also heard in some dialects. After a voiced plosive i
is also common.
nappy 'napg ale
ony 'onj any
bonnie 'bon; bonnie
Sannie 'sa.ni Alexander
taupie 'taipi a silly person
tawtie 'taitf, 'tati potato.
193. In the N.E. after a voiced plosive or fricative y or ie
is more commonly sounded i, as in hardy, Robbie, windy, bosom ;
'hardi, rrobi, 'wAndi, 'boizi. In Sth. Sc. i is also very common.
194. When the vowel in the syllable preceding y or ie final
is i (written ee or ea), ai (written i), y or ie final is generally
sounded i. Thus :
creepie (stool), greedy, Jeannie, whilie, wifie
are pronounced
'kripi, 'gridi, 'd&ni, 'Aiaili, 'waifi.
56
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
DIPHTHONGS
195. A diphthong consists of two vowel sounds pronounced
with one breath impulse so as to form one syllable. One of the
vowels carries a predominant stress. In Sc. the stress is gene-
rally on the first vowel, i.e. most Sc. diphthongs are falling ones.
Diphthongs with the stress on the second element — rising diph-
thongs— were once common in Scottish speech, but now the first
element has generally become a consonant; thus ane = one is now
pronounced in Mid. Sc. yin=fan\ heuch, buik, once hiux, biuk,
are now generally hjux, bjuk. In Sth. Sc. huope = " hope " has
become hwAp.
ai
196. This diphthong is not very common in Sc. It may be
heard in final position and before voiced fricatives and r, but is
frequently replaced by ai.
197. Its common spellings are (1) uy, (2) ui, (3) ie, (4) ye,
(5) ire, (6) y-e.
Sc.
(1) buy
(2) guiser
(3) lie1
tie
(4) aye
kye
(5) five
rise
(6) lyre
Ph.
bai
'gaizar
lai
tai
ai
kai
faiv
raiz
bair
E.
buy.
mummer.
lie (recline)
tie.
yes
kye.
five
rise.
byre.
198. The personal pronoun / is a and ai in stressed position
and a when unstressed.
199. ai is heard in some dialects instead of ai.
1 The older form Ixg is almost obsolete.
PHONETICS 57
ai
200. This diphthong is quite different from the Sth. E.
diphthong in fade = feid or feid. The first element is rarely a
pure e or e sound. It is really a vowel between e and 9 and is
always tense. So also is i the second element of the diphthong.
Another, but less convenient method of writing it, might be ei.
In some dialects A is the first element ; in others, especially in
the fishing villages of the N.E. coast, the first vowel of the
diphthong is a slightly rounded A, giving the impression of a
sound which lies acoustically between o and o ; examples boide,
foine, loike, koine, moine, poipe for " bide, fine, like, kind, mine,
pipe."
201. ai is spelled : (1) i-e-, (2) y-e, (3) ei, (4) ey, (5) ai.
E.
jail
lose
white,
belly
blame,
diligent,
doomed
hay.
boil
coin
join
oil.
ei
202. In the dialect of Avoch, Eastern Ross, the diphthong
ei may be heard in many words which have e or i in Sc. The
original vowel is generally a: or a and e in open position (see
Ph. § 146 (2)): e.g. bein, stein, eim, eit, peir, Jeip, feir for
" bone, stone, home, eat, pear, cheap, chair."
ei
203. ei is heard in Sth. Sc. in final position, where i is the
rule in Mid. Sc., e.g. bee, free, he, me, pea, we, dee (die), flee (fly),
lee (a lie) are the Sth. Sc. bei, frei, hei, mei, etc.
Sc.
Ph.
(1) jile
tine
d3ail
tain
white
A\ait
(2) Icyte
wyte
kait
wait
(3) eident
'aidant
(4) fey
hey
fai
hai
(5) boil or byle
coin
bail
kain
join or jine
oil or He
ail
58
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
ta
204. For this diphthong in Sth. Sc., see Ph. § 142.
01 or 01
205. This diphthong is rarer in Sc. than in E. Words with
oi or oy spelling are generally pronounced with the ai diphthong
except when oy is final.
Sc. Ph. E.
boy boi, boi boy
ploy ploi, ploi pastime.
206. " Joist" is generally dsist in Sc., but cyclist and egoist
are also known.
AU
207. This diphthong is spelled (1) ou, (2) ow, (3) owe, (4) ol
In most cases the diphthong arises from the loss of a consonant
h, g, 1, or w.
Sc.
Ph.
E.
(1) goud
gAud
gold
loup
IAUP
leap
throu (N. Sc.)
9rAU
through.
(2) bow (brig)
bAU
bow (bridge)
chow
t/AU
chew
cowt
kAUt
colt
fowk
fAUk1
folk
grow
grAU
grow
howp
hAUp
hope
owsen
'Ausan
oxen
row
TAU
roll
towmon(d)
'tAumam/
twelvemonth.
(3) fower
fAU9r
four
lowe
IAU
flame
ower
Auar
over.
(4) boll or bowe
bAU
boll (a measure)
bolster
'bAustar
bolster
stolen
stAum
stolen.
1 Also fok.
PHONETICS
59
208. AU is used in Sth. Sc. in words which in the other
dialects end in long u, e.g.
Mid. Sc. Sth. Sc. Ph. * E.
600 bAU bend
coo kAu cow
doo dAU dove
500 SAU SOW
2/oo JAU you.
ou
209. This diphthong is heard in Sth. Sc. in words which
originally had (1) ol, (2) oh, (3) og, (4) owt (5) oh. All except (2)
and (5) have AU in Mid. Sc., e.g.
(1)
bolster
'boustar
bolster.
(2)
sowcht
souxt
sought.
(3)
bow (sb.)
bou
bow.
(4)
stowe
stou
stow.
(5)
dowchter
douxtar
daughter.
ua
210. This diphthong is heard in Sth. Sc. in words that
have o or o in the other dialects.
born
corn
morn
bore
buarn
kuarn
muarn
buar
sole (of a, shoe) sual
Rome ruam
ua is derived from O.E. open o or classical o. Later additions
to the dialect have o. When the diphthong is initial, it may
appear in Sth. Sc. as WA, e.g. WApan, open, WArt/et, orchard ;
when preceded by h, it becomes A\A, e.g. MA!, a hole, MAP, hope.
See Murray's D. of S. C. of Sc., pp. 112, 147.
VOWEL AND CONSONANT LENGTH
LENGTH OF VOWELS
211. As contrasted with Sth. E. pronunciation, quantity
in Scottish vowels tends more to medium length with greater
freedom in shortening and lengthening. The tense vowels i, e,
o, u, 9, 0 and the vowel a may all be heard fully long in final
accented position and before voiced fricatives and r. The short-
ening of these tense vowels before all voiced plosives and 1, m,
n, TJ is much more marked than in Sth. E. and does not gene-
rally result in any loss of tenseness as in Sth. E.
212. It should be noted that the addition of an inflectional
ending does not usually alter the quantity of a preceding long
vowel. Thus both fee pr. t. and feed pt. t. have a fully long i,
but the verb feed has a comparatively short i. Compare also
Sc. Ph. E.
broo bru: brew
brood bruid brewed
brood brud brood
'gree gri: agree
'greed gri:d agreed
greed grid greed
loo lu: love
loo'd luid loved
lood lud loud
lay le: lay
laid leid laid
lade led load
brayd breid pushed
braid bred broad.
213. When a word is in frequent use, the natural tendency
to shorten before t, d, n manifests itself, especially if there is no
danger of confusion with another word, e.g.
gaed = " went " may be geld or ged,
gied = " gave " „ „ gild or gid.
PHONETICS 61
214. (a) Sometimes a vowel is long because it represents
a diphthong in the older form of the word or the loss of a con-
sonant.
Sc. Ph. E.
quote kwe:t quiet
rael re:l real
vain ve:n vain
ain e:n own ;
but en = one. For other examples see Ph. § 176.
(6) In the case of words like auld, laugh, saugh, the diph-
thong arose from the glide before 1 and x. The tendency to
shorten a vowel before x, a breathed consonant, accounts for the
double forms la:x, lax, straixt, straxt, for laugh and straight.
(c) The ending er seems in some dialects to have a short-
ening influence. Hence couter, shoother have generally a short u,
and f aither, raither are heard in different districts with both
long and short e.
(d) For shortening through lack of stress, see Ph. § 216.
(e) Meaning sometimes influences length, e.g.
bat nu: $e ar 'moinan in 'ilka grin 'loman,
but now they are meaning in ilka green loaning.
The Flowers of the Forest (Elliot).
(/) In the texts the mark for length (:) will be used after
the tense vowels e, i, o, u and a when they are final and accented,
or when they stand in the accented syllable before voiced frica-
tives and r.
LENGTH OF CONSONANTS
215. In many dialects (e.g. the Galloway dialect), when d
is dropped after n, the n is noticeably lengthened. Sometimes
the lengthening is equally distributed over the vowel and con-
sonant. In the general texts we write such words land and
laind
STKESS
216. Stress is the comparative force of the breath current,
with which the syllables that make up a word are uttered. In
Sc. and E. the root syllable of native words is generally the one
that has the chief stress. As this root syllable is very often the
first in the word, there is a tendency to stress foreign words in
the first syllable. In Sc. we often find Romance words retaining
their original stress contrary to English usage, e.g.
April
consequence
discord
massacre
mischief
novel
soiree
On the other hand we have
dispute (sb.)
police
a'prail
konsa'kwens
dis'kord
ma'sakar
mis'tfif
no'vel
sa'ri:.
'dispjut
'polis.
WOEDS IN THE BEEATH GEOUP
217. (a) The sounds produced in a single breath for the
purpose of conveying a thought or a definite part of a thought
are styled a breath group. A breath group may be a single
word but generally consists of a number. The lightly stressed
vowels in the breath group are subject to change. Long vowels
are shortened and often become lax or are graded down to a
central vowel. This applies also to monosyllabic words that are
generally employed with a minimum stress. These have nearly
always a strong and a weak form, the latter being the more
common. Words habitually used with minimum stress are the
articles, pronominal words, monosyllabic prepositions, conjunc-
tions and auxiliary verbs. Examples :
E. Strong Weak
you ji ji, ji
/ ai, a 9
my max, ma ma
when Aian A\an
us hjz, hAz as, s, z
our u:r ur, war, wij, WAF.
(6) Vowels may even be lost and consonants may disap-
pear or be assimilated to neighbouring sounds in the breath
group, e.g. h is regularly lost in unstressed pronominals like him,
her, his and the auxiliary have. Examples :
Sc. Ph. E.
/ sepad (used by Barrie) asarpad I shall uphold
fousticat (N.E.) 'fustikat how is't ye call it ?
guidschir 'gAtfar grandfather
ne'er day 'ne:rdj New Year Day
see till't sitlt, sidlt see to it, i.e. look at it
see till 'im sitlm, sidlm see to him, i.e. look at him.
(c) In the sentence "ye would na been sae shy," Gr. § 61,
na = na (not) + a (av = have). The two a's have coalesced to form
one vowel, so that would seems to be followed by a past part.
64 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Then the usage is extended to cases where na does not occur,
e.g. " I would rather paid the needful repairs myself." Gait, in
Annals of the Parish, ch. 27.
(d) The curious form tu or ton for " thou " was once
common in Mid. Scotland and survives in the nickname for
Paisley, viz. seestu = " seest thou ? " For examples of its use, see
Extract from Gait's Entail, and Gr. § 23. It arose from an old
assimilation in the breath group that was not unknown in O.E.
and was very common in Middle E. where th = 9 following t, d,
and often n and s became t, thus :
" And tatt wass don, thatt witt tu wel."
And that was done, that knowest thou well.
Ormulum, 1004 (c. 1200).
Often u or ou and e were written for &u and &e :
" Wilt u se a wel fair flur ? "
Wilt thou see a well fair flower ?
Floris and Blancheflur (13th cent.).
" Wreche bodi wgy list ou so ? "
Wretched body why liest thou so ?
The Debate of the Body and the Soul (13th cent.).
" hi bye]? brigte and .clene ase hi weren at e point and at e
time."
they be bright and clean as they were at the point and at
the time (of their christening).
The Ayenbite of Inwit (1340).
Thus one or all pronominal words beginning with th might have
alternate forms without th. Sometimes one form might prevail
for one or all pronominal words in a dialect, sometimes another.
In spoken Sc. at the present time there is only one form of the
relative that, viz. at ; yet it is but very rarely used in written
Sc. which has either that, Sat, or the highly artificial wha, MO.:.
In one dialect, viz. the Caithness Sc., all the pronominal words
beginning with th = ft still drop the consonant and so for this,
that, the, they, their, them, there, then, thence we get is, at, at
(relative), i, e:, e:r, em, e:r, en, ens. For instances in other
Sc. dialects, see Ph. § 87.
PHONETICS 65
(e) This close binding of words into a sort of compound
in the breath group also explains such forms as the tane and
the tuther, t$a ten, Sa 'tiftar or 'tA^ar, " the one and the other,"
from the O.E. ptet an, ptet offer. So also O.E. mln agan, pm agan
would be in Sc. main e:n, Sain em, and give rise to a new
possessive ne:n. Hence his nain son, hjz ne:n sin; his nain
seV, hiz ne:n sel, i.e. " his own self." In a tantrin ane or twa,
"an odd one or two," the t of the definite article has been
prefixed to antrin, "odd." (Mid. Eng. auntren "to come by
chance," Mid. Fr. aventurer.) The dropping of d in words like
cauld, find may also be susceptible of a similar explanation, but
see Ph. S 27.
INDEX
TO WORDS REFERRED TO IN PART I, §§ 1—217
a 123
awe 130
biuk 106 (2)
a' 176 (3)
aye 197 (4)
blae 141 (2)
aa28
blffidre (O.E.) 31
abune 151
ba' 64 (1)
blate 141 (3)
ach (Ger.) 108
babtist 11
blauve 81
acqueesh 40
badder 30
blaw 130, 176 (4)
actwally 119
bffijj (O.E.) 146
blawan (O.E.) 130
iemtig (O.E.) 15
baicht 83 (1)
bledder 31
8eppel{O.E.)130
baillie 61
blether 31, 85, 145 (1)
agan (O.E.) 130, 217 (e)
bailyie 61
bloo 106 (3)
agree 212
bailzie 61
blow 130
aht (O.E.) 130
bairn 145 (2)
blue 157
aicht 83 (1)
baith 82, 83 (1), 1411
boc (O.E.) 130
ain 214 (a)
bale 141 !
body 164
aipple 130, 145 (2)
ball 171
boga (O.E.) 130
airm 70 (2), 130
ban (O.E.) 130, 141 2, 143
boide 200
ait 130
bane 130, 141 2
boil 201 (5)
aith 83 (1)
bannet 169
boll 207 (4)
ale 151
bapteese 133
bolster 130, 207 (4), 209(1)
an 123
baptist 11
bone 130, 141 2, 143, 202
ane 141 \ 195
barra 190
bonnie 192
anefn (O.E.) 19
bataillUl1
boo 130, 208
anemn 19
batale 141 1
book 130
anen 19
bath 146
boot (Ger.) 164
anent 19
bathe 146
bore 163, 210
anentis 19, 90
bather 169
born 210
annual 119
banian (O.E.) 146
bosie 93
antrin 217 (e)
bauld 176(5)
bosom 193
anwal 119
baur 176 (5)
bossie 89
apparent 18
beakand 54
bothy 82.
apple 130
beakin 54
bottom 28 (a)
April 216
beau (Fr.) 129, 164
bow(e) 130, 207(2), 209(3)
ar 123
bed 130
bow(e) 64(2), 207(4)
arise 130
bedd (O.E.) 130
bowster 130
arm 130, 146
bee 203
boy 205
as 123
befoir 141 2
braid 212
ase 91
before 141 2
brainge 102
at 87, 123
beg 155
bray'd 212
athin 115
ben 145 (1)
breast 130
athoot 115
Berwick 155
breeks 37
attack 188
beuk 106 (2), 130, 160
breendge 102
aucht 130
bide 200
breost (O.E.) 130
aught 130
bield 132 (2)
bress 145(1), 146
aul' 26 (2)
biene (Ger.) 131
bridder 30, 31
auld 176 (5), 214 (6)
bink 52
briest 130
auntren 217 (e)
bird 130, 188
brig 42
aventurer (Mid. Fr.) 217 (e)
birk 8, 37
brither 135
PHONETICS
67
brocen (O.E.) 130
cleek 132 (1)
deop (O.E.) 130
broken 130
Cockenzie 56
depe 130
broo 212
coft 168
din 136
brood 212
coin 201 (5)
dinna 191
broo'd 212
combr 130
discord 216
broon 158 (1)
broftor (O.E.) 31
come 182 (3)
consequence 216
dishilago 28 (a)
dispute 216
brother 31
consither 85
ditch 184
brunt 69
coo 130, 158 (1), 162, 208
do 150 (4)
bude 148 (2)
cook 33
dochter 83 (1)
bugan (O.E.) 130
coom 64 (3)
doo 77, 158 (1), 208
buhle (Ger.) 157
bulk (bulk) 64 (3)
corn 130, 165 (1), 210
corrup' 13 (2)
dother 83 (1)
dough 111
bulk 160, 195
corss 69, 89
doute 158 (2)
buist 148 (1)
cost 167
dowchter 209 (5)
bull 163, 182 (1)
cour 34(1)
dragan (O.E.) 130
buncle 55
couter 64 (8), 214 (c)
drap 169
bunnet 170
cow 130
draw 130
burd 130
cowshen 96
dream 130
buss 91
cowt34(l), 64 (2), 207 (2)
dream (O.E.) 130
but 129, 181
craft 130, 169
dree 132 (1)
buther 170
crap 34 (2)
dreich 132 (3)
butter 44
creepie 194
dreme 130
buy 197(1)
creish 97 (3)
drouth 83 (1)
byle 201 (5)
croft 130
drucht 83 (1)
byre 197 (6)
crouse 89
drucken 58
crub 69
drunken 58
ca' 176 (3)
cruisie 93
cairn 145 (2)
cruive 150 (1)
e 217 (d)
cairts 34 (3)
cruizie 93
e'87
camb (O.E.) 130
cu (O.E.) 130
earm (O.E.) 130
can'le26(l)
cuid 152
eat 130, 202
canon (Sp.) 56
cuinie 34 (3)
edder 31
captain 11
cuinyie 56
ee 87
castle 16
cuinzie 56
eelie-lamp 132 (1)
cauf 34(1)
cuisten 16
e'en 77
cauk64(l), 176(5)
cuit 148 (1), 152
eetch 99
caul' 26 (2)
cuits 34 (3)
egli (It.) 61
cauld 176 (5)
cur 181
eident 201 (3)
cause 171
curchie 34 (1)
elbuck 190
ceety 89
curshanks 69
elf 76 1
ceevil 133
cut 182 (1)
Elshiner 97 (2)
cess 89
cweed 152
empty 15
chafts 100, 178
cweet 152
empy 13 (2), 15
chair 202
eneuch 160, 161
chalmer 9, 65, 176 (6)
da 176(1)
eowu 130
channer 98
dffig (O.E.) 130
esclat (O.F.) 38
chaw 176 (4)
dag 178
esclendre (O.F.) 38
cheap 202
dai!412
esclice (O.F.) 38
cheese 100
Dalzell 61
etan (O.E.) 130
chewed 100
daur 176 (5)
ete (Fr.) 129, 140
chimley 65
day 130
ether (adder) 31, 85
chingle 100
dede 141 2
ether (udder) 85
Chirnside 100
dee (die) 203
ettercap 145 (1)
chop 100
deep 130, 131
evident 18
chow 207 (2)
deevil 132 (1)
ewe 130
chowks 98
defile 130
excuse (sb.) 148 (2)
claw 130
degni (It.) 56
excuse (vb.) 150 (2)
clawu (O.E.) 130
deid 141 2
deed 34 (2)
del' 78
fa' 176 (3)
5—2
68
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
facht 83 (1)
ford 150 (1)
good 130
fade 200
forenent 90
goud 207 (1)
fader 30, 31
fornenst 90
goun 158 (2)
fader (O.E.) 31, 130, 146
foule (Fr.) 157
gowk 62
fsedras (O.E.) 146
foules 146
gradwal 119
fair 129, 156
fousom 89
graith 82
faith 83(1)
fousticat 217 (6)
'gree 212
faither 214 (c)
foustie 89
gree'd 212
fallow 178
fower 207 (3)
greed 212
fan 122
fowk 207 (2)
greedy 194
far 122
frae 83 (2)
green 130
farrel 70 (2)
Fraser 101
grene 130
fast 146
free 203
gress 89
father 31, 129, 130, 146, 173
freet 152
grice 89
fauP 26 (2)
frichen 13 (3)
grieve 93
fauld 176 (5)
frichtet 17
green e 130
fause 176 (5)
fro' 86
grow 130, 207 (2)
fayther 130
from 72
growan (O.E.) 130
feather 31
frost 168
gude 141 2, 152
feaw (O.E.) 130
fruit 148 (1), 151
guid 130, 141 2
fedder 31
fu' 130, 158 (3)
guidschir97(l)1, 217(6)
fee 212
fuird 150 (1)
guim 148 (1)
fee'd (pt. t.) 212
Fuirsday 79
guiser 197 (2)
feed (pr. t.) 212
full 130, 163
guse 148 (2)
feedle 26 (a)
fumart 64- (3)
gushet 97 (2)
Feersday 79
fushion 101
gutcher 97 (I)1
feet 79, 129
fylan (O.E.) 130
gutteran 54
feinyit 56
fyle 130
gutterin 54
feinzit 56
fyowe 130
gweed 62, 152
Feodor (Buss.) 79
gya' 77
fest (Ger.) 144
gabbie-gash 96
gyaun 32
fete (Fr.) 156
Gaberlunzie 56
feSer (O.E.) 31
gae 77
ha' 64(1)
few 130
gaed 213
haar 176 (2)
fey 201 (4)
gairdit 17
haave 176(2)
fif (O.E.) 130
gang 52, 104
hffito (O.E.) 130
fift 18
garten 49
haiff 141 2
filho (Port.) 61
geal 103
hairst 78
fill 184
gear 132 (4)
half 76 *
find 139 (1)
gee 103
halflin 176 (6)
fine 200
geeble 103
hallan 190
fink 79
gentie 103
halse 176 (6)
fish 184
gentle 103
ham (O.E.) 130
fit 129
gie77
hame 130
five 130, 197(5)
gie'd 213
han' 26 (1)
fivver 135
gigot 103
hand 27
flannen 49
gimp 103
hap 169
flee (fly) 203
ginge-bread 102
happit 17
flogen (O.E.) 130
girse 69
hardy 193
flowen 130
glade (O.E.) 146
harm 146
flown 130
glad (O.E.) 130, 146
has 93
foalie 165 (3)
gladum (O.E.) 146
hate 142
fochen 13 (3)
glaid 130, 146
hatian (O.E.) 142
fodgel 102
glass 146
hause 64 (1)
foine 200
gless 145 (1)
have 141 (2), 217(6)
foo 64 (3), 130
gnaw 43
hay 130
food 129, 157
gn(y)auve 81
he 203
foomart 64 (3)
gn(y)auvin 43
heah (O.E.) 130
foot 189
god (O.E.) 130
heat 130, 134
foranent 19, 90
goed (Du.) 157
heese 93
PHONETICS
69
heg (O.E.) 130
jow 102
leuwch 111
heich 108, 112, 130,132(3)
lichnin 13 (3)
heit 130
kail 34 (3)
lie (recline) 197 (3)
heort (O.E.) 130
kaim 34 (3)
lie (fib) 130
her 124, 217 (6)
keckle 35 (1)
lig 197 (3)
hersh 97 (3)
keeked 14
like 200
hert 130
ken 35 (1), 145 (1)
little 60, 184
heuch 160, 161, 195
kep 35 (1)
llano (Sp.) 61
heuk!06(2), 160, 161
kettle 44
load 164
hey 130, 201 (4)
kind 200
loan 65
hieland 130, 132 (2)
kirk 37
loaning 214 («)
high 130
kirsen 69
loath 130
hill 130, 139(1), 184
kist 35 (1)
loch 108
him 124, 189, 217 (b)
kivvy 35(1)
lo'e 77
hing 52
knee 21, 35 (2), 55, 71
loike 200
his 93, 124, 217 (b)
kneel 35 (2)
loo 212
hit (pro.) 125
knife 21, 71, 76 l
loo'd 212
hit (v.) 134, 189
knifes 76
lood 212
hloh (O.E.) Ill
knock 21, 35(2), 71, 168
loof 148 (3)
hole 165 (2), 210
know(e) 21, 64 (2)
loss 89
home 130, 202
koine 200
lot 168
hook 112
kye 197 (4)
loup 207 (1)
hoose(s) 89, 130
kyeuk 106 (2)
lowch 111
hope 195, 210
kypie 35 (1)
lowe 207 (3)
horn 165 (1)
kyte35(l), 201(2)
lugs 93
house 130
kythe 35 (1)
howp 207 (2)
kyuk 106 (3)
Mackenzie 56
hrosa (Scan.) 151
mae 141 (2)
Hugh 112
lade 212
mai 1412
hungry 53
lady 146
mainner 145 (2)
huope 195
laft 169
mair 141 (1), 1412
hus (O.E.) 130
laid 212
man 129, 180
hut 181
laif 761
man'd 28
hutte (Ger.) 129, 147
laigh 108
mann (Ger.) 181
hyll 130
laiks 106 (3)
mare -141 2
laith 130
marriage 99
1198, 217 (a)
lammer 9
massacre 216
i' 87
Ian' 26 (1)
mate 140
ich (Ger.) 108, 112
land 215
me 203
ici (Fr.) 131
langer 53
meen 152
idder 30, 31
lapster 6
meeth 79
ihn (Ger.) 131
larick 37
meind 28
ile 201 (5)
lass 89, 178
meinzie 56
in 87
latch 98
men 144, 155, 156
iphm 55
la$ (O.E.) 130
Menzies 56
is 93
lauch 111
micht 83 (1)
it 125
laugh 111, 214 (b)
midder 30
izd28
lavyer 81
min agan (O.E.) 217 (e)
law 129, 171
mine 2'00
jaud 102
lay 86, 212
minha (Port.) 56
jeal 103
layser 94
minsh97(3)
Jeannie 194
lea' 77
mischief 216
jeeble 103
leaf 76 l
mit (Ger.) 134
jeyle 102
leafs 76
mith 83 (1)
jile 102, 201 (1)
lee 130, 203
mither 135
jimp 103
len' 26 (1)
mizzour 93
jine 201 (5)
lenth 47, 50
moaning 214 (e)
join 201 (5)
lerrick 37
moine 200
joist 206
lether 85
mona (O.E.) 130, 151
jouk 102
leuch 106 (2), 160
mooch 98
70
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
moon 130
oxter 190
quilt 20
moor 130
quo' 86
mor (O.E.) 130
paie 141 2
morn 210
painfu' 190
Bab 169
mou' 86
pairt 141 (I)
rael 214 (a)
mousie 89
paitrick 40
raggit 17
muckle 62
palmie 64 (1)
raither 214 (c)
muin 141 2
pare 151
ream 132 (4)
muir!06(2), 130, 150(1),
parley 11
rede 132 (5)
160
pat 130, 169
reek 132 (1)
mune 130, 1412,148 (2), 152
pate (Fr.) 173
reel (Du.) 140
munny 170
patte (Fr.) 129, 180
reese 93
mur (Fr.) 147
pea 203
reflec' 13 (1)
mutches 93
pear 202
regne (Fr.) 57
my 217 (a)
peer 152
reign 57
myauve 81
peety 133
reive 132 (3)
pen 129, 144, 155
remede 132(5), 141 2
na 191, 217 (c)
perdlcem 40 *
rerneid 132(5), 141 2
nffidre (O.E.) 31
perdrix (Fr.) 40 *
rhubrub 69
nain 217 (e)
pere (Fr.) 156
richtwis 119
nama (O.E.) 130, 141 2
perfec' 13 (1)
rig 42
name 130, 1412
pet 138
rihtwls (O.E.) 119
name (Ger.) 173
peu (Fr.) 129, 149
rinsh 97 (3)
nappy 192
pipe 200
rise 197 (5)
neat 65
pit 130, 138
Bobbie 193
ne'erday 217 (6)
pity 129, 138
rod 168
neist 132 (3)
pleiser 94
rode 164
Nellie 155
ploo!06(3)
Borne 210
nicht 139 (1)
ploy 106 (3), 205
roose 93
nicht (Ger.) 134
poipe 200
rooser 93
nieper 6
poke 37
rooze 93
nit 136
police 216
roue (Fr.) 157
no! 44
poo 64 (3), 130, 162
roun(d) 158 (2)
nolt 65
pooch 98
row(e) 64 (2), 207 (2)
notis 97 (3)
poopit 64 (3)
Bubbert 170
notte (It.) 167
poother 85
rubbit 17
novel 216
porritch 99
rue 157
poseetion 133
rummle 9
oad28
post 168
ruwch 111
obleedge 133
pot 130
offishers 97 (2)
pott (O.E.) 130
sa' 176 (3)
oil 201 (5)
powe 64 (2)
saft 169
old 130
pree 77
saften 16
on 87, 167
provribs 69
saiddle 145 (2)
oncet 18
pu' 130, 158(3)
sal 91
one 214 (a)
puir 150(1), 151, 152, 160
salt 130
ony 192
pushion 101
Sannie 192
oo 115
pull 129, 130
saugh!76(5), 214(6)
oo' 115
put 189
saut 64(1), 130
ook 115
putt 182 (1)
saw 176(4)
oonerstan 116
pytt 130
sax 178
open 210
sayde 141 (2)
orchard 210
quate 141 (3), 214 (a)
scabbit 8
5J>er (O.E.) 31, 217 (e)
quelle (Ger.) 114
scamel (O.E.) 39
ou 217 (d)
question 109
scamu (O.E.) 141 2
our 217 (a)
quha 121
scaud 64 (1)
owe 130
quhan 121
schame 141 2
ower 77, 207 (3)
quhar 121
schauve 81
own 130
owsen 207 (2)
quhilk 121
quhitrit 121
schir 97 (1)
schule 34(3), 148(2), 152
PHONETICS
71
scilfe (O.E.) 39
smert 130
teeth 43
sclate 38
smiddy 29
teir 130
sclender 38
sn(y)auve 81
temp 13 (2)
sclent 38
sohn (Ger.) 164
teran (O.E.) 130
sclice 38
sole 163, 210
teyler 61
scuil 34 (3)
sonne (Ger.) 129, 167
thack 178
sea 134
soo 130, 208
thae 84
see 217 (b)
soom 115
beet (O.E.) 217 (e)
see (Ger.) 140
soop 115
that 23, 87, 217 (d)
seestu 217 (d)
soun(d) (healthy) 26 (1),
the 217 (d)
seeven 132 (1)
158 (2)
theet 79
segg 42
soun(d) (noise) 26 (1),
their 87, 217 (d)
sel' 78, 217 (e)
158 (2)
them 217 (d)
sepad 217 (6)
sow 130
then 217 (d)
ser' 78
sowcht 209 (2)
thence 217 (d)
sharp 146
spaingie 56
thennes 19
shee 152
spanzie 56
Theodore 79
sheen 152
speer 132 (1)
there 87, 217 (d)
sheuch 160
splay 141 (4)
they 87, 217 (d)
shieling 132 (2)
spulyie 61
thin 23
shim 96
spulzie 61
blnagan (O.E.) 217 (e}
shin 151
spune 148 (2)
thing 23, 139(1)
shirra 77
stammick 169
think 79
shoe 150 (3), 151, 152
stan (O.E.) 142, 143
thir 84
shogue 96
stane 142
third 188
shoo 97 (1)
stiddy 29
this 87, 217 (d)
shoon 148 (2), 151, 152
stolen 130, 207 (4)
tho82
shoother64(3), 85, 214 (c)
stone 143, 202
thole 82, 165 (2)
shriek 70 (1)
stowe 209 (4)
thon 84
shrill 70 (1)
stown 130
thonder 84
shrub 70 (1)
strae 141 (2)
thoo 84
shunners 97 (1)
straight 214 (b)
thrane (Ger.) 144
sic 37
stravaig 141 (1)
three 110
sicna 54
strenth 50
threip 82
signe" (Fr.) 56
stric' 13 (1)
thresh 79
siller 78
strict 15
thrice 110
simmer 130, 136
study 29
throat 110
sin (son) 136
stummick 170
throck 79
sin (sun) 136
sud 64 (3), 91
throo 110
sinery 136
suddent(ly) 18
throu 207 (1)
sing 57
suet 97(1)
thummle 9
singe 52
sugu (O.E.) 130
thunner 26 (1)
single 53
suit 97(1)
Thursday 79
sipped 14
summer 130
'tice 89
sipper 136
sumor (O.E.) 130
tichen 13 (3)
sit 130
sune 97 (1)
tie 197 (3)
sittan (O.E.) 130
swicket 17
till 217 (b)
sixt 18, 22
swirl 183
timmer 9
skelf 39
tine 201 (1)
skemmels 9, 39
tae 141 (2)
tither 217 (e)
skule 34 (3)
tailzeour 61
to 87
skweel 152
tane 217 (e)
too 150 (5)
sma' 146
tantrin 217 (e)
toonty 115
sma?l (O.E.) 146
tap 169
tort (Fr.) 167
smail 146
tappit 5
tot (Fr.) 164
Smailholm 146
tassie 139 (2)
tou 217 (d)
smale 146
taupie 5, 192
touch 182 (2)
small 146
tawse 176 (4)
towmon(d) 207 (2)
smart 130
tawtie 192
towmont 115
smeort (O.E.) 130
tear 130
truflf 69
72
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
truth 15
tu 217 (d)
tuim 148 (1)
tummle 9
tuppenny 139 (2)
tuther 217 (e)
twa 110, 130, 176(1)
twae 130
twal' 78
twicet 18
two 130
umman 115
unca 86
uncuj? (O.E.) 86
understand 116
uno (It., Sp.) 157
upo' 49
us 124, 217 (a)
use (sb.) 148 (2)
use(vb.) 150(2), 151
user (Fr.) 151
vagabond 118
vain 214 (a)
vanish 118
veal 118
veshel 97 (2)
vinegar 118
vino (It., Sp.) 131
virtuous 118
visible 190
vrang 81
vrat 81
waages 102
wadge 102
wall 130
wanish 118
woa 164 (3)
warsle 16, 69
wonen (Du.) 164
was 93
wool 115
water 44
wordle 26 (a)
Wattie 64(1)
work 182 (3)
we 203
worm 70 (2)
weal 118
wrastle 16
week 115
wrat 69
weel 132 (2)
wren 113
weel-faurt 77
wretch 113, 114
weggybun 118
wright 113, 114
well 130
wring 113
welle (O.E.) 130
write 113, 114
wha 121, 123, 176 (1),
wrong 113, 114
217 (d)
wrought 113
whan 121, 123
wull 183
whare 121, 123
wunner 26 (1)
whase 123
wuss 91
when 2 17 (a)
wutch 183
whilie 194
wutchuk 98
whilk 121
wuzd 28
white 201 (1)
wyce 89
whitrit 121
wyte 201 (2)
whoa 164 (3)
whurl 183
yakes 106 (3)
whustle 183
yard 146
wi' 86
ye 107
widdy 29
yeld 106 (1) (b)
wife 76 1
yerl!06(l)(a)
wifes 76
yernin 106 (1) (a)
wine 194
yerth 106 (1) (a)
will 139(1)
yett 106 (!)(&)
windy 193
yin 106(1) (a), 195
winna 191
yird 106 (1) (a)
winner 136
yoo 208
wir 116
you 162, 208, 217 (a)
wirtuous 118
your 107
wise 89
yow(e) 106 (1) (a), 130
1
PART II
GEAMMAE
CHAPTER I
THE ARTICLES
1. Indefinite article as ane. There seems to be a trace of
French influence through Middle Scots literary usage in the use
of ane, en, for " a " before consonants, yet it was always more or
less of a literary affectation, and took no root in popular speech1.
" Ane herrand damysele, and ane spekand castell sal nevyr
end with honour." (A hearing damsel and a speaking castle
1 This is a moot question with philologists, who regard such an intrusive
influence as contrary to philological usage. It has been explained as a survival
in the Northern dialect, the English having dropped the "n" before a consonant
before 1200 A.D. But facts are against such an explanation : e.g. Barbour writing
in the 14th century uses a and an just as we do to-day, while Henryson, before
the close of the 15th century, uses ane freely before consonants, and Lyndsay in
the 16th century has ane constantly before consonants, recalling the Fr. une :
" Tyll Jamys of Dowglas at the last
Fand a litill sonkyn bate." The Bruce, 1375 A.D.
" With that ane Paddock, on the watter by,..."
Henryson, The Mouse and the Paddock, i. 10.
"Intyl ane garth, under ane reid roseir,
Ane auld man, and decrepit, hard I syng."
Henryson, The Prais of Aige, circ. 1473 A.D.
"And sett ane seage proudlye about the place.
They have ane boumbard braissit up in bandis."
Lyndsay, The Papyngo, 1538 A.D.
See Murray, Dialect S. C. Sc., The Middle Period, French Influence, p. 55.
Also Gregory Smith, Specimens of Middle Scots, who remarks in his Introduc-
tion, p. xxxiii :
" It is more difficult to settle the question of Mod. Sc. indebtedness to French
in its use of ane. According to Dr Murray, it ' was introduced in literature and
set speech in imitation of the French, so that the Sc. ane kijng answered to the
French un roi....The proposition cannot be brought under any of the ordinary
categories of linguistic imitation, for it implies more than the mere Gallicising
of native forms. It amounts to the admission of a grammatical interference in
a quarter least liable to interference of any kind, and to an absolute recognition
by every writer and scribe of the propriety of an affectation as ingenious as
uncalled for.' "
76 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
will never come to a good end.) Complaint of Scotland, p. 167.
(Quoted by Andrew Cheviot, Proverbs, p. 40.)
2. Use of " a " before vowels. In many modern dialects the
tendency is to use "a" indifferently before vowels and consonants,
although most modern authors seem to adopt the ordinary English
usage1.
"It's no a boat,... it's a beast."
"A beast?"
" Aye, a aggilator." J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 5.
3. Emphatic " a " as ae, e:. " a " is found as ae when em-
phatic ; pronounced je: in G. S. W.
" Sir, my Lord, if yell believe me, there was no ae single
ane,...that would gie your Lordship a bawbie for auld lang
syne." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 18.
1 Examples of this use of " a " before vowels are to be found sometimes in
literature :
" Thare he of chance a ymage fand." Legends of the Saints, Alexis, 156.
" It war a our hie thing
Agayne the faith to reyff my rychtwis king."
Blind Harry's Wallace, vm, 639—640.
Lauder of Fountainhall in his Journal (Scot. Hist. Society) scarcely ever
uses "an" before a vowel. "A ignorant fellow,"-" a old woman," "a emblem,"
etc. His Journal may be taken as a good example of the colloquial in Edinburgh
in the seventeenth century. Cf. also Pitscottie's History, 1. 158: " Licherie
and wenus lyfe hes oft a euill end" (Scot. Text Soc. Edition).
Examples are also to be found in documents written by the less educated,
e.g. in Town Council Kecords :
" James of Loche layd the sayd penny in a ymage hand." Peebles Records,
17 Jan., 1462.
" Dik Bulle sal gef a aktre." ib., 25 Oct. 1452.
Such writers frequently use "a" before a consonant where literary men would
have written "ane":
"Ilk persoun sail pay a penny on the mercat day." Stirling Records, 12
March, 1519.
" The officer of the quarter, a principall man." Aberdeen Records, 12 May,
1514.
"Ane suord, a quhinger,...a pair of blak hoiss." ib., 12 Jan., 1572.
"A consent to transact with my Lord of Fentoun." Stirling Records, Feb.,
1615.
(Contributed by Kev. K. McKinlay, M.A., Galston.)
GRAMMAR 77
The indefinite article is found along with ae (one), when ae
signifies " solitary," " single " :
"An auld maid leevin' in a flat wi' an ae lass." Ramsay,
Reminiscences, c. 5.
4. Definite article for indefinite article. Scottish usage
often prefers the definite article to the indefinite:
"He had gotten into roving company, and had taken the
drap drink." Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 6.
" It was an unco thing to bid a mother leave her ain house
wi'. the tear in her ee." Scott, Antiquary, c. 22.
So with St. " apiece," originally a pece or a piece, " a " being
the St. indefinite article, Sc. has the piece :
" We had a gweed stoot stick the piece." . Alexander, Johnny
GM, c. 18.
5. Definite article for pronoun. The definite article is found
in Scottish where a pronoun is used in standard speech :
" 'Wanting the hat/ continued my author Kirstie." Stevenson,
Weir of H., c. 5.
" ' But I maun see the wife (your wife), Patie/ says she."
Wilson, Tales of the B., "The Hen-pecked Man."
6. Definite article in adverbial combinations, (a) The defi-
nite article takes the place of " to " or " this " in connection with
"day," " morrow," v night," or their equivalents, to form adverbial
combinations. " To-day " is the day ; " to-morrow " is the morn ;
"to-morrow morning " is the morns morning ; "to-morrow night"
is the morn's nicht; the streen is "last night (yester even) of
yesterday " :
" Wear them the day, hizzie." R. L. Stevenson, Weir ofH., c. 6.
" Ye'll come in sune again, Welum ? "
" The morn's nicht, gin it be possible." Ian Maclaren, Days
ofA.L.S., " Drumsheugh's Love Story."
"But I've tellt him he's to get nae gundy till the morn's
(to-morrow) morning." J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 1.
78 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Yon's no a bad show o' aits ye hae in the wast park the
year, Hillocks." Ian Maclaren, Days of A.L.S., "Triumph in
Diplomacy."
" Says she, ' Dawvid was up by the cairts the streen, wusnin
he ? " Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 19.
(b) " Just now " is the now or the noo, fta nu:. The now
is " genteel Scottish " :
" He cannot leave the shope any earlier the now." J. J. Bell,
Wee Macgreegor, c. 13.
" I maun see — ."
"No the noo, John, I think he's sleepin' again." ib. c. 14.
By analogy, " together " becomes thegither, 'da'gj'Sar :
"She winna speak a word, they say, for weeks thegither."
Scott, Antiquary, c. 40.
7. Intrusive definite article in Sc. The definite article in
Sc. is used in the following cases where it would be omitted
in St.:
(a) Before the names of all diseases : " suffering from the
headache," " ill of the rheurnatiz."
(6) Before the names of trades or occupations : " learnin
the carpenterin."
(c) Before the names of sciences or departments of learn-
ing : " He knows the chemistry " ; " The boy is good at the
Latin."
(d) Before the names of days, months, seasons, especially
when any particular circumstance is associated therewith: "He'll
come at the Martinmas " ; " Wae's my heart, I had been tender
a' the simmer."
(e) In phrases, with words like " kirk," " school," " bed,"
" tea " (evening meal) : " My oe (grandchild) is at the school " ;
" I never gang to the kirk twice a day " ; " It's gey wearisome
lying in the bed."
" I forgot aboot that. Weel, I — I'll wait an' see what she's
got in for the tea first." J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor as a Soldier
of the King.
CHAPTER II
NOUNS
8. Plurals in en. There are several Sc. plurals in en : een,
in, " eyes " ; shoon, shuin, fyn, Jin or shaen, fen, " shoes " ; hosen,
'hoizan, " stockings " ; owsen, 'Ausan, " oxen1 " ; treen, trin,
" trees " ; turven, rtArvan, " turfs " ; breeken, 'brikan, " breeches."
" Can this be you, Jenny ? — a sight o' you's gude for sair een,
lass." Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
" ' When did ye begin to dander in pink hosen, Mistress
Elliot ? ' he whispered shyly." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 6.
(Compare the passage in Daniel iii. 21 : "in their coats, their
hosen, and their hats.")
" Tak tent ye dinna o'erdrive the owsen."
" Ye're e'en come back to Libberton to wait for dead men's
shoon ! " Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 5.
" I ate the half o' 't mysel, and rubbet the ither half into
ma shaen." The Scottish Review, 1908, p. 545.
Double plurals like shins, breeckens are met with.
9. Plurals in r. There is a plural of "calf" (O.E. calferu)
caur, carr, car, ka:r found in Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, W. For-
farshire, Renfrewshire usage :
"The caur did haig, the queis low." Jamieson, Popular
Ballads, I, 286.
"Bairns manna be followed like carr." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 5.
Breer, breers, 'briirz, " eyebrows " or " eyelashes," are found
in Aberdeen and Banff. Childer, the plural of child, so common
in English and Irish usage, is almost never heard now in Scotland.
1 The singular " ox " is not common in the Scottish dialect, but is replaced
by stirk, stjrk; slot, stot; nowt, xiAut ("neat" of Shakespeare, Winter's Tale,
i. ii. 125: "The steer, the heifer and the calf are all called neat"), etc. Owse,
AUS is found in the N.E.
80 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
10. Exceptional plurals. Coo, ku:, "cow," pi. kye, kai
(O.E. cu, " cow," cy, " cows "). " Kine " is a double plural form,
ky-en, and is used by Burns in " Auld Rob Morris " :
" He has gowd in his coffers, he has owsen and kine."
But the word is now obsolete, if it ever was in common use.
Probably Burns used it here for the sake of the rhyme.
11. Nouns expressing time, space, weight, measure, and
number. Such nouns, when immediately preceded by a cardinal
numeral, are frequently used without any plural sign in Sc.
dialect :
" The powny hasna gane abune thirty mile the day." Scott,
Antiquary, c. 15.
12. Singular words treated as plurals. Words like parritch
"porridge," "pudding," "broth," "brose," take plural pronouns
and verbs north of the Humber :
" They'll be unco puir pudding athoot something mair than
bluid in them." D. Gilmour, Paisley Weavers, c. 5.
" ' They're gude parritch eneuch/ said Mrs Wilson, ' if ye wad
but take time to sup them.' " Scott, Old Mortality, c. 5.
" I doot some o' ye hae taen ower mony whey porridge the
day." Ramsay, Reminiscences, c. 6.
13. Spurious singular nouns. " Corpse " was regarded as a
plural, and a spurious form corp, korp came into common use :
"They pu'd him up like a deid corp." R. L. Stevenson,
David Balfour, c. 15.
(Compare glimp, glfmp for "glimpse" and hoe, ho: for
"hose.")
14. Simpler verb form in place of noun derivative. Note
the common use of the shorter and more direct verb form in
place of the noun derived from it : e.g. differ, 'djfar for " differ-
ence " ; len, len for " loan " ; transacks, tran'saks for " transac-
tions " :
" ' Weel, I canna see nae differ in her,' returned the first."
R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 1.
GRAMMAR 8 1
" Mony's the body that's hed their gullie i' ye aboot yer bits
o' transacks." W. Alexander, Johnny GM, c. 23.
" It's a sang-buik that I want the len' o'." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 23.
" ' The modiewarts are castin a' up round the foun' (founda-
tion) o' the hoose, an' they winna be lang there/ answered Jane."
The Scottish Review, 1908, p. 525.
" They've been haein' a gay on-cairry (carrying-on) doon at
the Ward." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 17.
15. Nouns intimately connected with family life: ation, efn;
guidman, gyd'man ; guidwife, gyd'waif ; minnie,'mmi; luckie,
'lAkt ; gudesire, gyd'sair, 'gAtf ar ; tittie, 'titj ; erne, im ; nevoy,
'nevoi ; oe, o: ; get, get, git ; bairn, bern ; wean, wein ; loon, lun.
Family connections are known as ation, efn :
" She lows't the richt gate aboot the minaister an' a' 's ation."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 49.
The head of the household, or husband, is goodman, guidman,
gudeman (accented on final syllable). (Compare Scriptural "For
the goodman is not at home" (Proverbs vii, 19).) The correlative
is guidwife, " wife " or " lady of the house " : "I haena lived for
five-and-twenty years without expectin' to get a guidman some
day." Wilson, Tales B., « Willie Wastle's Wife."
" ' Whist ! whist ! gudewife/ said her husband." Scott, Guy
Mannering, c. 24.
Where the gudewife is supposed to be the abler partner,
dominating the gudeman, she is popularly known as the " gray
mare " or grey mear : " As he had a golden nag at his door, so
he had a grey mare in his shop." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 3.
" Rob has a grey mear in his stable." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 26.
A John Tamsons man is one who lets his wife rule : " ' The
deil's in the wife,' said Cuddie, 'd'ye think I am to be John
Tamson's man, and maistered by a woman a' the days o' my
life ? ' " Scott, Old Mortality, c. 37.
" Mother " is found as mither, with diminutive minnie, minny:
11 But i' my auld minny 's buiks, I hae read jist as muckle as
that, an' waur too." G. Macdonald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 13.
G. 6
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" ' But minnie was asking ye/ resumed the lesser querist.' '
Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
Luckie is used for the " mistress of a family " as well as for a
grandmother :
" ' Ay, ay/ exclaimed the mistress of the family. ' Hegh, sirs,
can this be you, Jenny ? ' (Jenny answers.) ' Ay, ay/ answered
Luckie Mucklebackit." Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
"Grandmother" is grandmither, granny, luckie, luckie-minnie:
" Speak to your grandmither, Jenny." Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
" ' O what was it, grannie ? ' — and ' what was it, gude-
mither ? ' — and ' what was it, Luckie Elspeth ? ' asked the
children, the mother, and the visitor, in one breath." Scott,
Antiquary, c. 26.
" Luckie " also used of " the landlady of an inn " :
" ' No, no/ said the Deacon, ' ye're clean out there, Luckie.' "
Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 11.
" Grandfather " is gudesire, grarifaither, luckie-dad :
"The bits o' bairns, puir things, are wearying to see their
luckie-dad." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 46.
" ' Weel spoken, bairns ! ' cried your grand faither." Wilson,
Tales B., " The Whitsome Tragedy."
" Before our gudesire gaed into Edinburgh to look after his
plea." Scott, Antiquary, c. 9.
" Sister " is colloquially tittie :
" A bonnie spot o' wark your tittie and you hae made o't."
Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 25.
" Uncle " is erne (German oheim, ohm ; O.E. earn, " maternal
uncle ") :
" Didna his erne die and gang to his place wi' the name of
the Bluidy Mackenyie ? " Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 11.
" Nephew " is nevo, nevoy (French neveu) :
"If ye didna, your nevoy did." Scott, Antiquary, c. 36.
"'Div ye mean to tell me/ asked his mistress,... 'that my
nevo is comin' doon the burnside wi' a leddy ? " W. Cross,
Disruption, c. 1.
GRAMMAR 83
" Grandchild " is oye, oe :
"And grannies danced with their oyes." Gait , A . of Parish, c. 48.
"'And,' continued Mrs Butler, 'he can wag his head in a
pulpit now, neibor Deans, think but of that — my ain oe.'"
Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 9.
Knave-bairn is a male child (compare German knabe) :
"Wha could tell whether 'the bonny knave-bairn may not
come back to claim his ain ? " Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 22.
Lass-bairn is a female child ; lass, a young unmarried woman :
" Verra improper o' you, wi' a young lass-bairn, to encourage
the nichtly veesits o' a young gentleman." G. Macdonald, David
Elginbrod, I, c. 6.
Bairns and weans are both used commonly for " children " :
"There was my daughter's wean, little Eppie Daidle — my
oe, ye ken, Miss Grizel." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 4.
" Just to tak his meat, and his drink, and his diversion, like
ony o' the weans." Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
But wean has often a contemptuous flavour, less present in
bairn, so that we have the adjective weanly, " feeble " :
" ' My bairn ! my bairn ! ' cried the distracted father, * where
can he be ? ' ' Scott, Guy Mannering,, G. 9.
"...and plaits rush-swords and grenadier caps for the weans."
Scott, Antiquary, c. 12.
" ' Aye/ said Brodie, * paidling in a burn's the ploy for him.
He's a weanly gowk.' " G. Douglas, H. with Green Shutters, c. 5.
But bairnly is also used for " childish " :
" Man, Charlie, it's bairnly to make sic a wark for a bit tig
on the haffet." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, i, c. 5.
Get, gett (common gender) is a " child " :
" ' He was the get of a Kilwinning weaver/ said Craiglands."
Gait, Sir A. Wylie, m, c. 20.
" And where's that ill-deedy gett, Giles ? " Scott, Bride of
Lammermoor, c. 13.
Loon is " son " or " boy " :
" An' hedna he Jock Ogg, the gauger's loon, haill twa year
at it ? " W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 12.
In Forfar loon is = a " boy baby." A doctor will intimate to
a parent that the child born to him is a " loon "; i.e. not a girl.
84 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
16. Familiar masculine or general Personal Terms: body,
'bodi ; buddy, 'bAdi ; chap, chappie, 't{ api ; creature, 'kretar.
The term body, bodie or buddy is characteristically Scottish.
It is used as an indefinite pronoun: "one," Ger. mann, Fr. on.
It has been defined for us by George Douglas (Brown) in The
House with the Green Shutters, c. 5 : " In every little Scottish
community," he says, "there is a distinct type known as the
bodie. ' What does he do, that man ? ' you may ask, and the
answer will be, ' Really, I could hardly tell ye what he does —
he's just a bodie.'... The chief occupation of his idle hours (and
his hours are chiefly idle) is the discussion of his neighbour's
affairs." It has also been defined for us by Dr William Wallace,
editor of the Glasgow Herald, in the National Review for October,
1907 : "As used in the larger cities, it (buddy) is applied good-
naturedly and not disrespectfully to a man who is not necessarily
deficient in capacity or even in character, who is indeed as a rule
somewhat noisily energetic and public-spirited, but who looks
at everything, and especially every political question, from the
standpoint of his sect, his class, his trade, or his crotchet ; who
seldom thinks nationally or impersonally, but almost always
provincially, if not parochially."
Body is used as a familiar ending to a name, sometimes with
a slight indication of contempt, as in " lawyer-body," " minister-
body":
" She was a Gordon of Earlswood — the oldest stock in Gal-
loway and brought up to be a lady-body." S. R. Crockett,
Courtship of Allen Fairley.
Chappie is used like bodie :
" They're proposin' byuldin a hoose for a manse to the Free
Kirk minaister chappie." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 42.
" He af 'en calls for the letters fan the dog-dirder chappie's
occupiet." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 38.
Coof, kyf, is used contemptuously. It is probably a form of
"cove"; cf. O.E. caf, "bold":
" Though hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a coof for a' that." Burns, For A' That.
GRAMMAR 85
" ' Me ken or care for him, ye spiritless coof, ye ! ' she replied."
Wilson, Tales B., " Guidwife of Coldingham."
Trypal, 'traipal, is a " sloven " :
" Mair smeddum aboot 'im nor the like o' that gawkie trypal."
W. Alexander, Johnny GM, c. 10.
Hempie, 'hempt, is a "rascal," "rogue." Originally one
destined for the hemp or gallows-rope :
" This is the very lad Tirl that I raised a summons against
before the Justices — him and another hempie." Scott, St Ronan's
Well, c. 8.
Creature, creatur, crater is also used in this same familiar way :
" Fat's he ? — the sin o' a peer nace nyaukit beggar creatur."
W. Alexander, Johnny GM, c. 21.
" It's my idea that the creature Dougal will have a good
action of wrongous imprisonment." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 30.
" ' Eh ! ye crater ! ' said Robert Falconer, ' ir ye there after
a' ? " G. Macdonald, Robert Falconer, c. 10.
Hotch, hotf, is " a big lumbering person " :
" ' Ou aye,' said he, ' ye great muckle fat hotch o' a decent
bodie ye — I'll gang in and have a dish o' tea wi' ye.'" G. Douglas,
H. with Green Shutters, c. 21.
Other familiar terms for "man," "person" or "fellow" are
billy, 'bilt; callant, 'kalant; callan, 'kalan; cull, kAl; carle,
karl ; carlie, 'karlj ; chield, chiel, t/il ; chielie, t/ili ; loon, lun ;
stock, stok ; wight, wprt :
" I was disturbed with some of the night- walking queans and
swaggering billies." Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 3.
" ' As I live by bread,' said Campbell. . .' I never saw sae daft
a callant.' " Scott, Rob Roy, c. 25.
" Ye wadna be doing your duty to the callan, if you learnt
him naething but a jargon o' meaningless gibberish." Cross,
Disruption, c. 8.
" ' Na, na,' answered the boy, * he is a queer auld cull.' " Scott,
St Ronan's Well, c. 30.
" In the evenings Andrew had recourse to the firesides of the
gash and knacky carles and carlines of the village." Gait, Sir
A. Wylie, i, c. 4.
86 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"An' Lachlan himself, though he be a stiff chiel (difficult
fellow to manage)." Ian Maclaren, Days of A. L. S., " For Con-
science' Sake," c. 5.
" Mains's chiels (employees) wus lowst gin that time." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 40.
"Gettin' a share o' a gill wi' a cheelie." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 14.
" That I suld hae been left sae far to mysel' as to invite that
writer loon till his dinner." Wilson, Tales B., "The Fatal
Secret."
" Ga'in was a ' fine stock ' with a fluent and compendious
power of ' newsin.' " W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 36.
" Every wight has his weird." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 34.
"'I wonder what that auld daft beggar carle and our son
Steenie can be doing out in sic a nicht as this ! ' said Maggie
Mucklebackit." Scott, Antiquary, c. 36.
"While Andrew... settled into a little gash carlie." Gait,
Sir A. Wylie, i, c. 6.
Buckie, 'bAki, " restless youth " or " mischievous boy " : with
the stronger form deeviVs or deil's buckie :
"The huzzy Beenie — the jaud Eppie — the deil's buckie of a
callant." Scott, St Ronans Well, c. 2.
"...That daft buckie, Geordie Wales." Burns, Lines written
to a Gentleman. Ellisland, 1790.
Taupie, tawpy, 'taipi, is a contemptuous word for " softy,"
" good for nothing," mostly applied to girls, but also to the other
sex:
"An inhaudin unedicat taupie chiel in a kwintra chop."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 35.
" ' Ye're na to be a tawpy noo,' she went on, endeavouring to
dry his eyes. ' Ye're to be a man.' " J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor,
c. 5.
The " loons " are the " masses " as opposed to the " classes " ;
" simple " as opposed to " gentle." The word is contrasted with
laird or " proprietor " :
" The lairds are as bad as the loons." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 26.
" It's just the laird's command and the loon maun loup."
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 26.
GRAMMAR 87
Waufie, 'waifi ; waf, waf (adjective and noun), is an " idle
fellow," a " person of no account " :
"A'll grant ye that the new factor is little better than a
waufie." Ian Maclaren, Days of A.L. S., " The Country Tyrant."
" Ilka waf carle in the country has a son and heir." Scott,
Guy Mannering, c. 39.
17. Feminine personal terms. Wife, waif, is the equivalent
of " woman," with a diminutive wifie/WdiSL, " little woman," used
freely :
" Excuse a daft wife that loves ye, and that kenned your
mither." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 8.
" Meantime two of his congregation, sisters, poor old mutched
wifies, were going home together." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 56.
Kimmer, 'kimar, is used loosely as a synonym of " woman,"
a " woman-friend " or " girl-friend " (Fr. commere) :
" I'm saying she was naturally a bonny bit kimmer rather
than happit up to the nines." J. M. Barrie, The Little Minister, c. 6.
" She gecked and scorned at my northern speech and habit,
as her southland leddies and kimmers had done at the boarding-
school." Scott, Antiquary, c. 33.
Garlin, 'karljn ; carline, 'karlain, is used of an " elderly
woman," being the correlative of carle, karl :
"But what can ail them to bury the auld carlin (a rudas
wife she was) in the night time ? " Scott, Antiquary ', c. 26.
Lass is a " young woman," with diminutive lassie and lassock.
But it also is a general sex term :
" They brought him tidings that his wife had given birth to
a daughter; but he only replied, 'Is it so ?...then God's will be
done. It came with a lass and it will go with a lass.' " Scott,
Tales of a Grandfather, c. 28.
(That is, in standard speech, " It (the Scottish crown) came
with a woman, and it will pass from the Stuarts by a woman.")
"I was but a lassock when ye cam." S. R. Crockett, Bog
Myrtle.
Lad, laid, lad, and lass, las = " sweethearts " ; e.g. " wull ye
be ma lass ? "
88 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Lass and woman is the Scottish equivalent for " maid and
wife " :
"I... that have waited on her, lass and woman." Keith,
Indian Uncle, p. 340. (W.)
Familiar and somewhat contemptuous names for young
women are cutty, rkAtj ; deemie, 'dimi (diminutive of " dame ") ;
girzie, 'girzt (diminutive of " Griselda ") ; Tiizzie, 'hiz; ; jaud,
d3<i:d = "jade"; shilp, J?lp; limmer, 'Ipnar; besom, 'bizam ;
callants and wenches " boys and girls " :
" ' The cutty looks weel,' he had said." R. L. Stevenson, Weir
of H., c. 6.
" He's ta'en a fancy to yon bit shilp in the barroom o' the
Red Lion." G. Douglas, H. with Green Shutters, c. 21.
"That deemie that they said hed the bairn till 'im." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 33.
" ' I'll leave that for your pairt of it, ye girzie,' said he."
R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 6.
" Wear them the day, hizzie." Ib.
" Na, she's a kind of a handsome jaud — a kind o' gypsy." Ib.
Taupy, tawpy, 'taipi, is commonly applied to a "lazy, foolish
woman " (Danish taabe and Swedish tap " a simpleton ") :
" He was at first a farmer lad, but had forgathered with a
doited tawpy." Gait, A. of Parish, c. 17.
" I'm in an hour of inspiration, ye upsetting tawpie." R. L.
Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 6.
" The lazy taupy butt-a-house maun walk aboot her busi-
ness." Wilson, Tales B., " Willie Wastle's Wife."
Hempie, 'hempj, is also applied, to girls, as well as to men :
" Aye, ye were a hempie o' a lassie, Jean." Ian Maclaren,
Days ofA.L. S., " Endless Choice."
18. Familiar terms of quantity. Colloquial Sc. is prolific
in words signifying quantity, which precede nouns, usually with
omission of the preposition. One of the commonest is bit, applied
more strictly to a piece of ground :
"She... certainly thought... the land a 'very bonnie bit if it
were better seen to and done to.' " Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 25.
A bit becomes the equivalent of " some," " a little " :
GRAMMAR 89
" A bunchie o' wormit to gi'e 't a bit grip." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 30.
Bit is freely used as a diminutive :
" Maybe some bit lassie brocht her copy-buke." Ian Maclaren,
Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 1.
It takes the form bittie, a bittie, a bittock, "a short time,
space or distance " :
" Aifter I hed latt'n 'im get oot's breath a bittie, he cam' tee
won'erfu." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
An augmentative form is " a bonnie bit " :
" Geordie wud read a bonnie bit." Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush,
" Domsie," c. 2.
Drap, drap, is used for small portions of liquid :
"But Mattie gae us baith a drap skimmed milk." Scott,
Rob Roy, c. 14.
There is also a diminutive form, drappie :
" Twa mutchkins o' yill between twa folk is a drappie ower
little measure." Scott, Redgauntlet, c. 20.
Other words are jilp, d3flp (used contemptuously) :
" I can nedder dee wi' a jilp o' treacle bree, nor yet wi' that
brewery stuff. . . ." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 30.
A kenning, " a little," " somewhat " :
" His father was none sa ill a man, though a kenning on the
wrong side of the law." R. L. Stevenson, David Balfour, c. 9.
Kneevelick, '&ni:vlik, " round lump," " large piece " ; what
the kneeve, nieve or " fist " can hold :
" Mrs Gibb produced an abundant store of cakes and butter
ready spread, and the cakes placed face to face with several
* kneevelicks ' of tempting blue cheese." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 2.
A maitter o', " only," " merely " :
" A mere trifle — a maitter o' twa shillin's or half-a-crown."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 10.
Note also haet, het ; starn, starn ; starnie, 'starni ; pickle,
'pjkal, or puckle, 'pAkdl ; tait or tate, tet ; soup, sup (of liquids) ;
thocht, 9oxt ; curn, curran, kAr^n ; grainy, 'greni :
90 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" There's naething like a starn gweed maut." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 30.
"Dead folks may sleep yonder sound enow, but deil haet
else." Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 3.
"It struck me she micht be a wee thocht jealous o' the
lassie." Wilson, Tales B., " Willie Wastle's Wife."
" So I took to the kist, and out wi' the pickle notes in case
they should be needed." Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 45.
" Winna ye hae a starnie jam, Isie I It's grosert-jam." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 73.
"We hed to lay 'im down upon a puckle strae." W.Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 33.
" ' There's a curran folk at the back door,' Jean announced
later." J. M. Barrie, Little Minister, c. 3.
Gey pickle, gai 'pjkal ; fell puckle, fel 'pAkal ; " a good
many " ; " quite a little " :
"A grand farmer he was, wi' land o' his nain, and a gey
pickle bawbees." G. Douglas, H. with Green Shutters, c. 5.
" It canna be coals 'at he's wantin' frae the station, for there's
a fell puckle left." Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush, "Domsie," c. 1.
Tait is originally a " lump of wool or tow " :
"Like a poor lamb that... leaves a tait of its woo' in every
Southern bramble." Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 26.
" ' Heard ye ever the like o' that, Laird ? ' said Saddletree to
Dumbiedikes, when the counsel had ended his speech. ' There's
a chield can spin a muckle pirn out of a wee tait of tow ! ' '
Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 20.
Tait, tate is used freely of any small portion :
" There was some half-fous o' aits, and some taits o' meadow-
hay left after the burial." Scott, Bride of Lammermoor, c. 7.
" Och, Lizzie, it was jist a tate the size o' yer nail." J. J. Bell,
Wee Macgreegor, c. 10.
" It's an ugly auld pictur ! I dinna like it a wee tate (a little
bit)." /&., c. 8.
"A curn or two of Greek would not be amiss." Scott,
Fortunes of Nigel, c. 27.
GRAMMAR 9 1
" They war sayin' he had gotten a curn' o' that ga'ano stuff."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 15.
" Ah, Thomas ! wadna ye hae a body mak' a grainy fun whiles
whan it comes o' itsel' like ? " G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 68.
Hantle, hantl, is used of a " considerable number." (Com-
pare Danish antal, Dutch aantal, Ger. anzahl : perhaps " hand "
and " tale ") :
"There's a hantle bogles about it." Scott, Guy Mannering,c. 1.
Hantle is also used of quantity = " much," both as an adjec-
tive and an adverb :
" Your father has always had a grand business, and I brought
a hantle money to the house." G. Douglas, H. with Green
Shutters, c. 14.
"'It's a hantle easier gettin' a lass than a kirk ony day,'
says I." S. R. Crockett, Probationer.
Heap, hip, is also used in the same way :
" A heap good she's like to get of it." R. L. Stevenson, Weir
ofH.,c. 5.
Cairn, kern, kjarn, is " a heap " :
" Cairns o' them rinkin up upo' the dyke." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
Rickle, 'nkal ; ruckle, 'rAkal, is a " heap " (used contemp-
tuously) :
"There was a rickle o' useless boxes and trunks." Scott,
Antiquary, c. 9.
Gowpenfu, 'gAUpanfti, is what can be held in a gowpen or
gowpin, i.e. with the palms extended in a cup-like fashion :
" Ow, ay, she brocht him gowpenfu's o' siller." G. Macdonald,
David Elginbrod, I, c. 13.
" Left 'goud in goupins' with all those who had the handling
of it." Gait, Provost, c. 34.
Nievefu, neavefu, rni:vfu, is a " handful," cf. kneevelick, p. 89 :
" Awat ye may tak' a nievefu' on-been miss't." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 11.
Routh, TAu9, is used for an " abundance " :
" Ye'll have hair, and routh of hair, a pigtail as thick's my
arm." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 5.
92 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Tooshty tuft, is used of an " untidy quantity," " heap of loose
stuff":
"Aweel, a' the toosht aboot oor toon (farm) '11 mak' little
odds." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 6.
A wheen, a whin, Aiin, Aim " a few " or " a little," often in
a contemptuous way :
"That cost me telling twenty daily lees to a wheen idle
chaps and queans." Scott, Bride of Lammermoor, c. 26.
" ' Oh/ she would say in weary complaint, ' I just took it to
break a wheen coals.' " G. Douglas, H. with Green Shutters, c. 4.
" Sae aff a wheen o' them gaed followin' Rover up the road
to the moor." Scottish Review, July 23, 1908, "A Black Day."
(Here there is no contemptuous flavour.)
"What use has my father for a whin bits o' scarted paper? "
Scott, Waverley, n, c. 29.
A wee, wi:, is " a little " :
" ...Ance I got a wee soupled yestreen, I was' as yauld as an
eel." Scott, Antiquary, c. 12.
Note the use of the feck, fek, for " the most part," " the greater
portion," with or without a qualifying adjective :
"An ye sat still there the feck o' the aifterneen." W.Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 20.
"I hae been through France and the Low Countries, and
a' Poland, and maist feck o' Germany." Scott, Waverley, I,
c. 36.
"Ye see the muckle feck o' the. young chaps bed lasses."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 40.
19. Standards of quantity, etc. Gill, d5$l, J- pint ; mutchkin,
'mAtJkin, English pint; chappin, 'tfapin, quart; lippie, 'Igpi,
'lipi, J peck;forpet,forpit, 'forptt, fourth of a peck; firlot, 'fjrlat,
J- boll ; bow, bowe, bAU, boll or 6 imperial bushels ; chalder,
'tfaldar, 'tfaidar, tfg:dar, 16 bolls :
" Gettin' a share o' a gill wi' a cheelie." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 14.
" Jist gang an' fess a mutchkin mair." G. Macdonald, Robert
Falconer, c. 5.
GRAMMAR 93
"Mistress, I have had the twa ounces o' tea on boiling in
a chappin o' water for the last twa hoors." Wilson, Tales B.,
"Willie Wastle's Wife."
" Four lippies — gweed mizzour — will that dee ? " W. Alex-
ander, Johnny Gibb, c. 1.
" Mattie Simpson that wants a forpit or twa o' peers." Scott,
Rob Roy, c. 14.
" She had bought a firlot (of meal) selected with great care."
Cross, Disruption, c. 15.
" Four bows o' aitmeal, twa bows o' bear." Scott, Old Mor-
tality, c. 20.
" Drawing a stipend of eight hundred punds Scots and four
chalders of victuals." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 43.
The tappit-hen, 'tapathen, was a measure variously esti-
mated; sometimes as a quart. The Aberdeen tappit-hen, or
liquor-jar, holds three magnums or Scots pints :
"Don't let the tappit-hen scraugh to be emptied." Scott,
L. of Montr ose, c. 5.
" Hoo's the tappit-hen ? " G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 66.
" Their hostess appeared with a huge pewter measuring pot,
containing at least three English quarts, familiarly denominated
a tappit-hen, and which, in the language of the hostess, reamed
with excellent claret." Scott, Waverley, I, c. 11.
20. Scottish Coinage Terms. Note, pun' note, pAnnot,
20 shillings (bank issue, and much more popular than the sove-
reign, equal to the U.S. five dollar gold piece); merk, merk
(13s. 4d = $3.30) ; pun Scots (of silver = Is. 8d. or 40 c.) ; bawbee,
'bai'bi = halfpenny = one U.S. cent ; " bawbees " stands for cash
in general, e.g. " Have ye ony bawbees wi' ye ? " ; boddle or
bodle, bodl, bodl = one-third of a U.S. cent ; doit, doit, dait = a
Scottish penny, one-sixth of a U.S. cent; plack, plak = one-
third of a Scottish penny.
The plural "pence" was used only for English values;
"pennies" was applied to the Scots money:
" ' Ye maun gie me twopence, I'se warrant,' said the woman.
' Deed no, lucky,' replied Andrew ; ' fools and their siller are soon
94 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
parted. I'll gie you twal pennies gin ye like to tak it.' " Gait,
Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 10.
" Were the like o' me to change a note, wha the deil d'ye
think wad be sic fides as to gie me charity after that ? " Scott,
Antiquary, c. 12.
"My sma' means, whilk are not aboon twenty thousand
merk." Scott, Waverley, I, c. 36.
" He had ne'er a doit that didna burn a hole in his pouch."
Gait, Sir A. Wylie, i, c. 12.
" It stands me in three hundred, plack and bawbee " (i.e.
counting minutely). Scott, Black Dwarf, c. 1.
" They wad hae seen my father's roof tree fa' down and
smoor me before they would hae gi'en ae boddle apiece to have
propped it up." Scott, St Ronaris Well, c. 2.
"Naebody wad trust a bodle to a gaberlunzie." Scott,
Antiquary, c. 39.
CHAPTER III
PRONOUNS
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
21. Personal pronouns of the first person. Emphatic "I"
may be ai as in St., but a is also used. The unemphatic form
is 9, written a and aw.
"Am thinking with auld John Knox that ilka scholar is
something added to the riches of the commonwealth." Ian
Maclaren, Brier Bush, "Domsie," c. 1.
"Aw thoch aw had a' my material here." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
"'Aw'm gye an' well used to stickin' to my opeenion,' said
the meal miller. 'Aw hae seen the Maitland fowk's verdick
come roon' to mine a hantle deal oftener than mine whurl aboot
to theirs." S. R. Crockett, Boanerges Simpsons Incumbrance.
" My " is sometimes represented by o' me (cf. Fr. de moi).
" I think the Hieland blood o' me warms at thae daft tales."
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 26.
" My " is usually pronounced like ma, ma, ma, and is often
so written :
" They're ma ain — a' ma ain ! " G. Macdonald, Robert Falconer,
c. 5.
"Mine" takes the form mines or mines:
" Mines is no to be mentioned wi' it." R. L. Stevenson, Weir
o/#.,c. 5.
"Keep your min' easy; mine's is a clipper." D. Gilmour,
Gordons Loan, p. 8.
The accusative " me " is colloquially us or 's. (The first ex-
tract is a proposal of marriage, which is certainly not to be made
in the plural):
" ' Will ye hae's, Bell ?/ demanded Sam'l, glaring at her
sheepishly." J. M. Barrie, A. L. Idylls, c. 8.
"'Will ye no gie's a kiss, Dand?' she said, 'I aye likit ye
fine." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of ff., c. 6.
96 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"Our" takes the form wir, wir; wur, WAI*, war, on the
Northumbrian border, in Glasgow, Ayrshire, Perthshire and
elsewhere :
" Maist o' us is that engross't in wir wark." Saltcoats Herald,
Nov., 1910.
" But if I took it name, there would be sic talking and laugh-
ing amang wur neighbours." Wilson, Tales B., " Whitsome
Tragedy."
" A guinea and a half, if you please, sir. That is wur usual
fare." Wilson, Tales B., " The Minister's Daughter."
" We roastit it an' toastit it an' had it to wur tea." J. J. Bell,
Wee Macgreegor, c. 13.
Its usual form is oor, ur; with oors for the predicative use :
" There's a hantle to look after yet, and we maunna neglec'
oor wark." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 21.
"And whaur did ye fa' in wi' this stray lammie o' oors?"
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 21.
"Us" takes the aspirated forms Tins, hAs; huz, hAz; hiz, hiz,
and also us yins, thus distinguishing it from us for " me ":t
" Though it may begin at hus, it canna en' there." W. Alex-
ander, Johnny Gibb, c. 7.
" But ye winna persuade me that he did his duty, either to
himsell or to huz puir dependent creatures." Scott, B. of Lam-
mermoor, c. 24.
" I's warran he cares as little about hiz as we care aboot
him." G. Macdonald, Robert Falconer, c. 4.
"'Deed, she micht ha'e askit us yins till her pairty!,' said
John." J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 8.
22. Personal pronouns of the second person. The colloquial
use of tu, tu (see Ph. 217 (d)); ton, tu; thoo, $u; tkee, fti; thou,
$AU, is a distinctive mark of Paisley, which has been locally
dubbed Seestu, Sistu (Do you see?) because the inhabitants
were fond of using the phrase as a close to sentences :
"At length, in a tremulous voice, the childless one asked,
' Wha's tu in mournin for ? "' D. Gilmour, The Pen Folk, p. 36.
" Thoo maun gie me something to pit it in, lad." D. Gilmour,
Paisley Weavers, c. 4.
GRAMMAR 97
"Although thee and me thinks 't wrang tae eat bluid."
D. Gilmour, Paisley Weavers, c. 5..
"Thou maunna lea' the deid burd in my keeping — tak' it
wi' thee." D. Gilmour, Gordons Loan, p. 9.
The usage is also found in Dumfriesshire:
" ' And wha is't tou's gotten, Wullie, lad ?,' said half a score
of voices." Scott, Redgauntlet, Letter xn.
In north-east Aberdeenshire, thoo was once in common use,
and may still be heard occasionally among old people:
" If thoo were a thrifty lass, as thoo're a fair." Old Rhyme.
Cf. also Shetlandic:
" An sood du try da lek agen,
Dis twartee lines '11 lat dee ken
Du sanna pass me." Burgess, Rasmie's Buddie.
In the Sc. dialect of the Black Isle, Easter Ross, and in the
Canobie dialect of the Sth. Counties, thoo and thee are still in use:
Ar thoo get the water, Lugs ?
" Where did you get the water, Lugs ? "
"Your" and "you are" take the form yer, jer; yir, jir, jar:
" Wull ye mak' a prayer for yir auld dominie afore we pairt ?"
Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 3.
" When onybody passes ye yer tae say, ' Thank ye.' " J. M.
Barrie, Thrums, c. 4.
Your was, yir waa's are used in place of " away " :
"An come your wa's wi me." Child's Ballads, Battle of
Harlaw, st. 13, p. 401.
" Gang ye yer waa's for the aifternoon." Life at a Northern
University, c. 1.
23. Personal pronouns of the third person1. Burns uses the
old English form scho, f 0, for " she " :
1 Highlanders are fond of the feminine pronoun for all genders. The story
is told of a Highland domestic at Eothesay, who came in from the back yard
one morning, carrying a rabbit. He explained the situation to his master in
this fashion: " She was in the garden, an' she saw the rabbit; an' she took a
stane, an' flung Vr at 'er an' kilt 'er. "
"Here one of the gillies addressed her in what he had of English, to know
what 'she' (meaning by that himself) was to do about 'ta sneeshin.'" E. L.
Stevenson, David Balfour, c. 1.
'"What the deil, man,' said an old Highland servant belonging to the
G. 7
98 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" The gossip keekit in his loof,
Quo' scho, ' wha lives will see the proof.' "
Burns, There Was a Lad. (Song.)
Note the objective form of personal pronoun when two or more
subjects are mentioned, e.g. "Me and hims awa tae the ploo."
"Her" is often found as 'er:
"'Er fader's to be latt'n gae to see his gweed-dother."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 49.
The old form hit for " it " is in common use where emphatic.
Hit is a survival of O.E. " hit," neuter singular form of the per-
sonal pronoun:
"It would take a heap to revolutionize hit." G. Douglas,
H. with Green Shutters, c. 10.
" Paw," said Macgreegor, " I see the zoo." " Ay, thon's hit."
J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 2.
To be hit or het — " to be the player who is caught and has
to take his turn at catching the others."
" I wis playin' wi' Wullie an' the ither laddies at tig, an' I
never was het!" J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 8.
It is sometimes used as a preliminary subject in place of
" there " or a plural form:
" ' I tried to cry oot,' she said afterwards, ' for I kent 'at it
were rottans.' " G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 8.
Note that the order of pronominal objects, direct and indirect,
when used consecutively, often differs in Sc. from St., the direct
object coming first.
" I'll show it ye some of thir days if ye're good." R. L.
Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 5.
24. Reflexive pronouns. " Self" takes the form seV or sell',
masel' mo/sel1; oorsel' ur'sel, w^r'sel; oorseVs, yersell, yersel's ;
hjz'sel, hissell, herseV, itsel', themsel's, theirsel's:
family, ' can she no drink after her ain master without washing the cup and
spilling the ale, and be tamned to her ? ' " Scott, L. of Montrose, c. 4.
1 The term is used to cover the varied uses with seV or sell, some of them
differing from the standard usage with " self " : e.g. " I've hurt mys'l " (ordinary
reflexive) ; " I've hurt ma'sel " (emphatic reflexive) ; "I did it ma'sel' " (emphatic
nominative) ; " I did it ma'sel " (e.g. " by myself"). Compare the last with the
use of lane (see par. 25) ; "I did it my lane." This is an adverbial use.
GRAMMAR 99
" A' mind gettin' ma paiks for birdnestin' masel'." Ian Mac-
laren, Brier Bush, "Domsie," c. 1*
" Weel, ye see, sir, your college is a great expense to heumble
fowk like oorsel's." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 79.
YourseV or yersel' is the form used with singular "you";
yoursel's with plural " you " :
"But I'll appel to yersel', Jinse." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 14.
" Put out the double moulds, and e'en show yoursel's to your
beds." Scott, St Ronans Well, c. 28.
" He couldna murder the twa o' them hissel'." G. Macdonald,
Settlement, p. 165. (W.)
" That hour had been the last of hursel'." S. R. Crockett,
Raiders, c. 40. (W.)
" But it cam' o' 'tsel'." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 58.
" His ain dear Annie and her two sisters had to taigle home
by theirselves like a string of green geese." R. L. Stevenson,
David Balfour, c. 30.
Note the form nainsell, nemsel (ownself ), specially common
on the Highland border:
"Ye's hae as mickle o' mine to your nainsel' as '11 clear
Mrs Forbes." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 89.
Ainsel is the usual Scottish form of "ownself":
"I'll show an elder in Yarrow Kirk, ony Sabbath atween
this and Christmas, that shall outmanner your ainsel'." Wilson,
Nodes Ambro., c. 14.
The sell o't is sometimes used for " itself " :
" Kirkcaldy, the sell o't, is langer than ony town in England."
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 14.
So also the sell o' ye for "yourself":
" I ken nae friend he has in the world that's been sae like a
father to him as the sell o' ye, neibor Deans." Scott, H. of
Midlothian, c. 9.
Murray lays down this distinction in his Dialect of the Southern
Counties of Scotland (p. 197):
"In the plural there is a double form: oor-sel, yoor-sel,
thair-sel, are used when the idea is collective : oor-sels, yoor-sels,
7—2
100 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
thair-sels, when the idea is segregate. Thus, ' Wey-11 dui'd oorsel;
Ye maun keip thyr be thair sel.' But ' Gang awa' yer twa sels.' "
25. Use of pronoun with "lane" len, " alone." The pronoun-
adjectives my, yir, his, her, its are used with lane to make the
equivalent of " alone." Oor, yir, their, are used with lanes, but
oftener with lane. Sometimes the prefix lee, lii, and the adjec-
tive leeful, 'liifo, or leaful are added for emphasis:
" So being my leeful lane with the dead body." Gait, Steam-
boat, c. 13.
" So 'at we micht hae a kin' o' a bit parlour like, or rather
a roomie 'at ony o' us micht retire till for a bit, gin we wanted
to be oor lanes." G. Macdonald, David Elginbrod, i, c. 12.
" A sturdy brat that has been rinning its lane for mair than
sax weeks." Gait, Ayrshire Legatees, c. 5.
" Nae lass gaed hame her lane." Taylor, Poems, p. 93. (W.)
The indefinite pronoun "a body" takes the form their lane:
" What a time o' nicht is this to keep a body to, waiting and
fretting on o' ye, their lane ? " Wilson, Tales B., " Hen-pecked Man."
Note the phrase her lanesome — " alone " :
"She'll shin be walkin' her lanesome — wull ye no', honey?"
J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 2.
Note, however, the forms him lane, itlane and them lanes:
"I reckon he micht hae thocht lang there, a' him lane."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 53.
" There's nane (no poetry)
That gies sic great insight to me
As yours itlane."
Letter to K. Fergusson, Perth Magazine, 1773.
" Till the verry lasses are not to be lippent out them lanes."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 53.
Note the Aberdeenshire form, their leens, $jr linz:
"The Presbytery's ill eneuch their leens." W. Alexander
Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
By... lane is the predicative form:
" Robes and foot-mantles that wad hae stude by their lane
wi' gold brocade." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 4.
" Is he by his lane ? " S. R. Crockett, Men of the Moss Hags, c. 4.
GRAMMAR 101
26. Interrogative pronouns. "Who" = wha, AMI:, AIQI; whae,
Aie:; fa, fa: (Northern).
"'Folks says sae,' replied the bard, 'Wha says sae?' she
pursued/' R. L. Stevenson, Weir ofH., c. 6.
"'What mistress do I forget? whae's that?' she pursued."
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 6.
" Fa wud ken fat ye wud be at ! " W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 16.
The accusative form is wham:
"Wham sal I lippen, O Lord, wham but thee?" H. P.
Cameron, Sc. version of the Imitatio Christi, c. 45.
But in ordinary dialect no change is made for the accusative.
The possessive form is whas(e\ MCLIZ, AIQ:Z, Aie:z. In place
of the possessive a periphrasis is common :
Whas is this? = " Whose is this?"
Wha is aught the wean ? = "Whose is the child ? " Wha be-
langs this hoose? = " Whose house is this ? "
"Which" takes the forms whilk, A\{lk; quhilk (archaic);
filk, ftfk; full, fAl (Aberdeen).
"'An' filk o' them wud be warst likein?' inquired Mains."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 23.
The form whit yin = " which " is very common : " Whit yin
will ye tak ? "
"What" takes forms whit, AVjt; fat, fat (Northern):
'"Maw, whit's the name o' thon spotit yin?' cried Macgreegor."
J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 2.
" An' fat ither lessons wud ye like to tak ? " W. Alexander,
Johnny' Gibb, c. 15.
Note the forms whatten, 'Aiatan, whatten a, whatna, what'n,
fatten (Northern) ; all worn-down forms of " what kind of ? " :
" Whatna hummeldoddie o' a mutch hae ye gotten ? " Ramsay.
Reminiscences, c. 4.
" But whaur will ye be the morn, and in whatten horror o'
the fearsome tempest?" R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 8.
" When it was announced that Mr Thomas Thomson was
dead, an Aberdeen friend of the family asked, ' Fatten Thamas
Tamson?'" Ramsay, Reminiscences, c. 5.
102 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
27. Relative pronouns. That^at, Sat; 'a£,at, at; '£,t. The
idiomatic relative pronoun in Sc. is Ma£, taking the forms 'at,
't, and often being omitted even when nominative of a clause :
" My Maggie's no ane 'at needs luikin' efter." G. Macdonald,
David Elginbrod, I, c. 6.
" Yon's a snippit horsie 't was i' the secont pair — yon young
beastie." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 15.
The relative is sometimes omitted along with the auxiliary
have:
"There's no mair than twa acre seen the ploo." Ian Mac-
laren, Days of A.L.S., " Milton's Conversion."
An idiomatic possessive for this relative is got by adding
"his," "her" or equivalents:
" That's the man 'at's hoose was brunt."
Wha, whae, quha, fa, and oblique forms. The dialect forms
of "who," wha, fa (Northern) are used as relative pronouns
(masc. and fern.) in rhetorical prose and in poetry.
" Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled." Burns.
W ha and wham are not, however, modernisms, for they occur
in the forms quha and quham frequently in Middle Scots :
" (He) hid his blisfull glorious ene
To se quham angellis had delyt."
Dunbar.
" Ane hasty hensure callit Hary
Quha wes ane archer heynd."
Chryst's Kirk.
But quha and quham, as relatives, never passed into popular
speech. The relative is always "that," " 'at." In Middle Sc. quha
was often used for " he who " or " they who": in modern speech
= " him that " or " them that." " Them that fin's, keeps."
Oblique cases, whase, wham, are found in poetry and prose,
especially where tinctured by biblical phraseology:
"The Holy Ghost., whase temple we sud be, is wranged
forby." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 85.
" Scots, wham Bruce has aften led." Burns.
The final m of the accusative is nearly always omitted in
modern dialect usage.
GRAMMAR 103
Whilk, quhilk, filk, A^lk, ftlk.
The neuter of this relative takes the forms whilk, quhilk, filk
(Aberdeen) and whuch ("fancy" Scotch):
"To ony body o' whuch they war jined members." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 68.
'"They ca' them,' said Mr Jarvie, in a whisper, ' Daoine
Schie, whilk signifies, as I understand, " men of peace." ' Scott,
Rob Roy, c. 28.
" And I tried to gie birth till a sang — the quhilk, like Jove,
I conceived i' my heid last nicht." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 84.
28. Ilk, tlk; ilkin, 'llkgn, as pronouns.
Ilk for " every one," used as a pronoun, is rarely found sepa-
rately, without ane. Ramsay in his Reminiscences, c. 3, quotes
the toast:
" May we a' be canty an' cosy,
An' ilk hae a wife in his bosy."
Murray, Oxford Dictionary, under " Ilk," mentions ilkin as
in modern Scottish a frequent pronunciation of ilkane:
" Take ilkin a dog wi' ye."
Ilk, meaning " same," is found in the phrase " of that ilk "
(proprietor of the estate from which the name has been taken,
or vice versa):
"Young Earncliff, 'of that ilk,' had lately come of age."
Scott, Black Dwarf, c. 1.
29. Indefinite pronouns. Ane, en, j^n, a body, 9 'bodi, or
'bAdi; onybody, 'onibodi; a body, naebody, 'nebodi. The
indefinite pronoun " one " takes the form ane, en, j^n :
" Ane canna expect to carry about the Saut Market at his
tail." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 34.
Note the plural " their " in association with ane :
" Eh, sirs ! yon's a awfu' sight, and yet ane canna keep their
een aff frae it." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 17.
The common indefinite term is a body:
104 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Weel, weel, a body canna help a bit idle thocht rinnin i'
their heid." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 47.
" Gin a body meet a body
Comin' through the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body
Need a body cry ? " Popular Song.
"Anybody" is onybody:
" I might grane my heart out or onybody wad gie me either
a bane or a bodle." Scott, Antiquary, c. 12.
" Everybody" is a'body (a' = "all"), 'aibodi, rQ:bodi:
" Little wonder if a'body's talking, when ye make a'body ye're
confidants." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 9.
"Nobody" is naebody:
" Naebody got onything by him, and mony lost." Ramsay,
Reminiscences, c. 2.
30. Equivalents of " anything," " nothing."
" Anything," " aught," are usually represented by ocht, aucht,
oxt, axt, although onything is also in use:
" She whiles fetches ocht that there may be for us." S. R.
Crockett, The Tutor of Curlywee.
" Well ! weel ! I didna mean onything." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 2.
Of ocht, a stronger form is aucht or ocht (anything whatever) :
" Johnny got something very like crusty, and said he ' kent
nedder aucht nor ocht aboot it.'" W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb,
c. 6.
"Anything whatever" may also be rendered ocht or flee
(Aberdeen):
" There's nae occasion for you to say ocht or flee." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 36.
Naething is the Sc. equivalent of " nothing ":
" Naething should be done in haste but gripping fleas." Sc.
Proverb (A. Cheviot, p. 261).
Not a haet is the equivalent of " nothing " :
" There's not a haet that happens at the Gourlays but she
clypes." G. Douglas, H. with Green Shutters, c. 21.
CHAPTER IV
ADJECTIVES
31. Cardinal numerals.
ane, en, jm, jftn
twa, twa:, twg:; twae,
twe:
thrie, 9ri:
fower, rfAuar
fyve, faiv
sax, saks
seeven, 'sivan ; saiven,
'sevan
aucht, axt; aicht, ext
ten, ten
eleeven, a'livan
twal, twal
thretteen, '9retin
fowrteen, 'fAurtin
fyfteen, 'f^ftm
sax teen
seeventeen
auchteen
nineteen
twenty, 'tw^nti
thretty, '
forty, 'forti
fifty, 'ftfti
saxty, 'sakst;
seeventy, 'sivntj,
'sevantj
auchty, 'axtj, 'extj
ninety, 'naintf
hunner, 'huncfer
thoosand, f9u:zand,
Ousnt
nine, nain
32. Idiomatic uses of cardinals. Ae, e:, or yae, je: (one), is
the form of the cardinal before a noun:
" It canna be but that in the life 3^6 lead ye suld get a Jed-
dart cast ae day suner or later." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 36.
" If it's sae graun' to listen to yae minister on Sabbath, what
maun it no' be to hear a dizzen a' at yince?" S. R. Crockett,
Trial for License by the Presbytery of Pittscottie.
The tae is used for " the one." Here the ending of the O.E.
neuter form of the definite article (demonstrative) survives, at-
tached to the second word (the tae = " that ae"). See Ph. 217 (e).
"The tae half o' the gillies winna ken." Scott, Rob Roy,
c. 34.
Twa three is a phrase implying "some," "a few":
" Atweesh the shou'ders o' twa three o' them." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
33. Idiomatic compounds and phrases formed with cardinal
numerals. " Twelvemonth " is toivmon, towmond, towmont,
W.
" Hoot, I haena been in Aberdeen this three towmons."
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 27.
106 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Twal hours, twal u:rz, is the midday meal or dinner; four-
hours, fAur u:rz, is the afternoon meal or tea:
" I thought ye would hae had that o'er by twal hours." Gait,
Sir A. Wylie, i, c. 10.
" So I'll thank ye to get me a mutchkin of strong yill and a
cooky, which will baith serve me for fourhours and supper." Ib.,
c. 12.
Twosome, threesome, foursome, combinations of two, three,, or
four persons, e.g. players at golf. In a " Scotch foursome " two
players have one ball against the other two players, and strike
it in turn.
34. Ordinal numerals. The terminal -t after cardinals takes
the place of -th in ordinary dialect:
" Ye ken he's in the foort class." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb,
c. 10.
"Syne he read the twenty-third and fourt psalms." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 85.
"The places is to be set aboot the twenty-foift." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 34.
" ' The boady of the saxt,' pursued Kirstie, ' wi' his head
smashed like a hazelnit.'" R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 5.
" . . .and begud, or ever I kent, to sing the hunner and saivent
psalm." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 45.
35. Uses and forms of " this," " these." " This " is sometimes
used as a plural:
"That self sam ministeris: this speichis: this werrien":
Spalding's Historie (17th century).
Also in modern use in the N.E. :
" I'll knock aff some o' that loons' heids." " This twa three
notes." Greig, Mains s Wooing.
"These" is thir (O.N. %eir\ found in M.E. as &ir, for):
" ' pir wurdes,' he sayd, ' er all in vayne.' " Death ofSt Andrew.
"'Thir kittle times will drive the wisest o' us daft/ said Niel
Blane." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 19.
But " these " is sometimes thae:
" They hae been a sad changed family since thae rough tim.es
began." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 36.
GRAMMAR 107
36. Uses and forms of "that," "those." "That" is yon, thon:
"'Yon divot 'at ye flang aff o' Luckie Lapp's riggin/ said
Curly, ' cam richt o' the back o' my heid.' " G. Macdonald, A lee
Forbes, c. 20.
"Thon taiblet's jist fu' o' nits." J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 1.
"Those" is thae:
"'Upon my conscience, Rose/ ejaculated the Baron, 'the
gratitude o' thae dumb brutes, and of that puir innocent, brings
the tears into my auld een.'" Scott, Waverley, n, c. 35.
"Are there really folk that do thae kind o' jobs for siller?"
Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 30.
That is found in place of the plural " those " (a North country
idiom):
" To mizzour aff some o' that bits o' places." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 30.
"Keep awa' fae the edges o' that ooncanny banks." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 5.
"Those" takes the form them when used pronominally:
"Them that buys beef buys banes, as the aul' by- word says."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 25.
37. Indefinite adjectives. " Other " is ither, 'i$ar ; tither,
'titter. The tither, the tother, Ua 'tA^ar are used for "the other" :
" Ance I thocht to gang across to tither side o' the Queens-
ferry wi' some ither folks to a fair." Ramsay, Reminiscences, c. 5.
"The probang we had the tither nicht." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 32.
Note the combination "the tane or the tither," "the one or
the other " :
" It was the tane or the tither o' them, I am sure, and it maks
na muckle matter whilk." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 11.
The combination tane... tother is also used:
" And the 'did promise and vow' of the tane were yokit to the
end o' the tother." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 37.
The combination tae... ither is also found: here the use is
adjectival, not pronominal :
" I'se warrant it was the tae half o' her fee and bountith, for
108 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
she wanted the ither half on pinners and pearlings." Scott, Old
Mortality, c. 14.
38. Equivalents of " every," " each." " Every " or " each " is
ilk, ilka:
" Ilk lass takes her leglin, and hies her away." Jane Elliott,
Flowers of the Forest (Song).
"Ilka land has its ain land law." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 28.
"That will be just five-and-threepence to ilka ane o' us, ye
ken." Scott, Antiquary, c. 16.
" In ilka-day meals, I am obligated to hae a regard for fru-
gality." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 30.
" What did ye do with your ilka-days claise (everyday clothes)
yesterday?" Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 15.
"Every" is akin, "aikra, or ira:kain:
" Wi a'kin kind of things." Child's Ballads, Lady Maisry,
st. 2, p. 128.
The phrase, the piece, takes the place of " each " (used pro-
nominally) :
" We hed a gweed stoot stick the piece." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
" Each " as a pronoun or its equivalent is not found collo-
quially before "other" (ither) after verbs:
" I thocht we understood ither on that matter." Gilmour,
Pen Folk, c. 8.
39. Uses of " severals," " antrin" " orra"
"Several," 'sevralz, takes a plural in -s:
" There's severals '11 hae to gae yet." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 30.
"Occasional" is antrin, 'antrin ; tantrin, 'tantr^n; antrant,
'antrant :
" Pop the proverb in yer pooch
An tak an antrin read."
T. W. Patterson, Auld Saws.
" Extra " or " odd " is orra, rora :
"Sanders was little better than an 'orra man' and Sam'l
was a weaver." J. M. Barrie, A. L. Idylls, c. 8.
GRAMMAR 109
" Had a whin kegs o' brandy in them at an orra time." Scott,
Guy Mannering, c. 9.
40. Forms of "such." "Such" is sic, sjk; siccan, 'sjkan;
sich ("genteel Sc."), sitf; siclike, 's^klaik, siccan-like:
"Sic a man as thou wad be, draw thee to sic companie."
A. Cheviot, Proverbs, p. 298.
" And siccan a breed o' cattle is not in any laird's land in
Scotland." Scott, Waverley, I, c. 36.
"That lady, holding up her hands, exclaimed, 'Sich vul-
garity.'" J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 13.
'"I like na siccan work/ said some." S. R. Crockett, Accepted
of the Beasts.
" Such " in the form sic, siclike, is sometimes used without
a following noun:
"I could hae carried twa sic then." Scott, Antiquary, c. 33.
" I wonder how ye can be fashed wi' siclike." Gait, Sir A.
Wylie, I, c. 18.
Siclike may follow its noun:
"They're forced... to bide about the Broch, or some gate
siclike (method of that kind)." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb,
c. 14.
" Such as " is usually represented by " the like o'":
" Fan the like o' 'im's amo' them (when such as he are among
them)." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 23.
41. Uses of "pickle," "puckle," "mair" "mae," "mickle,"
<(muckle." "Some" or "a few" is sometimes represented by
puckles:
" Nane but puckles o' the gentry gets 't deen in ae Sunday."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 16.
A puckle, pAkl, or a pickle, p^kl, is used of "a few," both for
quantity and number:
" The laird has a puckle fine stirks i' the Upper Holm park."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 11.
"A pickle's no missed in a mickle." A. Cheviot, Pro-
verbs, 22.
" More " is mair, me:r, or mae, me:, mair being originally
of quantity and mae of number:
110
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"And what mair me than another?" Wilson, Tales B.,
" Roger Goldie's Narrative."
Mickle, muckle, meikle are all forms of " much ":
" Muckle coin, muckle care." A. Cheviot, Proverbs, p. 254.
" I couldna hae thought he would hae done so meikle for me
already." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 25.
Consequently the proverb as quoted, " Many a mickle makes
a muckle" is tautological nonsense. The proper rendering is
" Mony a pickle makes a mickle."
42. Some common comparatives and superlatives. The com-
parative of ill is waur (worse), wa:r :
" I maun gae and get Rashleigh out o' the town afore waur
comes o' it." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 25.
The superlative of ill is warst, warst, wArst :
" Do you think that folk wad expec' onything o' me gin the
warst came to the warst?" G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 4.
Muckle (''much" or "great") takes the comparative and
superlative forms, muckler, mucklest.
" Muckler sooms to them that it wouldna be easy to uplift
it fae again." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 47.
The form mae ("moe" of Shakespeare's "Sing no moe ditties,
sing no moe ") is in use:
" Sal-alkali o' Midge-tail clippings,
And mony mae." Burns, Death and Doctor Hornbook.
" I might hae broken my neck — but troth it was in a venture,
mae ways nor ane." Scott, Waverley, n, c. 30.
"Later," "latter" is hinner, 'hjncfer, hint, hint:
"There's a heep o' judgments atween this an' the hinner
en'." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 60.
" It happened at the hint end o' hervest " (Sth.).
"Latest," "last" is hinmost, 'hjnmast:
"My father's hinmost words to me was, 'It's time eneuch to
greet, laddie, when ye see the aurora borealis.'" J. M. Barrie,
The Little Minister, c. 26.
" Lowest " is nethmost (neth = " beneath "):
"Ye've keepit me sittin wytein ye till the vera nethmost
shall o' the lamp's dry." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 14.
GRAMMAR 111
" Uppermost " is boonmost or bummost (boon, bune = " above "),
'bynmast :
"'O,' quo* the boonmost, Tve got a het skin.'" Chambers,
Popular Rhymes, p. 33. (W.)
Also eemest, umist, yimost, 'imast, 'jimast, O.E. ymest,
Gothic auhumists:
" Three feet eemist, cauld an deed,
Twa feet nethmest, flesh an bleed."
Gregor, Folk-Lore (1881, p. 79).
'* Innermost " is benmost, 'benmast :
" While frighted rattons backward leuk,
And seek the benmost bore." Burns, Jolly Beggars.
43. Free use of "-est." The termination -est for the super-
lative of adjectives is used more freely in Scottish dialect than
the standard usage allows. A phrase like, " An incident of the
most extraordinary kind happened," would be rendered, "The
awfu'estlike thing happened."
" Ye wad spoil the maist natural and beautifaest head o' hair
in a' Freeport." Scott, Antiquary, c. 10.
44. Special comparative uses. Auld and young are used in
the sense of " eldest," "youngest" (Wright, Grammar, p. 269).
He compares this usage with auld = "first," "best," found in East
Anglia, especially in the vocabulary of bowls and other games.
45. Some intensive forms = " very." The adjective "gay,"
usually in the forms gey, gai, geyan, 'gaian, or gye an, is freely
used to modify or intensify:
"'Ay,' replied Andrew, 'they're gay and heigh.'" Gait, Sir
A. Wylie, I, c. 13.
"Lily's juist ower saft-hearted, and she hes a gey lot o'
trimmies tae deal wi'." Ian Maclaren, Days of A. L. S., "A
Servant Lass," c. 1.
" My God, aye, it's a geyan pity o' me." G. Douglas, House
with Green Shutters, c. 12.
Braw and is sometimes used in the same way:
" That loft above the rafters, thought the provident Wilson,
will come in braw and handy for storing things." G. Douglas,
H. with Green Shutters, c. 10.
CHAPTER V
VERBS
46. Inflections of the Present Tense Indicative. In ordinary
speech the termination -s is sometimes added to the 1st pers.
sing., especially of habitual action: or when the present is used
for a dramatic past: or when a relative pronoun is the subject
of the verb :
" I rises ilka day at sax." Murray's Dialect of the Sth. Coun-
ties, p. 214.
" Aa hears a reis'le at the doar an' thynks aa, quhat can that
bey." Ibid.
"I heard the clatter o' them an' throws on my waistcoat."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
" It's me at comes first."
Occasional examples are found in Middle Sc.:
" Quhilkis I obleissis me to redelevyr." Stirling Records,I638.
The St. termination -t is not found in the 2nd pers. sing,
pres. indie.; e.g. thou will, thou- sings, thou's for "thou wilt,"
"thou sing'st," "thou hast":
" Thou'll break my heart, thou bonie bird,
That sings upon the bough." Burns, Bonie Doon.
" Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flow'r,
Thou's (hast) met me in an evil hour."
Burns, To a Mountain Daisy.
With noun subjects, not pronouns, the verb has -s in the
plural pres. indie.:
" Yet he downa gang to rest, for his heart is in a flame,
To meet his bonnie lassie when the kye comes hame."
James Hogg (Song).
But the pronouns we, ye, they, are followed by the uninflected
form as in standard usage, unless separated from the verb by
intervening words:
You anes a' says that.
You at comes last, jist gets the same.
It's his at kens fine.
GRAMMAR 113
47. Note the idiom common in Mid and Sth. Sc.
the're = there is,
they wur = there was.
" 0 ! Paw, there a wee doug ootbye, an its worryin' my hat."
J. J. Bell, W ee Macgreegor, c. 10.
Dhay wur nay pailinz, yee see.
" There was no fence, you see."
Wilson's Lowland Scotch, p. 123.
48. Marks of the preterit in weak verbs. The past tense
indie, takes -it, -et, or -t for all numbers and persons1, but see
Ph. §17andGr. App. D:
"Dinna mind me, Paitrick, for a' expeckit this." Ian
Maclaren, Brier Bush, "Doctor of Old School," c. 4.
" He juist nippet up his verbs... First in the Humanity, and
first in the Greek, sweepit the field." Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush,
" Domsie," c. 2.
49. The present participle and gerund. The present parti-
ciple used to end in an(d):
" Upon Grene Lynton they lyghted dowyn,
Styrande many a stage."
Child's Ballads, Battle of Otterburn, p. 387.
"An' ding me na by, i' yer bleezan torne." Psalm vi. 1,
P. H. Waddell's Translation.
The Participial termination "an(d)" and the Gerund ending
in yng, yne, ene were confused in most of the Sc. dialects after
the sixteenth century and are now written in, in, an. In the
dialects of the Sth. Counties and Caithness, the distinction is
still maintained.
" Thay war dansand aa thruw uther (durch einander) an' syc
dansm' aa never saa afuore ; hey beguid a-greitm, but feint o'
eane ksennd quhat hey was gYQitand for; syc ongangm's as yr gatm'
on yonder." Murray, Dialect of the Southern Counties, p. 211.
1 The connecting vowel is dropped when the verb ends in any consonant
except t, p, k, d, b, g. After an accented vowel d (instead of t) is more common
in the Mid and Sth. dialects as also after a liquid or nasal.
G. 8
1 1 4 MANUAL OF MODEKN SCOTS
" He's fond o' gutterin aboot."
" He's aye gutteran aboot."
Warrack, Scots Dialect Dictionary, Introduction, p. 21, and
Ph. § 54.
50. Use of the progressive form. The progressive form of
the verb, first person sing., formed with the verb " to be " and the
present participle, is used colloquially in making deliberate state-
ments, where standard usage employs the simple verb:
" ' My feth, sir,' said Archy, ' I'm dootin' that it's sic exercise
as them that's engaged in't '11 no like vera weel.'" Wilson,
Tales B., " Blacksmith of Plumtree."
" ' Ye'll have ye're ups and downs like me, I'm thinking,' he
observed." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 6.
A free use of this form of verb is a mark of Highland speech,
where there is a flavour of deliberateness :
" I was never knowing such a girl, so honest and beautiful."
R. L. Stevenson, David Balfour, c. 21.
" I was to be carrying them their meat in the middle night."
Ibid.
51. The use of " on," " ohn " with past participle or gerund.
The past participle of verbs is used with on, ohn (Northern Sc.
only) to signify lack, deprivation or omission: e.g. ohnbeen, onhed,
ongrutten:
"I'll jist need to gang to my prayers to haud me ohnbeen1
angry wi' ane o' the Lord's bairns." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 44.
" I'm nae responsible to gae afore Sir Simon onhed my papers
upo' me." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 42.
" I cudna 'a haud'n up my heid, Tarn, nor been ongrutt'n "
(on + p. part, of greet, to weep). W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 16.
This combination with on2 is also common in Aberdeenshire
usage with the gerund.
" Ye'll nae gyang on tellin's."
1 The prefix on, oon, is simply the Eng. un, and is not derived from the
German ohne. George Macdonald's spelling is misleading. In Early and Middle Sc.
it is quite common, e.g. Blind Harry's Wallace, vn, 1228 : " Onchangit hors
throuch out the land thai rid."
2 This infinitive (or gerund) in ing (an) maybe heard in N.E. Scotland after
GRAMMAR 115
So in Mid. Sc.:
" Sa mony as the hot wald hauld on drawning thame sellffis."
Pitscottie, Chronicles of Scotland, S.T.S. Ed. II, 122.
52. Special negative forms. Note the negative -na (not), na
and ne, used with verbs; winna, 'w^n^a (will not), sanna, 'sanna
(shall not), canna, 'kan??a (cannot), maunna, 'manna (must
not), dinna, 'd^nna (do not), daurna, 'dairna (dare not), sudna,
'sAdna (should not), binna, 'bjnTia (be not), haena, 'hena (have
not), comesna, 'kAmzna (comes not), downa, 'dAuna, etc. :
" I ken naebody but my brother, Monkbarns, himsell wad gae
through the like o' 't, if indeed it binna you, Mr Lovell." Scott,
Antiquary, c. 11.
" Yet still she blushed, and frowning cried, ' Na, na, it winna
do; I canna, canna, winna, winna, mauna buckle to.'" Popular
.Song, " Within a Mile of Edinburgh Town."
" I couldna dee less nor offer to come wi' 'im." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 46.
Downa do is used of a refusal:
"But downa do comes o'er me now,
And, oh, I find it sairly."
Burns, The Deuk's Dang O'er my Daddie.
In Aberdeenshire -na sometimes takes the form -nin with
am, 'amnin, wus, 'wAznjn, div, 'divnjn, mith, 'miGnjn, used
interrogatively (see "be," "do," "might").
53. Auxiliary verbs. Forms and uses of " do " (O.E. don). I,
we, you, they, dae, de:, du, d0:, div, djv, dinna, 'djn??a, divna,
rd£vna, divnin, 'dtvntn:
Thou, he, she, it, dis, djz ; disna, 'dfzna.
11 And dae they feed ye tae ? " H. Maclaine, M. F. the P., p. 21.
" I divna ken wha's till preach." Ramsay, Reminiscences, c. 6.
on or ohn, but it is quite certainly an imitation of the infinitive after prepositions.
The past participle is the original and still the more common form. In the N.E.
on the preposition is pronounced on ; on or ohn in this particular usage is pro-
nounced on, un, coming from an original un. The confusion may have begun
when a number of verbs came to have the same form for the Past Part, and the
Pres. Part. Thus in most Sc. dialects such couples as 'falling— fallen, eating —
eaten, holding — holden are represented in each case by one pronunciation, viz.
'fasn, itn, haldn. Examples of wrc+.Past Part, may be found in O.E.
8—2
116
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"But gin I dinna, my left leg dis." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 16.
"Div ye mind what I said, 'There's something ahint that
face.' " Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 2.
"If George Howe disna get to college, then he's the first
scholar I've lost in Drumtochty." Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush,
"Domsie," c. 1.
A form div, djv, duv, dAV, is found in interrogative sentences,
usually for the purpose of emphasis :
"Duv ye think I'm fleyt at her?" G. Macdonald, Robert
Falconer, c. 5.
"Will ye say 'at ye div tak' thoucht, George ?" G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 25.
The form divnin, 'divnin, is found (Aberdeen):
" ' Divnin ye see the ships sailin' on't,' said the lassie." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 2.
54. Forms and uses of " do " (O.E. dugan). The verb dow,
dAU, "can" must not be confused with "do" (O.E. don). Its
past tense is dought, dAUxt, docht, doxt, dowd, dAud.
" Ye'll make what speed ye dow." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, i, c. 30.
" My lady didna dow (couldn't bear) to hear muckle about the
friends on that side of the house." Scott, Gay Mannering, c. 39.
" Women are wilfu', and downa bide a slight." Scott, H. of
Midlothian, c. 15.
" Beggars douna bide wealth." A. Cheviot, Proverbs, p. 55.
" Went home to St Leonard's Crags, as well as a woman in
her condition dought." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 21.
" I dochtna bide to hear yer bonnie name." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, "Last Wooing" (Song), c. 22.
"For he dow'd na see onybody want." Scott, Old Mortality,
c. 37.
Note downa do = " can't be done," used as a noun-phrase :
" But downa do's come o'er me now,
And, oh, I find it sairly, 0."
Burns, The Deuk's Dang O'er My Daddie.
55. Forms and uses of "will." "Will" takes the form wully
fl; "will not," winna, 'wjnna, wonna, wonna; "would,"
GRAMMAR 117
wud, ivad, wad, wad, wud, WAd; " would not," wadna, 'wadna,
'wadna, widna, 'wjdna, wudna, 'wAdna:
" ' Wonna she, Johnnie ? ' ' Ay wull she,' answered Johnnie,
following his leader with confidence." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes
c. 9.
" How wad ye like when it cums to be your ain chance ? as
I winna ensure ye, if ye dinna mend your manners." Scott,
H. of Midlothian, c. 4.
"His goodwife asked me if I widna hae my stockings
changed." Wilson, Tales B., " I Canna Be Fashed."
" The dragoons will be crying for ale, and they wunna want
it." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 3.
" Wad it be a glorified timmer leg he rase wi', gin he had
been buried wi' a timmer leg ? " G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 3.
" Sic a wife as Willie had !
I wadna gie a button for her."
Burns, Willie's Wife (Song).
" Will " is the ordinary auxiliary form interrogative for the
future tense; " shall I," "shall you" are not used. (But "I shall,"
"you shall," become Pse, youse) :
" ' Will I have gotten my jo now ? ' she thought with a secret
rapture." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 6.
56. Note frequent use of " will " in Sc. where omitted in
St. usage, often to denote supposition :
"'I see somebody will have (has) been talking to ye,' she
said sullenly." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 9.
Note the use of "will" with "can" to form a future tense
in Mid and Sth. dialects :
" ' That's my bairn ! ' said Kirstie rising, ' I'll can trust ye
noo, I'll can gang to my bed wi' an easy hairt.' " R. L. Steven-
son, Weir of H., c. 8.
57. Forms and uses of "shall." "Shall" is found as sal,
sail, sal, sal:
" My man sail hae his ain get, that sail he." G. Macdonald,
David Elginbrqd, c. 8.
118 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Sal shortens to ' se, 's ' :
"I'se warrant he's do that, doctor." Brown, Rob and His
Friends.
" That lad Cranstoun may get to the tap o' the bar, if he can;
but tak my word for 't, it's no be by drinking." Ramsay, Remi-
niscences, c. 3.
"An' she's hae bite and sup wi' them." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 6.
This explains Barrie's sepad, sa'pad = [I']se uphad (uphold)
"I shall maintain":
" I sepad it had been bocht cheap second-hand." J. M. Barrie,
Thrums, c. 24.
" Should " is found as suld, SAld, sud, SAd:
"Wha suld come in but Pate Macready, the travelling
merchant?" Scott, Rob Roy, c. 14.
"Bairns suld haud their tongues." G. Macdonald, Robert
Falconer, c. 1.
"Ye sud learn to sing 't through." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 21.
"Shall not" is found as sanna, 'san^a; "should not" as
shouldna, 'fudna, sudna, 'sAdna:
" It sanna be the battle o' Culloden." Hogg, Tales. (W.)
" I sudna won'er." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 8.
" I sanna be speerin the price o' them eenoo." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 7.
58. Forms and uses of verb " to be." " Are " is found as
are, ir, ar, ar, ir; " was " as wes, wez, wis, w^z, wus, WAZ, wass,
was (Highland); "were" as war, war, pret. ind. pi. and pret.
subj. sing, and pi.; "be not" as binna ind. and subj.; "am not"
as amna, 'amna, amnin (Aber), 'amnin; "was not" as wusnin
(Aberdeen), 'wAznjn; dhay aar and dhur = "there is" (Perth-
shire, Strathearn district):
" ' Eh ! ye crater ! ' said Robert, ' ir ye there efter a' ? '" G.
Macdonald, Robert Falconer, c. 10.
" Yir trust wes mickle help tae him." Ian Maclaren, Brier
Bush, " Domsie," c. 4.
GRAMMAR 119
" Wus ye sleepin' terrible soun', Jinse ? " W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 3.
" ' It wass like him to make all other men better than him-
self/ with the soft, sad Highland accent." Ian Maclaren, Brier
Bush, " Domsie," c. 4.
"We ran like mad; but corn and byre war blazin'...." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 21.
"But an' he war goodman o' Newtoon." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 35.
" Afore it war weel gloam't." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb,
c. 40.
"Aw thocht I was to get oor ain toon; amnin aw?" W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 21.
" Mrs Saddletree looked after her, and shook her head. ' I
wish she binna roving, poor thing.' " Scott, H. of Midlothian,
c. 24.
" Dhur naybuddee in." Sir James Wilson, Lowland Scotch,
p. 122.
" You are " becomes ye'er, jiar, yer, jar, yir, jir ; " where are,"
whaur, Aigir, whare, Ava:r:
"Yer richt, Dominie." Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush, "Domsie,"
c. 2.
" ' Weel, yir wrang, Weelum,' broke in Marge t." Ian Maclaren,
Brier Bush, "Domsie," c. 1.
" Ha! whare ye gaun, ye crowlin ferlie ? " Burns, To a Louse.
59. Forms and uses of " have." " Have " takes the forms
hev, hev, hae, he, 'a, a; "has not," hesna, 'hezna, hisna, 'htzna;
" have not," haena, 'hena, hinna, 'h^nna; " had," haed, hed; " had
not," hadna', "having," haein, 'hem; "had" (pastpt.), haen, hen:
" Didna I say, ' Ye hev a promisin' laddie, Whinnie.' " Ian
Maclaren, Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 2.
" I hae no fear aboot her; she's a wise bairn." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 2.
" Ye hae the best recht, Thomas, for hesna he been good to
ye ?" G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 45.
" We hae haen deaths in our family too." J. M. Barrie, A. L.
Idylls, c. 8.
120 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Ye wudna not till c a been taul ' " (would not have needed
to have been told). W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 33.
"He got up and said — 'I haena time to stop.'" Wilson,
Tales B., "The Deserted Wife."
" Have " (hae, 'a) is constantly dropped after the auxiliaries
"would," "should," etc. especially when followed by -na: see
Ph. 217 (c):
"I would rather, having so much saved at the bank, paid
the needful repairs myself." Gait, A. of Parish, c. 27.
" O, Tibbie, I hae seen the day Ye wad na been sae shy."
Burns (So"ng).
Hae as an imperative signifies " take this " (cf. Fr. tiens) :
<( Hae, there's half-a-crown for boding so meikle luck to my
Lord." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, II, c. 29.
60. Forms and uses of " may " and " might." " Might " is
micht, mprt, mith, mjO (Aberdeen): "might have" is michta,
micht av, 'mprtav, mitha, 'mjOa (Aberdeen); "might not" is
michtna, 'mprtna, mithnin, 'miOnjn (Aberdeen):
"But twa or three micht gang by my door and cross to
Jamie Mitchell's yonner." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 4.
" Gin ye hae nae regaird for yersel', ye mith hae some for
yer family, peer things." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 20.
" Mitha been wi' ye ! " W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 20.
" But mithnin he dee (do) wi' the less coontin ? " W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 10.
The present may is usually the equivalent of" can," a survival
of its early signification, O.E. and M.E. :
" Ye may be luikin for me hame afore sindoon the morn's
nicht." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 1.
61. FQrms and uses of " can." " Can not " is canna, 'kamia ;
" could " is found as cud, kAd, N.E. kwid, " could not " as couldna,
'kudna, cudna, kAdna, cwidna, 'kwidna (N.E.).
" Ye canna be fashed ! Can ye no ? " Wilson, Tales B., " I
Canna be Fashed."
"I couldna weel see." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 15.
" Weel, cudna ye pit it oot at five per cent. ? " G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 6.
GRAMMAR 121
"^Can," "could" are used after the auxiliaries "will" and
'"have" in place of "be able," "been able": but not in the
Northern dialects.
"They haena cuid geate ane." "If we haed cuid cum."
Murray, D. S. C. Sc.} p. 216.
" He'll no can haud doon his heid to sneeze, for fear o' seeing
his shoon." Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
62. Forms and uses of "maun" main, man, m&n, man.
"Must" is replaced by maun, mun; "must not" by maunna,
mauna, manna:
"A' body maun sit still and listen to him, as if he were the
Paip of Rome." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 8.
" They are all gentle, ye mun know, though they ha' narra
shirt to back." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 4.
" Hout, tout, neighbor, ye maunna take the warld at its word."
Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 12.
"An' ye manna speak muckle." Scottish Review, July 23,
1908, "A Black Day."
63. Forms and uses o/"dare." "Dare" is daur, dgir, daar,
dair: negative, daurna. Past durst, dArst; negative, durstna ;
daurt, daurd\ when followed by a noun, the past tense is
daurd, daird, dg:rd. (Used also in compound tenses — " Wull
ye daar gang ? They wadna daar cum; Yf wey haed durst beyde
onie langer." Murray, D. S. C. Sc., p. 217.)
" Show me a word Saunders daur speak, or a turn he daur
do about the house...." Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
" 0 luve will venture in, Where it daur na weel be seen."
Burns, The Posie.
" He should been tight that daur't to raize thee, Ance in a
day." Burns, The Auld Farmers New Year Salutation to His
Auld Mare, Maggie.
64. Forms and uses of " owe," " ought." " Owe," " ought "
take the forms awe, 91, aa, ai, o, o:, aucht, oxt, axt. Of aucht
Murray remarks (D. 8. C. Sc., pp. 217-8):
" The past participle apparently occurs in the difficult idiom,
' Quheae's aucht that ?,' often * Quheae's owcht that ?,' contracted
122 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
' Quheae's aa that ?,' ' Quheae's o' that ?,' Whose is that ?, "Who
owns that?... The second meaning given to agan by Bos worth '
would allow us to construe Quheae's aucht that ? as Who is made
to possess that? Who has the right to that?, or To whom does
that belong?"
Thus indebtedness and possession have got mixed up, as in
the English " owe " and " own ":
" When I was passing along the sea-front of a fishing village
in Fife, I heard a stalwart matron ask her gossip at the next door,
c Whae's aucht them ? ' — that is, who owns them, or has charge
of them?" A, Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences, c. 14.
" For us and for our stage should ony spier,
' Whase aucht thae chiels maks a' this bustle here ? ' '
— that is, who is responsible for. Burns, Prologue, for Mr
Sutherland's Benefit Night, Dumfries, 1790.
" Gin ye awe the siller, ye maun pay't, man." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 90.
"Wha's aucht this?" (Who is the owner of this?) G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 32.
"That schochlin' cratur, Bruce, is mintin' at roupin' the
mistress for a wheen siller she's aucht him (owing him)." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 89.
"......As gin she aucht (owed) you anything for rent." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 83.
"He wuntit to ken immediately fat was auchtin you for fat
ye laid oot upo' that place at the Ward." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 45.
" Ilk ane wi' the bit dribbles of syndings in it, and a paper
about the neck o't, to show which of the customers is aught it."
Scott, St Ronans Well, c. 2.
65. Forms and uses of " behoved." Bud, bAd, bood, bud,
or bude, byd, but, bAt (behoved), buit, byt. In the N.E. beed,
beet = bid, bit. Used both for present and past tense formation,
like "ought" and "should," but mostly as a preterit; "thought
good," "decided to," "to be under moral compulsion"; "have
reason " :
" It's a strang tow 'at wad hand or bin Dawvid, whan he
GRAMMAR 123
considers he bud to gang, an' 'twere intill a deil's byke." G.
Macdonald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 14.
" So afore they could let him gang, they bood examine him
on the Hebrew an' Latin." S. R. Crockett, Trials for License
by the Presbytery of Pitscottie.
"How did she come home then?" "She bude to come hame,
man." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 91.
" And like a bairn, I but to gang wi' him." R. L. Stevenson,
David Balfour, c. 15.
" Richt or wrang aboot the women, I bude to ken mair aboot
the men nor ye do." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 73.
" For tricks ye buit be tryin'." R. Fergusson, The Election.
" He beed a' be thocht saucy." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb,
c. 28.
Note a preterit form / boost, I buist, I byst, as if from a
present form / boos. In changing from the impersonal it boos
me, "it behoves1 me," to the personal form, the " s" of the third
person singular seems to have been retained, and to have been
preserved in this preterit form:
" Or, faith ! I fear that with the geese,
I shortly boost to pasture
I' the craft some day."
Burns, A Dream.
" He beside himsel' buist be." Quinn, Heather Lintie.
(Dumf.) (W.)
66. Forms of "need." "Need" has a past tense not, past
part. not :
"He not naething but jist the chyne an's poles." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 9.
" An' ye hed been wi' her, like Tarn an' me, ye wudna not
till 'a been taul' that there's nae the marrow o' 'er atween this
an Tamintoul." W. Alexander, Johnny Qibb, c. 33.
1 The standard form "behoved," discarded as a personal verb south of the
Tweed after the year 1500, continued to be used in literature by Sc. writers.
The New English Dictionary gives an example from the historian Kobertson,
and the following from Sir William Hamilton :
" He behoved... clearly to determine the value of the principal terms." Dis-
courses (1853).
124 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
67. Forms and uses o/"let." "Let" is lat, lat, let, p. tense
loot, lut, lyt, leet, lit ; p. part, looten, 'lutan, 'lyten, latt'n, 'latan,
lutten, lAtdn:
" But I wud not latt'n them say't." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 19.
" ' Indeed, doctor,' said the honest woman, ' I loot the brandy
burn as lang as I dought look at the gude creature wasting itsell
that gate.'" Scott, St Ronan's Well, c. 7.
" That nae only never laid a han' till't, but maybe never
hardly leet their een see't." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 44.
" ...When she gangs luikin aboot for a pirn or a prin that
she's looten fa'." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 44.
Phrases: lat licht (to let it be known, to disclose a fact),
lat at (to attack), lat sit (to leave alone, or leave off); lat-a-be
(adverbially="and not really"), gae-lattin ("letting-go" or "bank-
ruptcy"):
" An' fan maister MacCassock loot licht that he was thinkin'
o' buyin' the furniture to the manse." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 46.
" Lat sit, an' gang an' luik for that puir doited thing." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 2.
" Jist sit doon there, and carry on frae whaur ye loot sit."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 70.
"... Speaks as if she were a prent buke, let-a-be an old fisher's
wife." Scott, Antiquary, c. 39.
"Dawvid...lats at him fanever they meet." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 23.
" An'ro (Andrew) Lanchofts was jist at the gae-lattin, and
wud lickly need to gi'e up the chop a' thegither ere lang." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 29.
68. Use of "gar" for causative purposes. Gar, 90.11*, ger, ger,
to "cause," "make"; p. tense gart, gert', p. part, gart, gert:
" Ah ! gentle dames ! it gars me greet
To think how mony counsels sweet,
How mony lengthened, sage advices,
The husband frae the wife despises."
Burns, Tarn O'Shanter.
GRAMMAR 125
" He has rendered no account of his intromissions, but I'll
gar him as gude." Scott, Redgauntlet, c. 23.
"The sacristan... speaks as if he would ger the house fly
abroad." Scott, Monastery, c. 8.
69. "Begood" for "began." "Begin" has the odd preterit
form, begood, ba'gud, begude, ba'gyd, begouth, ba'guG, seemingly
by analogy with cud, sud, bude:
"But he begood to dwine in the end of the year." Ian
Maclaren, Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 3.
"But, after a while,! begude an' gaed through twa or three bits
o' reasonin's aboot it." G. Macdonald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 13.
70. Some Impersonal Verbs: leeze me, liiz mi, like, laik, fell,
ffcl, worth, WAr9, weels me on, weels me o', wilz mi o, etc.
Leeze me (leif is me) often followed by on, " I am fond of,"
"blessings on!"
" Leeze me that bonny mouth that never told a fool tale "
(Kelly). A. Cheviot, Proverbs, p. 232.
" Leeze me on thee, John Barleycorn,
Thou king o' grain!" Burns, Scotch Drink.
Like (the older impersonal use) = placet, to "please," "suit,"
" be agreeable to."
"We'll mak shift, an it like your honor." Scott, B. of
Lammermoor, c. 8.
Fell— to "happen to":
" ' Ay, ay, the fader o' 'im was a lang-heidit schaimin carle,
an' weel fells the sin (good luck is the son's lot) for that/ was
the remark in one case." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 2.
Worth— "to be (to)," "befall":
"Wae worth the wife
That has a waukrife wean ! " Popular Rhyme.
"'Wae worth ill company/ quo the daw of Camnethan."
A. Cheviot, Proverbs, p. 383.
WeeVs me on, weels me o' signifies "blessings on," "I am
happy with " :
" Weels me o' drink, quo' copper Will." R. Fergusson, The
Election.
APPENDIX A
LIST OF IRREGULAR VERBS (MID-SCOTTISH)
(Including verbs irregular in standard use and regular in Scottish)
Present
Past
Past Part.
bake
beuk, buik, bakit
baken, bakit
bek, bja'k (N.E.)
bjuk, byk, 'bekat
'bekan, 'bekat
be
wes, wis, wus
been
bi:
wez, wiz, WAZ, waz
bin
bear
bure, bore
borne
be:r, bi:r
b0ir, boir
born
beat
bet, bate
beaten
bit, bet
bet, bet, bit
bitn, betn
begin
begud, begude, begood,
begun
begouth
bfgm
brYjud, bfguS
brYjAn, bi'gud
bid
bad
bidden, budden
bid
bad
bidn, bAdn
bide (" stay, endure ")
bade
bidden
baid
bed, bed
bidn
big ("build")
bug, buggit
buggen, biggit
1>19
bAg, 'bAgat, 'bigat
'bAgan, 'bigat
bin' (" bind ")
ban'
bun'
b^n
ban
bAn
blaw("blow")
bleuw
blawn
'bla:, blja:v (N.E.)
blyui, b!0:
bla:n
brack, brek (" break ")
brak, brook
broken
brak, brek
brak, bruk
'brokan, 'brokan
bring
brocht
brocht, brochten,
brung (Galloway)
brirj
broxt, broxt
broxt, 'broxtan, brArj
burn
brunt, brent
brunt, brent
bArn
brAnt, brent
brAnt, brent
burst
brast, burstit
bursten, bursen
bArst
brast, 'bArstat
'bArstan, 'bArsan
can
cud, cood
cud, cood
kan, kan
kAd, kad, kud, kyd
kAd, kud
1 In Mid-Sc. 9: may be substituted for
a: passim.
GRAMMAR
127
Present
Past
Past Part.
cast
cuist, keest
cuis'n
kast
kyst, kist (N.E.)
kysn
catch
catcht
catcht
katj
kat/t, kaxt (S.)
kat/t
choose, choise
chase, chois't
choosed, chosen, choist
t/UIZ, t/0IZ, t/OIS
t/eiz, t/oist
t/uizd, t/oizn, t/oist
clade, deed, cleid
claid
claid
(" clothe ")
kled, klid
kled
kled
cleik (" seize ")
claucht, cleikit
claucht, cleikit
klik
klaxt, klaixt, 'klikat
klaxt, klaixt, 'klikat
sclim (" climb ")
sclam
sclum
sklim, kUm
sklam, kUmd, kUmt
sklAmctf, sklAmt
craw (" crow ")
creuw, crawed
crawn
kra:
krui, kraid, krait
kra in
creep
crap, creepit
cruppen, creepit
krip
krap, 'kripat
'krApan, 'kripat
come
cam
come, comen, corned
kAm
kam
kAnitt, kAmd
daur (" dare ")
daur'd, durst
daur'd, durst
dair
daird, dairt, dArst
daird, dairt, dArst
ding (" knock ")
dang
dung
dig
darj
dAFJ
dreid (" dread ")
drad, drade, dreidit
drad, dreidit
drid
drad, dred, 'dridat
drad; 'dridat
drink
drank
drucken
drink
drank
'drAkan
drive
draive. drave, dreeve
driven, drien
draiv, draiv
dreiv, driiv
drivn, drim
du, dae, di v, du v (" do ")
did
dune, daen, dane
d^i, dei, div, dAv
did
dyn, d0n, dm, den
eat
ett, eitet
ett, etten
et, it
et, 'itat
st, etn
fa ("fall")
fell
fa'en
fai
fsl
fain, faan
fecht ("fight")
feucht, focht, foocht,
fochten, feughen,
faught
fochen, fechen
fext
fjuxt, foxt, foxt3 faxt
'foxfon, 'fox^an, 'jpjuxan,
'fexan
fess, fesh (" fetch ")
fuish, fush, feish, fees
fessen, fooshen, fushen
fes, fej
fy/, fA/, fij, fis (N.E.)
'fesan, 'fu/an, 'fA/an
128
Present
flee ("fly") fleuw
fli: flju:
flit ("change domicile") flittit
MANUAL OF MODERN SCCffS
Past
flit
'flitat
flyte, flite (" scold ")
flait, fleat, flyted
flait
flet, flit, 'flaitat
freize, freeze
fruize
fri:z
fr0:z
fin'
fan', fand
fin
fane?
gae,gang,ging("go")
gaed, gied
ge:, garj, girj
ge:d, gid
get
gat
get
gat, got
gie ("give")
gied, gae, gya (Abd.)
gi:
gi:d, ge:, gja:
greet ("weep")
grat
grit
grat
grup, grype ("grip")
grap
grAp, graip
grap, grApat
had, haud ("hold")
haudit, hield
had, ha:d
hadat, hild
hae ("have")
haed, hed
he:
he:d, hed, had
hang ("execute")
hangit
har)
'harjat
hing ("hang on")
hang
h^)
harj
hit
hat
hit
hat
hurt
hurtit
hArt
'hArtat
keep
keepit
kip
kipat
ken ("know")
kent, kend
ken
kent, kend
lat ("let")
loot, leet (N.E.)
lat, lat
lut, lyt, lit
Past Part,
flowen, fleuwn
flAun, fl/uin
flitten, flittet
flitn, flitat
flyted, flytten
flaitat, flaitn
fruozen
froizn
fun', fand
fAn, fand
gaen, gane (pres. part.
gaun)
gen, gem (gean, gaan)
gatten
gatn, gotn
gien, gie'en
giin, gian
grutten, gruttin, grettin
grAtn, gretn
gruppen, gruppit
grApan, grApat
hauden, hadden
haidn, hadn
haed, bed, ha'en
he:d, hed, had, he:n
hangit
hanat
hung
hAT)
hutten
hAtn
hurtit
'hArtat
keepit
kipat
kent, kend
ksnt, kend
looten, latten
lutn, lytn, latn, latn
GRAMMAR
129
Present
lauch
lax, la:x
Past
leugh, leuch, lauchit
Ijux, laxat, la:xat
Past Part,
leughen, leuchen,
lauchen, lauchit
'laxan, laxat
loup ("leap")
lap, loupit
luppen, loupit
kup
lap, Uupat
'Upan, Uupat
maw ("mow")
meuw (S.), mawed
mawn, mawed
ma:
mm, ma:d, ma:t
mam, ma:d, ma:t
may
micht, mith
me:
mixt, mi9 (N.)
need
not
not
not
not
pit (" put ")
pat, pit
pitten, putten
pit, pAt
pat, pit, pAt
pitn, pAtn
pruve, pruive, pree
pruived, preed
proven, pruived, preed
pru:v, pr0:v, pri:
pru:vd, pr0:vd, pri:d
pru:vn, pr</»:vd, pri:d
pru:vt, pr0:vt, pri:t
pr0:vt, pri:t
quit, quut
kwit, kwAt
quat
kwat
quitten, quat, quut
kwitn, kwat, kwAt
reid (" read ")
rade
red
rid
red, red
red
rin, rinn
ran
run
rm
ran
rAn
rise
rase
risen
raiz, raiz
re:z
rizn
rive
rave
riven
raiv, raiv
re:v
nvn
rot
rottit
rotten
rot
'rotat
rotn
sail
sud
sal
sAd, sad, sid
saw ("sow")
seuw (S.), sawed
sawn
sa:, Ja:v (N.E.)
sm, sa:d, Ja:vd (N.E.)
sa:n, Ja:vd Ja:vt (N.E.),
sa:t, jfaivt (N.E.)
Ja:vn (N.E.)
see
saw, seen
seen
si:
sa:, sin
sin
seik, seek
socht
socht
sik
soxt, soxt
soxt, soxt
set
sute (S.), set
suten, suitten (S.), set
set
syt, set
sytn, set
G.
9
130
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Present
shape
Jep
shave
Je:v
shear, sheer
Je:r, Ji:r
shine
Jain
shae, shui
M /«<:
Past
shoop, shaipit
Jup, Jepat
shavit
Jeivat
shure, shoor, shore
J(j>:r, Ju:r, Jo:r
Past Part,
shapit
Jepat
shaven, shavit
Jeivn, Jeivat
shorn
Jorn, Jorn
shane(S.),shined, shone shined, shone
Jen, Jaind, Jaint, Jon Jaind, Jaint, Jon
shod
Jod
shute, sheet (N.E.), shot shot
Jyt, Jit, Jot
sit
sit
sleep
slip
slide
slaid
Jot
sat
sat
sleepit
'slipat
slade, slidet
sled, 'slaidat
slite("slit"or"unsew") slate
slait
smit
smit
snaw
sna:
schnaw (N.E.)
spek, speik
spitk, spaik (N.E.)
spend
spend
spit
spit
spleit, spleet ("split")
split
spreid, spreed
spred, sprid, sprsed (S.) spred, sprsed (S.),
'spridat
slet
smate, smittit
smet, 'smitat
snaw'd, snew
snaid, snait, snju:
schnawed
Jnjaivd, Jiyaivt
spak
spak
spendit
'spsndat, spent
spat
spat
splat, splitted
splat, splitat
sprad, spreidet
shodden
Jodn
shotten, shuten, sheet
(N.E.)
Jotn, Jytn, Jit
sutten
SAtn, sitn
sleepit
'slipat
slidden
slidn
slitten
slitn
smittit, smitten
'smitat, smitn
snaw'd, snewn
snaid, snait, snjum
schnawen
Jnjaivn
spoken
'spokan, 'spokan
spendit
'spsndat, spent
sputten
spAtn, spitn
splet, splitten, splitted
splet, splitn, 'splitat
sprad, spreidet
spred, spraed (S.),
'spridat
GRAMMAR
131
Present
Stan'
stan, stain
stang ("sting")
star)
steill ("steal")
stil, stel
stick
stik
straw
stra:
strike
straik, strik
strive
straiv, streiv
sweem (N.E.), soom
("swim")
swim, sum
soop ("sweep")
sup
swall
swal
sweir ("swear")
swiir, sweir
swyte, sweit ("sweat")
sweit, swit
tak
tok
teitch ("teach")
tit/, tet/
tell
tel
think
0irjk
thrash
6raJ
thraw ("throw" or
"twist")
6ra:
Past
stude
styd
stang'd
stand, starjt
staw, steill'd, stal
sta:, stilt, stelt, stal
stack, stak
stak
streuw
stru:
strak
strak
strave
s t re iv
sweemed (N.E.),
soom'd
swimt, sumd
soopit
'supat
swall'd, swalt
swald, swalt
swure, swuir
swuir, sw^ir, so:r, su:r
swat
swat
tuik, taen (S.)
tyk, ten (S.)
teitcht, taucht
tit/t, tet/t, taxt
tauld,taur,tell't,ta:xt
taild, tslt
thocht
0oxt, 0oxt
throosh, thruish
0ruf, 0ry/
threuw (S.), threw,
thra wed ("twisted")
0rm, 0ru:, 0ra:d, 0ra:t
Past Part,
stooden, stude
studn, styd
stang'd
stand, stant
stown, steill'd
stAun, stilt, stelt
stickit, stucken
'stikat, 'stAkan
strawn
strain
strucken
'strAken
striven
'stnvan
sweemed (N.E.), soom'd
swimt, sumd
soopit
'supat
swallen, swald
'swalan, swald, swalt
swurn (S.), sworn
swArn, sworn
swat, swutten
swat, swAtn
taen, tane, tooken
tem, ten, 'tukan
teitcht
tit/t, tet/t
tauld, taul', telt
taiH tslt
thocht
0oxt, 0oxt
thrashen, throoshen
0ra/n, 0ru/n, 0ry/n
thrawn
0ram
9—2
132
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Present
Past
Past Part.
threid ("thread")
thrad, thrade, threidit
thrad, thred, threidit
0rid
0rasd (S.), 0red, '0ridat
0rsed (S.), 0red, '0ridat
thrive
threeve, thrave
thrien (S.), thriven
0raiv, 0reiv
0ri:v, 0ra:v
0rim, '0nvan
tine
tint
tint
tain
tint
tint
tred
treddit
tredden
tred
'tredat
trsdn
treit ("treat")
trate, treitit
tret, treitit
tret, trit
tret, 'tretat, 'tritat
tret, 'tretat, 'tritat
twine
twined
twun, twined
twain
twaind, twaint
twAn, twaind, twaint
vreet (" write," Buchan)
vrat
vrutten
vrit
vrat
vrAtn
wad ("wed")
wed, wad
wed, wad
wad
wed, wad
wed, wad
wash
woosh, wuish
wooshen
wa/
wuj, wyj
wu/n, wy/n
wat, wot
wust
wust
wat, wot
WASt, WISt.
WASt
wear, weir
wure, wuir
wurn, worn
we:r-, wi:r
wu:r, w#r
wArn, worn, worn
weit ("wet")
wat
wat, wutten, weitet,
weiten
wit
wat, 'witat
wat, wAtn, 'witat, witn
win ("get")
wan
wun
win
wan
WAn
win, wund ("wind")
wundit, wan, wun
wundit, wun, wund
win, wAncZ
wAndat, wmdat, wan
'wAndat, 'wmdat, wAnc£
WAn
wiss, wuss wist, wuss't
W{S, WAS WISt, WASt
write wrate
wrait wret,
writhe wrathe
wurk
wArk
wrocht, wroucht
wroxt,
wuss't
WASt
written, wrutten
writn, wrAtn
writhen
wrocht, wroucht
wroxt, wroxt
GRAMMAR 133
APPENDIX B
FREQUENCY OF -EN FORMS OF PAST
PARTICIPLE IN SO.
Note the frequent forms in -en: bidden (remained), broughten,
brochten (brought), grutten (wept), hauden, looten, etc. :
" The town would have been the quieter, if the auld meddling
busybody had bidden still in the burn for gude and a'." Scott,
St Return's Well, c. 28.
" Four sour faces looked on the reinforcement. ' The deil's
broughten you ! " R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 5.
"I cudna 'a haud'n up my heid, Tarn, nor been ongrutt'n
(tearless)." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 16.
"Her honour had better hae hauden her tongue." Scott,
L. of Montr ose, c. 1.
"The auncient freedom of the kirk, and what should be
stooden up for." Cross, The Disruption, c. 2.
APPENDIX C
ORDER OF VERBS WITH -NA SUFFIX
The use of -na as a suffix is associated with a different order
of words in interrogative sentences : verb, negative, pronoun,
instead of verb, pronoun, negative. This order was common in
conversational English in the first half of the 19th century:
" Sawna ye nae appearance o' the fishers getting the muckle
boats built doon to the water ? " W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 6.
Compare Jane Austen :
" Did not they tell me that Mr Tilney and his sister were
gone out in a phaeton together...! had ten thousand times
rather have been with you. Now, had not I, Mrs Allen ? "
Northanger Abbey, c. 12.
CHAPTER VI
ADVERBS
71. Adverbs of time.
Whan, Man, Man ; fan, N.E. fan, fan = " when " ; a/ten,
'afan = " often " ; tae, te, ta = " until " or " till " ; afore, a'for
= " before "; efter, 'eftar = " after "; aince, anes, ance, ens ; yince,
jms, Jins ; yinst, jmst, Jinst = " once " ; aye, ai = " always " ;
noo, mi:, the noo, i the noo = " now " ; sune, syn, fyn = " soon " ;
syne, sain = " ago," " late," " then " ; whiles, Aiailz == " some-
times " ; nar, na:r = " never " ; yestreen, je'strin = " yesterday " ;
the morn — " to-morrow " ; the nicht, Sa'njxt = " to-night " ; neist,
'nist = " next " ; belyve, belive, ba'laiv = " immediately."
" Fu' fain was I whan they said to mysel, till the house o*
the Lord let us gang." Psalm cxx, 11, P. H. Waddell's trans-
lation.
"A body may lauch ower aften." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 39.
"I reckon they've a' seen him afore." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 1.
" But I'm gaun to clear up things aince for a'." Ian Mac-
laren, Days of A.L.S., " Drumsheugh's Secret."
"'They hae dune the job for anes/ said Cuddie, 'an they
ne'er do it again.'" Scott, Old Mortality, c. 17.
"He's a blue whunstane that's hard to dress, but ance
dressed it bides the weather bonnie." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 14.
" But yince in, she did verra weel for my comfort." S. R.
Crockett, The Probationer.
" But it's a queer word, Zoo ; an' the mair ye think o't the
queerer it gets. I mind I yinst. . .." J. J. Bell, WeeMacgreegor, c. 2.
"Na, na, that winna aye work." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 4.
"What think ye noo, Andrew?" G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 4.
GRAMMAR 135
" Mrs M'Conkie the grocer's got kittens the noo." J. J. Bell,
Wee Macgreegor, c. 12.
" I canna attend till't jist i' the noo." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 20.
" As sune as ever ye spy her lowse i' the yard be aff wi' ye
to Willie MacWha." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 16.
" ...and for the bit interest, I'll take her wi' my ain bairns,
...and syne, efter a bit — we'll see what comes neist." G. Mac-
donald, Alec Forbes, c. 6.
" It's as weel to come sune's syne." Gilmour, Pen Folk, c. 8.
" The gudeman will be blythe to see you — ye nar saw him
sae cadgy in your life." Scott, Bride of L., c. 12.
"He jumps at things whiles, though sharp eneuch." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 14.
" They cam' in files to see you, an' bade throu the aifter-
neen." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 1.
" ' 0, ye are ganging to the French ordinary belive,' replied
the knight." Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 15.
Fernyear, 'fernjir, is " last year " :
" Ye pat awa' yer second horsemen fernyear." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 10.
For ance and awa is "just for once " :
"I think I'll turn missionar mysel', for ance and awa."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 25.
Nows and nans is " now and then," " occasionally " :
" The Red Lion, farther up the street, to which it was really
very convenient to adjourn nows and nans." G. Douglas, H. with
Green Shutters, c. 5.
At the lang lenth is " at last " :
" An' at the lang len'th, fan a' thing else was will't awa'."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 47.
Air is " early " :
" But, Jeanie, lass, what brings you out sae air in the morn-
ing. . . ? " Scott, Old Mortality, c. 27.
72. Adverbs of place.
Whare, whar, AMi:r ; whaur, Aigir; far and faur, faure, for,
136 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
N.E. fa:r = " where "; abeigh, a'bix = " at a shy distance "; abune
or aboon, a'byn = " above'"'; ablow, a'blo: = " below "; ben, benn,
ben = " inside " ; thereout, fter'ut ; outbye, ut'bai = " outside " ;
aboot, d'but = " around "; hine or hyne awa, hain arwa = "far
off"; wa = "away"; here-a-wa, 'hira'wa, here-away = " in the
neighbourhood " ; but, butt, bAt = " in the outer room " :
" 'And I tell you they might have got a "waur." ' To which,
as if coming over the complainant's language again, the answer
was a grave ' whaur ' ? " Ramsay, Reminiscences, c. 5.
"Whar do they bide? And how are they kent ? " Gait,
Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 30.
" O see for he gangs, an see for he stands." Child's Ballads,
The Heir O'Linne, st. 2, p. 578.
" Tak' awa' Aberdeen and twal mile round about, and faure
are ye?" A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences, c. 13.
" Town's-bodies ran, an' stood abeigh,
An' ca't thee mad."
Burns, Salutation to his Auld Mare.
"'Jean, com ben to worship,' he cried roughly." G. Mac-
donald, Alec Forbes, c. 29.
" I luikit a' up and doon the street till I saw somebody hine
awa' wi' a porkmanty." G. Macdonald, Robert Falconer, c. 32.
"Aifter theyve gane hyne awa'." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 15.
" ' Gae wa wi' ye.' ' What for no ? ' * Gae wa wi' ye,' said
Sam'l again." J. M. Barrie, A . L. Idylls, c. 8.
" ' Odd, ye maun be a stranger here-a-way, I take/ replied
the other." Wilson, Tales B., " The Minister's Daughter."
" Here-a-wa, there-a-wa,
Wandering Willie." Popular Song.
Whaur, whare is sometimes the equivalent of " where are " :
" Very weel, Janet, but whaur ye gaun to sleep ? " Ramsay,
Reminiscences, c. 2.
" Ha! whare ye gaun, ye crowlin ferlie?" Burns, To A Louse.
Ewest ('juast) is " near," "close by " :
" ' To be sure, they lie maist ewest,' said the Baillie." Scott,
Waverley, II, c. 6.
GRAMMAR 137
"Farther" takes the forms farrer and/errar:
" ...and nae muckle farrer on nor whan I begud." G. Mac-
donald, Alec Forbes, c. 88.
" I hae naething to say ferrar nor what concerns the sheep."
Hogg, Tales, p. 239. (W.)
Forrit is " forward " :
"Yon light that's gaun whiddin' back and forrit." Scott,
Black Dwarf y c. 3.
Thonder is " yonder " :
"I'll tell the man ower thonder to keep his e'e on it."
J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 6.
73. Adverbs of manner.
Hoo, hu:,/oo, fU: (N.E.) = " how " ; weel, wil = " well " ; richt,
rtxt = " right " ; somegate, 'SAmget = " somehow " ; sae = " so " ;
hither and yont = " in confusion " ; ither = " else " ; back or fore
= " one way or another."
"Hoo are ye the nicht, dawtie?" G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 6.
" Hoot ! man, the bairnie's weel eneuch." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 2.
" They hummered an' ha'ed through some gate." S. E.
Crockett, Trials for License by the Presbytery of Pitscottie.
" ' It was e'en judged sae,' said Dinmont." Scott, Guy Man-
nering, c. 45.
" But it mak's na muckle, back or fore." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 44.
" What ither did I come for ? " G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 11.
The termination -lin(s) is found, making adverbs, signifying
" in a certain way " : halflins = " partly " ; blinlins = " in a
blind condition " ; middlin = " so-so," " fairly well." See under
Suffixes.
" ' Na, na, I could gang hame blin'lins,' remonstrated Annie."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 29.
Aiblins ('eblmz), ablins is " perhaps " :
" Ye aiblins might, I dinna ken,
Still hae a stake." Burns, Address to the Deil.
138
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"So" replying to an interrogation: e.g. "I will do so (what
you wish)," is that, with frequent inversion ; that coming first in
the sentence :
"'Promise me... that ye'll read out o' that book every day
at worship....' 'That I will, sir/ responded Annie earnestly."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 3.
74. Adverbs of degree.
Verra, 'vera ; rael, reil ; fell, fel ; unco, 'ATjko, 'Aijka ; gey,
gay, gai, geyan = " very " ; ower, owre, AUF = " too " ; maist,
mest, amaist — " almost " ; clean, klin = " quite " ; nae, ne: =
" not," with a comparative ; sae, se: ; that, UcLt = " so " ; fuy
fu: = " very."
" ' Dinna wauk him,' she said, ' ...he's fell tired and sleepy.' "
G. Macdonald, A lee Forbes, c. 64.
"But he's a gey queer ane." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 37.
" The plaids were gay canny, and did not do so much mis-
chief." Scott, Waverley, n, c. 25.
" They say he's lickit the dominie, and 'maist been the deid
o' him." G. Macdonald, A lee Forbes, c. 14.
" I hae eaten ower muckle for that, ony gait." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 12.
"And jist min' what ye're aboot wi' the lassie — she's rael
bonnie." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 14.
" Him an' oor Willie's unco throng." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 14.
" No that weel, and no that ill." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 6.
" There's something no that canny (not so safe) about auld
Janet Gellatly." Scott, Waverley, n, c. 31.
" ' Your father,' said he, ' would be gey and little pleased if
we was to break a leg to ye, Miss Drummond.' " R. L. Stevenson,
David Balfour, c. 22.
" He's no a' thegither sae void o' sense neither." Scott, Rob
Roy, c. 21.
" If ye're no keepit quiet ye'll gang a' wrang thegither."
Scottish Review, July 23, 1908, "A Black Day."
GRAMMAR 139
" Keenest of all her suitors — clean daft about her, said the
country side — were three lads of the parish." S. R. Crockett,
A Midsummer Idyll.
" They laid on us fu' sair." Child's Ballads, Battle of Har-
law, st. 11, p. 401.
That is also used for " too " :
" Maybe a wee that dressy and fond o' outgait." Gait, Sir A .
Wylie, I, c. 28.
Note also : FecUy, 'feklj = " mostly " ; geyly, 'gaill = " a good
deal " ; dune, dyn, dooms, dumz = " thoroughly " ; fair, fe:r
= "quite"; freely, 'frill — "completely"; uncoly, 'ATjkolj = "very
much " ; naarhan, 'narhan ; nighhari, 'naihan = " almost " ;
han', han = " quite " ; allenarly, a'lenarh (obs.) = " entirely " :
" The tither was feckly a quakin' bog." W. Alexander, Johnny
GM, c. 44.
" He can tell you exactly, for instance, how it is that young
Pin-oe's taking geyly to the dram." G. Douglas, H. with Green
Shutters, c. 5.
" Na, na, neeburs, we hae oor faults, but we're no sae dune
mean as that in Drumtochty." Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush,
"Domsie,"c. 1.
" It was not sae dooms likely he would go to battle wi' sic
sma' means." Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 32.
" ' Domsie's fair carried,' whispered Whinnie." Ian Maclaren,
Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 2.
" As for inventions, the place is fair scatted up wi' them."
Ian Maclaren, Days of A.L.S., "Triumph in Diplomacy."
"Half salvages, who are accustomed to pay to their own
lairds and chiefs, allenarly, that respect and obedience whilk
ought to be paid to commissionate officers." Scott, L. of Mon-
trose, c. 3.
" You're gyaun aboot the toon the neist thing to han' idle."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 32.
" It near-han' dazes me whiles." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 6.
"I'm no that unco weel." S. R. Crockett, The Candid
Friend.
140 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"It (the river) was uncoly swalled, and raced wi' him."
R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 5.
"Na, nae freely that, Mr Cupples." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 67.
" Whan the time's guid for ither fowk, it's but sae sae for
you and me." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 32.
Naar is " nearly " :
"A chap or twa, naar grippit braid (nearly squeezed flat) i'
the crood themsel's." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
A matter of, a'metar o, is " as much as " :
" She ran awa to the charity workhouse, a matter of twenty
punds Scots in my debt." Scott, Redgauntlet, c. 20.
The length of, $a Ien9 o, is " as far as " ; see under Pre-
positions :
"When they get the length of the burn, they heard a
shrill whistle." Scottish Review, July 23, 1908, "A Black
Day."
Anes errand, enz'iran, jjnz 'irantf, is "specially," "on pur-
pose," " on the sole errand " :
" The doctor hes dune his pairt, and it wes kind o' him tae
come up himsel ane's errand tae tell us." * Ian Maclaren, Days
ofA.L.S., "For Conscience' Sake," c. 4.
An a, an a:, is " also," " as well " :
" The coronach's cried on Bennachie
And down the Don an' a'."
Scott, Antiquary, c. 40.
Fine, fain, is " well " or " exactly " :
" I ken fine how to manage her." Cross, Disruption, c. 3.
At ane mair, at ane mae, at en me:(r), is " at the last push,"
" in a state of nervous tension " :
" I'm blythe to see yer bonny face ance mair. We're a'
jist at ane mair wi' expeckin' o' ye." G. Macdonald, David
Elginbrod, I, c. 11.
Haill on, hel an, is " steadily," " right along " :
" An' 't (the hens) wud a' been layin' haill on the feck o' the
winter." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 42.
GRAMMAR 141
75. Adverbs of inference and argument.
Still an on, st^l an on ; nae-theless, 'nefta'les (" never-
theless ") ; howsomever, 'husAm'ivar, howsumever (" however ") ;
weel-a-wat, 'wite'wat ("certainly"); atweel, at'wil ("in any
case "), mair by token (nay more, moreover), meir bj 'tokan :
" ' Still an' on/ replied Mains, ' it's nae ceevil eesage to speak
that wye.' " W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 9.
" But that nae-theless for peace-sake an' for example tae the
bairns, I'd gang whar he gaed." D. Gilmour, Paisley Weavers,
c. 5.
"Howsumever, to proceed: Ye maun understand I found
my remarks on figures." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 26.
"I hope, howsomever, that your Lordship will let me do
something to oblige yoursel." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 28.
" Well-a-wat ye never spak a truer word, Dawvid." W. Alex-
ander, Johnny Gibb, c. 42.
" 'Atweel1 I'll no grudge to do that,' replied Andrew seriously."
Gait, Sir A. Wylie, i, c. 17.
" Mair by token, an she had kend how I came by the disorder,
she wadna hae been in sic a hurry to mend it." Scott, Old
Mortality, c. 8.
76. Some interrogative adverbs.
What for, AMit for, and whit wey, A^t wai, are used for
"why":
" I was glad to get Jopp hangit and what for would I pretend
I wasna ? " R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 3.
" Whit wey is 't no the season?" J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor,
c. 5.
What for no ? is " why not ? ":
"And what for no ?" G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 6.
No is a terminal word to a sentence, giving an interrogative
force : " Am I not right in supposing this ? "
1 Atweel, "at least," "in any case," is to be sharply distinguished from
aiveel, "well then," implying agreement:
"'Atweel, Cuddie, ye are gaun nae sic gate,' said Jenny, coolly and reso-
lutely." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 38.
"'Aweel,' said Cuddie, sighing heavily, ' I'se awa to pleugh the outfield
then.' " Scott, Old Mortality, c. 38.
142 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"That's to lat himsel' get a gnap no!" W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 2.
No gives an interjectional close to a sentence, shading it off:
" ' He's jist owre bitter no,' said the good wife." W. Alex-
ander, Johnny Gibb, c. 32.
77. Adverbs of probability.
Belike, ba'laik, is " perhaps," " probably " :
"In order that ye may not only deprive honest men and
their families o' bread, but, belike, rather than starve, tempt
them to steal ! " Wilson, Tales B., " Willie Wastle's Wife."
Maybe, 'mebi ; mebbe, 'mebi, " perhaps " :
" Maybe ye'll no object to let me go with you." Gait, Sir
A. Wylie, i, c. 30.
"'Ye'll mebbe tell me,' he said richt low, 'if ye hae the
furniture 'at used to be my mother's ? " J. M. Barrie, Thrums,
c. 22.
Like is used in the same way as belike :
" The three mile diminished into like a mile and a bittock."
Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 1.
"She asked my wife what was like the matter wi' her."
Wilson, Tales B., "Willie Wastle's Wife."
Like is also thrown in adverbially to soften an expression,
having usually a deprecatory flavour :
" Weel, gin ye insist, I'll juist hae to try a toothful' to oblige
ye, like." S. R. Crockett, Ensamples to the Flock.
" An wud ye gi'e 'im an excamb like ? " W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 42.
" Braver than her guidman, wha didna believe like (seem to
believe) that his laddie could be deid." D. Gilmour, Paisley
Weavers, c. 5.
Likein, 'laikan, is " for instance " :
"'An' filk o' them wud be warst likein?' inquired Mains."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 23.
Or than no, or $an no:, is an Aberdeenshire phrase implying
incredulity or lack of respect for a statement.
" Poo'er or than no (his power counts for little) — a grun-
GRAMMAR 143
offisher glaid to gae aboot an' tell fowk fan to pay their hens to
the laird." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 20.
Note the similar use of or ens no, or ens no: (ens = " other-
wise ").
"A bonny improvement or ens no." Miss Ferrier, Marriage
c. 33.
78. Adverbs of affirmation and negation.
Ay, ai, is "yes":
" ' Ay,' languidly assented Macgreegor." J. J. Bell, Wee
Macgreegor, c. 4.
" 'Ay are ye,' returned Annie." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes,
c. 14.
Na, no.:, is "no":
" Na, na. It's fair words make foul wark." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 6.
The ordinary form of the negative " not " is no :
" ' There's no a lassie maks better bannocks this side o' Fetter
Lums,' continued Pete." J. M. Barrie, A. L. Idylls, c. 8.
" Son of mines or no son of mines, ye hae flung fylement in
public." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 3.
But nae, ne:, is commonly used, especially in the N.E. :
" But I'm nae sure that ee didna for a' that." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 68.
No is sometimes used without the ordinary expletive " do " :
" ' Hoot, Tibby/ says I, for I was quite astonished at her, ' ye
no understand things.'" Wilson, Tales B., "The Hen-pecked
Man."
A double negative is common :
" Ye'll better jist say that ye're agreeable at once, an nae
detain me nae langer." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
Attached to verbs, " not " is found as na : e.g. daurna, canna,
sanna, widna, dinna.
79. Colloquial equivalents for the ordinary negative.
The word deil, dil, is used in Sc. colloquial as a negative :
" But deil a dram, or kale, or onything else — no sae muckle
as a cup o' cauld water." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 13.
144 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
But it is also used as a mere intensive, along with a wish :
" Deil gin they would gallop ! " Scott, Old Mortality, c. 13.
Fient, fmt, fint, and sorra, 'sora, are also used in this way :
" But ye'll hae forgotten that, wumman ? " " Fient a bit o'
me." Ian Maclaren, Days of A.L. $., " Endless Choice."
" This is fat we had ees't to ca' the Main St.— Duff Street ;
fat sorra ither ? " (What the deuce else ?) W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 2.
At no rate is a strong negative :
" Weel, but they can come at no rate, I tell ye." Scott, Gkiy
Mannering, c. 11.
80. Use of negative in meiosis.
Under negative adverbs may be noted the frequency of
meiosis in Scottish literature, especially in the form of reported
conversations. The ordinary Scot avoids exaggeration, or the
committing himself to a statement which he is unable to make
good. Words of real admiration or praise, therefore, are often
couched in a colourless negative form :
" Bella, the bride-to-be, arrayed in the dress that had cost her
so many thoughts, heard her mother's words of admiration arid
her father's no less affectionate ' Ye're no' bad.' " H. Maclaine,
M. F. the P., p. 16.
"That was a grand poem about the collier's no-weel wean."
H. Maclaine, M. F. the P., p. 94.
81. Adjectives as adverbs.
Adjectives are freely used as adverbs :
" It would seem terrible conspicuous." R. L. Stevenson, Weir
o/JET.,e.6.
"Your rale (real) natural, Harry." H. Maclaine, M. F. the P.,
p. 23.
82. Adverbs with auxiliary in place of verb.
The adverb awa (away) is used with 'II (will), and in the
past tense alone, as a substitute for gae, gaed :
" We'll e'en awa to Chastington-hall." Gait, Sir A. Wylie,
II, c. 28.
" After I had brocht them a' to ken what I was, I awa yont
to my mither's." Wilson, Tales B., " The Hen-pecked Man."
GRAMMAR 145
83. Adverbs of emphasis. Use of "here — there," " ava'," a'va:,
i, " whatefer," A^at'efar.
" Here — there " is used in a belittling way, to prepare for a
strong statement to the contrary :
" Pretorian here, Pretorian there, I mind the bigging o't."
Scott, Antiquary, c. 4.
" However, effecs here, or effecs there, it's no right o' you, sir,
to keep me clishmaclavering." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 14.
Ava is a "worn-down" or corrupt form of "of all," and
gives closing emphasis to a phrase :
" To be sure, for my part, I hae nae right to be here ava'."
Scott, Old Mortality, c. 14.
" An' lows'd his ill-tongu'd, wicked Scawl,
Was warst ava'."
Burns, Address to the Deil.
Whatefer (" whatever ") added by Highlanders for emphasis,
usually in negation :
" Weel, Sandy, ye may say what ye like, but I think he canna
be a nice man, whatefer." A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences,
c. 1.
But also in affirmations :
" Ow ay, it's a fery goot congregation, whatefer." Ib. c. 3.
G.
10
CHAPTER VII
PREPOSITIONS
84. Ablow, a'blo, see "below." As with many other prepo-
sitions the Scottish form favours the prefix a-.
85. Sc. forms and uses of "about."
" About " = about, aboot, a'but :
(1) = " near," " beside " : " My twa-year-auld bairn was
standin' aboot the door." J. M. Barrie, Thrums, c. 22.
About i£ = "near the mark,' "differing little."
Just much about it = " very much the same thing," " very
nearly equal or alike ":
" Auld vandal, ye but show your little mense,
Just much about it wi' your scanty sense."
Burns, The Brigs of Ayr.
(2) = " regarding " : " We hae nae cause to be anxious
aboot a' thing bein' dune respectable aince we're gone." J. M.
Barrie, Thrums, c. 21.
(3) = " around," so as to envelop or encompass : "Tak yer
plaid aboot ye, or yell be cauld." G. Macdonald, A lee Forbes, c. 70.
The Standard use of "around " in this sense is post-Shake-
. spearian and quite modern. See Othello, IT, iii, 99 : " Then take
thine auld cloak about thee."
Adverbially. Used familiarly after such a phrase as " come
in," to signify "into the house," "close to me." "Come in aboot,
an' lat me say a fyou words to ye afore ye start." Life at a
Northern University, c. 2.
In aboot (a) "under control," "in hand": "Seemed rather
pleased that he had been able to keep Dawvid tolerably well
' in aboot ' in the long run." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 26.
(b) "within hail," "in the place": "Will there be ony
chance o' 's bein' in aboot shortly?" W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 36.
GRAMMAR 147
(c) " into the house " : " Nyod, Peter, ye mith jist gae in
aboot, an' tell yer mither...." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 37.
(d) " home," " to the quick " : " But gin I didna grip 'er in
aboot, I did naething to the purpose, that's a'." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
86. Sc. forms and uses of " above."
"Above " = aboon, abune, a'byn ; abin, a'bm ; abeen, a'bin
(Aberd.) (preposition, adjective, adverb) : superlative form,
bunemost :
" Will ye gang wi' me and fare
To the bush aboon Traquair ? "
J. C. Shairp, Poems.
" ' Come, come, Provost,' said the lady rising, ' if the maut
gets abune the meal with you, it is time for me to take myself
away.'" Scott, Redgauntlet, c. 11.
" John, ye're no to gar him lauch abin his breith." J. J. Bell,
Wee Macgreegor, c. 3.
" Them 't 's obleeg't till's leenity for haein a reef o' onykin
abeen their heids." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 17.
Adverbially :
" Yer words strenthen my hert as gin . they cam frae the
airt aboon." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 88.
Get aboon — (said of the heart) to " recover cheerfulness."
"Come, join the melancholious croon
0' Robin's reed !
His heart will never get aboon —
His Mailie's dead ! " Burns, Poor Mailie's Elegy.
Keep one's heart abune — to " keep cheerful " :
" Keep your heart abune, for the house sail haud its credit
as lang as auld Caleb is to the fore." Scott, B. of Lammer-
moor, c. 8.
87. Aff— see "off."
88. Sc. forms and uses of " after."
"After " = aifter, 'eftar; efter, 'eltar; efiher, 'efftar (prep,
and conj.):
" ' I cud jist say the word efther auld Simeon,' said Mac-
greegor." G. Macdonald, Robert Falconer, c. 5.
10—2
148 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Ettle efter — to " aim at," " strive for " :
" I was jist ettlin' efter that same thing mysel." G. Mac-
donald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 5.
89. Sc. forms and uses of " against."
" Against " = again, agane, a'gen ; agen, a'gen :
(a) " in time for " :
" And then a puir shilling again Saturday at e'en." Scott,
Rob Roy, c. 17.
" To see when the broidered saddle-cloth for his sorrel horse
will be ready, for he wants it agane the Kelso races." Scott,
H. of Midlothian, c. 4.
(b) " in opposition to " :
" ' He was a prick-eared cur/ said Major Galbraith, ' and
fought agane the King at Bothwell Brig.' " Scott, Rob Roy,
c. 29.
(c) " in contact with " :
"...I got my heid clured wi' fa'in agen the curbstane."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 67.
90. Sc. equivalents of" along."
"Along " = alang, a'larj :
"But as alang the hill she gaed." G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 22.
Adverbially = alang, a'lai] ; a-lenth, a'lenB :
" Gin ye'll step alang bye wi' me to Lucky Leevinston's."
Wilson, Tales B., " The Fatal Secret."
"Gin ye gae muckle forder a-lenth ye'll maybe gar me
lowse o' ye the richt gate." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
91. Sc. equivalents of(( among."
"Among " = amo, a'mo ; amon, a'mon ; amang, a'marj :
" Mak' it up amo' yersels." G. Macdonald, A lee Forbes, c. 8.
"There ocht to be ane or twa owre an' abeen, to wale
amon'." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 31.
" Ony way, she's a kind o' queen amang the gipsies." Scott,
Guy Mannering, c. 45.
92. Aneath, a'niS; aneth, a'n&6 — see "beneath."
GRAMMAR 149
93. Forms and uses of " anent," a'nent.
(1) A nent — " concerning," " about " :
"Glossin sent for Deacon Bearoliff to speak 'anent the
villain that had shot Mr Charles Hazelwood.'" Scott, Guy
Mannering, c. 32.
(2) = " opposite":
" It's right anent the mickle kirk yonder." Scott, Fortunes
of Nigel, c. 2.
Thereanent (adverbial form, at close of clauses) = " concerning
the matter " :
" I did not think it proper to tell her altogether the truth
thereanent." Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 14.
94. Aside, asides — see "beside."
95. Sc. equivalent of " as far as."
"As far as " = the length of:
"Mr Dishart never got the length of the pulpit." J. M. Barrie,
The Little Minister, c. 33.
A story is told of Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville, when in
London, that he asked Mr Pitt to lend him a horse " the length
of the Strand " ; and that the reply came back that his friend
had no horse of the required size in his stable, but sent him the
longest he had.
96. Sc. equivalents of " around."
Around is a preposition that occurs rarely or never in
Scottish dialects ; nor is it found in the plays of Shakespeare
nor in the Authorized Version of the Holy Scriptures, where its
place is taken by " about," " round about." Its Scottish equi-
valents are aboot, roon aboot :
"Get up, guidman, save Crummie's life
An' tak' yet auld cloak aboot ye."
Old Scots Song.
" Tak' yer plaid aboot ye, or ye'll be cauld." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 70.
150 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
The modern usage is present in nineteenth century poetry
and prose : e.g.
" But he lay like a warrior taking his rest,
With his martial cloak around him."
Wolfe, Burial of Sir John Moore (1820).
"Around" is the favourite word in American usage for
general purposes.
97. Sc. uses of " at."
" Ye hae just a spite at the bairn." Gait, The Entail, c. 6.
" At " frequently takes the place of " with," as in the phrase,
" I'm angry at you " :
Or of the standard " of," after ask or speir :
" I speired at 'im what he meant by terrify in' a bairn."
J. M. Barrie, Thrums, c. 22.
Mint at — to " attempt to," " intend to " :
" ' For,' said she, and in spirit, if not in the letter, it was
quite true, — 'I never mint at contradictin' him. My man
sail hae his ain get, that sail he.' " G. Macdonald, David Elgin-
brod, I, c. 8.
98. Use of " athort" a'Oort.
(1) = "over":
" Athort the lift they start and shift." Burns, The Vision.
(2) = " across " (to the other side of) :
" Come athort the reek, and lat's luik at ye." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 37.
Adverbially, " across " :
" Peter was authorized to give Mrs Birse assurance that he
would be 'athort the morn's gloamin,' without fail." W.Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 32.
99. Forms and uses of " atower."
Atower, a'tAur; attour, a'tur; outoiver, oot-ower, ut'Aur
= " over," " above," " at a distance " (preposition and adverb) :
" It's weel worth yer while to ging atower to the T'nowhead
an' see." J. M. Barrie, Auld Licht Idylls, c. 8.
" The plaid was atower ma shouthers." J. Wilson, Nodes,
iv, 60.
GRAMMAR 151
" He's sleeping in his bed out-ower yonder ahint the hallan."
Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
" They jist haud a puir body at airm's lenth ootower frae
God himsel'." G. Macdonald, David Elginbrod, i, c. 8.
Used along with bye, bye and — " in addition to," " over and
above " :
" Bye attour my gutcher has
A hich house and a laigh ane."
Burns, Lass of Ecclefechan.
" She is maybe four or five years younger than the like o'
me — bye and attour her gentle havings." Scott, Redgauntlet,c. 12.
100. Ayont — see " beyond."
101. Sc. forms and uses of " before."
" Before " = afore (of place) = " in presence of" :
" Ye sud be more carefu' whit ye say afore the wean." J. J.
Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 3.
(Of time) = " sooner than " :
"' Ye'll be a man afore yer mither!' said John." J. J. Bell,
Wee Macgreegor, c. 1.
(Previous to):
" My father the deacon was nane sic afore me." Scott, Rob
Roy, c. 26.
102. Use of " beheef"
Beheef, ba'hif = behoof.
" On behoof of" —for beheef o :
"Lawbourin the rigs in an honest wye for beheef o' the
countra at lairge." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 44.
103. Sc. equivalents of " behind."
"Behind" is found as ahint, d'h^nt; ahin, a'hjn; behint,
"There may be ane of his gillies ahint every whinbush."
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 27.
"A bit bole ahin the shakker." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 25.
"I see her cocked up behint a dragon on her way to the
tolbooth." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 7.
152 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
104. Sc. equivalent of " below."
" Below " = ablow :
" I hid from them ablow the claes." G. Douglas, H. with
Green Shutters, c. 27.
" Keep yersel' ablow the claes, my mannie." J. J. Bell, Wee
Macgreegor, c. 3.
105. Forms and uses of " ben!'
Ben, benn, ben = " inside," " to the inner apartments." " into "
(preposition, adverb and noun) :
" I'm glaid to see ye. Come benn the hoose." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 89.
"I think... he gaed ben the parlor." G. Douglas, H. with
Green Shutters, c. 27.
Ben is used as a noun = " parlour " :
"Many a time have I slept in the little box-bed in her
' ben.' " A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences, c. 11.
"Leeby went ben, and stood in the room in the dark."
J. M. Barrie, Thrums, c. 20.
On the N.E. coast " to sail ben " is. to sail to the land.
106. Sc. forms and uses of " beneath."
" Beneath " = aneath, a'ni9 ; aneth, a'neO. Mostly to be
translated " under " :
"Jeames Anderson here, honest man aneath our feet."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 3.
" ' Weel, Meggy,' says she, speakin' aneth her breath." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 19.
" A picter in our auld Bible o' an angel sittin' aneth a tree."
G. Macdonald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 7.
107. "Benorth" as preposition.
Benorth — " to the north of," bi'norG :
"Tod had his dwallin' in the lang loan benorth the kirk-
yaird." R L. Stevenson, David Balfour, c. 15.
108. Sc. forms and uses of" beside."
" Beside " = aside, a'said ; asides :
" The watchers winna let me in aside them." J. M. Barrie,
Little Minister, c. 4.
GRAMMAR 153
" Will ye sit doon asides 's, Thamas ? " G. Macdonald, Alec
Forbes, c. 51.
Aside = " in comparison with " :
"Aside Eve he (Adam) was respectable." J. M. Barrie, Little
Minister, c. 10.
Adverbially = " close at hand," " on the spot " :
"Aw declare aw wud gi'e my best brodmil o' Mairch chuckens
naarhan' to be aside an' hear foo she'll brak oot." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 43.
109. Sc. forms and uses of " between."
" Between " takes the forms atween, a'twin ; atweesh, a'twif ;
acqueesh, a'kwif :
" A never heard as muckle doonricht nonsense atween the
junction an' the station in forty year." Ian Maclaren, Days of
A.L.S., "Jamie," c. 2.
"A lang airm was rax't owre atweesh the shou'ders o' twa
three o' them." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
" ' Lord ! ' ". said Irrendavie, ' it's weel for Brodie that the
ring's acqueesh them ! " G. Douglas, H. with Green Shutters,
c. 24.
110. Sc. forms and uses o/" beyond."
" Beyond " takes the forms ayont, a'jont ; 'yont, jont ; " on the
other side of" :
" Places of learnin' ayont the sea." Ian Maclaren, Days of
A.L.S.
" There wasna a mot in the lift till we got ayont Canterbury."
Gait, The Steam Boat, c. 12.
"That 'yont the hallan snugly chows her cood." Burns,
Cotter's Saturday Night.
Yont has more the meaning of " through and across " (of
close proximity) :
"Aft yont the dyke (through the hedge) she's heard your
bummin'." Burns, Address to the Deil.
Adverbially " across, in a surreptitious way " :
" ' Does she want to change Bibles wi' me ? ' I wondered,
' or is she sliding yont a peppermint ? " J. M. Barrie, Little
Minister, c. 30.
154 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
111. Use of "boot."
To the loot (byt) of—" in addition to " :
" To the boot of that, I might hae gane to even-song." Scott,
Rob Roy, c. 17.
112. Sc. uses o/"but."
But = (1) " without/' bAt :
" What tho', like commoners of air,
We wander out, we know not where,
But either house or hal' ? "
Burns, Epistle to Dame.
Butt, but, bAt = (2) " into the outer apartment, kitchen or
general sitting-room " :
" Ye're welcome, sir. Come butt the hoose." G. Macdonald,
David Elginbrod, I, c. 4.
" And at midnight she gaed butt the house." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 64.
(3) " in the kitchen."
"I was ben in the room playing Hendry at the dambrod.
I had one of the room chairs, but Leeby brought a chair from
the kitchen for her father. Our door stood open, and as
Hendry often pondered for two minutes with his hand on a
' man,' I could have joined in the gossip that was going on
but the house (e.g. between Leeby and Jess in the kitchen)."
J. M. Barrie, Thrums, c. 2.
113. Sc. forms and uses of "by"
" By " takes the forms bye, bai ; b', ba, bi. bar only may be
used in (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), below.
(1) Of instrumentality :
" To be trampit upon aiven b' them that ca's themsel's
nobility." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
(2) = " beyond," " more than " :
" As ye do seem a chap by common." Scott, Guy Mannering,
c. 44.
(3) = " compared with " :
" ' Ou, we have nae connection at a' wi' the Bertrams/ said
Dandie, — 'they were grand folk by the like o' us.5" Scott,
Guy Mannering, c. 36.
GRAMMAR 155
(4) = " besides," " except " :
" Grizy has nothing frae me by twa pair o' new shoon ilka
year." Scott, Guy Mannerwg, c. 32.
With the addition of and out-taken; see out-taken:
"I ken naething suld gar a man fight... by and out-taken
the, dread o' being hanged or killed if he turns back." Scott,
Old Mortality, c. 35.
(5) = " in addition to " :
" Papists and pie-bakers, and doctors and druggists, bye the
shop-folk, that sell trash and trumpery at three prices." Scott,
St Ronans Well, c. 2.
(6) Of neglect or omission = " leaving aside " :
"But fat's this that you Free Kirkers 's been deein' mairrying
yer minaister bye the maiden o' Clinks tyle ? " W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 49.
(7) = " Out of one's mind," crazy (with the reflexive pro-
noun); St. " beside one's self" :
" But monie a day was by himsel',
He was sae sairly frighted
That vera night." Burns, Halloween.
" The folk would hae thought I had gane by mysel'." Gait,
Sir A. Wylie, i, c. 12.
Adverbially = " over," " finished " :
" She just gi'd a sab, and was by wi' it." R. L. Stevenson,
WeirofH.,c. 1.
114. Sc. forms and uses of " down."
" Down " — doon ; doun, dun :
" Had a good name wi' whig and tory, baith up the street
and doun the street." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 3.
115. Sc. equivalents of" except."
" Except " = cep, sep ; 'ceptna, 'sepftia :
" There's been nae ane meddlin' wi' the kirk cep some o'
that Edinboro' fowk." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 23.
" There's not a soul, either, that kens there's a big contract
for carting to be had 'ceptna Goudie and my sell." G. Douglas,
H. with Green Shutters, c, 13.
156 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
116. Sc. forms and uses of " for ."
" For " is fer, far ; fur, fAr :
" I haena seen ye fer a lang time, Mr Lawmie." G. Mac-
donald, Alec Forbes, c. 70.
" As feart fur me as fur the wean." J. J. Bell, Wee Mac-
greegor, c. 3.
For a' that = " notwithstanding all that," " yet," " never-
theless," is found in the contracted forms fraat, fra.it ; frithat,
fn'Sat.
" And yet intill't there's something couthie fraat " [f 'ra't, Ed.
1816 ; fra't, Ed. 1866, p. 181]. Boss, Helenore (1768), 48. Jam.
Burns uses it in his celebrated refrain :
" For a' that, an' a' that,
It's comin yet for a' that."
To is often used for the standard " for " = " on behalf of" :
" An' ' her an' her,' 's Peter said, was wylin (choosing) fur-
niture to (for) Maister McCassock." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 46.
An intrusive fur or for is common before infinitives, as in
archaic English :
" What went ye out for to see ? " Matt, xi, 13, Authorized
Version.
"Ay, an' he begood fur to greet." J. J. Bell, Wee Mac-
greegor, c. 12.
What for ? is "why," "wherefore " ; what for no is " why not ? " :
" ' For my pairt,' replied David, 'if I see no wonder in the man,
I can see but little in the cobbler. What for shouldna a cobbler
write wonnerfully ? ' ' G. Macdonald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 14.
" It maun be eaten sune or syne, and what for no by the
puir callant ? " Scott, The Pirate, c. 4.
117. Uses of "forby(e)"
Forby, far'bai, forbye, (1) = " in addition to," " besides " :
" Forbye which it would appear that ye've been airing your
opeenions in a Debating Society." R. L. Stevenson, WeirofH.,c. 3.
(2) = " let alone," " without the addition of" :
" Ye might hae thought folk wad hae been vexed enough
GRAMMAR 157
about ye, forbye undertaking journeys and hiring folk to seek
for your dead body." Scott, St Ronans Well, c. 28.
Adverbially, (1) = " besides," " as well " :
" Then she maun hae a bonnet for Sabbath an' a hat tae gae
out a message in forby." Ian Maclaren, Days of A. L. S.,
"A Servant Lass," c. 1.
(2) = " nearby," " close at hand " :
" Annie made her bed a little forby." Child's Ballads, Fair
Annie, p. 119.
118. Sc. equivalents of " from."
" From " is/ra, fr& ; frae, fre ; fae, fe ; Norse and Dan./ra.
"...Wad rive wi' lauchin' at a word fra Cosmo Cupples."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 70.
" Ye wad hae thought she had taen an ill will at Miss Lucy
Bertram frae that moment." Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 39.
"We ken brawly that Gushets an' 's wife tee's awa' fae
name." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 3.
119. Forms and uses of "foment."
Foment, for'nent ; forenent, foranent, 'foranent ; forenenst,
for'nenst = " in front of," " facing " :
"When Bonaparte gathered his host foment the English
coast." Gait, A. of the Parish, c. 44.
" But they maun lie in Stronach haugh,
To biek forenent the sin (sun)."
Child's Ballads, Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, p. 485.
"Like the great King Ahasuerus when he sate upon his
royal throne foranent the gate of his house." Scott, H. of
Midlothian, c. 26.
"They stoppit just forenenst him." G. Douglas, H. with
Green Shutters, c. 5.
"In a wee while you will be seein' Lonfern forenenst you"
(in Skye). A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences, c. 14.
120. Use of " gin" gin.
Gin = " by " (of time) :
"The thing that's deen the day winna be adee the morn,
an' I may be deid an' buriet gin Whitsunday." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 46.
158 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" I heard the clatter o' them, an' throws on my waistcoat an'
staps my feet in 'o my sheen an' gin that time he was at the
door." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 17.
121. Uses of" hard upon."
Hard upon or upo — " close to," " very near " :
(1) Of time.
" It was hard upo' Hogmanay." G. Macdonald, A lee Forbes,
c. 70.
(2) Of place.
" For Nannie, far before the rest,
Hard upon noble Maggie prest."
Burns, Tarn o Shanter.
122. Sc. equivalents of " in."
" In " is often into, intil, intill, intjl :
" O lang, lang may their ladies sit,
Wi' thair fans into their hand."
Child's Ballads, Sir Patrick Spens, p.. 104.
" ' What's in the broth ? ' • Well, there's carrots intil V "
" He sat intil this room." Thorn, Jock o Knowe, 23. (W.)
123. Sc. forms of "into"
"Into" is found as intae, 'inte, 'into; intul, jntAl.
" Did ye no hear hoo the Frees wiled him intae their kirk ? "
Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 1.
"The lass showed him intul the study." S. R. Crockett,
Courtship of Allan Fairley.
124. Sc. use of let abee!'
Let abee, lata'bi: and leta'bi:, " not-to-speak-of," "without
mentioning," " let alone " :
" We downa bide the coercion of gude braid-claith about our
hinderlins, let abee breeks o' freestane and garters o' iron." Scott,
Rob Roy, c. 23.
125. Maugre, 'magiar = " notwithstanding " :
" An' maugre the leather lungs o' them the fowk roar't doon."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 24.
GRAMMAR 159
/' maugre o — "in spite of" :
" We hae stood to oor principles as yet, an' we'll dee't still,
i' maugre o' an Erastian Presbytery." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 7.
126. Sc. equivalents o/"near."
"Near" is naar (Abd.), nair; nearhari, nirhan; naarhari,
narhan.
" I wasna wuntin naar their parlour." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 45.
" I was jist turnin' nearhan' the greetin', for I lo'ed the laddie
weel." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 74.
"An' syne fat d'ye mak' o' sic ootrages as Marnock an'
Culsalmon', to keep nearhan' hame ? " W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 22.
(Adverbially) = " almost " :
" I've toilit aboot wi' you upo' this place naar foorty year."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 44.
127. Sc. uses of "of"
0' — usually stands for "of"; but in Scottish dialect often
represents " on " (q.v.) :
Blythe of, 'blaiG o:, " pleased with " :
" Wee), then," replied the man, " he said, ' Tell Sir William
Ashton that the next time he and I forgather, he will not be
half sae blythe of our meeting as of our parting.' " Scott, B. of
Lammermoor, c. 5.
Croose o', krus o:, " excited over " :
" ' He's owre croose o' the subject nae to be here in time/ said
Jonathan." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 25.
" Of" or "o" is omitted after nouns of quantity like wheen,
piece, bit, drap, etc. :
" There's a wheen fine fat cattle and some gude young horses."
Ian Maclaren, Days of A.L. S., " For Conscience' Sake," c. 3.
" Tak' it awa' and bring me a piece bread." R. L. Stevenson,
WeirofH.,c. 1.
"O"' is used like the French de with obj. case in place of
the possessive case :
160 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" I think the Hieland blude o' me warms at thae daft tales."
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 26.
For ava, a corruption of " of all," see Gr. § 83.
128. Sc. equivalents of " off."
" Off" « a/, at
"Mr Balderstone's no far aff the town yet." Scott, B. of
Lammermoor, c. 13.
Adverbially,
" Sae aff I set, and Wasp wi' me." Scott, Guy Mannering, c.45.
" I must do the best I can to bring baith o' ye aff." Wilson,
Tales B., " Willie Wastle's Wife."
Aff and on — " off and on," i.e. " so-so," " moderately well " :
" ( Hoo's a' wi' ye ? ' asked Sam'l. ' We're juist aff and on,'
replied Effie cautiously." J. M. Barrie, A. L. Idylls, c. 8.
Aff o'— " from," " away from " :
" Oor ale is not drinkable, it's jist new aff o' the barm." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibbs, c. 38.
" ...Keep aff o' braes an' kittle roads, siclike's owre by the
Kirk toon." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 38.
To slip aff — a common euphemism for " to die " :
" Ye'ill miss Jock, Posty, he slippit aff afore his time." Ian
Maclaren, Days of A. L. S., " Past Redemption."
129. Sc. equivalents of "on."
" On " is often o :
" Ye'll maybe gar me lowse o' ye the richt gate." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
On himself — " on his own account."
" The fishmonger had lately started on himself." J. M. Barrie,
A. L. Idylls, c. 2.
To think on—" to think of" :
" Why should I be frightened in thinking on what everybody
will approve ? " Gait, The Entail, c. 16.
On is used with the verb marry (for both sexes) :
"Ye ken Sam'l an' the lawyer married on cousins." J. M.
Barrie, Thrums, c. 2.
" Him 'at's mither mairit on Sam'l Duthie's wife's brither."
Ibid., c. 2.
GRAMMAR 161
Cry on = to " call for " :
" l If you'll excuse me, Mr Innes, I think the lass is crying on
me/ said Kirstie and left the room." R. L. Stevenson, Weir of
H., c. 7.
Fa on, fa:, fg: on = to " discover," " meet by chance " :
"Ay, Allan, lad, an' where did ye fa' on wi' her?" S. R.
Crockett, Courtship of Allan Fairley.
Yoke on = to " find fault with," " upbraid " :
" Do ye mind hoo he yokit on me in the kirkyaird ae day for
lauchin' at Airchie Moncur an' his teatotalism ? " Ian Maclaren,
Days ofA.L.8., "A Cynic's End."
. Ontill, onto : see till, to.
130. Use of" or " = "before."
This usage is obsolete in St. even as a conjunction = " sooner
than."
Or = " before " :
" I' thy ain presence-chaumer, whaur we houp to be called
or lang." G. Macdonald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 11.
131. Forms and uses of " out."
Out, oot, ut, (1) "beyond," "outside of":
" What he has felt 'tis out our power to say." McGillvray,
Poems, 1839.
(2) " free from " :
" Wark bodies are ne'er out the guddle
Fae their cradles till laid in the mools."
Webster, Rhymes. (W.)
(3) = " from," " making use of" :
" To say prayers out a book."
(4) = " from within " :
" Come oot the door." J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor.
Cf. " Going out the door, he stopped and listened." Mary G.
Wilkins, A Far-away Melody.
(5) " -Along "(Abd.):
" He went oot the road."
G. 11
162 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Where the St. has "out of," Hately Waddell uses frae, yont
frae :
" Frae the deeps sae awesome dread, O Lord, I hae scraigh'd
till thee." Psalm cxxx, 1.
" O wha sal rax yont frae Zioun heal-making till Israel a' ? "
Psalm xiv, 7.
Phrases : cast oot (to quarrel), hand oot (take aim), redd out
(explain) :
" We sanna cast oot aboot aul' scores." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
" When Sir Edgar hauds out, down goes the deer, faith."
Scott, B. of Lammermoor, c. 3.
" ' I dinna ken/ said the undaunted Bailie, ' if the kindred
has ever been weel redd out to you yet, cousin.' " Scott, Rob
Roy, c. 31.
Out-taken, "except," "barring"; found also in combination
with by (q.v.), see Gr. § 113 (4):
" He was in former times ane of the maist cruel oppressors
ever rade through a country (out-taken Sergeant Inglis)." Scott,
Old Mortality, c. 42.
Outbye o/=" without," see "without."
Outen, 'utan, out on = " out of."
Out oner, u'tonar = " from under."
Outoure, u'tAur = " across," " beyond."
Out-through, out-throw, ut '9ru:, N.E. OFAU = " completely
through."
132. Sc. forms and uses of " over."
Ower, owre, Aur =- " over," " across " :
" There's been warrants out to tak him as soon as he comes
ower the water frae Allowby." Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 45.
" Duncan sighed baith out and in,
Grat his een baith bleer and blin',
Spak o' lowpin owre a linn."
Burns, Duncan Gray (Song).
To come owre — to " repeat " :
" But aw cudna come owre them, Mrs Birse, on nae account."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 19.
GRAMMAR 163
To tak in-owre — to " deceive " :
" We've baith been weel aneuch ta'en in-owre wi' that carline."
W. Alexander, Johnny GM, c. 43.
To threep owre = to " insist to a person who hears un-
willingly " :
" An' threepit owre me't it was sic an advantage to dee 't
that gate." W. Alexander, Johnny GM, c. 9.
To win owre — to " fall asleep " :
" ' He's won owre,' she murmured thankfully." G. Douglas,
H. with Green Shutters, c. 26.
133. Sc. forms and uses of" round."
" Round " is roon, run :
" Jist pit it wi' ae single k-not roon her neck." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 17.
" The fowk't she inveetit doon a' roon 'the parlor' — fat ither —
like as mony born dummies." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 41.
134. Sc. forms and uses of " since."
Sin — " since," s^n.
" Peter begood to tell's that they had been in sin' the streen
(since yesterday evening)." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 46.
" He's awa' mony a day sin syne " (for a long time back).
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 47.
Sinsyne, sjn'sain, often appears as one word : " My eesight
and my hand-grip hae a' failed mony days sinsyne." Scott,
Antiquary, c. 7.
135. Sc. equivalents of " through."
Through, throuch, thruch, 9rux; throu, throuw, 9ru:, 9rAU
(N.E.) = " across," " on the other side of."
"I div not see hoo we and he won throuw the winter." G.
Macdonald, The Warlock, c. 56.
Doun throu, dun 9ru:, of locality or country = " towards the
sea " : " That very morning Dawvid had to leave post haste for
f doon throu ' on business of Sir Simon's." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 36.
11—2
164 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
To go throu 't = to " have a fuss " :
"Hoot, fye! is Dawvid gyaun throu' 't wi' the new vricht
already ? " W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 48.
Through-gaun,'Qru'qa.in—(l) "thorough-going," "pushing,"
" capable " : — " Janet was what is called a ' through-gaun lass/
and her work for the day was often over by eight o'clock in the
morning." S. R. Crockett, The Heather Lintie.
(2) (as a noun) "scolding," "nagging":
" The folk that were again him gae him sic an awfu' through-
gaun aboot his rinnin' awa'." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 14.
Throu -han = " under discussion and settled " :
" Gushetneuk an' mysel' hed the maitter throu' han'." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
Through ither, '8ru ifor ; throu 'dder, '9ru:dar (1) = "restless,"
" disorderly," " unmethodical " : — " Ou, just real daft, neither to
haud nor to bind, a' hirdy-girdy, clean through ither, the deil's
ower Jock Webster." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 14.
(2) = " in common," " in a mass " :
" Ou yea, I thocht ye wud 'a maetit a' throu' ither." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 7.
Through-the-muir — a " quarrel " :
" Aifter a through-the-muir that dreeve aul' Peter naarhan'
dementit." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 49.
Kail throu' the reek — " a drubbing," " castigation " :
" Tarn spoke widely of giving the two disturbers of his en-
joyment their 'kail throu' the reek ' some day." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 3.
"He may come to gie you your kail through the reek.J>
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 30.
136. Sc. uses of " till," t?l, Ul.
Till, ontill, are used freely for St. " to " :
" ' Hear till her,' said Madge." Scott, H. of Midlothian,
c. 17.
" ' You see, the house was taen, at ony rate,' continued
Sanders. 'And I'll juist ging intil't instead o' Sam'l.'" J. M.
Barrie, A. L. Idylls, c. 8.
GRAMMAR 165
Used for to of the infinitive :
" I wud 'a gi'en a bottle o' black strap till 'a been there."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 24.
Used in place of (1) " of" :
'"There's just twenty-five guineas o't,' said Dumbiedikes...,
CI make ye free till't without another word.'" Scott, H. of
Midlothian, c. 25.
Used in place of (2) " upon " :
"...Yersel'? that Gushets had aye sic a reliance till." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 47.
Lippen till — to " trust " :
"To hae fowk so weel wordy o' bein lippen't till." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 47.
137. Sc. forms and uses of " to."
Tae, te, ta: ; tee, ti: (Abd.) = " to," used adverbially.
" Sae step roun' tae yer minister-man, an arrange for the next
First-day." D. Gilmour, The Pen Folk, p. 38.
" We wud be willin' to tak' tee (i.e. add) Gushetneuk till oor
place." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 37.
Replaced generally by till ', see above.
138. Sc. forms and uses o/" under."
"Under" is represented by inner, 'tnar; oonder, 'undar;
ooner, 'unar, 'Anar :
" His lauchter's no like the cracklin's o' thorns unner a pot."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 39.
" They'll leave the kirk wa's to the owls an' the bats seener,
an' gae forth oonder the firmament o' heaven to worship." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 7.
" We hed the new hooses biggit, an' the grun a' oon'er the
pleuch." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 44.
Sit under — to "attend the preaching of" :
" Of course, it would be different if we sat under him." J. M.
Barrie, Little Minister, c. 14.
166 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
139. Sc. idioms with " up."
Up = of movement to a higher level :
"Fan we was wearin' up the wye o' the stabler's." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 46.
Cast up—" to turn up," " appear " :
"But he canna be far off— he will soon cast up." Wilson,
Tales B.y " Roger Goldie's Narrative."
Cleik up, klik Ap— to " become friendly " :
"'Eh, but ye're a green callant !' he cried... 'cleikin' up wi'
baubee-joes ! ' " R. L. Stevenson, David Balfour, c. 1.
Redd up, red Ap —to " settle," " adjust " :
"He is generally an 'auld residenter'; great, therefore, at
the redding up of pedigrees." G. Douglas, H. with Green
Shutters, c. 5.
140. Sc. forms and uses of " upon."
" Upon " is upo' or upon :
11 Sic a deceesion as will admit o' yer castin' yer care upo*
him." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 9.
Upo' go = " on foot," " engaging one's attention " :
" An' fat sud be upo' go noo, but a braw new viacle ! " W,
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 43.
Dispone upon = to " convey in legal form " :
" And you, ye thowless jade, to sit still, and see my substance
disponed upon to an idle, drunken, reprobate, worm-eaten serving-
man." Scott, B. of Lammermoor, c. 13.
Married upon = " married to " (see on) :
"I micht have been marriet upon a skirling Jezebel like
you !" R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 1.
To min (main) one upon — to " remind one of" :
"A closin'-in heid-piece concern that min's me, for a' the
earth, upon a mutch that my wife hed ance." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 46.
141. Sc. forms and uses of " wanting."
Wanting, wuntin, 'wAntjn ; wintin, 'w^nttn — "without/*
GRAMMAR 167
" ' Wanting the hat/ continued my author, Kirstie. ./ wanting
guns... the lower o' them took the road.'" R. L. Stevenson,
Weir of H., c. 5.
" Far owre sma' for our een wintin' the glass." G. Macdonald,
Robert Falconer, c. 9.
" It cudna be deen wuntin, cud it ? " W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 10.
142. Sc. forms and uses of " with."
" With " is wi', wi, wj :
" And sign'd it wi' his hand." Child's Ballads, Sir Patrick
Spens, p. 103.
"It's a shame her father's daughter should keep company
wi' a' that scauff and raff of physic-students, and writers'
'prentices, and bagmen, and siclike trash as are down at the
Well yonder." Scott, St Ronan's Well, c. 2.
143. Sc. forms and uses of" without."
" Without " = withoot, wi'9ut ; wi-oot, wi'ut ; athoot, a'9ut ;
withouten, wi'8utan ; ouibye, 'ut'bai, and outbye of:
" Some fowk cudna ca' the niz o' their face their nain withoot
speerin leave." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
"Wi-oot ony thing to weet them, they're dooms dry." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 26;
"'Na!' was the answer; 'they'll be unco puir pudding
athoot something mair than bluid in them.'" D. Qilmour,
Paisley Weavers, c. 5.
" Wherefore would ye risk life or limb withouten cause ? "
Wilson, Tales B., "Roger Goldie's Narrative."
" The yerlle of Fyffe, wythowghten striffe,
He bowynd hym over Sulway."
Child's Ballads, Battle of Otterburn, p. 387.
"'I was wanting to say to ye, Laird,' said Jeanie,../ that I
was gaun a lang journey, outbye of my father's knowledge.'
" ' Outbye his knowledge, Jeanie ! Is that right? ' ' Scott,
Heart of Midlothian, c. 26.
144. Use of "
Yont, jont = " across and through " (of proximity) ; " on the
168
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
other side " (as of a hedge or street). See " beyond," from which
it differs specifically.
"Aft yont the dyke she's heard you bummin." Burns,
Address to the Deil.
" Meet thy titty yont the knowe." Hogg, Poems.
To go yont, to " cross over," " walk to a place near by."
" Sae, after I had brocht them to ken what I was, I awa yont
to my mither's." Wilson, Tales B., " Hen-pecked Man."
" I'll gang yont, after fothering time the nicht, and speak to
yer farther and mither." Wilson, Tales B., " Willie Wastle's
Wife."
To hirsle yont, h^rsl jont — to "shuffle along to the other
end " :
" Peter and the stranger did not rise to put the ladies into
the pew, but, according to use and wont, simply ' hirsled yont.' "
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 11.
CHAPTER VIII
CONJUNCTIONS
145. Connective conjunctions.
Connective ; (a) (with co-ordinate clauses or terms) :
An (and), baith, beG; aither, 'eftar; eyther, 'aiftar; owther,
= " either " ; naither, 'neftar ; neytker, 'nai$ar ; nouther,
; nowther, 'nAuftar = " neither " :
" Thomas Jardine come awa an' speak tae me." D. Gilmour,
Paisley Weavers, c. 3.
" That part o' his garments which it does riot become a leddy
to particulareeze, was baith side and wide." Scott, Antiquary,
c. 9.
" For aither he wull lichtlie the ane, and lo'e the ither, or
incontinent he wull baud by the ane, and care-na for the ither."
W. W. Smith, N. T. in Braid Scots, Matt, vi, 24.
"He has nayther corned himsel', nor had the ceevility tae
sen' us the scart o' a pen." Ramsay, Reminiscences, c. 6.
" ' I'll gie thee my hand and word on't, aunt/ said I, ' that I
knaw nowther the faither nor mother o' V " Wilson, Tales B.,
" Whitsome Tragedy."
" Nouther you nor no Scottish lord Durst have set a foot on
the bowling green of Airly." Child's Ballads, Bonnie House o
Airlie, p. 483.
(b) (With subordinate clauses) :
'At, 't, nor, 'at-hoo, at/hu = " how " :
" Gin it be more blessed to gie than to receive, as Sant Paul
says 'at the Maister himsel' said." G. Macdonald, David Elgin-
brod, I, c. 6.
" Wha cud hae thocht, Thomas, 't ye cud hae pickit sic
gumption oot o' staves!" G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 60.
" Nae won'er nor (= ' that ') ye was obleeg't to tak' yer inno-
cent bairns awa' fae's skweel." W. Alexander, Johnny Oibb, c. 19.
170 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" The laird himsel' said, 'at hoo the bairns had never gotten
on naething like it wi' ony ither body." G. Macdonald, David
Elginbrod, I, c. 6.
146. Causal.
'Cause (because), kaz, sae (so), se, sin* (since), sjn, noo than,
nu San (now then) :
" Ye maunna think, hooever, 'cause sic longin' thouchts come
ower me, that I gang aboot the hoose girnin' and compleenin'."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 44.
" I whiles speak as I think, an' whiles as I feel ; sae dinna
misjudge me." D. Gilmour, Paisley Weavers, c. 3.
"I'll speak to the laird himsel' sin' ye'll no hear me." G.
Macdonald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 6.
147. Adversative or concessive particles.
(a) With co-ordinate statements.
Edder, 'edar, " either "; nedderin, 'nedarm ; netherins, 'neSa-
rinz ; naitherans, " neither " ; hot, bot, bjt, " but " ; natheless,
naithless, 'neOles, " nevertheless " :
"Naw, I hardly think't I'll fash wi' that edder." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 15.
"An' he not nae leems till't, nedderin." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 15.
" I dinna like it naitherins." Picken, Poems. (W.)
" Bot ay, 'am mylane wi' thee." P. Hately Waddell, Psalm
Ixxiii, 25 (Tr.).
"Natheless, it is ill travelling on a full stomach." Scott,
Pirate, c. 11.
" Naithless some waggish trickster loon
Aye put the Bailie off the tune."
Spence, Poems. (W.)
(b) With subordinate clauses.
For all, for a, ifar'a: ; for a' as, 'far'a: az ; for as... as, an
emphatic " although " :
" I'm no without some wits, for a' I'm a woman." Hunter,
J. Inwick. (W.)
" She doubted na that the pasture might be very gude, for
GRAMMAR 171
the grass looked green, for as drouthy as the weather had been
(although the weather had been very drouthy)." Scott, Heart
of Midlothian, c. 41.
"Katherine has a gae sharp tongue when she's lowst, for
'a as quait's she luiks." D. Gilraour, Paisley Weavers, c. 8.
148. Hypothetical conjunctions.
Hypothetical : Gin, gin ; gif, gif; an = " if" ; onless, without,
'cep = (l unless " :
" An her luikin a' the time 't a bodie speaks till 'er as gin
butter wudna melt in her cheek." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb,
c. 8.
"Gif I micht advise you as ye advised him." D. Gilmour,
Paisley Weavers, c. 4.
"Mony o' them wadna mind a bawbee the weising a ball
through the Prince himsell, 'an the chief gave them the wink."
Scott, Waverley, n, c. 22.
" Onless they can haun in a gowpen o' siller." D. Gilmour,
Paisley Weavers, c. 3.
" I hae kent mony an honest man wadna hae ventured this
length without he had made his last will and testament." Scott,
Rob Roy, c. 27.
" But ridickleous for the size o' 't, 'cep' ye gie 't room." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forces, c. 80.
149. Temporal conjunctions.
Temporal : Or, afore = " before " ; aifter, 'eftar ; efter, 'eftar
= " after " ; ance, as sune's = " as soon as " ; gin — " by the time
that " :
" There will no be a dry thread amang us or we get the cargo
out." Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 40.
" Will ye mak' a prayer for yir auld dominie afore we pairt ? "
Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 3.
"Wantin5 gundy efter ye've ett twa apples." J. J. Bell,
Wee Macgreegor, c. 5.
" An' tell 'im that he'll be expeckit, gin the spring war in,
to drive a fawmily convaiyance to the kirk every Sabbath." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 48.
172 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Again, a'gen, a'gen, is, used as a conjunction, in the sense of
" in preparation for the time that " :
"I hae just been putting your honour's things in readiness
again ye were waking." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 23.
The standard usage allows " against " in this sense : Dickens
has, in The Pickwick Papers, " Throw on another log of wood
against father comes home."
150. Comparative conjunctions.
Comparative: Nor, na, as, gin, gin; or = " than"; sae-s,
se z = " so-as " ; 's = " as " ; by'se (as, in comparison with), baiz :
" That's better gin naething." J. B. Salmond, M. M. S., c, 11.
" I wish he wad, for he kens better nor me hoo to set aboot
the job." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 3.
" The big ane's bigger na usual." J. M. Barrie, Thrums, c. 2.
" It's as weel to come sune's syne, lass." D. Gilmour, Paisley
Weavers, c. 8.
" Sae dear's that joy was bought, John,
Sae free the battle fought, John."
Baroness Nairne, The Land o the Leal (Song).
" Better soon as syne ; better a finger aff as aye wagging."
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 18.
"For the whole place aye seems fu' o' a presence, an' it's
a hantle mair to me nor the kirk an' the sermon forby." G.
Macdonald, David Elginbrod, I, c. 7.
" Little to be expeckit fae them, by'se fae the set o' leern't
(learned) men't hed ta'en upo' them to provoke them to mischief."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 18.
CHAPTER IX
INTERJECTIONS
151. Summoning interjections.
Hae, he: ; haw, ha:, hey, hei — calling a person, in order to
offer something ; a form of " have."
" ' Hae then/ said she, placing the dish before him, ' there's
what will warm your heart.' " Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 46.
Or to have the person listen to a remark :
" And from a window above came a jeering hail — ' Haw, you
wi' the fancy hat ! ' " J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 10.
" Hey! what are ye daein' there?" A. Geikie, Scottish Remi-
niscences, c. 6.
152. Assertive interjections.
Assertive particles : sang, sai) ; 'od, 'odd, od ; nyod, njod,
pod ; sail, sal ; sal, sal ; ma certies, ma 'sartiz ; ma certes, ma
'sartez, my certy, my certie ; 'deed, did ; fegs, fegz ; by faigs,
bai fegz ; by crivens, bai 'knvanz ; wow, WAU ; catch them ;
catch us ; mind ye :
Sang precedes a deliberative statement :
"Sang, she'll better nae try't though." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 15.
Od, odd — of mild surprise.
" Od, man, your name has travelt far faurer nor these wee
legs '11 ever carry yoursell." A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences,
c. 6.
Nyod implies pleasant assertion :
"He added— 'Nyod, that's capital fusky.'" W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 13.
Sail (upon my soul) is an expression of astonishment or
admiration :
"When Mrs Macfayden allowed it to ooze out in the Kil-
drummie train that she had obtained a penny above the market
174 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
price for her butter, she received a tribute of silent admiration,
broken only by an emphatic ' Sail ' from Hillocks." Ian Maclaren,
Days of A. L. S., "A Triumph in Diplomacy."
" My certy, but this makes a perfect feel (fool) o' the kirk
o' Foot Dee." A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences, c. 13.
" ' Proud, John ? '
' 'Deed, ay ! ' " J. J. Bell, Wanderers Return.
"Ma certies, Janet, but that's a sicht for a hungry man."
Scotsman, Nov., 1909. (The Roarin' Game.)
"And fegs he did it tae perfection." Scotsman, Nov., 1909.
"'By faigs, Sandy,' says I, 'that's waur....'" J. B. Salmond,
M. M. S., c. 2.
" By crivens, he's gotten a richt horse for Donal', noo." J. B.
Salmond, M. M. S., c. 1.
" O, wow, my winsome bairn, Cuddie." Scott, Old Mortality,
c. 6.
Catch them or catch us implies a negative, with emphasis :
" They want mair daylight, likely ? Catch them." H. Mac-
laine, M. F. the P., p. 66.
" Catch us, we're no sae Gaelic." H. Maclaine, M. F. the P.,
p. 91.
" Mind ye, its awfu' eerie bein' at sea in the nicht-time."
H. Maclaine, M. F. the P., p. 94.
153. Ejaculations of discomfort.
Exclamations of weariness, regret, sorrow.
Sirce-me, strs-mi ; sirce the day, hegh, hex ; hegh sirs, imply
woe or sadness or weariness :
" Thirce me, neebour, I'm thorry for ye ! Thith ith a terrible
affair." G. Douglas, H. with Green Shutters, c. 24.
" Eh, sirce me ; an' me was so happy no mony 'oors syne."
J. B. Salmond, M. M. S., c. 8.
Aichy ex, is an expression of fatigue :
" The verra attemp' — an' dinna ye think that I haena made
it — aich." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 70.
Och hone, ox hon, is an exclamation of distress or weariness :
" ' Och hone ! och hone ! ' said Granny from her bed." G.
Macdonald, Robert Falconer, c. 13.
GRAMMAR 175
" Ohone ! ohone ! the day o' grace is by at last ! " G.
Macdonald, Robert Falconer, c. 13.
Ochan; a Highland expression of sorrow or lament:
" Ochan, ochan ; hanging a man for stealing sheeps ! " A.
Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences, c. 8.
Willawins /, 'wilawmz, " alas ! " :
" Willawins ! — willawins ! Such a misfortune to befa' the
house of Ravenswood, and I to live to see it." Scott, B. of
Lammermoor, c. 11.
" Oh, Willawins, Mons Meg, for you,
'Twas firing cracked thy muckle mou'."
R. Fergusson, King's Birthday at Edinburgh.
Waesucks ! 'wesAks, " alas ! " :
" Waesucks ! for him that gets nae lass."
Burns, Holy Fair.
154. Ejaculations of astonishment or advice or reproof.
Megsty me, 'megsti mi ; gweeshteens, 'gwiftinz ; hooly, 'hull ;
heely, 'hili ; hech, hex ; losh, loj ; losh me, loshtie, wheesht, whisht,
keep me, keep's a :
Megsty me ! gweeshteens, express surprise or astonishment :
" Megsty me, what am I about, daffing all this time here ! "
Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 16.
" Gweeshteens, ye've seerly been sair ta'en up." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 14.
Hooly, heely imply caution or warning :
" With a sigh, he answered, Hooly enoch, Mrs Bowie, hooly
enoch." D. Gilmour, Gordons Loan, "The Wanters."
" Weel, jist heely till I gi'e a cry." W. Alexander, Johnny
Gibb, c. 11.
" ' O, hooly, hooly, sir,' she said, ' ye'll wauken oor guidman.' "
The Jolly Beggar (Song).
"Hech ! that's a droonin'.awfu' strange, and waur than ane
and a'." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 39.
Losh, loshtie imply surprise and deprecation, expostulation
or sympathy :
" Losh, Drumsheugh, be quiet." Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush,
" Domsie," c. 2.
176 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" But losh me ! when we cam' oot the coffin wi' my grannie
in't was awa'." A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences, c. 13.
"Loshtie man, ye're seerly gyaun gyte." W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 44.
" Wheest! here's the wife ; no a word aboot it." H. Maclaine,
M. F. the P., p. 34.
" ' Oh, whisht ! my bairn ! whisht,' replied Mause." Scott,
Old Mortality, c. 7.
" ' Keep me, Sandy.' says I, ' is that whet's brocht ye here ? ' '
J. B. Salmond, M. M. S.t p. 5.
Keep me, keeps a' are somewhat similar in usage to
losh me :
" Keep's a', Burnbrae, is that you ? " Ian Maclaren, Days of
A.L.S.," For Conscience Sake."
Hoot awa, hut a'wa: ; hout tout, hut tut ; hoots, huts ; hout
fie (feu), convey mild expostulation and reproof:
" Hout awa, the laws are indifferently administered here to
a' men alike." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 18.
" ' Hout tout, neighbor, ye mauna take the warld at its word/
said Saddletree." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 11.
" Hoots, lassie, I never got a telegram in a' my days." J. J.
Bell, The Wanderers Return.
" Hout fie, stir, ye suld aye be taking." Scott, Old Mortality,
c. 23.
155. Derisive ejaculations.
Set him up for is a phrase used in derision :
" Set him up for a confectioner ! " Scott, St Ronaris Well,
c. 15.
«
Shute, Jyt ; himforrit or forward is often added :
" A lord ! set them up and shute them forward." Scott,
St Ronaris Well, c. 15.
156. Exclamations of disgust or impatience.
Dozen t, doznt (confound it !), implies disgust :
" ' Dozen't, men, I never thocht o' that,' said Peter Birse, Jr."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 37.
GRAMMAR 177
A uch, ax, ox, implies impatience :
" ' Auch, she's in the shop/ he says heich oot." J. B. Salmond,
M. M. S., p. 83.
Sheugh, j fa, Jux, implies impatience and abhorrence :
" Sheugh, sheugh — awa with ye, that hae spilled sae muckle
blude, and now wad save your.ain." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 17.
157. Exclamations of resignation or assent.
Aweel, a'wil, implies submission to what cannot be helped :
" Aweel ! this body's nothing but a wheen claes to my soul."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 58.
Weel-a-weel, 'wila'wil, implies assent :
" ' Come to yer tea, West Mains,' said Myreside cordially.
'Weelaweel. Thank ye kindly.'" Ramsay, " Emancipation
of Sandy Macgregor," Scotsman, Nov. '09.
1 58. Calls to animals ; with colloquial terms.
Yean, Jen, is an exclamation implying holding back or
slowing :
" As each horse passed the gate the driver left its head, and
took his place by the wheel, cracking his whip, with many a
'hup horse ; yean horse ; woa lad ; steady ! " G. Douglas, H. with
Green Shutters, c. 1.
Hup is also a call to a horse to go to the right ; wind, wynd,
waind ; wyne, wain, a call to the left. Hence neither hup nor
wind signifies " to move in no direction whatever " :
"A feckless loon of a Straven weaver... had catched twa
dragoon naigs, and he could neither gar them hup nor wind."
Scott, Old Mortality, c. 23.
" By their answerin' to our ca' — Hup, Wyne, go back, step
awa." Watson, Poems (1853, Lanarkshire). (W.)
" Formerly, in speaking to their horses, carters employed hup
and wynd in ordering them to either side, now mostly high-wo,
and jee." Jamieson, Dictionary, under haup, hap, hup.
Proo, proo, prochiemoo, prui, 'prufimu :
"It is interesting to hear these young women (in south
Ayrshire) calling to their cows proo, proo, prochiemoo, a call
which the animals understand and obey. The words are said to be
a corruption of approchez-moi and to date from the time, three
G. 12
178 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
hundred years ago, when French ways and French servants
were widely in vogue throughout Scotland." A. Geikie, Scottish
Reminiscences, c. 7.
A cat is called baudrons, baudrins, 'bgidranz, 'baidranz :
" Auld Hornie did the Laigh Kirk watch
Just like a winkin baudrons."
Burns, The Ordination.
A cat is usually addressed as "Pussy baudrons" :
" Poussie, poussie baudrons,
What got ye there ?
I got a fat inousikie
Binning up a stair."
Chambers, Popular Rhymes. (W.)
A dog, especially a collie or shepherd's dog, is spoken of as
bawty, 'bgiti, rba:tt, and so addressed :
" The Spanish empire's tint a head,
An' my auld teethless Bawtie's dead."
Burns, Elegy on the Departed Year, 1788.
A stray or ill-conditioned dog is a tyke, talk :
" Wha now will keep you frae the fox,
Or worrying tykes ? " Burns, The Twa Herds.
A donkey is cuddie :
" The auld tinkler bodie,
Wi' his creel and his cuddie."
Ballantine, Poems. (W.)
" The highway is as free to our cuddies as to his gelding."
Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 8.
A fox is Tod Lowrie, Todlowrie, 'tod'lAun :
"Todlowrie, come out o' your den." Scott, Fortunes of
Nigel, c. 31.
" Tod Lowrie kens best, wi' his lang head sae sly ;
He met the pet lammie...."
Baroness Nairne, The Mitherless Lammie.
A cow has hawkie, 'hgikj, 'haikj, for a general or pet name ;
originally applied to a white-faced cow :
" An' dawtit, twal-pint hawkie's gaen
As yell's the bill." Burns, Address to the Deil.
CHAPTER X
PREFIXES, SUFFIXES AND COMPOUNDS
PREFIXES
159. "a-." "a-" takes the place of the St. "be-" in many
words :
allow, a'blo: (with intrusive "b"); afore, a'foir; ahint,
d'h^nt; aneath, a'niO ; asides, a'saidz ; atween, a'twin; ayont,
9'yont, in place of "below," "before," "behind," "beneath,"
"beside," "between," and "beyond." (See under Prepositions.)
160. "Be-."
" Be " is used (1) before verbs to strengthen them, e.g. be-
grudge " to regret keenly " ; (2) to make nouns into verbs, e.g.
begowk or begunk " to deceive " ; (3) to form adverbs, belive,
belyve, ba'laiv, " immediately," " soon " :
"Then, on the other hand, I beflumm'd (fooled) them wi'
Colonel Talbot." Scott, Waverley, u, c. 35.
"But if ye didna fa' in wi' yer father within ten year, ye
maun behaud (hold yourself) a wee,... an' go awa' ower the sea
to Calcutta." G. Macdonald, Robert Falconer, c. 14.
" Belyve, the elder bairns come drapping in." Burns, Cotter's
Saturday Night.
161. "For-."
(a) The prefix for- or fore-, = " early," gives several com-
pounds. Forbear, 'forber, is " ancestor " :
"Your grandfather... did some gude langsyne to the forbear
of this great MacCallummore." Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 26.
Forenicht = " the early part of the evening."
" He's very entertaining when he comes over forenicht." S. R.
Crockett, Minister of Nether Dullery.
Fore-end = " first-fruits."
" I send you, out of the fore-end of my earnings, something
to buy a new gown." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 25.
12—2
180 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
(6) There is another/or- (Ger. ver-) - " against." Foregather,
forgedder is to " meet for a special purpose " :
"Dog-dirders an' others forgedderin' to get a house." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 19.
Also " to meet by chance."
" If it ever was my fortune to forgather with a Frenchman."
Moir, Mansie Wauch, c. 25.
(c) The second for is also used, like ver, of "reversal,"
" destruction," " exhaustion " :
Forwandered—' strayed/' a stronger form of-" wandered " :
" But he's awa' ower by the Wolfs Slock the day lookin' for
some forwandered yowes." S. R. Crockett, Tutor of Curlywee.
Forbear is to " avoid."
" I know all his haunts, and he cannot forbear them long."
Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 25.
Forfeuchan, forTyxan, far'f juxan, " exhausted " :
" Weel, you may jalouse we were a wee bit forfeuchan when
we cam' to the kirkyard." A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences,
c. 13.
Forfoughten, farffoxtan,/or/ocAeft, f9r'foxan;forfoochen,for-
foughen, far'fuxon, is " exhausted with fighting," " wearied out " :
" Ye're baith o' ye sair forfoochen." Ian Maclaren, Days of
A. L. S., " Drumsheugh's Love Story," c. 1.
"I am so forfoughten...that I think I had better ensconce
myself in one of those bushes." Scott, Legend of Montr ose, c. 14,
"This good little gentleman that seems sair forfoughen...iri
this tuilzie." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 28:
Forfecht, far'fext, is to " weary out " :
" Fat needs fowk forfecht themsel's fan they hae plenty ? "
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 30.
Forfain, farTen, is "played out," the opposite of "fain,"
" eager " :
" I hae putten the gudeman to his bed, for he was e'en sair
forfain." Scott, Antiquary, c. 26.
162. " Mis-"
" Mis-" is associated with what is unpleasant :
Mishanter is an " accident " :
GRAMMAR 181
" There's sae mony mishanters 't we hear o' happenin." W.
Alexander, Johnny GM, c. 46.
Mislippen is to " neglect," " abuse " :
"Ye wudna like to hae neen o' the bucklins mislippen't."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 46.
Mistryst, mis'traist, is to " alarm " :
" Pate Macready does say they are sair mistrysted (alarmed
and annoyed) yonder in their Parliament House about this
rubbery o' Mr Morris." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 14.
Misken, mis'ken, is to " mistake " :
" No man fell so regularly into the painful dilemma of mis-
taking, or, in Scottish phrase, ' miskenning,' the person he spoke
to." Scott, St Ronans Well, c. 16.
Misdoot, mis'dut, is to " suppose what is unpleasant " :
" I misdoot it's gaun to be terrible weather." S. R. Crockett,
Ensamples to the Flock.
163. Negative uses of " on " and " wan."
" On-," " ohn-" is an equivalent of the English " un." For
its use with the past part, and gerundive, see under ohn, on :
Gr. § 51 and note.
Onkenned — " unknown."
« Weel, it's no onkenned to you that the twa first Maister
Slees wraite their sermons." S. R. Crockett, The Three Maister
Peter Slees.
" I wadna advise you to keep up expectin' an ondeemas (not
to be reckoned) price for't." W. Alexander, Johnny GM, c. 6.
Wan- signifies " absence " or " lack " :
Wanworth is a " trifle," " what is worthless " :
"Chain work got at a mere 'wanworth.'" W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 27.
Wanrestfu, wan'restfa (restless) ; wanuse, wan'juiz (abuse,
wreck and ruin) ; wanownt, wan'Aunt (unclaimed) :
" An' may they never learn the gaets
Of ither vile, wanrestfu' pets ! "
Burns, Poor Mailie.
182 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
SUFFIXES.
164. -Art.
The suffix -art is used like the old French -ard to form
personal words, adjectives and nouns :
Thrawart, '9rawart, is " difficult/' " unpleasant," " hard " :
"Mony a thrawart job I hae had wi' her first and last."
Scott, H. of Midlothian, c. 12.
Willyard (with intrusive y) is " obstinate " :
" Uh ! uh ! it's a hardset willyard beast this o' minS." Scott,
H. of Midlothian, c. 12.
165. Absence of " -d" " -ed" in past participles.
The dental termination of the past participle, borrowed from
French or Latin, does not take on final " -d " or " -ed " in Scottish.
Compare modern London usage, " situate " = " situated."
"John Anderson, my jo, John,
When we were first acquent (acquainted)."
Burns (Song).
"Domsie's a thraun body at the best, and he was clean
infatuat' wi' George." Ian Maclaren, Brier Bush, " Domsie," c. 3.
166. -El.
-El of direction implies "towards," the converse of lin,
implying "direction from." (For lin = Eng. ling in "darkling,"
see par. 176.)
" O, if ye get to easel or wessel again I am undone." Scott,
Guy Mannering, c. 1.
"Now, weize yoursell a wee easel ward." Scott, Antiquary,
c. 7.
" How do you this blae eastlin wind, .
That's like to blaw a body blind ? "
Burns, Letter to James Tennant.
" Erskine, a spunkie Norland (Norlin ?) billie." Burns,
Author's Earnest Cry.
(The resemblance in sound between -lin and -Ian (= " land ")
has no doubt led to a confusion between the two suffixes.)
GRAMMAR 183
167. -En, -ern.
The termination " -n," " -en," " -ern " occurs where the
standard English has the simple noun or some other termination :
"The west Post is of stonern work." Scott, Fortunes of
Nigel, c. 2.
" They had pillaged my mither's auld house sae, that beechen
bickers and treen trenchers and latten platters were whiles the
best at our board." Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 5.
168. -Er.
-Er takes the place of final "-e" in words like "orange,"
" lozenge," probably by sympathy with " messenger," " dowager " :
" Mr Broon was fair divertit, an' gi'ed her yin o' his cough
lozengers." J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 2.
" He cam hame frae the Sawbath-schule suree the ither nicht
wi' fower Grangers an' guid kens hoo mony pokes o' sweeties."
J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 3.
169. -Erie.
Sc. -erie, St. " -ery." -Erie is used freely like standard -ery
in " trumpery," but with a French flavour :
" There's a wee spicerie of I'll no say what in this." Gait,
Sir A. Wylie, II, c. 1.
" What's the need o' a' this fasherie ? " /&., II, c. 7.
"He has corned between me and as muckle spreicherie
('sprixari), as wad hae made a man of me for the rest of my life."
Scott, The Pirate, c. 7.
170. -Fast.
The termination -fast occurs in the compound bedfast
(confined to one's bed) :
" It laid me bedfast for a fortnight." Wilson, Tales B., " The
Deserted Wife."
171. -Fu'.
Sc. -fu, St. " -ful."
"She's a rale genteel wumman, an' awfu' easy offendit."
J. J. Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 3.
184 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
-Fu* implies the subjective condition; fearfu is "timid,"
sooth/u' is "honest," waefu is "melancholy" or "sad." The
suffix implying the production of a condition is -some (q.v.).
172. -Reid.
-Heid, hid, takes the place of St. " -hood" and is used in
different combinations; bairnheid, maidenheid, youthheid, nee-
bourheid, 'nibarhid, liveliheid, 'laivlihid :
"Your mither's wull wud be a law to ye sae lang, i' yer
bairnheid." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 49.
"...Toil't awa' upo' this plan fae youthheid to aul' age."
W. Alexander,. Johnny Gibb, c. 44.
" An' gi'e industrious fowk the means o' makin' a liveliheid."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 47.
" He's been a great freen to the cause in this neebourheid."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 31.
173. Sc. use of diminutive "-ie."
-le is a diminutive suffix particularly common in Scottish,
and passages where it occurs in the vernacular cannot be rendered
into standard English without dropping the diminutive form :
•"I bide i' that wee hoosie (house) down at the brig." G.
Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 38.
"It wad flee nae mair nor a deid deukie (duck) i' this
weather." G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 16.
"But Peter showed nae regard for either the bit tender
lammie (lamb) or its mother." Wilson, Tales B., " The Deserted
Wife."
In some quarters, for instance in Dumfriesshire, it is added
to nouns whenever the sentence is thus made to run more
smoothly. Probably this explains its appearance in the House
with the Green Shutters, the locality of which, Ochiltree in
Ayrshire, is close to the Dumfriesshire border :
" From sidie to sidie they swung till the splash-brods were
skreighing on the wheels."
This usage is also found in the Aberdeen and Forfarshire
district. The saying which is quoted makes no reference to a
diminutive man or horse :
GRAMMAR 185
" It's jist sic mannie, sic horsie at ween the twa for thab
maitter." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 19.
174. -Le.
There is a curious termination -le in the north of Sc. equi-
valent to -ful, e.g. " A seckle o' corn," i.e. a sackful ; " a platle
o' pottage " ; " a spadle o' muck " ; " a cairtle o' peats " ; "a hantle
o' fowk."
In Buchan, Abd., they have an adj. forgetle = forgetful.
Under date of 7th Sept. 1515, in the Aberdeen Council Register,
" The quhilk day, David Brownn grantit him award to my lord
the Elect of Abirdene iiiixx Cartill of dry petis."
Alexander Hume in 1598 wrote : " In abating from the word
following, we in the North use a mervelouse libertie. As... a
ship'l of fooles, for a shipful of fooles."
Hantle (a small portion) is not confined to the North-East,
but is common south of the Forth. Murray suggests two ety-
mologies: (1) anted Scandinavian for "a number," which suits
the meaning ; (2) -le = -ful, handful, hankie, hantle ; but handfu
is common in all the dialects.
175. -Like. "-Like" after adjectives.
-Like attached to adjectives qualifies the meaning, giving it
a more general bearing :
Wise-like, wais-laik, means "presenting a good appearance " :
" ' Ye ken what ye're about, wricht,' said Hillocks. . ., ' an' ye've
turned out a wise-like kist.' " Ian Maclaren, Days of A. L. S.,
" A Servant Lass," c. 1.
" ' The awfu'-like thing,' as Miss Mizy ever afterward spoke
of the schoolboy's conspiracy." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, i, c. 3.
" Everything about the house was, to use her own phrase,
' in wyselike order.' " Cross, Disruption, c. 1.
Wainistit-like, 'wenift laik, is " having a shrunken appear-
ance."
"I was thinkin' 'im luikin jist raeLwainish't-like aboot the
queets." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 35.
" ' Daft-like !,' she had pronounced it. ' A jaiket that'll no
meet.' " R. L. Stevenson, Weir of H., c. 6.
186 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
176. "-Lin," "-lins," "-lang," of way or condition.
-Lin, -lins, is a termination signifying " way," " condition,"
or "direction," surviving in English poetry in "darkling"
(in the dark). In Scottish it is found with adverbs, adjectives
and nouns :
Halflin(s) or hafflins, 'haifljnz, 'hafljnz, 'hqifljnz, is " half-
grown " :
"Chiefly through the exertions o' a hafflins laddie whose
name was James Patrick." Wilson, Tales B., " Willie Wastle's
Wife."
Also "partly": "While Jennie halflins is afraid to speak."
Burns, Cotter's Saturday Night.
Hinderlins, 'hfncforlinz, are the " hindquarters " :
" We downa bide the coercion of gude braid-claith about our
hinderlins." Scott, Rob Roy, c, 23.
Blindlins, 'blincftinz, is " in a blind condition " :
" ' Na, na ; I could gang hame blindlins,' remonstrated Annie."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 29.
Oughtlins, " in any way," " at all " :
" Or if he was grown oughtlins douser." Burns, To a Gentle-
man Who Had Sent Him a Newspaper.
Another form of -lin is -lang :
Endlang, 'endlaij, is " on end," " continually " :
"He never could preach five words of a sermon endlang."
Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 11.
177. -Most
" -Most " is found as a suffix, with intensive force, in the
word bunemost : bune — " above."
" I crammed them (the supplications) baith into his hand, and
maybe my ain was bunemost." Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 4.
178. "-Ock" as a diminutive.
-Ock is used freely in a familiar way as a diminutive ;
boiurock, 'burak; winnock, 'wjnak (small window); gullock,
'gAlak ("small beetle"), bannock (small bun), bittock (little
bit):
GRAMMAR 187
"Sequestered for near a month in a bowrock (little bower
or cottage) of old cold ruins on the Bass." R. L. Stevenson,
David Balfour, c. 17.
" The ' three mile ' diminished into ' like a mile and a bittock.' "
Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 1.
The combination of -ock and -ie gives -ockie, -ukie, which
implies something very small indeed ; and wee bit is often pre-
fixed, giving a very intensive diminutive form :
" There was a wee bit wifukie, was comin' frae the fair,
Had got a wee bit drappukie, that bred her meikle care."
Alexander Geddes, The Wee Wifukie.
179. -Oot, -out.
Out, oot, ut, as a suflfix signifies " outside," " in the Open " :
"It lats fowk get the young beasts keepit thereoot." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 37.
A gang -thereout, 'garjlforut; rintheroot, 'rmttarut, is "one
fond of gadding or going outside " :
"I daurna for my life open the door to ony o' your gang-
thereout sort o' bodies." Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 1.
" Ye'll be drooned afore the mornin'. . ., ye fashous rintherout."
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 62.
180. -Ous.
The French facheux is found in Sc. as fasheous, fashous,
fashions = " troublesome," one of the many borrowings from
France during the century and a half of close alliance :
" Tell them frae me, wi' chiels be cautious,
For, faith ! they'll aiblins fin' them fashious."
Burns, Letter to James Tennant.
This may explain the formation, or at least the final form,
of byous = " extraordinary " ; as an adverb, " extremely " (cf.
by-ordinar) :
"Be sure an' plot 'er milk dishes weel, in this byous
weather." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 1.
" I was byous anxious to hear aboot her."
It has the form bias :
" Our faithfu' servant Colonel Stuart got nae sic bias cour-
tesy." St. Johnstoun (1823), IT, 276. (W.)
188 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
181. -Rick
Survival of O.E. rw, " province " :
" They sate dousely down and made laws for a haill country
and kinrick." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 14.
182. -Rife.
Adjectival -rife, rjf = " abundant," makes compound adjec-
tives, signifying " full of the quality of — ."
Gauldrife is " disposed to chilliness " ; wakerife, 'wekrjf,
waukrife, 'waikr^f, 'wgikrjf, is "disposed to be watchful or
wakeful":
" Their poor forlorn mother sitting by herself at the embers
of a cauldrife fire." Gait, A. of the Parish, c. 17.
"There was a wakerife common sense abroad among the
opinions of men that the new way of ruling was to follow."
Gait, Provost, c. 28.
" Wae worth the wife
That has a waukrife wean,
A wee stoozie stumpie,
That winna bide its lane."
Popular Rhyme.
COMPOUNDS.
183. A hint, behint.
Ahint, behint = " behind " give the compounds :
Behint-hand, ahint the hand = " behind in payments."
" Ye ken I never was behint hand." Wilson, Tales B., " The
Hen-pecked Man."
" Honest folks that may chance to be a wee ahint the hand,
like me." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 28.
184. By, bye.
By, bai, in the sense of " over " or " past," gives bygane :
"The ball that the gentry used to hae at my bit house a
gude wheen years bygane." Scott, St Ronaris Well, c. 2.
By-gane also = " extra," " beyond," " more " :
" A lusty, good-looking kimmer, of some forty or by-gane."
Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 14.
GRAMMAR 189
So by-ordinar, 'bai'ornar = " beyond the common/' " extra-
good," "first-rate":
"They had a by-ordinar sermon frae a student." Ian
Maclaren, Days of A. L. 8., "For Conscience' Sake."
Bye, bai, in the sense of " aside," gives bye-hands :
" I think we may as weel, for the present, set them bye hands
(bar hancfe), for I have got dreadful news." Gait, Sir A. Wylie,
n, c. 30.
In the sense of extra, bye-bit = an " odd morsel " :
" I had set that down for a bye-bit between meals for mysell."
Scott, B. of Lammermoor, c. 3.
In the sense of "off the regular," to fall bye is to "get
sick":
" Some jots o' wark at the Manse offices, that's been lyin' owre
sin' he fell bye." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 49.
Bye-ganging, 'baigojjan = " passing " :
" Where your beasts had been taking a rug of their muirland
grass in the bye-ganging." Scott, Rob Roy, c. 35.
To let bye is to " allow to pass " :
" Gin they'll no let me bye, I maun try to run through aneath
their legs." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 9.
By, bye following words like down, north, out signifies "near,"
" in the immediate neighbourhood " :
" There was a man in a glen north -bye... 'at wes sober." Ian
Maclaren, Days of A. L. S., "A Nippy Tongue."
" Noo, man, ye'll jist mak' an erran' owre bye to the smiddy."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 32.
" The tabledot, as they ca' their new-fangled ordinary down-
by yonder." Scott, St Ronan's Well, c. 2.
" Here I am after a trot of sixty mile, or near by (about so
far)." Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 45.
With " in," bye signifies " into the house," " inside " :
"Gang in bye, and up the turnpike stair." Scott, H. of
Midlothian, c. 12.
" Gang in bye, and be a better bairn another time." Ibid.y
c. 4.
190 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
With " on," bye signifies " along," " in company " :
" ' Take my way of it/ says he, ' and come on by with the rest
of us here to Rotterdam.' " R. L. Stevenson, David Balfour, c. 22.
Owre bye = " over here," " with us " :
" It's keerious no, that Dawvid sudna been owre bye ere this
time." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 36.
To care na by = to " have no interest," to " be indifferent " :
" For, laik o' gear ye lightly me,
But, trowth, I care na by."
Burns, Tibbie, I Hae Seen the Day.
185. Cam-, kam-.
Cam, kam is an adjective signifying "awry." (Cf. "This is
clean kam." Shakespeare, Cor. ill, 304.)
It is used as the first component with other words to give
the sense of what is twisted, e.g. camsteary, kam'stiiri, cam-
stairie ; camstrairie, camstrairy, kam'streiri = " difficult to
manage," " going the wrong way " :
" But the'll aye be some camstreary craturs in the warld."
Ian Maclaren, Days of A. L. $., "Milton's Conversion."
"And wash Ethiopians in the shape of an east country
gentleman's camstrairy weans." Gait, A. of the Parish, c. 22.
" He's a camsteary chield, and fasheous about marches."
Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 50.
"'Ye're a camstairie lassie/ said Bruce." G. Macdonald,
Alec Forbes, c. 21.
Camseuch, 'kamsyx, is " cross-grained," " crabbed " :
" Just her camseuch faither, and a thrawn auld limmer o' a
servant lass." Cross, Disruption, c. 6.
Ramshackle, 'kamfakl, is " twisted " or " mixed-up."
" It's sae kamshackle, I canna word it." Hogg, Tales. (W.)
186. Deil in compounds.
Deil in negative phrases has already been treated under
Adverbs, par. 79. Deil haet :
" Tho' deil haet ails them, yet uneasy."
Burns, The Twa Dogs.
GRAMMAR 191
It is used in various other ways :
" There is probably still room for a dissertation on the part
the Devil has played in colouring the national imagination of
Scotland. As is well known, all over the country instances may
be found where remarkable natural features are assigned to his
handiwork. Thus we have ' Devil's punchbowls ' among the
hills and ' Devil's cauldrons ' in the river-channels. Perched
boulders are known as 'De'il's putting-stanes,' and natural
heaps and hummocks of sand or gravel have been regarded as
' De'il's spadefuls.' Even among the smaller objects of nature
a connection with the enemy of mankind has suggested itself to
the popular mind. The common puff-ball is known as the
* De'il's snuff-box ' ; some of the broad-leaved plants have been
named ' De'il's spoons ' : the dragon-fly is the ' De'il's darning-
needle.' Then the unlucky number thirteen has been stigma-
tized as the ' De'il's dozen/ and a perverse unmanageable person
as a ' De'il's buckie.' " A. Geikie, Scottish Reminiscences, c. 4.
187. Doun.
Phrases and compounds with down, doon, doun, dun :
Douncome = " fall," " ruin " :
" It had amaist a douncome lang syne at the Keformation."
Scott, Rob Roy, c. 19.
Put down = to " hang," " execute " :
" And we were a' put down for ane,
A fair young wanton lady."
Child's Ballads, Gypsy Laddie, p. 483.
Doon-laid = " laid-down," " express " :
"But to cairry oot Sir Simon's doon-laid orders." W.
Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
Doonsittiri = " resting-place " :
" Hoot ! hoot ! dinna further the ill hither by makin' a bien
doonsittin' an' a bed for't." G. Macdonald, David Elginbrod, c. 13.
Doon throu' = " in the lower territory," " nearer sea level " :
" Dr Drogemweal, who had settled ' doon throu',' so as to be
beyond the limits of his father's ' suchen.' " W. Alexander,
Johnny Gibb, c. 19.
192 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Doon the waiter = " down the river Clyde," " at the seaside."
A Glasgow phrase :
" Doon the watter, five in a bed, an' takin' your meat on the
tap o' a tin box is nae holiday wi' ma reckonin'." H. Maclaine,
M. F. the P., p. 35.
Doonwith = " downward," " to a later time " :
"As mony a man frae King Dawvid doonwith afore him.'*
G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, c. 73.
188. Fore,fur,fA.r.
The word " furrow " is found in the forms fur, fore, to form
compounds.
Fur ahin,fur afore, the two " furrow " or right-hand animals
drawing the plough. The other two in the team were known as
Ian (land) ahin and Ian afore :
" My fur-ahin's a wordy beast
As e'er in tug or tow was traced."
Burns, The Inventory.
"I might as weel hae tried to drive our auld fore-a-hand
(=fur-ahin) ox without the goad." Scott, Old Mortality, c. 13.
189. Gate, gait.
Gate signifies " road," " way." The Canongate in Edinburgh
is a continuation of High Street, leading down from the Tron to
Holyrood ; the Cbwgate is the road by which the cattle were
formerly driven to market. In Glasgow the Trongate is " Market
Street." In Ayr, Burns's town, Sandgate is the thoroughfare
west of High Street, and closer to the sands.
Naegate or naegait signifies " in no wise " or " nowhere."
Outgait = " going about," " visiting " :
" She was a fine Leddy — maybe a wee that dressy and fond
o' outgait." Gait, Sir A. Wylie, I, c. 28.
That gate signifies "in that manner" :
"Dear brother, dinna speak that gate o' the gentlemen
volunteers." Scott, The Antiquary, c. 6.
Other gate is used as an adjectival phrase = " different," "a
different kind of":
" But Solomon should sit in other gate company than Francis
of France." Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. 5.
GRAMMAR 193
190. In.
In about — " under one's influence " :
" An' fan the like o' 'im's amo' them that canna keep 'im in
about." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 23.
Income = (a) a contracted disease affecting the general
health :
" Afflicted with the rheumatics, and suchlike incomes." Gait,
The Steamboat, c. 4.
(6) a tumor or gathering :
" Maister John, this is the mistress ; she's got a trouble in
her breest ; some kind o' an income, I'm thinking." John Brown,
Rob and His Friends.
In/are = a reception after the wedding at the bridegroom's
new home :
" At bridal and infare I've braced me wi' pride." J. Baillie,
Todliri Name, p. 350.
Infield, in-field, infeedle (Abd.) ; see quotation 1 :
" The part of the township properly arable, and kept as such
continually under the plough, was called in-field." Scott, The
Monastery, c. 1 .
" The Tower of Glendearg was distant, and there was but a
trifling quantity of arable or infield land attached to it." Ibid.,
c. 13.
" That bit elbuck at the back o' your infeedle." W. Alex-
ander, Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
Intown, intoon, is another name for the same kind of land :
"The cultivators... are obliged to bring their corn to be
grinded at the mill of the territory, for which they pay a heavy
charge, called the intown multures." Scott, The Monastery, c. 13.
Inlack, inlaik, intake, signifies " gap," " loss " :
" Egad, he dashed at the old lord, and there would have
been inlake among the peerage, if the Master had not whipt
roundly in." Scott, The Bride of Lammermoor, c. 3.
Input is " contribution " :
" . . .Ilka ane to be liable for their ain input." Scott, H. of
Midlothian, c. 12.
G. 13
194 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
191. On.
On is found in various compounds.
Onding = 'ondjij, " downfall " (ding on) :
" ( Onding o' snaw, father/ answered Jock, after having opened
the window, and looked out with great composure." Scott, H.
of Midlothian, c. 8.
Ongae, 'onge:, is " business " or " affair," a " going on " :
" A sad ongae they made o't." W. Alexander, Johnny GM,
c. 18.
Oncomes — see quotation :
"The pretended cures which she performed, especially 'in
oncomes,' as the Scotch call them, or mysterious diseases,
which baffle the regular physician." Scott, B. of Lammermoor,
c. 31.
On-cairry = " carrying on," " celebration " :
"They've been haein' a gey on-cairry doon at the Ward."
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 17.
192. Oot-, out-.
Ootwuth, 'utwAG, is " further," " outlying " :
" Nae the ootwuth nyeuk o' fat we ca' the Pardes park ? "
W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 45.
Out-cast is a quarrel :
" The twa best herds in a' the wast
* * *
Hae had a bitter black out-cast."
Burns, The Twa Herds.
Out, oot, ut, is used freely as a prefix :
Outbye, ootbye, ut'bai, is " outside," " out of doors " :
" Did ye no' see hoo sweirt he wis to gang ootbye ? " J. J.
Bell, Wee Macgreegor, c. 8.
Outfields, ootfeedles (Abd.) are arable lands lying some distance
from the farmstead :
" The grun offisher. . .cam' oure to lay aff a bit o' oor ootfeedles
last year." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 10.
" There was, besides, out-field land, from which it was thought
possible to extract a crop now and then, after it was abandoned
GRAMMAR 195
to the ' skyey influences/ until the exhausted powers of vegeta-
tion were restored." Scott, Monastery, c. 1.
Out an in=" constantly," "intensely"; said of great intimacy :
" Duncan sighed baith out and in." Burns, Duncan Gray.
" Out an' in neighbours." Watson, Poems. (W.)
193. Ower-, owre-, o'er-.
Owregae, Aur'ge: = to " trespass " (pres. part, owregyaun,
Aur'gjam) :
"Gin 'we dinna tak' an order wi' them that's owregyaun the
laws o' the land." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 42.
O'ercome, 'AurkAm = " repetition " or " refrain " :
" An' aye the o'ercome o' his sang
Was ' Wae's me for Prince Charlie.' "
Jacobite song usually attributed to WILLIAM GLEN.
O'erhie, Aur'hi: ; o'erhigh, o'erhye, AUi'hai = "overtake" ; oer-
turn = " refrain " or " chorus of a song." " At last one of the best
mounted overhighed the postilion." Crookshank, Hist (1751),
1. 395.
Ower and abune — " over and above " :
" There will aye be some odd expenses ower and abune."
Scott, Guy Mannering, c. 44.
Owre bye—(l) " over here " :
" It's keerious no, that Dawvid sudna been owre bye ere this
time." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 36.
(2) "close at hand":
" She answered meekly, ' I was taking a dander to him owre-
bye.' " G. Douglas, H. with Green Shutters, c. 4.
(3) " across the way " :
" I saw the Lord Keeper's servants drinking and driving ower
at Luckie Sma' trash's, owre-bye yonder." Scott, B. of Lammer-
moor, c. 13.
194. Up-.
Upgang, 'Apgarj (an "ascent"); upgive, Ap'gi: (to inform);
uppit, Ap'ptf (to put up or lodge) ; up-tak, rAptak (catching-on
or understanding) :
13—2
196 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"Maybe we will win there the night yet, God sain us;
though our minnie here's ratherd riegh in the upgang (slow at
ascent)." Scott, Heart of Midlothian, c. 28.
"I freely here upgive with thee." Child's Ballads, Outlaw
Murray, p. 635.
"Whilk Francis, Yerl o' Bothwell, tenanted o' me for sax
hale months, and then absconded, without pay in' me a plack for
his uppitting." Wilson, Tales B., " The Fatal Secret."
" Hoot- toot- toot, ye're wrang i' the up-tak' (you take me up
wrongly)." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 10.
"The notary may be mair gleg i' the uptak' (quicker at
grasping things) than ye're thinking." Wilson, Tales B., " The
Fatal Secret."
Up by, up bye — (1) " to the place up there," " in the place up
there":
" This was lattin at me, ye ken, for inveetin the coachman
an' the gamekeeper up bye." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 19.
(2) Metaphorically, — "out of one's reach," "in a high
position " :
" Weel, weel, Thomas, we'll get that an' mony ither things
redd up to us when we gang up by (to heaven)." D. Gilmour,
Pen Folk, p. 57.
Up by cairts is a proverbial expression, traditionally traced
to the eighteenth century. During a heavy snowfall at Aberdeen,
a fool, Jamie Fleeman, tethered his mare to what he believed
was the chimney or "lumhead" of a cottage. A thaw came
during the night, and he found the mare dangling from the
steeple of the tolbooth. "Ay, faith," said Jamie, "ye're up by
cairts this mornin'." Wright's Dialect Dictionary (with W.
Murison as authority). It implies " rising socially " :
" It winna be in oor day that Willie McAul an' the lassie '11
be so far up b' cairts (well-to-do) as be needin' a castell to baud
their braw company." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 44.
Up-throu, 'Ap'OrAU = " the upper part of the country ":
"A visitor, a particular friend from 'up-throu,' an agricul-
turist like himself." W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, c. 11.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ALEXANDER, WILLIAM : Johnny Oibb of Gushetneuk in the Parish oj
Pyketillim; with glimpses of the parish politics about A.D. 1843.
(Aberdeenshire and Banflfshire.)
BARRIE, JAMES MATTHEW : Auld Licht Idylls, 1888; A Window in Thrums,
1889; The Little Minister, 1891. (Forfarshire.)
BELL, J. J. : Wee Macgreegor, 1903; The Wanderer's Return (The W.'s R.),
1909; Oh Christina!, 1910. (Glasgow and the Clyde.)
(BROWN), GEORGE DOUGLAS : The House with the Green Shutters, 1901.
(South Ayrshire.)
CHEVIOT, ANDREW : Proverbs, Proverbial Expressions and Popular Rhymes
of Scotland, 1896.
CROCKETT, S. R. : The Stickit Minister and Some Common Men, 1893.
(Galloway.)
CROSS, WILLIAM : The Disruption, a Tale of Trying Times, 1844. 2nd ed.
1877. (Renfrewshire.)
FLOM, GEORGE TOBIAS : Scandinavian Influence on Southern Lowland
Scotch. New York, 1900, The Columbia University Press.
GALT, JOHN : The Annals of the Parish, 1821 (A. of P.}; The Steamboat,
1822 (St.) ; Sir Andrew Wylie of That Ilk, 1822 ; The Provost, 1822 ;
The Entail, 1823. (Avrshire.)
GILMOUR, DAVID : Reminiscences of the Pen' Folk, Paisley Weavers of Other
Days, 1889; Gordon's Loan. (Renfrewshire.)
Glasgow Herald : the leading paper in the West of Scotland.
HAMILTON, ELIZABETH : The Cottagers of Olenburnie, 1808. (West Coast.)
JAMIESON, JOHN : Dictionary of the Scottish Language, in which the words
are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the
writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they
occur, and derived from their originals. New ed. revised and enlarged
by John Longmuir, 1887.
MACDONALD, GEORGE : David Elginbrod, 1863 ; Alec Forbes of Howglen,
1865; Robert Falconer, 1868. (Aberdeenshire.)
MACLAINE, HEW : My Frierf the Provost (M. F. the P.), 1909. Paisley,
A. Gardner. (Renfrewshire.)
MACLAREN, IAN (Rev. John Watson) : Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush, 1895;
The Days of Auld Lang Syne, 1895. (Perthshire and Stirling.)
MOIR, DAVID MACBETH : The Life of Mansie Wauch, Tailor in Dalkeith,
1828. Ed. 1855. (The Lothians.)
198 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
MURRAY, JAMES A. H. : The Dialect of the Southern Counties of Scotland,
1873. Originally published in the Transactions of the Philological
Society of London, 1873.
RAMSAY, E. B. (Dean) : Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character, 1858.
(East Coast.)
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM : Auld Ayr, 1901 ; The Annals of Drumsmudden,
1903. (Ayrshire.)
SALMOND, J. B. : My Man Sandy (M.M.S.}, 1894. 3rd ed. London, Sands
& Co., 1903. (Forfarshire.)
Saltcoats Herald: local Ayrshire journal.
SCOTT, SIR WALTER : Waverley, 1814 ; Guy Mannering, 1815 ; The A ntiquary,
1816; The Black Dwarf, 1816; Old Mortality, 1816; Rob Roy, 1817;
The Heart of Midlothian, 1818 ; The Bride of Lammermoor, 1819; The
Legend of Montrose, 1819; The Fortunes of Nigel, 1822 ; Redgauntlet,
1824; St Ronan's Well, 1824.
Scotsman : the leading paper in Edinburgh and possibly in Scotland.
Scottish- American : a New York paper of standing, published weekly for the
Scotch community in the U.S.A. ; now (1920) in its sixty-fourth volume.
A. M. Stewart, (late) editor.
Scottish Review : a weekly paper published in Edinburgh by the firm of
Nelson during the years 1905 — 8 ; of excellent literary standing.
SMITH, G. GREGORY : Specimens of Middle Scots, 1902. Edinburgh,
Blackwood.
SMITH, Rev. WILLIAM WYE : The New Testament in Braid Scots, 1894.
STEVENSON, ROBERT Louis : David Balfour, 1893 ; Weir of Hermiston, 1896.
(The Lothians.)
WADDELL, Rev. P. HATELY : The Psalms frae Hebrew intil Scottis ; ed.
1902. The first ed. appeared in 1871. (Glasgow.)
Whistle-Binkie : a nondescript miscellany, prose and poetry. Glasgow, 1853 ;
ed. 1878. (Glasgow and the Clyde.)
WILSON, JOHN : Tales of the Borders, 1835 — 40. (Berwickshire and the
Borders.)
WRIGHT, JOSEPH : English Dialect Dictionary. Oxford, 1905. (W.)
PART III
HEADER
INTRUSION OF ENGLISH INTO SCOTS
As Scots and Standard English are descended from the same
original speech, they contain many words that are still similar
and even identical in form. The further back we go in the
history of each dialect, the greater we find this similarity to
be. The spelling of Scots words is founded on the Midlothian
dialect spoken at the Scottish Court prior to 1603, while that
of Standard English represents roughly the London pronuncia-
tion of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Each dialect is
presented to the eye in an earlier stage of its history and there-
fore in a form in which the words are more alike. This partly
explains the well-known fact that an Englishman finds it easier
to read Scots than to understand the spoken dialect.
Before the Union of the Crowns in 1603, many Southern
words and spellings had crept into our literary Scots, chiefly
through the influence of our Scottish Chaucerians and of the
religious writers of the sixteenth century. For nearly 100 years
after 1603, Scots was used but rarely for literary purposes.
When it was revived as a medium of poetic expression by
Ramsay and his followers in the eighteenth century, much of the
old Scottish vocabulary had been lost, or had been replaced by
Southern words. English was also taking the place of Scots in
the pulpit, in the school, on the public platform and in polite con-
versation. All classes heard the stately language of the Author-
ized Version every Sunday in the Scripture lesson, in the prayer
and in the sermon. In many a humble home, too, the language
of Holy Writ would be used in family worship, in the father's
exhortation and prayer. Hence in the consciousness of the
Scottish speaker, English was regarded as the language of
serious and reasoned discourse and a dignified form of speech
for strangers and superiors. In the best of our Scottish writers,
it will be found that an approach to English or the complete
READER
201
substitution of English for Scots, corresponds to a subtle change
in the mental attitude of the speaker, and is therefore as a rule
artistically correct. Thus, in Tarn o Shanter, VII A, when
Burns is moralising, he drops into English, as in the passage
beginning "But pleasures are like poppies spread." In The
Cotter's Saturday Night, the dedicatory verse is in English, so
also are the verses in which the poet speaks about injured
innocence and the verses that describe the family worship. In
this poem it should be noted that Burns was using an English
metre so that Scots did not come to him as readily as when he
was handling an old Scottish stave. In the extract from
Johnny Gibb XIV A, Sammy, the piper, makes a ludicrous
attempt at English in order to impress his boisterous companions,
"Seelance that shottin this moment or I'll not play anoder
stroke for no man livinV Again in the extract from Rob Roy,
II A, Scott makes a subtle distinction between the language of
the Highland Chieftain and that of his burgher relative, Bailie
Nicol Jarvie. In the extract from Mansie Wauch X A, the nar-
rative is couched in a kind of Anglified Scots while the conver-
sation is in genuine dialect.
We must not suppose, however, that English spelling always
means English pronunciation. Examples to the contrary may
be found in rhymes, and the following are a few culled from our
extracts :
Ext. VII A.
floods rhymes with woods.
Sc. Ph.
flAdz „ „ wAdz.
Ext. IX A.
begyle „ „ toil.
Sc. Ph.
bi'gail „ „ tail.
roun' „ „ town.
Sc. Ph.
run „ „ tun.
Ext. XV A.
trouble „ „ nibble.
Sc. Ph.
tnbl • „ „ nibl.
Ext. XVII B.
die „ „ he, me.
Sc. Ph.
di: „ „ hi:, mi:.
On the other hand, numerous examples may be found in the
rhymes, showing conclusively that English spelling can be
202 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
interpreted only by English pronunciation, unless the rhyme is
to be sacrificed.
Ext. VII A. shoe rhymes with fou.
Sc. Ph. J0: „ fu:.
E. Ph. Ju:.
Ext. IX A. eye „ „ kye.
Sc. Ph. i: „ „ kai.
E. Ph. ai.
Ext. IX B. friend „ „ attend.
Sc. Ph. frin „ „ a'tend
E. Ph. frsnd.
Ext. X B. dwell „ „ well (adv.).
Sc. Ph. dwal „ „ wil.
Ext. XIII B. four „ „ door.
Sc. Ph. fAusr „ „ do:r.
E. Ph. foir.
day „ „ away.
Sc. Ph. de: „ „ a' war.
E. Ph. 9'we:.
Yet in this same Extract XIII B, away is made to rhyme
correctly with a:, E. all.
It is evident, then, that the Scottish versifier often has
recourse to English to eke out his rhymes, and this practice of
borrowing from the sister dialect has been extended to the body of
the verse and to prose. We have already seen (Intro, pp. xx, xxi)
that Stevenson openly boasts of using English when his rhyme
jibs. Allan Ramsay set the pernicious example of writing
popular songs in Anglified Scots or Scottified English and he
has had many imitators — no doubt because these abominations
are well received in English music halls and command a high
price. Now it must be admitted that there are districts in
Scotland where the mixture of .population has led to a curious
amalgam of English and Scots, and that writers who seek local
colour are perfectly entitled to use such a hybrid dialect, but it
should not pass muster as Scots. Good Scots, notwithstanding
the School Board, may still be heard in many parts of the country,
particularly in Buchan, Caithness, Roxburgh, Forfar, Galloway ;
READER 203
and something should be done to foster it. Instead of weakly
using an English equivalent our writers should strive to find
the appropriate native word; and if they are to succeed, a
thorough knowledge of a living dialect is absolutely essential.
Scots writers, furthermore, ought to know something of the
history of their language and of its grammar in so far as it
differs from Standard English. They should be steeped in
ancient and modern Scots literature, so that they can draw
from the literary vocabulary as well as from their own local
speech. To this end we ought to have a systematic study of
our old national speech and literature in our schools and
colleges. The Scottish Language can never be national in the
same sense as it was before King Jamie left Auld Reekie for
the delights of London town, but there are still some features
of Scottish life and character that find their truest and most
artistic expression in the Northern Lede. Burns and Scott and
Barrie and many another writer are sufficient proof of this.
Every Scotsman should take a pride in being bilingual and
refuse to merge his individuality in the Englishman, however
much he may glory in being a citizen of the British Empire.
204
I A. GLAUD AND SYMON
THE GENTLE SHEPHERD.
ALLAN RAMSAY (1686-1758).
ACT SECOND, SCENE I.
A snug thack-house, before the door a green ;
Hens on the midden, ducks in dubs are seen.
On this side stands a barn, on that a byre ;
A peat-stack joins, an' forms a rural square.
The house is Glaud's — there you may see him lean,
An' to his divot-seat invites his frien'.
Time — 11 A.M.
Glaud. Good-morrow, neibour Symon — come, sit down,
An' gie's your cracks. — What's a' the news in town ?
They tell me ye was in the ither day,
An' said your crummock, an' her bassen'd quey.
I'll warrant ye've coft a pund o' cut an' dry ;
Lug out your box, an' gie's a pipe to try.
Symon. Wi' a' my heart ; — an' tent me now, auld boy,
I've gather 'd news will kittle your heart wi' joy.
I cou'dna rest till I cam o'er the burn,
To tell ye things hae taken sic a turn,
Will gar our vile oppressors stend like flaes,
An' skulk in hidlings on the heather braes.
Glaud. Fy, blaw ! — Ah, Symie ! rattling chiels ne'er stand
To deck an' spread the grossest lies aff-hand,
Whilk soon flies round, like wild-fire, far an' near ;
But loose your poke, be't true or fause let's hear.
205
I A. GLAUD AND SYMON
THE GENTLE SHEPHERD.
ALLAN RAMSAY (1686-1758).
ACT SECOND, SCENE I.
a snAg 'Bak'hus, brfbir $9 do:r 9 grin ;
henz on 59 'midn, *dAks in (khz er sin.
on Sis S9id 2stanc?z 9 barn, on Sat 9 3bair;
9 'pitstak dg9inz, 9n formz 9 'ruirel skwair.
S9 bus iz 4gla:dz — Se:r ju me si: him tin,
9n t9 h{z 'div9t5set m'vits iz frin.
Time — 11 A.M.
4gla:d. gyd'mor9, 'nibgr 'simgn — kAm, sit dun,
9n gi:z J9r kraks. — Avats 4a: 89 nju:z ^n tun ?
Se tel mi ji W9z \n 89 'iSgr de:,
9n 4sa:y J9r 'krAmgk, 9n 9r basnt kwe:.
9! warn£ jiv koft 9 pAnrf o kAt n drai ;
Ug ut J9r 6boks, 9n gi:z 9 p9ip t9 trai.
/sini9n. wi 4a: ni9 hert;— 9n tent mi nu:, 4a:lo? 7boi,
9V 'geS9rt nju:z 8w^l kitl jgr hert wi 7dzoi.
9 'kAdng rest til 9 kam Aur tte bArn,
t9 tel ji 0inz he 'takgn sik 9 tArn,
8wil 9ga:r 10ur vgil 9'pres9rz stend Igik fleiz,
9n skAlk in 'h^dl^nz on S9 'hsSgr bre:z.
4gla:d. far, 4bla: ! — a:, 'simi ! 'rattan t/ilz ne:r 2stanc?
t9 klek 9n sprsd S9 'gros9st li:z af2/hanrf
nsyn fliiz runcZ, bik wAPfair, fair 9n ni:r;
IAUZ J9r pok, bi:t tru: or 4fa:s 12lsts hi:r.
2 a: 3 9i 4 91 5 i 6o 7 01 8 A 9 s 10 wAr, wir, W9r
ujyn 1^,9
206 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Symon. Seeing's believing, Glaud ; an' I have seen
Hab, that abroad has wi' our master been ;
Our brave good master, wha right wisely fled,
An' left a fair estate to save his head :
Because, ye ken fu' weel, he bravely chose
To stand his Liege's friend wi' great Montrose.
Now Cromwell's gane to Nick ; and ane ca'd Monk
Has play'd the Rumple a right slee begunk,
Restor'd King Charles, an' ilka thing's in tune ;
An' Habby says, we'll see Sir William soon.
Glaud. That maks me blyth indeed ! — but dinna flaw
Tell o'er your news again ! and swear till't a'.
An' saw ye Hab ! an' what did Halbert say ?
They hae been e'en a dreary time away.
Now God be thanked that our laird's come hame ;
An' his estate, say, can he eithly claim ?
Symon. They that hag-rid us till our guts did grane,
Like greedy bears, daur nae mair do't again,
An' good Sir William sail enjoy his ain.
Glaud. An' may he lang ; for never did he stent
Us in our thriving, wi' a racket rent ;
Nor grumbled, if ane grew rich ; or shor'd to raise
Our mailens, when we pat on Sunday's claes.
Symon. Nor wad he lang, wi' senseless saucy air,
Allow our lyart noddles to be bare.
" Put on your bonnet, Symon — tak a seat. —
How's a' at hame ? — How's Elspa ? — How does Kate ?
How sells black cattle ? — What gies woo this year ? " —
And sic-like kindly questions wad he speer.
Glaud. Then wad he gar his butler bring bedeen
The nappy bottle ben, an' glasses clean,
Whilk in our breasts rais'd sic a blythsome flame,
As gart me mony a time gae dancing hame.
My heart's e'en raised ! — Dear neibour, will ye stay
READER 207
'siman. 'sianz brli:vn, 1glaid; an a hav sin
hab, Sat a'brod haz wi 2ur 'rnestar bin ;
2ur breiv gyd 'mestar, 1Ava: rixt 'waisli fled,
an left a fe:r fstet ta se:v \z hsd :
br'ka.-z, ji ksn fu wil, hi breivli t/oiz
ta 3 stand hiz 'lidgaz frind wi gret man'troiz.
nu: 'kromwalz ge:n ta nik; an 4en 1ka:d mAnk
haz pleid Sa rAmpl a rixt sli: bi'gAnk,
n'sto:rt kir) t/arlz, an 'ilka Girjz in tyn ;
an 'habi seiz, wil si: 5s^r wilm 6syn.
1gla:d. Sat maks mi blai6 m'did ! — bat 'dm??a 1fla: :
tel AUF jar njuiz a'gen! an swi:r tilt 1ai.
an 1sa: ji hab ! an Aiat did 'habart se: ?
Se he: bin i:n a 'dri:ri taim a'we:.
nu god bi 'Sarjkat Sat 2ur lerdz kAm hem ;
an hiz I'stet, se:, kan hi 'iGli klem ?
'siman. Se: Sat hog'rid AS til 2ur gAts did gren,
laik 'gridi be:rz, xda:r ne: me:r d0:t a'gen,
an gyd 5s^r wilm sal 7^n/d3oi hiz e:n.
Jgla:d. an me: hi lar) ; for 'mvar did hi stsnt
AS in 2ur 'Sraivan, wi a 'rakat rent ;
nor grAmlt, if 4en gru: ritj; or Jo:rd ta re:z
2ur 'melanz, Avan wi pat on 'sAndiz kle:z.
rsiman. nor 9wad hi Ian, wi 'senslas 1/sa:si e:r,
a'lu: 2ur 'laiart 8nodlz ta bi be:r.
" pit on jar 'bonat, 'siman — tak a set. —
hu:z la: at hem? — hu:z 'slspa ? — hu: diz ket ?
hu: sslz blak katl ? — Avat gi:z ^u: Sis i:r ? " —
an siklaik 'kaindli 'kwsstanz 9wad hi spi:r.
1gla:d. San 9wad hi 10ga:r h{z 'bAtlar brir) br'din
Sa 'napi 8botl bsn, an 'glssaz klin,
AVAlk in 2ur brists nre:zd sik a 'blaiSsam flem,
an 10ga:rt mi 12'mom a taim ge: 'dansan hem.
ma herts i:n nre:zd! — di:r 'nibar, wil ji ste:
2wAr, wir, war 3a: 4j^n 5A 6/yn
rest 12o, a, A
208 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
An' tak your dinner here wi' me the day ?
We'll send for Elspa too — an' upo' sight,
I'll whistle Pate an' Roger frae the height ;
I'll yoke my sled, an' send to the neist town,
An' bring a draught o' ale baith stout an' brown ;
An' gar our cottars a', man, wife, an' wean,
Drink till they tine the gate to stand their lane.
Symon. I wadna bauk my friend his blyth design,
Gif that it hadna first of a' been mine :
For ere yestreen I brew'd a bow o' maut,
Yestreen I slew twa wathers, prime an' fat;
A furlot o' guid cakes my Elspa beuk,
An' a large ham hangs reesting in the neuk;
I saw mysell, or I cam o'er the loan,
Our meikle pat, that scads the whey, put on,
A mutton bouk to boil, an' ane we'll roast ;
An' on the haggies Elspa spares nae cost :
Sma' are they shorn, an' she can mix fu' nice
The gusty ingans wi' a curn o' spice :
Fat are the puddings — heads an' feet weel sung ;
An' we've invited neibours auld an' young,
To pass this afternoon wi' glee an' game,
An' drink our master's health an' welcome hame.
Ye maunna then refuse to join the rest,
Since ye're my nearest friend that I like best :
Bring wi' you a' your family ; an' then,
Whene'er you please, I'll rant wi' you again.
Glaud. Spoke like yoursell, auld birky, never fear,
But at your banquet I sail first appear :
Faith, we sail bend the bicker, an' look bauld,
Till we forget that we are fail'd or auld.
Auld, said I ! — troth I'm younger be a score,
Wi' your guid news, than what I was before.
I'll dance or e'en ! Hey, Madge, come forth ; d'ye hear ?
HEADER 209
an tak jar 'denar hi:r \vi mi Sa de: ?
wil send for 'elspa t<0: — an a'po sixt,
al IAVAS! pet an 'rodgar fre Sa hixt;
al jok ma sled, an send ta Sa nekst tun,
an brig a 2draxt o 3el be9 stut n brun ;
an 4ga:r 5ur kotarz 6a:, man, waif, an wen,
drink til Se tain Sa get ta 2 stand Sar len.
'siman. a 7'wadna 6ba:k ma frind hiz blai9 di'zain,
gif Sat it 'hadna *fArst o 6a: bin main :
for 'e:r ja'strin a bruid a bAu o ma:t,
ja'strin a slu: 6twa: 'waSarz, praim an fat ;
a 1/fArlat o gyd keks mai 'elspa bjuk,
an a Ierd3 ham hinz rristan in Sa njuk;
a 6sa: ma'ssl, or a kAm AurSa Ion,
5ur mikl pat, Sat skaidz Sa A\ai, pit on,
a mAtn buk ta bail, an 8en wil 9rost ;
an on Sa 'hagiz, 'slspa spe:rz ne 9kost :
6srna: ar Se 9 Jorn, an Ji kan miks fu nais
Sa 'gusti 'inanz wi a kArn o spais :
fat arSa pAdnz — 10hidz an fit wil SATJ;
an wi:v in'vitat 'nibarz 6a:lcZ an JAn,
ta pas Sis 'sftarnyn wi gli: an gem,
an drink 5ur 'mestarz hsl0 an 'wslkam hem.
ji 'manTia San rffjfiiz ta d3ain Sa rest,
sins ji'ir ma 'niirast frind Sat a laik best;
brir) wi ji 6a: jar 'femili; an Sen,
Avan'eir ji pli:z, al rant wi ju a'gsn.
6gla:d. spok laik jar'ssl, 6a:lcZ 'birk^ 'nivar fi:r,
bat at jar 'barjkwat a sal 1fArst a'piir :
fe9, wi sal bend Sa ^ikar, an ljuk 6ba:ld,
til wi far'get Sat wi ar felt or 6a:ld.
6a:ld, sed a! — tro9 am JAnar bi a skoir,
wi jar gyd nju:z, San Avat a waz bi'foir.
al dans or i:n ! hai, madj, kAm for9, dji hi:r ?
2a: 3jil 4e 5wir, war, wAr 6g: 7 1, A 8jm 9o 10e
o. 14
210
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Enter MADGE.
Madge. The man's gane gyte ! — Dear Symon, welcome here —
What wad ye, Glaud, wi' a' this haste an' din !
Ye never let a body sit to spin.
Glaud. Spin ! snuff ! — Gae break your wheel an' burn your tow,
An' set the meiklest peat-stack in a low ;
Syne dance about the banefire till ye die,
Since now again we'll soon Sir William see.
Madge. Blyth news indeed ! An' wha was't tald you o't ?
Glaud. What's that to you ? — Gae get my Sunday's coat ;
Wale out the whitest o' my bobit bands,
My white-skin hose, an' mittans for my hands ;
Syne frae their washing cry the bairns in haste,
An' mak yoursells as trig, head, feet, an' waist,
As ye were a' to get young lads or e'en,
For we're gaun o'er to dine wi' Sym bedeen.
Symon. Do, honest Madge — an', Glaud, I'll o'er the gate,
An' see that a' be done as I wad hae't. [Exeunt.
READER 211
madg. Sa manz gem gait ! — di:r 'siman, 'welkam hiir —
Aiat xwad ji, 2gla:d, w{ 2a: Sis hest n din !
ji 'mver 3let a 'bAdi sit ta spin.
2gla:d. spin ! snAf ! — ge brek jar Aiil n bArn jar tAii,
an set Sa 'miklast 'pitstak in a IAU ;
sain dans a'but Sa ben4fair til ji di:,
sins nu: a'gen wil 5syn 6s^r wilm si:.
madg. blaiO njuiz m'did ! an 2Ava: wast 2ta:lc? ji ot ?
2gla:d. Avats Sat ta ju: ? — ge: get ma 'sAndiz kot ;
wel ut 5a 'Avaitast o ma 'bobit 7banc?z,
ma 'Avaitsk^n ho:z, an mitnz for ma 7hanc£z;
sain fre Sar 'wa/an krai Sa 8bernz m hest,
an mak jar'sslz az trig, 9hid, fit, n west,
az ji war 2a: ta get JAr) 7ladz or i:n,
for wi:r 2ga:n Aur ta dain wi sim b/din.
'siman. d^:, 'onast madg — an, 2gla:d, al Aur Sa get,
an si: Sat 2a: bi dyn az a xwad het.
1 1, A 2 g: 3 a, a 4 ai 5 Jyn 6 A 7 a:
14—2
212
II A. THE FREEBOOTER AND THE BAILIE
ROB ROY.
SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832).
CHAPTER XXIII.
Bailie Nicol Jarvie, a Glasgow magistrate, pays a visit to the Tolbooth
of that city, to succour an unfortunate Englishman, the agent of a London
commercial house, who had been imprisoned for the debts of his firm. The
Bailie finds two visitors in the prisoner's cell. One of them is Rob Roy, a
famous outlaw and a cousin of Jarvie's, and the other is a young English
gentleman, Frank Osbaldistone, the son of the prisoner's employer. The
conversation that follows brings out clearly the Bailie's Scottish caution,
his respect for the law, and his keen anxiety, withal, for his kinsman's
safety. These form a strong contrast to the reckless daring of the freebooter
and his humorous appreciation of the magistrate's real character.
" Ah ! — Eh ! — O ! " exclaimed the Bailie. " My conscience ! —
it's impossible — and yet — no ! — Conscience, it canna be ! — and
yet again — Deil hae me ! that I suld say sae — Ye robber — ye
cateran — ye born deevil that ye are, to a' bad ends and nae
gude ane — can this be you ? "
" E'en as ye see, Bailie," was the laconic answer.
" Conscience I if I am na clean bumbaized — you, ye cheat-
the-wuddy rogue, you here on your venture in the Tolbooth o'
Glasgow ? — What d'ye think's the value o' your head ? "
" Umph ! — why, fairly weighed, and Dutch weight, it might
weigh down one provost's, four bailies', a town-clerk's, six
deacons', besides stent-masters "
" Ah, ye reiving villain ! " interrupted Mr Jarvie. " But tell
ower your sins, and prepare ye, for if I say the word "
" True, Bailie," said he who was thus addressed, folding his
hands behind him with the utmost nonchalance, "but ye will
never say that word."
"And why suld I not, sir?" exclaimed the magistrate —
" Why suld I not ? Answer me that — why suld I not ? "
" For three sufficient reasons, Bailie Jarvie. — First, for auld
langsyne ; — second, for the sake of the auld wife ayont the fire
at Stuckavrallachan, that made some mixture of our bluids, to
213
II A. THE FREEBOOTER AND THE BAILIE
ROB ROY.
SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832).
CHAPTER XXIII.
"CL: ! — e: ! — o: ! ma 1kon/9ns ! — its 1im'posibl — an jet —
no: ! — i'kon/ans, it 'kanrca bi: ! — an jet a'gen — dil he: mi ! Sat a
SAd se: se — ji 1/robar — ji 'kataran — ji 1born di:vl Sat ji a:r, ta
2 a: bad enc£z and ne: gyd 3en — kan Sis bi ju: ? "
" i:n az ji si:, 4/baili."
" 1/kon/ans ! \i a 'amna klin bAm'be:zd — ju:, ji 6t/it Sa 'wAdi
rog, ju: hi:r on jar 'ventar in Sa 'tAubyG o 'glsska ? — Avat dji
0{nks Sa 'velja o jar 5hid ?"
" mmm ! — Avai, 'fe:rli 6wait, an dAt/ wsxt, it mixt 6wai dun
wan 'provasts, fAur 4/bailiz, a tun klarks, siks 8/dikanz, bi'saidz
'stentmestarz "
" a:, ji 7ri:van 'vilan ! bat tel Aur jar smz, an prfpeir
ji, for if a se: Sa wArd "
"trui, 4/baili, bat ji: 7wil 'nivar se: Sat wArd."
" an A\ai SAd a not, 7 sir? Avai SAd a not? 'ansar mi
Sat — Mai SAd a not ? "
"far 6ri: sA'fi/nt re:znz, 4/baili ^arvi. — 7 first, far 2a:lc£
lansain; — 'sikant, far Sa sek o Sa 2a,:\d waif a'jont Sa 8fan- at
stAka'vralaxan, Sat med SAHI 'rmkstar o 9war blydz, ta rna em
3jm 4/beiyi 5e 6ai, e: 7A 8ai 9wir,
214 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
my own proper shame be it spoken ! that has a cousin wi'
accounts, and yarn winnles, and looms, and shuttles, like a mere
mechanical person ; — and lastly, Bailie, because if I saw a sign
o' your betraying me, I would plaster that wa' with your harns
ere the hand of man could rescue you ! "
" Ye're a bauld desperate villain, sir," retorted the undaunted
Bailie ; " and ye ken that I ken ye to be sae, and that I wadna
stand a moment for my ain risk."
" I ken weel," said the other, " ye hae gentle bluid in your
veins, and I wad be laith to hurt my ain kinsman. But I'll
gang out here as free as I came in, or the very wa's o' Glasgow
tolbooth shall tell o't these ten years to come."
" Weel, weel," said Mr Jarvie, " bluid's thicker than water ;
and it liesna in kith, kin, and ally, to see motes in ilk other's
eeu if other een see them no. It wad be sair news to the auld
wife below the Ben of Stuckavrallachan that you, ye Hieland
limmef, had knockit out my harns, or that I had kilted you up
in a tow. But ye'll own, ye dour deevil, that were it no your
very sell, I wad hae grippit the best man in the Hielands."
"Ye wad hae tried, cousin," answered my guide, "that I
wot weel ; but I doubt ye wad hae come afF wi' the short
measure; for we gang-there-out Hieland bodies are an un-
chancy generation when you speak to us o' bondage. We
downa bide the coercion of gude braid-claith about our hinder-
lans ; let a be breeks o' freestone, and garters o' iron."
" Ye'll find the stane breeks and the airn garters, ay, and
the hemp cravat, for a' that, neighbour," replied the Bailie*
"Nae man in a civilized country ever played the pliskies ye
hae done — but e'en pickle in your ain pockneuk — I hae gi'en
ye warning."
"Well, cousin." said the other, "ye'll wear black at my burial ?"
"Deil a black cloak will be there, Robin, but the corbies
and the hoodie-craws, I'se gie ye my hand on that. But whar's
the gude thousand pund Scots that I lent ye, man, and when
am I to see it again ? "
"Where it is," replied my guide, after the affectation of
considering for a moment, " I cannot justly tell — probably where
last year's snaw is."
READER 215
'propar Jem bi ^t 'spokan ! Sat haz a xkAzn w^ a'kunts, an jern
2wmlz, an lymz, an /Atlz, laik a mi:r ma'kamkl 'persan; — an
'lastli, 3/baili, bfkaiz jf a 4sa: a sain o ju:r bftrean mi, a wud
'plestar Sat 4wa: wi jar harnz e:r Sa 5hand o man kud 'reskja
ji!"
"jir a 4ba:l<i 'desprit 'vilan, 2sir, an ji: ksn Sat a:
ksn ji ta bi: se:, an Sat a 6'wadna 5stand a 'momant far ma e:n
ncsk."
"a ksn wil, ji he: d3sntl blydm jar venz, ana 6wad
bi Ie9 ta hArt ma em 'kmzman. bat al gar) ut hi:r az fri: az a
kam in, or Sa 'vera 4wa:z o 'gleska 'tAubyB Jal tel ot Si:z ten
i:rz ta kAm."
"wil, wil, blydz 'Gikar San 'watar; an ^t 'laizna in
ki6, km, an 'all, ta si: mots m ijk 'iSarz in if 'iSar in si: Sam
no:, it 6wad bi se:r nju:z ta Sa 4a:lcZ waif brio: Sa bsn o
stAka'vralaxan Sat ju:, ji 'hilanc^ 'limar, had 'nokat ut mai harnz,
or Sat a: had 'kiltat ju: Ap in a tAu. bat jil 7o:n, ji du:r di:vl,
Sat war ^t no: jar 'vera ssl, a 6wad he 'gripat Sa best man m
Sa 'hilandz."
"ji 6wad he trait, 1kAzn, Sat a wot wil; bat a dut
ji 6wad he kAm af w^Sa 8jort 9/ine:zar ; far wi: 'ganSerut '
'bAdiz ar an An't/ansi dgenar'e/n Avan ji spik ta AS o '
wi: 'dAuna baid Sa ko'er/n o gyd 'bred'kleG a'but u:r 'hmcforlanz ;
let a'bi: briks o 'fristen, an 'gertanz o airn."
"jil fine? Sa sten briks an Sa ern 'gertanz, ai, an Sa hemp
'gravat, far 4a: Sat, 'nibar ne: man in a sivi'list 'kmtra
'ivar ple:d Sa 'pliskiz ji: he dyn — bat i:n pikl m jar e:n pok'njuk
— a he gi:n ji 'warnan."
"wil, 1kAzn, jil we:r blak at ma 'b^jrial?"
"dil a blak 8klok 1 bi: Se:r, 'robin, bat Sa 8/korbiz an Sa
hydi/4kra:z, az gi: ji ma 5hanc£ on Sat. bat 4A\.a:rz Sa gyd
'0u:zanc? pAnd skots Sat a lent ji, man, an Avan am a ta si: ][t
a'gen ? "
uAve:r it iz, ai 'kanat dgAstli tel — 'probabli Ave:r
last i:rz 4sna: iz."
/belji 4g: 5a: 6i, A TAU 8o 9i:andg
216 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"And that's on the tap of Schehallion, ye Hieland dog,"
said Mr Jarvie ; " and I look for payment frae you where ye
stand."
"Ay," replied the Highlander, "but I keep neither snaw
nor dollars in my sporran. And as to when you'll see it — why,
just when the king enjoys his ain again, as the auld sang says."
" Warst of a', Robin," retorted the Glaswegian, — " I mean,
ye disloyal traitor — Warst of a' ! — Wad ye bring popery in on
us, and arbitrary power, and a foist and a warming-pan, and
the set forms, and the curates, and the auld enormities o'
surplices and cearments ? Ye had better stick to your auld
trade o' theft-boot, blackmail, spreaghs, and gillravaging — better
stealing nowte than ruining nations."
" Hout, man, whisht wi' your whiggery," answered the Celt,
"we hae kend ane anither mony a lang day. I'se take care
your counting-room is no cleaned out when the Gillon-a-naillie
come to redd up the Glasgow buiths, and clear them o' their
auld shop-wares. And, unless it just fa' in the preceese way o'
your duty, ye maunna see me oftener, Nicol, than I am disposed
to be seen."
" Ye are a dauring villain, Rob," answered the Bailie; "and ye
will be hanged, that will be seen and heard tell o' ; but I'se ne'er
be the ill bird and foul my nest, set apart strong necessity and the
skriegh of duty, which no man should hear and be inobedient."
Rob invites the Bailie and the young Englishman to visit his
Highland home, and the Bailie finally consents to do so.
" If ye daur venture sae muckle as to eat a dish of Scotch
collops, and a leg o' red-deer venison wi' me, come ye wi' this
Sassenach gentleman as far as Drymen or Bucklivie, — or the
Clachan of Aberfoil will be better th.'in ony o' them, — and I'll
hae somebody waiting to weise ye the gate to the place where
I may be for the time — What say ye, man ! There's my thumb,
I'll ne'er beguile thee."
"Na, na, Robin," said the cautious burgher, "I seldom like
to leave the Gorbals ; I have nae freedom to gang amang your
wild hills, Robin, and your kilted red-shanks — it disna become
my place, man."
READER 217
"an Sats on Sa tap o Ji'haljan, ji 'hilanc? *dog, an a
luk far 'paimant fre ji Avar ji 2stand."
" cw, bat a kip 3'neSar 4sna: nor 'dolarz in ma 'sporan.
an az ta Avsn jil si: {t — AVCLI, dgAst Avan Sa kir) m'd3oiz hiz e:n
a'gen, az Sa 4a:kZ sar) se:z."
"wairst o 4a:, 'robin, a min, ji dis'loial 'tretar —
wa:rst o 4a: ! — 5wad ji brir) 'popari m onz, an 'erbitren 'puar, an a
foist an a 'warman'pan, an Sa set formz, an Sa 'k0:rats, an Sa
4a:k£ I'normitjz o 'sArplisaz an 'siirmants ? ji had 'bstar st^k
ta jar 4a:lc? tred o 'OefVbyt, 'blak'mel, sprexs, an gil/ravad3an
— 'betar 'stilan nAut San 'runian ne/nz."
" hut, man, Avi/t wi jar 'Avigari, wi he ksnt 6en a'mSar
7'mom a ICLTJ dei. a z tak keir juir 'kuntanrum z no: Mint ut
A\an 5a *ki^ana/jie:li kAm ta red Ap Sa 'glsska by6s, an kli:r t5am
o Sar 4a:y x/op'we:rz. an, An'les it d3yst 4fa: in Sa pn'sis 8wai o
jar 'djuti, ji: 'manna si: mi: 'afnar, mkl, San am dis'po:zd ta bi
sin."
"jn- a 4/da:ran 'vilan, rob, an jil bi hant, Satl bi sin an
9hard tel o; bat az ne:r bi Sa il bird an ful ma nest, set 9a'pert
stror) nfsesiti an Se skrix o 'djuti, A\itJ no: man /ud hi:r an bi
ino'bidjant."
"if ji 4da:r 'ventar se: mAkl az ta it a dij o skotf 'kolaps,
en a leg o ^'rid'diir 'venzan wi mi:, kAm ji wi Sis 'sasanax
'dgentlman az 4fa:r az 'draiman or bAk'laivi, — or Sa 'klaxan o
abar'foil 5wil bi 'betar San n/om o Sam, — an al he 'sAmbAdi
12/waitan ta 13waiz ji Sa get ta Sa pies Avar a me bi: far Sa taim —
A\at se: ji, man ? Se:rz ma 0um, al ne:r bfgail Si."
" na:, na:, 'robin. a 'seldam laik ta li:v Sa 'gorbalz; av
ne: 'fri:dam ta gar) a'marj jar wailc? hilz, 'robin, an jar 'kiltat
10'rid'Janks — it 'dizna bi'kAm ma pies, man."
:a: 3e: 4g: 5i, A 6jm 7o, A, a 8ai
L3ai
* See Ph. §§ 56, 61. The n of gillon ends in breath.
10 e, a n 12
218 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" The devil damn your place and you baith ! " reiterated
Campbell. " The only drap o' gentle bluid that's in your body
was our great grand-uncle's that was justified at Dumbarton,
and you set yourself up to say ye wad derogate frae your place
to visit me! 'Hark thee, man — I owe thee a day in hairst—
I'll pay up your thousan pund Scots, plack and bawbee, gin
ye'll be an honest fallow for anes, and just daiker up the gate
wi' this Sassenach."
" Hout awa' wi' your gentility," replied the Bailie ; " carry
your gentle bluid to the Cross, and see what ye'll buy wi't.
But, if I were to come, wad ye really and soothfastly pay me
the siller?"
" I swear to ye," said the Highlander, " upon the halidome
of him that sleeps beneath the grey stane at Inch-Cailleach."
" Say nae mair, Robin — say nae mair — We'll see what may
be dune. But ye maunna expect me to gang ower the
Highland line — I'll gae beyond the line at no rate. Ye maun
meet me about Bucklivie or the Clachan of Aberfoil, — and
dinna forget the needful."
" Nae fear — nae fear," said Campbell ; " I'll be as true as
the steel blade that never failed its master. But I must be
budging, cousin, for the air o' Glasgow tolbooth is no that ower
salutary to a Highlander's constitution."
" Troth," replied the merchant, " and if my duty were to be
dune, ye couldna change your atmosphere, as the minister ca's
it, this ae wee while — Ochon, that I sud ever be concerned in
aiding and abetting an escape frae justice ! it will be a shame
and disgrace to me and mine, and my very father's memory, for
ever."
" Hout tout, man! let that flee stick in the wa'," answered his
kinsman ; " when the dirt's dry it will rub out — . Your father,
honest man, could look ower a friend's fault as weel as anither."
" Ye may be right, Robin," replied the Bailie, after a
moment's reflection; "he was a considerate man the deacon;
he ken'd we had a' our frailties, and he lo'ed his friends — Ye'll
no hae forgotten him, Robin ? " This question he put in a
softened tone, conveying as much at least of the ludicrous as
the pathetic.
READER 219
"Se diivl dam jer pies en ju: be0! Se 'onlj. drap o
blyd Sets p. jer 'bodi wez ur gret 'grand'Arjklz Set wez
'dgAstifit at dAm'bartn, en ju: set jer'sel Ap te sei ji: 1wed 'dsroget
fre ju:r pies te 'vizit mi: ! hark Si, man — a o: Si e de: in 2herst: —
el pei Ap jer 0u:zn pAnd skots, plak en 'ba:bi, gin jil bi en 'onest
'fale fer 3ens, en dgyst 'deker Ap Se get wj Sis 'sasenex."
" hut 4e'wa: w| jer dgen'tiliti. 2/kery er dgsntl blyd te
Se kros, en si: A\at jil bai wit. bAt, if e wer te kAm, 1wed ji 're:lj:
en 'sy0festli pei mi Se 'siler ? "
"a swe:r te ji, e'pon Se 'halidem ev him Set slips
bfniG Se gre: sten et in/'kaljex."
"se ne: me:r, 'robin — se ne: me:r — wil si: Avat me bi dyn.
bet ji 'manwe ik'spek mi te gar) Aur Se 'hilenc? lein — el ge:
bfjond Se lein et no: ret. ji men mit mi e'but bAk'laivi or Se
'klaxen o aber'foil, — en 'd^n^e fer'gst Se 'nidfe."
"ne: fi:r — ne: fi:r, el bi ez tru: ez Se stil bled Set
'mver feld its 'mester. bet a mAst bi 'bAdgen, 5kAzn, fer Se e:r o
'gleske 'tAubyOs no: Sat Aur 'seljeteri te e 'hilenc?erz kon-
str'tju/n."
"tro9, en if mai 'djuti wer te bi dyn, ji: 'kAdne
6t/eind3 ju:r 'atmosfir, ez Se 'minister 4ka:z it, Sis je: wi: Aveil —
'ox'on, Set a sAd 'iver bi 7kenrs£rnt in 'eden en e'beten en i/skep
fre 'dgAstis ! rt wil bi e Jem en dis'gres te mi: en mein, en me
'vere 7/fe:Serz 'msmeri, fer 'iver."
"hut tut, men! let Sat fli: stitk in Se 4wa:... Aven Se
dirts drai rtl rAb ut — . jer 7/fe:Ser, 'onest man, kud Ijuk Aur e
frindz 4fa:t ez wil ez e'mSer."
"ji me: bi rixt, 'robin hi wez e ken'siderit man Se
6'deiken; hi ksnt wi had 4a: ur 'freltiz, en hi lu:d hiz frinc^z —
jil no: he fer'gotn im, 'robin ? "...
itns
220
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Forgotten him ! " replied his kinsman — " what suld ail me
to forget him ? a wapping weaver he was, and wrought my
first pair o' hose — But come awa', kinsman,
' Come fill up my cap, come fill up my cann,
Come saddle my horses, and call up my man ;
Come open your gates, and let me gae free,
I daurna stay langer in bonny Dundee.' "
"Whisht, sir!" said the magistrate, in an authoritative
tone — " lilting and singing sae near the latter end o' the
Sabbath ! This house may hear ye sing anither tune yet —
Aweel, we hae a' back-slidings to answer for — 1 Stanchells, open
the door."
1 The jailor.
READER 221
" farYjotn im ! ............ Aiat sAd eil mi ta far'get im ? — a 'wapan
1/waiv9r hi waz, an 2wroxt ma 3fjrst pe:r o ho:z — bat kAm 4a/wci:,
'kmzman,
' kAm fil Ap ma kAp, kAm f^l Ap ma kan,
5ssdl ma 'horsaz, an 4ka: Ap ma man;
'opan jar gets, an 6lst mi ge: fri:,
a 4/da:rna 7ste: 'larjar in 2/bom dAn'di:/"
" Avi/t, 3sir ............ 'liltan an 'sirjan se: ni:r Sa 'letar snc? o $a
4/sa:ba9 ! S^s bus me hi:r ji sir) a'niSar tyn jet — a'wil, wi he 4a:
'bak'slaidanz ta 'ctnsar for — 'stan/alz, opm fta do:r."
a, a 7ai
222
III A. DUMBIEDYKES AND JEANIE DEANS
THE HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN.
SIR WALTER SCOTT.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Erne Deans has been condemned to death at Edinburgh for the murder
of her new-born child. Her sister, Jeanie, resolves to go to London to
plead with the king for Erne's life. Before starting on her journey, Jeanie
visits the house of the Laird of Dumbiedykes, to ask him for a loan of
money to help her in her design. She is very badly received by the laird's
housekeeper, Mrs Balchristie. The laird hears part of the conversation
from his room and intervenes as follows :
" Hark ye," he exclaimed from the window, " ye auld limb o'
Satan — wha the deil gies you commission to guide an honest
man's daughter that gate."
Mrs Balchristie replies more humbly.
"She was but speaking for the house's credit, and she
couldna think of disturbing his honour in the morning sae
early, when the young woman might as weel wait or call again ;
and to be sure, she might make a mistake between the twa
sisters, for ane o' them wasna sae creditable an acquaintance."
" Haud your peace, ye auld jade," said Dumbiedikes ; " the
warst quean e'er stude in their shoon may ca' you cousin, an a'
be true that I have heard. — Jeanie, my woman, gang into the
parlour — but stay, that winna be redd up yet — wait there a
minute till I come doun to let ye in — Dinna mind what Jenny
says to ye."
" Na, na," said Jenny, with a laugh of affected heartiness,
" never mind me, lass — a' the warld kens my bark's waur than
my bite — if ye had had an appointment wi' the Laird, ye might
hae tauld me — I am nae uncivil person — gang your ways in
by, hinny." And she opened the door of the house with a
master-key.
" But I had no appointment wi' the Laird," said Jeanie,
drawing back ; " I want just to speak twa words to him, and I
wad rather do it standing here, Mrs Balchristie."
223
III A. DUMBIEDYKES AND JEANIE DEANS
THE HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN.
SIR WALTER SCOTT.
"hark ji, .ji 1a:ld lim o satn — 1Ava: Sa dil gi:z ju:
ka'mifn ta gaid en 'onast manz 2'doxtar Sat get ?"...
" ji wez bet 'spikan far Sa 'husaz 'kredit, an Ji 'kAdna 0j:nk o
dis'tArban hiz 'onar m Sa 2'mornan se 'erli, Aian Sa JATJ 'wAman
m^xt az wil 3wet or 1ka: a'gen; an ta bi J0:r, Ji mixt mak a
mis'tak bftwin Sa 1twa: 'sistarz, far 4en o Sam 'wazna se
'krsditabl an a'kwantans."
" had jar 5pis, ji lCbi\d Jd5a:d Sa wairst kwin e:r styd
m Sar jyn me xka: ju: 6k0:zn, an xa: bi tru: Sat a hav 7hard. —
'dgini, ma 'wAman, gar) ^nta Sa 'parlar — ^bat 3ste:, Sat 'winwa bi
rsd Ap jet — 3wet Se:r a 'minat til a kAm dun ta 8let ji in — 'dinwa
maincZ Mat 'dsem ssz ta ji."
" na:, na: , 'mvar mainc? mi:, las, — xa: Sa Warlc? ksnz
mai barks xwa:r San ma bait — if jid had an a'paintmant wi Sa
lerd, ji mixt he 1ta:lc? mi — am ne: Anrsi:vl 'persan — gar) jar 9waiz
mbai, 'him'"'...
" bat a had no: a'paintmant wi Sa lerd a 10want dgyst
ta spik Hwa: wArdz ta him, an a 10wad lx'reSar d^: it 12/stanc?an
hi:r, 'mistras ba'kraisti."
ai 4jm 5e 6i, y, A 7e 8a, a 9ai, a:
10 n 12
1, A e: a:
224 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" In the open courtyard ?— Na, na, that wad never do, lass ;
we maunna guide ye that gate neither— And how's that douce
honest man, your father ? "
Jeanie was saved the pain of answering this hypocritical
question by the appearance of the Laird himself.
" Gang in and get breakfast ready," said he to his house-
keeper—" and, d'ye hear, breakfast wi' us yoursell— ye ken how
to manage thae porringers of tea-water — and, hear ye, see
abune a' that there's a gude fire.— Weel, Jeanie, my woman,
gang in by — gang in by, and rest ye."
"Na, Laird," Jeanie replied, endeavouring as much as she
could to express herself with composure, notwithstanding she
still trembled, "I canna gang in — I have a lang day's darg
afore me — I maun be twenty mile o' gate the night yet, if feet
will carry me."
" Guide and deliver us ! — twenty mile — twenty mile on your
feet ! " ejaculated Dumbiedikes, whose walks were of a very cir-
cumscribed diameter," Ye maun never think o' that — come in by."
" I canna do that, Laird," replied Jeanie ; " the twa words
I hae to say to ye I can say here; forby that Mrs Balchristie —
" The deil flee awa wi' Mrs Balchristie," said Dumbiedikes,
" and he'll hae a heavy lading o' her ! I tell ye, Jeanie Deans,
I am a man of few words, but I am laird at hame, as weel as in
the field; deil a brute or body about my house but I can manage
when I like, except Rory Bean, my powny ; but I can seldom
be at the .plague, an it binna when my bluid's up."
" I was wanting to say to ye, Laird," said Jeanie, who felt
the necessity of entering upon her business, " that I was gaun
a lang journey, outby of my father's knowledge."
"Outby his knowledge, Jeanie ! — Is that right ? Ye maun
think o't again — it's no right," said Dumbiedikes, with a coun-
tenance of great concern.
"If I were anes at Lunnon," said Jeanie, in exculpation,
"I am amaist sure I could get means to speak to the queen
about my sister's life."
" Lunnon — and the queen — and her sister's life ! " said
Dumbiedikes, whistling for very amazement—" the lassie's de-
mented."
HEADER 225
"in Sa opm 'kurtjerd ? — na:, na:, Sat xwad 'mvar d0:, las;
wi 'man??a gaid ji Sat get 2/neSar — an hu:z Sat dus 'onast man,
jar 2'feSar?"
" garj m en get 3/brekfast 'redi an, dji hi:r, 3'brekfast
wi AS 'jarsel — ji ksn hu: ta /manad3 Se: 'ponndgarz o 2/ti:watar —
an, hi:r ji, si: a'byn 4a: Sat Sarz a gyd 5fair. — wil, 'dgini, ma
'wAman, garj m bai — garj in bai, an rest ji."
"na:, lerd a 'kamia garj m — a hav a larj de:z darg
a'fo:r mi — a man bi 6/twmti mail o get Sa mxt jst, if fit 6wil
7'keq mi."
"gaid n di'livarz ! — 6'twmti mail — 6'twmti mail on jar fit !...
ji man 'mvar 9irjk o Sat — kAm in bai."
"a 'kanna d^: Sat, lerd; Sa Hwa: wArdz a he: ta se:
ta ji a kan se: hi:r; for'bai Sat 'mistras ba'kraisti — "
" Sa dail fli 4a'wa: wi 'm^stras ba'kraisti an hil he: a
'hevi 'ledan o ar ! a tel ji/d3ini dinz, am a man o fju: WArdz, bat
am lerd at hem, az wil az m Sa fild ; dil a bryt or xbAdi a'but mai
hus bat a kan /manad3 Man a laik, ^k'sep /ro:ri bin, ma rpAum ;
bat a kan 'ssldam bi at Sa pleg, an it 'binna Avan ma blydz Ap."
"a waz lxwantan ta se: ta ji, lerd Sat a waz 4ga:n a
larj 'd^Arni, ut'bai o ma 2'feSarz 8/nolad3."
"ut'bai hiz 8/nolad3, 'dgini! — iz Sat rixt? ji man 0irjk ot a'gen
— its no: rixt."...
"if a war 9ens at 'Unan, am a'mest J0:r a kAd get
minz ta spik ta Sa kwin a'but ma 'sistarz laif."
a/lAnan — an Sa kwin — an ar 'sistarz laif! Sa 'lasiz
di'mentat."
ll, A 2e: 3a 4g: 5ai 6A 7e 8o 9jms
G. 15
226 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" I am no out o' my mind," said she, " and, sink or swim, I
am determined to gang to Lunnon, if I suld beg my way frae
door to door — and so I maun, unless ye wad lend me a small
sum to pay my expenses — little thing will do it ; and ye ken
my father's a man of substance, and wad see nae man, far less
you, Laird, come to loss by me."
Dumbiedikes, on comprehending the nature of this applica-
tion, could scarce trust his ears — he made no answer whatever,
but stood with his eyes riveted on the ground.
" I see ye are no for assisting me, Laird," said Jeanie ; " sae
fare ye weel — and gang and see my poor father as aften as ye
can — he will be lonely eneugh now."
" Where is the silly bairn gaun ? " said Dumbiedikes ; and,
laying hold of her hand, he led her into the house. " It's no that
I didna think o't before," he said, " but it stack in my throat."
Thus speaking to himself, he led her into an old-fashioned
parlour, shut the door behind them, and fastened it with a bolt.
While Jeanie, surprised at this manoeuvre, remained as near
the door as possible, the Laird quitted her hand, and pressed
upon a spring lock fixed in an oak panel in the wainscot, which
instantly slipped aside. An iron strong-box was discovered in
a recess of the wall ; he opened this also, and, pulling out two
or three drawers, showed that they were filled with leathern-
bags, full of gold and silver coin.
" This is my bank, Jeanie lass," he said, looking first at her,
and then at the treasure, with an air of great complacency, —
"nane o' your goldsmith's bills for me, — they bring folk to
ruin."
Then suddenly changing his tone, he resolutely said—
" Jeanie, I will make ye Leddy Dumbiedikes afore the sun sets,
and ye may ride to Lunnon in your ain coach, if ye like."
" Na, Laird," said Jeanie, " that can never be — my father's
grief — my sister's situation — the discredit to you —
"That's my business," said Dumbiedikes; "ye wad say
naething about that if ye werena a fule — and yet I like ye the
better for't — ae wise body's eneugh in the married state. But
if your heart's ower fu', take what siller will serve ye, and let it
be when ye come back again — as gude syne as sune."
HEADER 227
"am no: ut o ma maincZ ............ an, sink or sum, am dftermpit
ta garj ta 'knan, {fa SAC! beg ma *wai fre do:r ta do:r — an so: a
2ma:n, An'les ji 3wad hud mi a 2smct: SAm ta pai ma ik'spensaz
— htl 0irj wil d0: it ; an ji ken ma 4/feSarz a man o 'sAbstans, an
3 wad si: ne: man, 2fa:r les ju:, lerd, kAm ta los b{ mi:."
"a si: jir no: far a'sistan mi, lerd, ............ se fe:r ji wil — an garj
an si: ma p0:r 4/feSar az am az ji kan — hil bi 'lonli 5a'njux nu:."
"2A\.a:r iz Sa 'silj: 6bern 2ga:n ? ............ its no: Sat a 'd^dna
Girjk ot bi'fo:r ............ bat it stak jn ma 70rot."
" Sis iz ma bank, 'dgini las, ............ nen o jar 'goldsmiGs bilz
far mi:, — Se brirj 8fAuk ta 'ruin."...
"'dsini, a 5wil mak ji 'ledi 'dAmbidaiks a'foir Sa 9SAn sets, an
ji me raid ta 'Unan in jar e:n kot/, if ji laik."
"na:, lerd, ...Sat kan 'mvar bi: — ma 4/feSarz grif — ma 'sistarz
/n— Sa discredit ta ju:— "
"Sats mai 'biznas, ............ ji 3wad se: 'ne0irj arbut Sat ^f ji
'warna a fyl — an jet a laik ji Sa 'betar fort — jei wais '
5a'njux m Sa 6/merit stet. bat if jar herts 'Aur fu:, tak
'silar 5wil se:r ji, an nlet it bi: Avan ji kAm bak a'gen — az gyd
sain az 12syn."
xai 2o.: 3A, i 4e: 5A 6e 7o 8o 9i
11 a, a 12Jyn
15—2
228 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" But, Laird," said Jeanie, who felt the necessity of being
explicit with so extraordinary a lover, "I like another man
better than you, and I canna marry ye."
" Another man better than me, Jeanie ? " said Dumbiedikes
— " how is that possible ? — It's no possible, woman — ye hae
kend me sae lang."
" Ay but, Laird," said Jeanie, with persevering simplicity,
" I hae kend him langer."
" Langer ? — It's no possible ! " exclaimed the poor Laird,
"It canna be; ye were born on the land. O Jeanie, woman,
ye haena lookit — ye haena seen the half o' the gear." He drew
out another drawer — " A' gowd, Jeanie, and there's bands for
siller lent — And the rental book, Jeanie — clear three hunder
sterling — deil a wadset, heritable band, or burden — Ye haena
lookit at them, woman — And then my mother's wardrobe, and
my grandmother's forby — silk gowns wad stand on their ends,
pearlin-lace as fine as spiders' webs, and rings and ear-rings to
the boot of a' that — they are a' in the chamber of deas — Oh,
Jeanie, gang up the stair and look at them ! '
But Jeanie held fast her integrity, though beset with temp-
tations, which perhaps the Laird of Dumbiedikes did not greatly
err in supposing were those most affecting to her sex.
"It canna be, Laird — I have said it — and I canna break my
word till him, if ye wad gie me the haill barony of Dalkeith,
and Lugton into the bargain."
" Your word to him" said the Laird, somewhat pettishly ;
" but wha is he, Jeanie ? — wha is he ? — I haena heard his name
yet — Come now, Jeanie, ye are but queering us — I am no trow-
ing that there is sic a ane in the warld — ye are but making
fashion — What is he ? — wha is he ? "
"Just Reuben Butler, that's schulemaster at Libberton,"
said Jeanie.
"Reuben Butler! Reuben Butler!" echoed the Laird of
Dumbiedikes, pacing the apartment in high disdain, — " Reuben
Butler, the dominie at Libberton — and a dominie depute too ! *
—Reuben, the son of my cottar ! — Very weel, Jeanie lass, wilfu'
woman will hae her way — Reuben Butler! he hasna in his
pouch the value o' the auld black coat he wears — but it disna
HEADER 229
"bat, lerd, a laik a'niSar man 'be tar San ju:, an a
'kanwa 1/mer^ ji."
"a'niSar man 'betar San mi:, 'c^ini ? hu: \z Sat
2/posibl ? — its no: 2/posibl, 'wAman — ji he 3ksnd mi: se: Ian."
" ai bat, lerd a he 3ksnd him 'larjar."
" 'larjar ? — its no: 2'posibl ! it 'kanraa bi: , ji war 2 born
on Sa 4lanc£. o: 'dgini, 'wAman, ji 'hena '1/ukat — ji 'hena sin Sa ha:f
o Sa gi:r 7a: gAud, 'dgini, an Sarz 4banc£z far 'silar lent —
an Sa 'rental 5byk, 'd3ini — kli:r 6ri 'hAncfor 'sterlan — dil a
'wadset, 'eritabl 4banc£, or 'bArdan — ji 'hena 'ljukat at Sam,
'wAman — an San ma 'miSarz 'wardrob, an ma 'granmiSarz for'bai
— silk gunz 6wad 4 stanch on Sar enc?z, 'perlm les az fain az
'spidarz wabz, an rinz an 'i:rirjz ta Sa byt o 7a: Sat — Se ar 7a: in
Sa 7t/a:mar o dis — o:, 'd3ini, gar) Ap Sa ste:r an Ijuk at Sam ! "
"it 'kanrza bi:, lerd — a hav sed it — an a 'kanrca brek ma
wArd til him, if ji 6wad gi: mi Sa hel 'baram o da'kie, an 'Ugtan
'inta Sa 'bargan."
"jar WArd ta him, .bat 7Aia: iz hi:, 'dsini ? — 7^a: iz
hi:? — a 'hena xhard hiz nem jet — kAm nu:, 'dgini, ji ar bat
rkwi:ranz — am no: 'trAuan Sat Sar iz sik a 8en in Sa warlc? — ji
ar bat 'makan fa/n — Avat iz hi ? — 7Aia: \z hi ? "
"dgyst 'ruban 'bAtlar, Sats 'skylmestar at libartan."...
"'ruban 'bAtlar ! 'ruban 'bAtlar! 'ruban 'bAtlar, Sa
'domini at 'libartan — an a 'domini dfpjut t^: ! — 'ruban, Sa 9sm o
ma 'kotar! — ^'vera wil, 'dgini las, 9/wilfa 'wAman 9wil he: har
10wai — 'ruban 'bAtler ! hi 'hazna m hiz put/ Sa 'velja o Sa 7a:ld
blak kot hi nwi:rz — bat it 'dizna 'sinjifi."...
a: 5ju 6A, i 7g: 8jm 9A 103i ue:
230 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
signify." And, as he spoke, he shut successively, and with
vehemence, the drawers of his treasury. " A fair offer, Jeanie,
is nae cause of feud — Ae man may bring a horse to the water,
but twenty wunna gar him drink — And as for wasting my
substance on other folk's joes — "
There was something in the last hint that nettled Jeanie's
honest pride. "I was begging nane frae your honour," she
said ; " least of a' on sic a score as ye pit it on. — Gude morning
to ye, sir ; ye hae been kind to rny father, and it isna in my
heart to think otherwise than kindly of you."
Jeanie leaves Dumbiedikes in hot indignation against the
laird, but the latter soon overtakes her on the high road and the
first words he utters are, —
"Jeanie, they say ane shouldna aye take a woman at her
first word ? "
"Ay, but ye maun tak me at mine, Laird," said Jeanie,
looking on the ground, and walking on without a pause. " I hae
but ae word to bestow on onybody, and that's aye a true ane."
" Then," said Dumbiedikes, " at least ye suldna aye take a
man at his first word. Ye maunna gang this wilfu' gate siller-
less, come o't what like." — He put a purse into her hand. " I
wad gie you Rory too, but he's as wilfu' as yoursell and he's
ower weel used to a gate that maybe he and I hae gaen ower
aften, and he'll gang nae road else."
"But, Laird," said Jeanie, "though I ken my father will
satisfy every penny of this siller, whatever there's o't, yet I
wadna like to borrow it frae ane that maybe thinks of some-
thing mair than the paying o't back again."
" There's just twenty-five guineas o't," said Dumbiedikes,
with a gentle sigh, "and whether your father pays or disna
pay, I make ye free till't without another word. Gang where
ye like — do what ye like — and marry a' the Butlers in the
country, gin ye like — And sae, gude morning to you, Jeanie."
" And God bless you, Laird, wi mony a gude morning," said
Jeanie, her heart more softened by the unwonted generosity of
this uncouth character, than perhaps Butler might have ap-
proved, had he known her feelings at that moment; "and
comfort, and the Lord's peace, and the peace of the world, be
with you, if we suld never meet again ! "
READER 231
"a fe:r 'ofar, 'c^ini, iz nei 1ka:z o fjud — ^'e: man me brirj a
hors ta Sa 'water, bet 2twmti 'wAima 3ga:r im drirjk — an az far
'westan ma 'sAbstans on 'iSar 4fAuks dgoiz — "
"a waz 'began nen fre jar 'onar, list o 1a: on s^k a
skoir az ji: pit it on. — gyd 5'mornan ta ji, 2sir; ji he bin kaind
ta ma 6/feSar, an it 'izna in ma hert ta Sink 'iSar7waiz San
'kaindh o ju:."
"'dgini, Se se: 8en 'Judna ai tak a 'wAman at ar 2first wArd ? "
"ai, bat ji man tak mi: at main, lerd, a he: bat je:
wArd ta bfsto: on 5/ombAdi, an Sats ai a tru: 8en."
"San, at list ji 'sAdna ai tak a man at hiz 2first
wArd. ji 'rnanwa gar) Sis 2/wilfa get 'silarlas, kAm ot A\at
laik " a 9wad gi: ji 'roiri t0:, bat hiz az 2/wilfa az jar'sel
an hiz Aur wil j0st ta a get Sat mebi 10hi an ai he 6gen Aur afn,
an hil garj ne: rod els."
"bat, lerd, 60 a ken ma 6/feSar 2wil 'setisfi 'ivri
'peni o Sis 'silar, Avat'ivar Sarz ot, jet a 9'wadna laik ta 7bora it fre
8 en Sat mebi Ginks o 'sAmGirj me:r San Sa 'paian ot bak a'gen."
"Sarz d3yst 2twmti/faiv 'giniz ot an 2/A\.aSar jar
6'feSar paiz or 'dizna pai, a mak ji fri: tilt wi/6ut a'niSar WArd.
garj Mar ji laik — d0: A\at ji laik — an 3/meri 1a: Sa 'bAtlarz m Sa
'kmtra, gin ji laik — an se:, gyd 5/mornan ta ji, 'dgini."
"an god blis ju:, lerd, wi n/mom a gyd 5/mornan, an
'kAmfart, and Sa lo:rdz 12pis, and Sa 12pis o Sa WArld, bi: wi0 ju: , if
wi SAd 'nevar mit a'gen ! "
an mi n o, a, A
e: 7ai 8jm 9i, A wfor him
232
IV A. THE GABERLUNZIE
THE ANTIQUARY.
SIR WALTER SCOTT.
CHAPTER XII.
In this novel, the scene is laid in or near the town of Arbroath, E.
Forfarshire. The language, however, is Mid-Scottish and, unlike " My Man
Sandy" (see Ext. XVII A), gives little evidence of local peculiarities.
Edie Ochiltree, who appears in this extract, was one of those professional
beggars who in former days were licensed to collect alms from the country-
side and went by the name of blue-gowns or gaberlunzies. By his coolness
and daring, Edie had helped to rescue Sir Arthur Wardour and his
daughter from a terrible death. Miss Wardour, in her kindness of heart,
asked the old man to spend the rest of his life in her father's castle or at
least under his protection. The old man smiled and shook his head, and
his answer shows the sturdy independence and pawky humour of the
Scotsmen even of the humblest class.
" I wad be baith a grievance and a disgrace to your fine
servants, my leddy, and I have never been a disgrace to ony
body yet, that I ken of."
" Sir Arthur would give strict orders — "
"Ye're very kind — I doubtna, I doubtna; but there are
some things a master can command, and some he canna — I
daresay he would gar them keep hands aff me — (and troth, I
think they wad hardly venture on that ony gate) — and he wad
gar them gie me my soup parritch and bit meat. — But trow ye
that Sir Arthur's command could forbid the gibe o' the tongue
or the blink o' the ee, or gar them gie me my food wi' the look
o' kindness that gars it digest sae weel, or that he could make
them forbear a' the slights and taunts that hurt ane's spirit
mair nor downright misca'ing ? — Besides, I am the idlest auld
carle that ever lived; I downa be bound down to hours o'
eating and sleeping ; and, to speak the honest truth, I wad be a
very bad example in ony weel-regulated family."
" Well then, Edie, what do you think of a neat cottage and
a garden, and a daily dole, and nothing to do but to dig a little
in your garden when you pleased yourself? "
" And how often wad that be, trow ye, my leddy ? maybe no
ance atween Candlemas and Yule— and if a' thing were done to
233
IV A. THE GABEELUNZIE
THE ANTIQUARY.
SIR WALTER SCOTT.
CHAPTER XII.
"9 1wed bi be0 a 'griivans an a dis'gres ta jar fain 'servanz,
ma 'ledi, an a hav 'mvar bin a dis'gres ta 2'onj:bAdi jet, Sat a
ksn o."
"jir 'vera kaind — a'dutna, a'dutna; bAt Sar ar sAm 0inz a
'mestar kan 3ka'mand, an SAHI hi 'kanna — a 'dorse hi xwad 4ga:r
Sam kip 3hanc£z af mi — (an tro9, a Gink Se xwad 'hardli 'ventar on
Sat 2/omget) — an hi 1wad 4ga:r Sam gi: mi ma sup 'pant/ an bit
met. — bAt trAu ji Sat 5sir 'er6arz 3ka/manc? kAd far'bid Sa dgaib
o Sa tArj or Sa blink o Sa i:, or 4ga:r Sam gi: mi ma fyd wi Sa Ijuk
o 'kaincfaas Sat 4ga:rz ^t di^ist se wil, or Sat hi kAd mak Sam
far'beir 6a: Sa slixts n 3tants Sat hArt 8enz 'spirit me:r nor'dun-
rixt mis'kaan? — bi'saidz, am Sa 'aidlast 6a:lc? karl Sat 'ivar 7li:vt ;
a 'dAuna bi bAnc? dun ta u:rz o itn an 'slipan; an, ta spik Sa
'onast trye, a xwad bi a 'vsra bad ig'zsmpl in 2/om wil 'regiletat
'femh."
"an hu am :wad Sat bi:, trAu ji, ma 'ledi? 'mebi no 9ens
a'twin 3'kanc?lmas an jyl — an if 6a: 0ir) war dyn ta ma 3hand, az
, A 2o 3a: 4e 5A 6g: 7li:vd 8jmz 9jms
234 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
my hand, as if I was Sir Arthur himsell, I could never bide the
staying still in ae place, and just seeing the same joists and
couples aboon my head night after night. — And then I have a
queer humour o' my ain, that sets a strolling beggar weel
eneugh, whase word naebody minds — but ye ken Sir Arthur
has odd sort o' ways — and I wad be jesting or scorning at them
— and ye wad be angry, and then I wad be just fit to hang
mysell."
" 0, you are a licensed man," said Isabella ; " we shall give
you all reasonable scope : so you had better be ruled, and re-
member your age."
" But I am no that sair failed yet," replied the mendicant.
tl Od, ance I gat a wee soupled yestreen, I was as yauld as an
eel. — And then what wad a' the country about do for want o*
auld Edie Ochiltree, that brings news and country cracks frae
ae farm-steading to anither, and gingerbread to the lasses, and
helps the lads to mend their fiddles, and the gudewives to clout
their pans, and plaits rush-swords and grenadier caps for the
weans, and busks the laird's flees, and has skill o' cow-ills and
horse-ills, and kens mair auld sangs and tales than a' the barony
besides, and gars ilka body laugh wherever he comes ? — troth,
my leddy, T canna lay down my vocation ; it would be a public
" Well, Edie, if your idea of your importance is so strong as
not to be shaken by the prospect of independence — "
"Na, na, Miss — it's because I am mair independent as I
am," answered the old man; "I beg nae mair at ony single
house than a meal o' meat, or maybe but a mouthfu o't — if it's
refused at ae place, I get it at anither — sae I canna be said to
depend on ony body in particular, but just on the country at
large."
"Well, then, only promise me that you will let me know
should you ever wish to settle as you turn old, and more in-
capable of making your usual rounds; and, in the meantime,
take this."
"Na, na, my leddy; I downa take muckle siller at anes,
it's against our rule— and— though it's maybe no civil to be
READER 235
if a waz 1sir 'er0ar him'sel, a kAd 'mvar baid Sa 2stean stil in je:
pies, en dgyst 'sian Sa sem 3d/5aists an kAplz a'byn ma 4hid mxt
'eftar mxt. — an San a hav a kwiir 'jyrnar o ma e:n, Sat sets a
'strolan 'begar wil Vnjux, A\ez wArd 'neb Adi maindz — bat ji ken
1sn* 'er0ar haz od sort o 5waiz — an a 6wad bi ^estan or 'skornan
at Sam — an ji: 6wad bi 'arjri, an San a 6wad bi d3yst fit ta har)
ma'sel."
"bat am no: Sat se:r felt jet, od, 12ens a gat a wi:
suplt ja'strin, a waz az 7ja:ld az an il. — an San Avat 6wad 7a: Sa
'kmtra a'but d0: far 6want o 7a,:\d 'edi 'oxiltri, Sat brirjz njuiz an
'kmtra kraks fre je: 8ferm'stedan til a'niSar, an 'dgnK^brid ta Sa
'lasaz, an helps Sa 9ladz ta menc? Sar fidlz, an Sa gyd'waivz ta klut
Sar panz, an plets "rA/'suirdz an grena'dir keps far Sa wemz, an
bAsks Sa lerdz fliiz, an haz skil o 'ku'ilz an 'hors'ilz, an kenz meir
7 Guild sarjz an telz San 7a: Sa 'baram~ bi'saidz, an 8ga:rz 'ilka 'bAdi
9 lax Avar'ivar hi kAmz ? — tro9, ma 'ledi, a xkan?ia lei dun ma
vo'ke/an; it 6wad bi a 'pAblik los."
"na:, na:, m^s — its bfkaiz am me:r independent az a am,
a beg ne: me:r at 10/oni siijl hus San a mel o met, or
'mebi bat a 'mu(0)fa ot — if its rffj^izd at je: pies, a get {t at
a'niSar — se a 'kanna bi sed ta depend on 10'ombAdi in par'tiklar,
bat dgyst on Sa 'kmtra at lerdg."
"na:, na:, ma 'ledi; a 'dAuna tak niAkl 'silar at 12ens, its
a'genst nur ru:l — an — 0o its 'mebi no: si:vl ta bi rr*pitn Sa laik o
1 A 2 ai 3 i, ai 4 e 5 ai 6 A, i 7 g: 8 e 9 a:
11 war, wAr, wir 12 j
236 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
repeating the like o' that — they say that siller is like to be
scarce wi' Sir Arthur himsell, and that he's run himsell out
o' thought wi' his houkings and minings for lead and copper
yonder."
Isabella had some anxious anticipations to the same effect,
but was shocked to hear that her father's embarrassments were
such public talk ; as if scandal ever failed to stoop upon so
acceptable a quarry, as the failings of the good man, the decline
of the powerful, or the decay of the prosperous. Miss Wardour
sighecl deeply — " Well, Edie, we have enough to pay our debts,
let folks say what they will, and requiting you is one of the
foremost — let me press this sum upon you."
" That I might be robbed and murdered some night between
town and town ? or, what's as bad, that I might live in constant
apprehension o't ? — I am no — (lowering his voice to a whisper,
and looking keenly around him) — I am no that clean unpro-
vided for neither; and though I should die at the back of a
dike, they'll find as muckle quilted in this auld blue gown as
will bury me like a Christian, and gie the lads and lasses a
blithe lykewake too ; sae there's the gaberlunzie's burial pro-
vided for, and I need nae mair. Were the like o' me ever to
change a note, wha the deil d'ye think wad be sic fules as to gie
me charity after that ? — it wad flee through the country like
wild-fire, that auld Edie suld hae done siccan a like thing, and
then, Fse warrant I might grane my heart out or ony body wad
gie me either a bane or a bodle."
" Is there nothing, then, that I can do for you ? "
" Ou ay — I'll aye come for my awmous as usual — and whiles
I wad be fain o' a pickle sneeshin, and ye maun speak to the
constable and ground-officer just to owerlook me, and maybe
ye'll gie a gude word for me to Sandie Netherstanes, the miller,
that he may chain up his muckle dog — I wadna hae him to
hurt the puir beast, for it just does its office in barking at a
gaberlunzie like me.— And there's ae thing maybe mair, but
ye'll think it's very bauld o' the like o' me to speak o't."
" What is it, Edie ? — if it respects you it shall be done, if it
is in my power."
READER 237
Sat — Se se: Set 'siler iz leik te bi skers wi 1sir 'erSer him'sel, en
Set hiz rAn him'sel ut o 20oxt wi hiz 'hAukenz en 'meinenz fer
led en 'koper 'joncfor."
" Set e mixt bi 2/robet en 'mArdert sAin mxt bi'twin tun en
tun ? or, Avats ez bad, Set e mixt li:v in 'konstent apn'hsn/en ot ?
— em no: em no: Sat klin Anpro'veidet for 3/neSer ; en Go e
4 /Ad di: et Se bak o e deik, Sel lfmd ez mAkl 'kwAltet icn Sis 5a:lcZ
blu: gun ez lwi\ 'b^.-n-mi leik e 'kristjen, en gi: Se 6ladz en lasez
e bleiS 'leikwek t^: ; se Se:rz Se gaberlunjiz 'b0:riel pre'veidet
for, en e nid ne: me:r. wer Se leik o mi: 'rver te 7t/eindg e not,
5Ava: Se dil dji Sink 8wed bi sik fylz ez te gi: mi: 't/eriti 'efter
Sat?— ^t 8wed fli: 0ru Se 'kintre leik 'wAPfeir, Set 5a:ld xedi 4/Ad
he dyn 'siken e leik 0in, en San, az 'waren e mixt gren me hsrt
ut or 2/omcbAdi 8wed gi: mi 3/eSer e ben or e 2bodl."
•
"u: ai — el eikAm ferme 5a:mz ez"j0:zwel — en Aieilz e 8wed
bi fe:n o e pikl snijn, en ji men spik te Se 'konstebl en grAn
'ofi/er dgyst te Aur'ljuk mi:, en 'mebi jil gi: e gyd wArd for mi te
'sandi 'neSerstenz, Se 1miler, Set hi me 10t/ein Ap iz mAkl 11dog
— e 8/wedne he him te hArt Se p0:r best, fer ^t dgyst diz ^ts
'ofij m 'barken et e gaber'lunji leik mi:. — en Serz ^'e: S^T) 'mebi
me:r, bet jil Sink its 'vsre 5ba:lrf o Se leik o mi: te spik ot."
AA 2o 3e: 4sAd 5o.: 6a: 7i 8i, A 9ai
11 A, AU
238
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" It respects yoursell, and it is in your power, and I maun
come out wi't. — Ye are a bonny young leddy, and a gude ane,
and maybe a weel-tochered ane — but dinna ye sneer awa the
lad Lovel, as ye did a while sinsyne on the walk beneath the
Briery-bank, when I saw ye baith, and heard ye too, though ye
saw nae me. Be canny wi' the lad, for he loes ye weel, and it's
to him, and no to ony thing I could have done for you, that Sir
Arthur and you wan ower yestreen."
READER 239
"it rfspsks jar'sel, an \t iz m jar pu:r, an a 1ma:n kAm ut
wilt. — ji ar 9 2'bom JATJ ,'ledi, an a gyd 5en, an 'mebi a wiP'toxart
6en — bat 'dinna ji sniir 1a'wa: Sa 3la:d 2'lAval, az ji did a Avail
sm'sain on 5a 1wa:k bi'niS Sa 'brian bank, Avan a 1sa: ji be0,
en 3herd ji t0i, 0o ji 1sa: na mi:, bi 'kanni w{ Sa 3la:d, far i
lu:z ji wil, an ^ts ta him, an no: ta 2/om9ir) a: kAd av dyn
far ju:, Sat 4s^r 'srGar an ju: wan Aur ja'strin."
a
240
•
VA. BRAID CLAITH
ROBEKT FKRGUSSON (1750-1774).
Ye wha are fain to hae your name
Wrote in the bonny book of fame,
Let merit nae pretension claim
To laurel'd wreath,
But hap ye weel, baith back and wame,
In gude Braid Claith.
He that some ells o' this may fa',
An' slae black hat on pow like snaw,
Bids bauld to bear the gree awa',
Wi' a' this graith,
Whan bienly clad wi' shell fu braw
O' gude Braid Claith.
Waesuck for him wha has nae fek o't !
For he's a gowk they're sure to geek at,
A chiel that ne'er will be respekit
While he draws breath,
Till his four quarters are bedeckit
Wi' gude Braid Claith.
On Sabbath days the barber spark,
Whan he has done wi' scrapin wark,
Wi' siller broachie in his sark,
Gangs trigly, faith !
Or to the Meadows or the Park,
In gude Braid Claith.
Weel might ye trow, to see them there,
That they to shave your haffits bare,
Or curl and sleek a pickle hair,
Wud be right laith,
When pacing wi' a gawsy air
In gude Braid Claith. •
241
VA. BRAID CLAITH.
ROBERT FERGUSSON (1750-1774).
ji 1Ava: ar fein ta he: jar nem
wrot m Sa 2/bom 3b;'uk o fern,
4let 'merit ne: prr'ten/n klem
ta 1la:rld wreQ,
bat hap ji wil, be0 bak an wem,
itn gyd bred kle9.
hi Sat SAm elz o Sj:s me 1fa:,
an sle: blak hat on pAu laik 1sna:,
bjdz 1ba:y ta beir Sa gri: 1a/wa:,
wi 10bi Sis gre0,
Avan 'binli kled wi Jel fu 1bra:
o gyd bred kle0.
rwe:zak far him 1A\a: haz ne: fsk ot !
far hi:z a gAuk Ser J0:r ta gsk at,
a t/il Sat ne:r 5wil bi rfspekat
Avail hi adra:z breO,
til hiz 'fAuar 'kwartarz ar bi'dekat
wi gyd bred kle0.
on 'sa:ba0 de:z Sa xbarbar spark,
A\an hi haz dyn wi 'skra:pan wark,
wi 's^lar 'brot/i m iz sark,
ganz tr^gh, fe0 !
or ta Sa 'medaz or Sa park,
m gyd bred kle0.
wil mixt ji trAu, ta si: Sam Se:r,
Sat Se: ta Je:v jar 'hafats berr,
or kArl an slik a pikl he:r,
wAd bi ncxt Ie0,
Avan 'pesan wiu a 1/ga:sj e:r
m gyd bred kle0.
3y 4a, a 5A
16
242 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
If ony mettled stirrah grien
For favour frae a lady's een,
He maunna care for being seen
Before he sheath
His body in a scabbard clean
0' gude Braid Claith.
For gin he comes wi' coat threadbare,
A feg for him she winna care,
But crook her bonny mou' fu' sair,
An' scald him baith.
Wooers should aye their travel spare
Without Braid Claith.
Braid Claith lends fowk an unco heese,
Maks mony kail-worms butterflies,
Gies mony a doctor his degrees
For little skaith ;
In short, you may be what you please
Wi' gude Braid Claith.
For thof ye had as wise a snout on
As Shakespeare or Sir Isaac Newton,
Your judgment fowk would hae a doubt on,
I'll tak my aith,
Till they cou'd see ye wi a suit on
O' gude Braid Claith.
READER 243
if 1/onj metlt 'stira grin
far 'fe:var fre 9 'Isdiz in,
hi 'manrca ke:r far bian sin
bi'fo:r hi Je6
hiz 1bodi in a 'skabard klin
o gyd bred kle6.
far gin hi kAmz v?i kot '0rid'be:r,
a fsg far hpn Ji 2wmwa ke:r,
bat kruk har 1/bon^ mu: fu: se:r,
an 3ska:y him be0.
'wuarz 4Jud ai Sar treivl speir
wi/9ut bred kle0.
bred kle0 Isnc^z fAuk an 'Anka hi:z,
maks 5/mom 'kelwArmz 'bAtar'fliiz,
gi:z 5/mont a 'doktar hiz dfgrirz
far htl ske9;
in. 1/ort, ji me: bi 3Avat ji pliiz
wi gyd bred kle0.
far 0of ji had az wais a snut on
az 'Jekspir or 2sir 6'aizak 'njuton,
jar 7d3Ad3mant fAuk 8wad he a dut on,
al tak ma e9,
til Se kAd si: ji w{ a sut on
o gyd bred kle0.
o, A, a 6ai 7y
16—2
244
VI A. MAUDGE AND THE ORPHAN
JOHN GALT (1779-1839).
THE ENTAIL.
CHAPTERS I AND II.
Claud Waikinshaw was the sole surviving male heir of the Walkinshaws
of Kittlestonheugh. The family estate had been lost in the Darien specu-
lation and Claud had been left in the care of an old nurse, Maudge Dobbie.
The old woman and her charge lived in Glasgow in the direst poverty.
One afternoon, they had been walking in the suburbs of Glasgow, talking
of the former glory of the family and viewing in the distance Claud's
ancestral estate, when the Provost of Glasgow and his good lady appeared
on the scene. This gives Maudge an opportunity of comparing their up-
start grandeur with that of her master's family in days gone by. Then a
conversation ensues between Maudge and the Provost and his wife.
Maudge exhibits the same stubborn independence as the gaberlunzie in
Ext. IV.
Claud was filled with wonder and awe at the sight of such
splendid examples of Glasgow pomp and prosperity, but Maudge
speedily rebuked his juvenile admiration.
" They're no worth the looking at," said she ; " had ye but
seen the last Leddy Kittlestonheugh, your ain muckle respekit
grandmother, and her twa sisters, in their hench-hoops, with
their fans in their han's — the three in a row would hae soopit
the whole breadth o' the Trongate — ye would hae seen some-
thing. They were nane o' your new-made leddies, but come o'
a pedigree. Foul would hae been the gait, and drooking the
shower, that would hae gart them jook their heads in til the
door o' ony sic thing as a Glasgow bailie — Na; Claudie, my
lamb, thou maun lift thy een aboon the trash o' the town, and
ay keep mind that the hills are standing yet that might hae
been thy ain ; and so may they yet be, an thou can but master
the pride o' back and belly, and seek for something mair solid
than the bravery o' sic a Solomon in all his glory as yon
Provost Gorbals. — Heh, sirs, what a kyteful o' pride's yon'er !
and yet I would be nane surprised the morn to hear that the
Nebuchadnezzar was a' gane to pigs and whistles, and driven
out wi' the divor's bill to the barren pastures of bankruptcy."
245
VIA. MAUDGE AND THE ORPHAN
JOHN GALT (1779-1839).
'THE ENTAIL.
CHAPTERS I AND II.
" Se:r no: wAr0 Sa 'Ijukan at, had ji bat sin Sa last 'ledi
'kitlstan^hjux, jar em mAkl rfspskat j 'granmiSar, an bar 2twa:
'sistarz, m Sar 'hen/'hups, wi Sar fanz in Sar 3hanc?z — Sa Sri: m
a 2ra: 4wad he 'supat Sa hel bri0 o Sa 'tronget — ji 4wad he sin
'sAm9in. Se: war nen o jar nj turned 'lediz, bat kAm o a 'pedigri.
ful 4wad he bin 6a get, an 'drukan Sa '/uar, Sat 4wad he 5ga:rt
Ssm d3uk Sar 6hidz 'mtil Sa do:r o 7/oni s^k 8ir) az a 'glsska
8/baili — na:; 2/kla:di, ma la:m, Su man lift Sai in a'byn 5a traj o
Sa tun, an ai kip main Sat Sa hilz ar 3/stanc?an jet Sat mixt he
bin Sai e:n ; an so: me Se jet bi:, an Su kan bat 'mestar Sa praid
o bak an 'beli, an sik for 'sAm9ir) me:r 'sol^d San Sa 'bre.'vri o sik
a 'solaman m 2a:l hiz 'glo:ri az jon 'provast 'gorbalz. — hex, 1sirz,
Avat a 'kaitfa o praidz 'jonar ! an jst a 4/wadna bi nen 9sar/praizd
Sa 7morn ta hi:r Sat Sa nebAxad'nedzar waz 2a: ge:n ta pigz an
AVAslz, an drivn ut wi Sa 'daivarz bil ta Sa 'baran 'pastjarz o
'barjkrApsi."
a: 4A, i 5s 6e 7o 8/bel;'i 9sar/praist
246 MANUAI*OF MODERN SCOTS
After taking a stroll round the brow of the hill, Provost
Gorbals and his lady approached the spot where Maudge and
Claud were sitting. As they drew near, the old woman rose,
for she recognized in Mrs Gorbals one of the former visitors at
Kittlestonheugh. The figure of Maudge herself was so remark-
able, that, seen once, it was seldom forgotten, and the worthy
lady, almost at the same instant, said to the Provost, —
" Eh ! Megsty, gudeman, if I dinna think yon's auld
Kittlestonheugh's crookit bairnswoman. I won'er what's come
o' the Laird, poor bodie, sin' he was rookit by the Darien. Eh !
what an alteration it was to Mrs Walkinshaw, his gudedochter.
She was a bonny bodie; but frae the time o' the sore news, she
croynt awa, and her life gied out like the snuff o' a can'le.
Hey, Magdalene Dobbie, come hither to me, I'm wanting to
speak to thee."
Maudge, at this shrill obstreperous summons, leading
Claud by the hand, went forward to the lady, who immediately
said, —
" 1st t'ou ay in Kittlestonheugh's service, and what's come
o' him, sin' his Ian' was roupit ? "
Maudge replied respectfully, and with the tear in her eye,
that the Laird was dead.
" Dead ! " exclaimed Mrs Gorbals, " that's very extraordinare.
I doubt he was ill off at his latter end. Whar did he die, poor
man ? "
" We were obligated," said Maudge, somewhat comforted by
the compassionate accent of the lady, " to come intil Glasgow,
where he fell into a decay o' nature." And she added, with a
sigh that was almost a sob, " 'Deed, it's vera true, he died in a
sare straitened circumstance, and left this helpless laddie upon
my hands."
The Provost, who had in the meantime been still looking
about in quest of a site for his intended mansion, on hearing
this, turned round, and putting his hand in his pocket,
said, —
" An' is this Kittlestonheugh's oe ? I'm sure it's a vera
pitiful thing o' you, lucky, to take compassion on the orphan ;
hae, my laddie, there's a saxpence."
HEADER 247
"e: ! 'megstkgyd'mctn, if a 'dm??a 9ir)k jonz 30uild 'k^tlstan^hjuxs
'krukat 2/bernzwAm9n. a 'wAnar Avats kAm o Sa lerd, p0:r 'bAdi,
spi i waz 'rukat bi Sa 'derian. e: ! A\at an altar's Jn jt waz ta
'misiz 3'waikin/a, hiz gyd4/doxtar. Ji WAZ a 4/bom 'bAdi; bat
fre Sa taim o fta so:r njuiz, Ji 5kromt 3a'wa: an bar laif gid ut
laik Sa snAf o a 36kanl. hai, 'mogdalin 'dobi, kAm 'hiSar ta mi,
am 7/wantan ta spik t-a Si."
0
"'ist 8tu ai p 'kitlstan^hjuxs 'serviSjan Aiats kAm o him, sm
iz 6lan waz 'rAupat ? "
a/did! Sats 'vsra ikstra'ordmar. a dut hi waz il of
at iz 'latar end 3Aia:?- d\d hi di:, p0:r man ? "
" wi war oblfgetat ta kAm 'intil 'glsska, A\ar i fel 'pita
a di'ke: o 'netar did, its 'vera tru:, hi di:d in a se:r stretnt
1/sirkAmstans, an left S^s 'helplas 'ladi o'pon mai 6hanz."
" an iz Sis 'kitlstan1/hjuxs o: ? am J^:r its a 'vera 'pitifa 0irj o
ju:, lAki, ta tak kam'pa/n on Sa 'orfan; he:, ma 'ladi, Seirz a
'sakspans."
*A 2e 3g: 4o 5ai 6a: 7t, A ^See Ph. § 217 (d)
248 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Saxpence, gudeman ! " exclaimed the Provost's lady, " ye'll
ne'er even your ban' wi' a saxpence to the like of Kittleston-
heugh, for sae we're bound in nature to call him, landless though
his lairdship now be ; poor bairn, I'm wae for't. Ye ken his
mother was sib to mine by the father's side, and blood's thicker
than water ony day."
Generosity is in some degree one of the necessary qualifica-
tions of a Glasgow magistrate, and Provost Gorbals being as
well endowed with it as any of his successors have been since,
was not displeased with the benevolent warmth of his wife,
especially when he understood that Claud was of their own kin.
On the contrary, he said affectionately, —
" Really it was vera thoughtless o' me, Liezy, my dear ; but
ye ken I have na an instinct to make me acquaint wi' the
particulars of folk, before hearing about them. I'm sure no
living soul can have a greater compassion than mysel' for gentle
blood come to needcessity."
Mrs Gorbals, however, instead of replying to this remark —
indeed, what could she say, for experience had taught her that
it was perfectly just — addressed herself again to Maudge.
" And whar dost t'ou live ? and what hast t'ou to live
upon?"
"I hae but the mercy of Providence," was the humble
answer of honest Maudge, " and a garret- room in John Sinclair's
Ian'. I ettle as weel as I can for a morsel, by working stockings;
but Claud's a rumbling laddie, and needs mair than I hae to
gi'e him : a young appetite's a growing evil in the poor's
aught."
The Provost and his wife looked kindly at each other, and
the latter added, —
" Gudeman, ye maun do something for them. It'll no fare
the waur wi' our basket and our store."
And Maudge was in consequence requested to bring Claud
with her that evening to the Provost's House in the Bridgegate.
"I think," added Mrs Gorbals, "that our Hughoc's auld claes
will just do for him ; and Maudge, keep a good heart, we'll no
let thee want. I won'er t'ou did na think of making an
application to us afore."
READER 249
"'sakspans, gyd'man ! ........... .jil neir iivn jar 1han wi a
'sakspans ta Sa laik o 'krtlstan2'hjux, far se: wir bAund in 'netar
ta 3ka: him, 'lanlas 0o hiz 'lerd/rp nu: bi: ; p0:r 4bern, am we:
fart, ji ksn hiz 'miSar waz sib ta main bi Sa 5'feSarz said, an blydz
'Oikar San 'watar 6'om de:."
"re:l{ it, waz 'vera 6'6oxtlas o mi, liizi, ma di:r; bat ji ken a
'havna an 'instink ta mak mi a'kwant wi Sa par'tiklarz o 7fAuk,
bffoir 'hiiran a'but Sam. am J^:r no: 'liivan sol kan hav a
'gretar kam'pa/n San ma'sel far dgsntl blyd kAm ta nid'sssiti."
" an 3Ava:r dAs^ 8tu li:v ? an Avat has£ 8tu ta li:v a'pon ? "
"a he: bat Sa 'msrsi o 'providans, ............ an a 'garatrurn
in 6d3on 'sinklarz 1l(ind a stl az wil az a kan far a 'morsal, bi
'wArkan 'stokanz; bat 3kla:dz a 'rAmlan l7ladi, an nidz me:r
San a he: ta gi: him : a JArj 'apatits a 'grAuan i:vl in Sa p0:rz
a:xt."
"gyd'man, ji mam d^: 'sAmeirj for Sam. itl no: feir Sa 3wa:r
w{ u:r 'baskat an u:r sto:r."
"9 6itnk ............ Sat u:r 'hjuaks 3a:H kle:z wil dgyst d0: far
him; an 3ma:d3, kip a gyd hert, wil no: 9lst Si 10want. a 'wAnar
8tu 'd{dna Gmk o 'makan an aplfke/n ta AS a'foir." -
a, a 10i, A
e: 6o 7o 8See Ph.§ 217 (d)andGr.§22
250 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"No," replied the old woman, "I could ne'er do that — I
would hae been in an unco strait before I would hae begget on
my own account; and how could I think o' disgracing the
family ? Any help that the Lord may dispose your hearts to
gi'e, I'll accept wi' great thankfulness, but an almous is what
I hope He'll ne'er put it upon me to seek ; and though Claud
be for the present a weight and burden, yet, an he's sparet, he'll
be able belyve to do something for himsel'."
Both the Provost and Mrs Gorbals commended her spirit ;
and, from this interview, the situation of Maudge was consider-
ably improved by their constant kindness.
HEADER 251
"no:, a kAd ne:r d0: 5at — a l wad e bin in an'Anka stret
brfbir a *wad he 'begat on mai o:n a'kunt; an hu: kAd a Gink o
dis'gresan Sa 'femli ? xeni help Sat 5a lo:rd me disrpo:z jar hsrts
ta gi:, al ak'ssp wi gret 'Gankfalnas, bat an 2'airaas iz Avat a hAup
hil ne:r pit a'pon mi ta sik; an 9o 2kla:d bi: far fta prsznt a
wext an 'bArdan, jet, an hiz speirt, hil bi ebl brlaiv ta d^:
far him'sel."...
252
VII A. TAM O' SHANTEK
ROBERT BURNS (1759-1796).
Ayrshire Dialect.
In this, as in all the other poems of Burns, printed in this
work, the text is taken from the Centenary Edition of Robert
Burns by Henley and EFenderson.
In Burns' dialect all the e sounds are very broad, almost
equal to g. a: is generally represented by Q: and o by o. The
glottal catch is heard before t, p, k, and both medially and
finally in familiar speech may take the place of the consonant.
When chapman billies leave the street,
And drouthy neebors, neebors meet ;
As market-days are wearing late,
An' folk begin to tak the gate ; ,
While we sit bousing at the nappy,
An' getting fou and unco happy,
We think na on the lang Scots miles,
The mosses, waters, slaps, and stiles,
That lie between us and our hame,
Whare sits our sulky, sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
This truth fand honest Tarn o' Shanter,
As he frae Ayr ae night did canter,
(Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses,
For honest men and bonie lasses.)
0 Tarn, had'st thou but been sae wise,
As taen thy ain wife Kate's advice !
She tauld thee weel thou was a skellum,
A blethering, blustering, drunken blellum ;
That frae November till October,
Ae market-day thou was nae sober ;
That ilka melder wi' the miller,
Thou sat as lang as thou had siller ;
253
VII A. TAM O' SHANTER
ROBERT BURNS (1759-1796).
Aven 't/apmen 'bilj.z li:v Se strit,
en 'dru0i 'niberz, 'niberz mit ;
9z 'market de:z er 'wiiren let,
en fok br'gin te tak Se get ;
A\eil wi sit 'bu.'zen et Se 'napj,
en gstn fu: en 'Arjke 'hapj,
wi 6{nk ne on 5e lar) skots meilz,
Se 'mosez, 'waterz, slaps, en steilz,
Set lai bftwin AS en 1ur hem,
Aier s^ts ur 'sAlki, 'sAlen dem,
'geSren er bruiz leik "geSren storm,
'nArsen er ra9 te kip \t warm.
5is try6 fancZ 'onsst tarn o "Janter,
ez hi: fre e:r je: mxt did xkanter,
($:\d e:r, Avem ni:r e tun sAr'pasez,
fer 'onsst m§n en 'bom 'lasez.)
o: tarn, hadst Su: bAt bin se weis,
ez tern Sai e:n weif kets ed'veis !
Ji ta:lc? Si wil Su WAZ e 'skglem,
e 'bl^Sren, 'bUstren, drAkrj 'blejem ;
Set fre ne'vgmber til ok'tober,
je: 'market'de: Su 'wAzne 'sober ;
Set like 'milder wi Se 'miler,
Su sat ez lar) ez Su had 'siler ;
254 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
That ev'ry naig was ca'd a shoe on,
The smith and thee gat roaring fou on ;
That at the Lord's house, even on Sunday,
Thou drank wi' Kirkton Jean till Monday.
She prophesied, that, late or soon,
Thou would be found deep drowned in Doon ;
Or catch'd wi' warlocks in the mirk,
By Alloway's auld, haunted kirk.
Ah ! gentle dames, it gars me greet,
To think how monie counsels sweet,
How monie lengthen'd sage advices,
The husband frae the wife despises !
But to our tale : — Ae market-night,
Tarn had got planted unco right,
Fast by an ingle, bleezing finely,
Wi' reaming swats, that drank divinely;
And at his elbow, Souter Johnie,
His ancient, trusty, drouthy cronie:
Tarn lo'ed him like a vera brither ;
They had been fou for weeks thegither.
The night drave on wi' sangs and clatter ;
And aye the ale was growing better :
The landlady and Tarn grew gracious,
Wi' secret favours, sweet, and precious :
The souter tauld his queerest stories ;
The landlord's laugh was ready chorus :
The storm without might rair and rustle,
Tarn did na mind the storm a whistle.
Care, mad to see a man sae happy,
E'en drown'd himsel amang the nappy.
As bees flee hame wi' lades o' treasure,
The minutes wing'd their way wi' pleasure ;
Kings may be blest, but Tarn was glorious,
O'er a' the ills o' life victorious !
READER 255
Sat 'evri neg waz kg:d a Ju: on,
Sa smi9 an Si gat 'ro:ran fa: on ;
Sat at Sa loirdz bus, i:n on 'sAnde,
Su drank w{ 'kertan d3in til 'mAnde.
Ji 1/profasit, Set, let ar 2sun,
Su wad bi fAn dip drund in 3dun ;
ar kat/t wi 'wo,:rlaks in Sa mirk,
bi 'alowaz g:lc£, 'hantat kirk.
a: ! dggntl demz, {t garz mi grit,
ta 6ink hu: 'niAm kunslz swit,
hu: 'niAm 'Ign6ant sedg ad'vaisaz,
Sa 'hAzbanc^ fre Sa waif dis'paizaz !
bat t0 4ur tel : — -je: 'markat'nixt,
tam had got 'plantat 'Anka r^xt,
fast bai an irjl, 'bliizan 'fainli,
wt 'riman swats, Sat drank dfvainli ;
an at iz '§lba, 'sutar 'dgoni,
hiz 'an/ant, 'trAstk 'druSi 'kroni :
tam laid im laik a 'vgra 'briSar ;
Se had bin fu: far wiks Sa'giSar.
Sa nixt dreiv on wi sarjz an 'klgtar ;
an ai Sa jel waz 'grAuan 'be, tar :
Sa 'lanc^ledi an tam gru: 'gre/as,
wi 'sikrat 'fe:varz, swit, an 'prejas: :
Sa 'sutar tqild iz 'kwi^est 'stoiriz ;
Sa 'lanc^lardz lax waz 'rsdi 'koiras :
Sa storm wi'Gut mixt re:r an rAsl,
tam 'didna mainc? Sa storm a AiAsl.
ke:r, mad ta si: a man se: 'hapi,
i:n drunt im'sgl a'mar) Sa 'napi.
az bi:z fli: hem wi ledz o 'tr§:gar,
Sa 'minits wint Sar wai wi 'plgjgar;
kinz me: bi blest, bat tam waz 'gloinas,
Aur 9: Sa ilz o laif vik'to:nas !
'profesaid 2Jyn 3dyn 4war
256 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Nae man can tether time or tide ;
The hour approaches Tarn maun ride :
That hour, o' night's black arch the key-stane,
That dreary hour Tarn mounts his beast in ;
And sic a night he taks the road in,
As ne'er poor sinner was abroad in.
The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last ;
The rattlin' showers rose on the blast ;
The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd ;
Loud, deep, and lang the thunder bellow'd ;
That night, a child might understand,
The deil had business on his hand.
Weel mounted on his gray mare Meg,
A better never lifted leg,
Tarn skelpit on thro' dub and mire,
Despising wind, and rain, and fire ;
Whiles holding fast his guid blue bonnet ;
Whiles crooning o'er some auld Scots sonnet ;
Whiles glow'ring round wi' prudent cares,
Lest bogles catch him unawares :
Kirk-Alloway was drawing nigh,
Whare ghaists and houlets nightly cry.
By this time he was cross the ford,
Whare in the snaw the chapman smoor'd ;
And past the birks and meikle stane,
Whare drunken Charlie brak's neck-bane ;
And thro' the whins, and by the cairn,
Whare hunters fand the murder 'd bairn ;
And near the thorn, aboon the well,
Whare Mungo's mither hang'd hersel.
Before him Boon pours all his floods ;
The doubling storm roars thro' the woods !
The lightnings flash from pole to pole ;
Near and more near the thunders roll ;
When, glimmering thro' the groaning trees,
Kirk-Alloway seem'd in a bleeze ;
READER 257
ne: man kan 't§Sar taim ar taid ;
Sa u:r a'prot/ez tarn man raid :
Sat u:r, o nixts blak ertj Sa 'kiisten,
Sat 'dri:n u:r tarn mAnts \z bist in ;
an s:ik a mxt hi taks Sa rod pi,
az ni:r p0:r 'sinar waz a'brod in.
Sa wAn blu: az twad blgin its last ;
Sa 'ratlan Ju:rz ro:z on Sa blast ;
Sa 'spidi glimz 6a 'darknas 'swglat ;
lud, dip, an larj ?5a '6Anc?ar 'belat ;
Sat mxt, a t/aild mixt Anc?arstgnc?,
Sa dil had 'biznes on iz
wil niAntat on \z gre: mi:r
9 7b§tar 'nevar 'l^ftat l§g,
tam 'skglpat on 0ru dAb an man1,
dfspaizan WAn, an ren, an fair ;
Availz 'hgdan fast hiz gyd blu: 'bonat ;
A\.ailz 'krunan Aur an g:lc? skots 'sonat ;
Availz 'gUuran rune? w{ 'prudant keirz,
lest boglz katj him Ana'weirz :
kjrk 'alowa waz 'drgan nai,
A\.ar gests an 'hulats 'mxtli krai.
bi Sis taim hi waz kros Sa f^ird,
Avar in Sa sno,: Sa "t/apman sm^ird ;
an past Sa birks an rnikl sten,
Avar drAkr) 't/eirli braks ngkben ;
an 0ru Sa AVAnz, an bai Sa ke:rn,
Avar 'hAntarz fane? Sa 'mArdart be:rn ;
an ni:r Sa 0orn, a'byn Sa wgl,
Avar 'niAngoz 'miSar hant ar'sgl.
bffoir him dun puirz g: hiz nAdz ;
Sa 'dAblan storm roirz 0ru Sa wAdz !
Sa 'Isx^nanz flaj fre pol ta pol ;
ni:r an mo:r niir Sa 70Anc?arz rol ;
Avan, 'glimran 0ru Sa 'groman tri:z,
kirk 'alowa simd in a bli:z ;
G. 17
258 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Thro' ilka bore the beams were glancing,
And loud resounded mirth and dancing.
Inspiring bold John Barleycorn,
What dangers thou canst make us scorn !
Wi' tippenny, we fear nae evil ;
Wi' usqubae, we'll face the Devil !
The swats sae ream'd in Tammie's noddle,
Fair play, he car'd na de'ils a boddle.
But Maggie stood, right sair astonish'd,
Till, by the heel and hand admonish'd,
She ventur'd forward on the light;
And, vow ! Tarn saw an unco sight !
Warlocks and witches in a dance :
Nae cotillion, brent new frae France,
But hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys, and reels,
Put life and mettle in their heels.
A winnock-bunker in the east,
There sat Auld Nick, in shape o' beast ;
A tousie tyke, black, grim, and large,
To give them music was his charge :
He screw 'd the pipes and gart them skirl,
Till roof and rafters a' did dirl.
Coffins stood round, like open presses,
That shaw'd the dead in their last dresses ;
And, by some devilish cantraip sleight,
Each in his cauld hand held a light :
By which heroic Tarn was able
To note upon the haly table,
A murderer's banes in gibbet-airns ;
Twa span-lang, wee, unchristen'd bairns ;
A thief new-cutted frae a rape —
Wi' his last gasp his gab did gape ;
Five tomahawks, wi' bluid red-rusted ;
Five scymitars, wi' murder crusted ;
A garter which a babe had strangled ;
READER 259
0ru '{Ike boir Sa bimz war 'glansan,
an lud n'suncfot mirO an 'dansan.
m'spairan bg:ld d3on 'barhkorn,
Aiat 'dend3arz 3u: kanst mak AS skorn I
wi 'tipam, wi fi:r ne i:vl;
wi 'Askwabe, wil fes Sa di:vl !
Sa swats se: rimd m 'tam:j.z nodi,
fe:r pie:, hi 'ke:rdna dilz a bodl.
bat 'magi styd, rixt se:r a'stonj/t,
til, bi Sa hil an hg:nd ad'mom/t, .
Ji 'vsntart 'forat on Sa l^xt ;
an, WAU ! tarn SQ: an xAnka sixt !
'wgirlaks an xwAt/az in a dans :
ne: 'kotiljon, brgnt nju: frs frans,
bat 'hornpaips, dgigz, straS'spaiz, an rilz,
pAt laif an m§tl m 5ar hilz.
a 'wAnak'bAnkar m Sa ist,
Se:r sat $'Ad njk, m Jep o bist ;
a 'tu:zi talk, blak, grim, an lerdg,
ta gi: Sam 'm0:zik waz \z t/erdg :
hi skru:t 5a paips an gart Sam skirl,
til ryf an 'raftarz g: did d^rl.
'kofmz styd run, laik opm 'presaz,
Sat Jg:d Sa did m Ser last 'dresaz ;
an, bai sAm 'di:vlif 'kantnp slixt,
it/ m its kg:lc£ hgncZ hild a lixt :
bi MAtJ hi'roik tarn waz ebl
ta not a'pon Sa 'heli tebl,
a 'mArdrarz benz m 'dgibat'eirnz ;
Hwg: 'spanlan, wi:, An'kirsant be:rnz;
a 0if nju:'kAtat fre a rep —
wi hiz last gasp iz gab did gep ;
faiv toma'hgzks, wi blyd rid'rAstat ;
faiv 'simitarz, wi 'niArdar 'krAstat ;
a 'gertar AYAtJ a beb had stranlt ;
17—2
260 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
A knife a father's throat had mangled—
Whom his ain son o' life bereft —
The grey-hairs yet stack to the heft ;
Wi' mair of horrible and awefu',
Which even to name wad be unlawfu'.
As Tammie glower'd, amaz'd and curious,
The mirth and fun grew fast and furious ;
The piper loud and louder blew,
The dancers quick and quicker flew ;
They reel'd, they set, they cross'd, they cleekit,
Till ilka carlin swat and reekit,
And coost her duddies to the wark,
And linket at it in her sark !
Now Tarn, 0 Tarn ! had thae been queans,
A' plump and strapping, in their teens !
Their sarks, instead o' creeshie flannen,
Been snaw- white seventeen hunder linen ! —
Thir breeks o' mine, my only pair,
That once were plush, o' guid blue hair,
I wad hae gi'en them aff my hurdies,
For ae blink o' the bonie burdies !
But wither'd beldams, auld and droll,
Bigwoodie hags wad spean a foal,
Lowping and flinging on a crummock,
I wonder didna turn thy stomack,
But Tarn kend what was what fu' brawlie :
There was ae winsome wench and wawlie
That night enlisted in the core,
Lang after kend on Carrick shore
(For monie a beast to dead she shot,
And perish'd monie a bonie boat,
And shook baith meikle corn and bear,
And kept the country-side in fear.)
Her cutty sark, o' Paisley harn,
READER 261
9 naif a 'feSarz 0rot bed manlt —
Aiam hiz em SAH o laif bi'rgft —
Sa 'gre:he:rz jet stak to Sa hgft;
w{ me:r o 'horibl an 'o,:fa,
AiAtf i:n t9 nem W9d bi An'lg:fa.
az 'tami gUurt, 9'me:zd 9n 'k;0:rias,
59 m^rS 9n fAn gru: fast 9n f)'0:nas ;
Sa 'paipar lud n 'ludar blu:,
Sa 'dansarz kw^k an 'kwikar flu: ;
Se rilt, Se set, Se krost, Se 'klikat,
til ^Ik9 'kerlm swat 9n 'rikat,
9n kyst 9r 'dAdiz t9 S9 wark,
9n 'lirjkgt 9t ^t in 9r sark !
nu: tarn, o: tarn ! h9d Se bin kwinz,
g: pUmp 9n 'strapan, in Sar tinz !
Sar serks, m'stid o 'kri/i ^flanan,
bin 'sngiAvait 'sivntin 'hAnar 'linan ! —
Sir briks o main, ma 'onl{ pe:r,
Sat jms war pUJ, o gyd blu: he:r,
a wad a gin Sam af ma 'hArdiz,
far je: blink o S9 'boni 'bArdiz !
b9t 'wiS9rt 'bgldemz, ^:ld 9n drol,
rig'wAdi ha^z W9d spen 9 fol,
'lAupgn 9n 'flingn on a 'krAmak,
a 'wAncZar 'didna tArn Sai 'stAmak,
bat tarn k§nt Mat waz Avat fu: 'br^di :
Sar waz je: 'wAnsam w§nj an w^:li
Sat nptt m'listat ^n Sa ko:r,
. larj 'gftar k§nt on 'karik Jo:r
(far 'mAni a bist ta did Ji Jot,
an 'pgrift 'niAni a 'bom bot,
an Jyk be9 mikl korn an bi:r,
an k§pt Sa 'kmtrasaid in fi:r.)
bar 'kAtj; serk, o 'pesli harn,
1 Another reading is flainen = 'flsnan which would make
good half-rhyme to linen.
262 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
That while a lassie she had worn,
In longitude tho' sorely scanty,
It was her best, and she was vauntie
Ah ! little kend thy reverend grannie,
That sark she cofb for her wee Nannie,
Wi' twa pund Scots ('twas a' her riches),
Wad ever grac'd a dance o' witches !
But here my Muse her wing maun cour,
Sic flights are far beyond her power :
To sing how Nannie lap and flang,
(A souple jad she was and strang),
And how Tarn stood like ane bewitch'd,
And thought his very een enrich'd :
Even Satan glowr'd, and fidg'd fu' fain,
And hotch'd and blew wi' might and main ;
Till first ae caper, syne anither,
Tarn tint his reason a'thegither.
And roars out : " Weel done, Cutty-sark ! "
And in an instant all was dark :
And scarcely had he Maggie rallied,
When out the hellish legion sallied,
As bees bizz out wi' angry fyke,
When plundering herds assail their byke ;
As open pussie's mortal foes
When, pop ! she starts before their nose ;
As eager runs the market-crowd,
When " Catch the thief! " resounds aloud ;
So Maggie runs, the witches follow,
Wi' monie an eldritch scriech and hollo,
Ah, Tarn ! Ah, Tarn ! thou'll get thy farin !
In hell they'll roast thee like a herrin !
In vain thy Kate awaits thy comin !
Kate soon will be a wofu' woman !
READER 263
Set Avail 9 'lasi Ji had worn,
in 'lonc^itjud 60 seirlj: 'skanti,
it waz er bgst, an Ji waz 'vanti ......
a: ! htl k§nt Sai 'revrant 'gram,
Sat serk Ji koft far bar wi: 'nam,
wi 1twg: pAnc£ skots (twaz g: bar 'ritjaz),
wad 'svar grest a dans o 'witjaz !
bat hiir ma m0:z bar wirj man ku:r,
sik flixts ar fgir bi'jont bar puir :
ta sir) hu: 'nan^ lap an flan,
(a supl dggid Ji waz an stran),
an hui tarn styd laik jsn bfwitjt,
an 6oxt iz 'vgra in jnritjt :
i:n sgitn glAurt, an fidgd fu fe;n,
an hotjt an blu: wi mixt an mem ;
til fArst je: 'kepar, sain a'mSar,
tarn tint iz ri:zn g: Sa'giSar.
an ro:rz ut : " wil dyn, 'kAti'sark ! "
an m an 'instant o,: waz dark :
an 'skersli had hi 'magi 'ralit,
ut Sa 'hglij 'lidgan 'salit.
az biiz biz ut wi 'ann faik,
Aian 'plAnc^ran hsrdz a'sel Sar baik ;
az opm 'pusiz 'mortal foiz
Avan, pop ! Ji sterts bi'foir Sar no:z ;
az 'igar rmz Sa 'markat'krud,
wan " katj Sa 6if !" rfsun^z alud;
so: 'magi rmz, Sa 'wAtJaz 'folo,
wi 'niAni an 2eldritJ skrix an 'holo.
a:, tarn ! a:, tarn ! Su:l get Sai feirin !
m h§l 5el rost Si laik a 'heirin !
in ven Sai ket a'wets Sai 'kAman !
ket syn wil bi a 'we: fa 'wAman !
xe: 2'eldrtx
264 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg,
And win the key-stane of the brig ;
There, at them thou thy tail may toss,
A running stream they dare na cross !
But ere the key-stane she could make,
The fient a tail she had to shake !
For Nannie, far before the rest,
Hard upon noble Maggie prest,
And flew at Tarn wi' furious ettle ;
But little wist she Maggie's mettle !
Ae spring brought aff her master hale,
But left behind her ain grey tail :
The carlin claught her by the rump,
And left poor Maggie scarce a stump !
Now, wha this tale o' truth shall read,
Ilk man and mother's son, take heed :
Whene'er to drink you are inclin'd,
Or cutty sarks run in your mind,
Think ! ye may buy the joys o'er dear :
Remember Tarn o' Shanter's mare.
READER 265
nu:, d0: Sai 'spidi 'Atmast, mgg,
an wAn Sa 'ki:sten o Sa br^g ;
Se:r, at Sam Su: Sai tel me tos,
a 'rinan strim Se 'dg:rna kros !
bat e:r Sa 'ki:sten /i kad mak,
Sa fint a tel Ji had ta Jak !
far 'nani, fg:r bi'fo:r Sa r§st,
hard a'po nobl 'magi prgst,
an flu: at tarn wi 'f)'0:nas §tl ;
bat litl wAst Ji 'magiz mgtl !
je: sprirj broxt af bar 'mestar hel,
bat left bi'hm^ ar e:n gre: tel :
Sa 'kerlin kl^:xt ar bi Sa rAmp,
an l§ft p0:r 'magi skers a stAmp !
nu:, IAV§: Sis tel o tryG Jal rid,
ilk man an 'miSarz sAn, tak hid :
Avani:r ta dritjk ji ar in'klaind,
an 'kAti serks nn in jar maind,
0ir)k ! ji me bai Sa dgoiz Aur di:r :
n'mgmbar tarn o 'Jantarz mi:r.
e:
266
VIII A. MARRIAGE
SUSAN FERRIER (1782-1854).
CHAPTER XXXIV.
By her spelling, the authoress gives a fair indication of the pronunciation
of Mrs Macshake, so that we do not require to note variants to the same
extent as in the other extracts.
"An wha thought o' seein ye enow," said she, in a quick
gabbling voice ; " what's brought you to the toon ? are ye come
to spend your honest faither's siller, e'er he's weel cauld in his
grave, puir man ? "
Mr Douglas explained, that it was upon account of his
niece's health.
" Health ! " repeated she, with a sardonic smile, " it wad mak
an ool laugh to hear the wark that's made aboot young fowk's
health noo-a-days. I wonder what ye're aw made o'," grasping
Mary's arm in her great bony hand — "a wheen puir feckless
windlestraes — ye maun awa to Ingland for yere healths. Set
ye up ! I wunder what cam o' the lasses i' my time, that bute
to bide at hame ? And whilk o' ye, I sude like to ken, '11. ere
leive to see ninety-sax, like me — Health ! he, he ! "
Mary, glad of a pretence to indulge the mirth the old lady's
manner and appearance had excited, joined most heartily in the
laugh.
" Tak aff yere bannet, bairn, an let me see yere face ; wha
can tell what like ye are wi' that snule o' a thing on yere head."
Then after taking an accurate survey of her face, she pushed
aside her pelisse — "Weel, it's ae mercy, I see ye hae neither
the red heed, nor the muckle cuits o' the Douglases. I ken nae
whuther ye're faither had them or no. I ne'er set een on him :
neither him, nor his braw leddie, thought it worth their while
to speer after me ; but I was at nae loss, by aw accounts."
" You have not asked after any of your Glenfern friends,"
said Mr Douglas, hoping to touch a more sympathetic chord.
267
VIII A. MARRIAGE
SUSAN FERRJEK (1782-1854).
' x : CHAPTER XXXIV.
"an xAva: 20oxt o 'sian ji e'nu; Mats 2broxt ji t9 5a
tun ? er ji kAm ta spend jar 'onast 3/fet5arz 'silar, e:r hiz wil 1ka:y
\n h^z fjre:v, p^:r man ? "
"he!0 !. it wed mak an ul 4lax ta hi:r Sa work Sats
med a'but JATJ fAuks hs!0 'nu a deiz. a 'wAnrfar Avat jir 1cii med
o a Avin p^:r 'feklas 'wpic^lstreiz — ji man 1a/wa: ta
'jnlancZ far jar he!0s. set ji Ap ! a 'wAncfor A\at kam o Sa 'lasaz
{ ma: taim, Sat byt la baid at hem ? an Aqlk o ji, a syd laik ta
ksn, 1 eir liiv ta si: 'nainti saks, laik mi: — hs!0 ! he, he ! "
utak af jar rbanat, 5bern, an 6lst mi si: jar fes; 1A\a: kan
tel A\at laik ji ar w^ Sat snyl o a 0m on jar hid
wil, its^'e: 'mers^, a si: ji he 3'neSar 5a rsd hid, nor Sa mAkl kyts
o Sa 'duglasaz. a ksn ne 'AYASar jar 3/feSar had Sam or no:, a
ne:r set in on mi : 3/neSar h^m, nor \z -"^bra: 'ledi, 20oxt ^t wAr0
Sar Avail ta spi:r "eftar mi: ; bat a waz at ne: los, b{ la: a'kunts."
1 o,: 2o 3e: 4a: 5s 6a, a
268 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"Time enough — wull ye let me draw my breath, man?—
fowk canna say aw thing at ance. — An ye bute to hae an Inglish
wife tu, a Scotch lass wad nae serr ye. — An yere wean, I'se
warran', it's ane o' the warld's wonders — it's been unca lang o'
cummin — he, he ! "
"He has begun life under very melancholy auspices, poor
fellow ! " said Mr Douglas, in allusion to his father's death.
" An wha's faut was that ? — I ne'er heard tell the like o't,
to hae the bairn kirsened an' its grandfather deem' ! — But fowk
are neither born, nor kirsened, nor do they wad or dee as they
used to dae — aw thing's changed."
"You must, indeed, have witnessed many changes," ob-
served Mr Douglas, rather at a loss how to utter anything of a
conciliatory nature.
" Changes ! weel a waat, I sometimes wunder if it's the
same waurld, an if it's my ain heed that's upon my shoothers."
"But with these changes, you must also have seen many
improvements ? " said Mary, in a tone of diffidence.
" Impruvements ! " turning sharply round upon her, " what
ken ye about improvements, bairn ? A bonny impruvement or
ens no, to see tyleyors and sclaters leavin whar I mind Jewks
and Yerls. — An that great glowrin new toon there," pointing
out of her windows, " whar I used to sit an luck oot at bonny
green parks, and see the coos milket, and the bits o' bairnies
rowin an' tummlin, an the lasses tramplin i' their tubs. — What
see I noo, but stane an lime, an stoor an dirt, an idle cheels,
an dinket-oot madams prancin'. Impruvements indeed ! "
Mary found she was not likely to advance her uncle's fortune
by the judiciousness of her remarks, therefore prudently
resolved to hazard no more. Mr Douglas, who was more au
fait to the prejudices of old age, and who was always amused
with her bitter remarks, when they did not touch himself,
encouraged her to continue the conversation by some observa-
tion on the prevailing manners.
"Mainers!" repeated she, with a contemptuous laugh, "what
caw ye mainers noo, for I dinna ken ; ilk ane gangs bang in till
their neebor's hoose, and bang oot o't as it war a chynge hoose;
an as for the maister o't, he's no' o' sae muckle vaalu as the
READER 269
"taim Vnjux — WA! ji 2let mi 3dra: ma bre0, man? — fAuk
se: 3/a:0nj at 9ens. — an ji: byt ta he: an 'ml{J waif tjfc, a
skotj las wad ne se:r ji. — an jar we:n, az 'waran, jts 4en o Sa
warldz wAndforz — its bin 'Anka lar) o 'kAman — he:, he: ! "
" an 3Ava:z 3fa:t waz Sat ? — a ne:r herd tsl Sa laik ot, ta he:
Sa bern 'kp-sand an {ts 'granfeSar 'dian ! — bat fAuk ar 6/neSar born,
nor 'kp-sand, nor d^ Se wad or di: az Se 6j0:zd ta de: — 8'a:0irjz
7t/end3d."
«
" 't/end3az ! 'wila'wat, a 'sAmtaimz 'wAnc?ar ^f ^ts Sa sem
8wark?, an if its ma e:n hid Sats a'pon ma "JuSarz."
" {m'prAvmants ! ............ Mat ksn ji: a'but {m'prAvmants,
8 bern ? a 'bonj jm'prAvmant or ens no:, ta si: 'tailjarz an
'skletarz 'liivan 3Ava:r a maincZ d3uks an jsrlz. — an Sat gret
'gUuaran nju: tun Se:r ............ Aiar a 6j^:zd ta s^t n Uk ut at
'bonj: grin parks, an si: Sa ku:z 'm^lkat, an Sa b^ts o 8'berntz
'rAuan n 'tAmlan, an Sa 'lasaz Grampian i Sar tAbz. — Avat si: a nu:,
bat sten n laim, an stu:r an d^rt, an aidl t/ilz, an 'dmkat ut
'modamz 'pransan. mi'prAvmants mdid ! "
" 8/menarz ! ............ Avat 3ka: ji 8/menarz nu:, far ai 'dm/?a
ken; '{Ik4en garjz bar) jn t^l Sar 'nibarz hus, an bar) ut ot
az j:t war a tjaind3 hus ; an az for Sa 'mestar ot, hi:z no: o se
*A 2a, a 3§: 4jm 5e: 6j0st 7 Note English form, see
pp. 200— 203 8e 9jms
270 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
flunky ahint his chyre. I' my grandfather's time, as I hae
heard him tell, ilka maister o' a faamily had his ain sate in his
ane hoose aye, an sat wi' his hat on his heed afore the best o'
the land, an had his ain dish, an was aye helpit first, an keepit
up his owthority as a man sude dae. Paurents war paurents
then — bairns dardna set up their gabs afore them than as they
dae noo. They ne'er presumed to say their heeds war their ain
i' thae days — wife an servants — reteeners an' childer, aw trum-
melt i' the presence o' their heed."
Here a long pinch of snuff caused a pause in the old lady's
harangue; but after having duly wiped her nose with her
coloured handkerchief, and shook off all the particles that might
be presumed to have lodged upon her cardinal, she resumed*—
" An nae word o' any o' your sisters gawn to get husbands
yet ? They tell me they're but coorse lasses ; an' wha'll tak ill-
farred tocherless queans, when there's walth o' bonny faces an
lang purses i' the market — he, he ! " Then resuming her scru-
tiny of Mary—" An' I'se warren ye'll be lucken for an Inglish
sweetheart tae; that'll be what's takin' ye awa to Ingland."
" On the contrary," said Mr Douglas, seeing Mary was too
much frightened to answer for herself, " on the contrary, Mary
declares she will never marry any but a true Highlander ; one
who wears the dirk and plaid, and has the second-sight. And
the nuptials are to be celebrated with all the pomp of feudal
times ; with bagpipes, and bonfires, and gatherings of clans, and
roasted sheep, and barrels of whisky, and "
" Weel a wat an' she's i' the right there," interrupted Mrs
Macshake, with more complacency than she had yet shown.
" They may caw them what they like, but there's iiae waddins
noo. Wha's the better o' them but innkeepers and chise-drivers ?
I wud nae count mysel married i' the hiddlins way they gang
aboot it noo."
" I daresay you remember these things 'done in a very
different style ? " said Mr Douglas.
" I dinna mind them when they war at the best ; but I hae
heard my mither tell what a bonny ploy was at her waddin.
I canna tell ye hoo mony was at her waddin. I canna tell ye
hoo mony was at it ; mair nor the room wad haud, ye may be
EEADER 271
'va:lja az Sa 'fUnki a'hpit hjz t/air. i ma 'granfeSarz taim,
ez a he herd pn tsl, '{Ika 'mestar o a 'fa:mlj: had jz em set pi \z
e:n hus ai, an sat wj hjz hat on \z hid a'for Sa best o Sa lland,
an had jz em d{J, an waz ai 'helpat fjrst, an 'kipat Ap hjz
Au'Gonti az a man syd de:, xpa:rants war 'pa:rants Sen — 2bernz
3/da:rdna set Ap Sar gabz a'foir Sam San az Se de; nui. Se ne:r
prfsumt ta se: Sar hidz war Sar em i Se: de:z — waif an 'servanz
' — rftinarz an t/jldar, 3a: trAmlt i £a 'prezanz o Sar hid."
"an ne: wArd o 'en{ o jar 's^starz 3gam ta get 'hAzban^z jet ?
Se tel mi Ser bat kurs 'lasaz ; an 3Aia:l tak 3/jl/fa:rd 'toxarlas
kwinz, A\.an Sarz wa!0 o xbon^ 'fesaz an larj 'pArsaz i Sa 'merkat —
he:, he: ! ............ an az 'waran jil bi 'Ukan far an 'mlij 'swithert
te:; Satl bi Mats 'takan ji 3a'wa: ta '{
"wil a'wat an Jiz i Sa rpt Se:r, ............ Se me 3ka: Sam
A\.at Se laik, bAt Sarz ne: 'wadanz nu:. 3Ma:z Sa 'betar o
Sam bAt '{nkiparz and 't/ais'draivarz ? a 'wAdne kunt ma'sel
2meqt i Sa 'lurllmz 4we: Se gar) a'but \i nu:."
" a 'dpna mainc? Sam Men Se war at Sa best ; bAt a he herd
ma 'miSar tel Avat a 'bon{ ploi waz at bar 'wadan. a 'kanrca tel
ji hu 'moni waz at bar 'wadan. a xkanna tel ji hu 'monj waz at
it; me:r nor Sa rum wad xhad, ji me bi J^:r, for 'ivri ri'le/n an
a
272 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
sure, for every relation an' freend o' baith sides war there, as
well they sude ; an' aw in full dress ; the leddies in their hoops
round them, an' some o' them had sutten up aw night till hae
their heads drest, for they hadna thae pooket-like taps ye hae
noo," looking with contempt at Mary's Grecian contour. " An'
the bride's goon was aw shewed ow'r wi' favours, frae the tap
doon to the tail, an' aw roond the neck, an' aboot the sleeves ;
and, as soon as the ceremony was ow'r, ilk ane ran till her an'
rugget an' rave at her for the favours, till they hardly left the
claise upon her back. Than they did nae run awa as they dae
noo, but sax an' thretty o' them sat doon till a graund dermer,
and there was a ball at night, an' ilka night till Sabbath cam
roond; an' than the bride an' the bridegroom drest in their
waddin suits, and aw their freends in theirs, walkit in proces-
sion till the kirk. An' was nae that something like a waddin ?
It was worth while to be married i' thae days — he, he ! "
Mr Douglas, who was now rather tired of the old lady's
reminiscences, availed himself of the opportunity of a fresh
pinch, to rise and take leave.
" Oo, what's takin ye awa, Archie, in sic a hurry ? Sit doon
there," laying her hand upon his arm, "an' rest ye, an' tak a
glass o' wine, an' a bit breed ; or may be," turning to Mary, "ye
wad rather hae a drap broth to warm ye. What gars ye luck
sae blae, bairn ? I'm sure it's no cauld ; but ye're juste like the
lave : ye gang aw skiltin aboot the streets half naked, an' than
ye maun sit an' birsle yoursels afore the fire at hame."
She had now shuffled along to the further end of the room,
and opening a press, took out wine, and a plateful of various-
shaped articles of bread, which she handed to Mary. ,
" Hae, bairn, take a cookie, tak it up — what are you fear'd
for? It'll no bite. Here's t'ye, Glenfern, an' your wife, an'
your wean, puir tead, it's no had a very chancy ootset weel a
wat."
The wine being drank, and the cookies discussed, Mr Douglas
made another attempt to withdraw, but in vain.
" Canna ye sit still a wee, man, an' let me spear after my
auld freens at Glenfern. Hoo's Grizzy, an' Jacky, and Nicky ?
— aye workin awa at the pills an' the drogs — he, he ! I ne'er
READER 273
hmd o be9 seidz wer Se:r, ez wil Se syd; en 1a: m £A! dres; Se
'lediz in Ser hups rund Sam, en SAHI o Sam had sAtn Ap 1a: nrxt
t^l he: Ser hidz drest, far Se 'hadna Se: 'puketleik taps ji he:
nu: ............ an Se braidz gun waz xa: Juid AUP w\ feivarz,
fre Se tap dun ta Se tel, an xa: runcZ Se nsk, an e'but Se sliivz ;
an, az syn az Se 'ssramonj waz Aur, {Ik 5en ran tn1 ar an 'rAget an
re:v at ar far 5a 'feivarz, t^l Se 'har^lj left 5a kle:z a'pon ar bak.
5an 5e 'djdne nn 1a/wa: az Se de: nu:, bat saks an 'Orstt o Sam
sat dun t^l a granrf 'denar, an Sar waz a xba:l at njxt, an '{Ike
nixt til 1/saiba9 kam rune? ; an San Sa braid an Sa braid'grym
drsst m Sar 'wadan syts, an xa: Sar frinc^z m Se:rz, 1/wa:kat m
pro'ssjn tjl Sa k^rk. an 'wazna Sat 'sAmG^r) laik a 'wadan ? |t
waz wAr9 Mail ta bi 3/meqt i Se: de;z — he:, he: ! "
"u:, Avats 'taken ji 1e/wa:, 'ert/t, m s^k e 'hAq? s{t dun
Se:r ............ en rest ji, en tak e gles o wein, en e brt brid;
or 'mebi, ............ ji wed 2reSer he e drap bro9 te warm ji.
Mat ga:rz ji Lvk se ble:, 3bern ? em J0:r its no: aka:k£; bet jir
dgyst leik Se le:v : ji gar) xa: 'sk^lten e'but Se strits xha:f 'na:ket,
en San ji men sit n brrsl jer'selz e'fo:r Se 4fair et hem."
"he:, 3bern, tak e 'kuki, tak j;t Ap — A\.at er ji fi:rt for? |tl
no: beit. hi:rz tji, gkn'fsrn, en jer weif, en jer we:n, p^:r ted,
{ts no: hed e 'vere 't/ansj 'utset 'wile'wat."
"'kanne ji srt st^l e wi:, men, en let mi spi:r 'efter me xa:ld
frinz et glen'fern. hu:z 'grjzi, en 'dgak^, en 'mjq? ei 'wArken
1e'wa: et Se pilz en Se drogz — he:, he: ! a: ne:r 'swalet e pil, nor
ag: 2e: 3e 4ei 5jm
G. 18
274 MANUAL OF MODEKN SCOTS
swallowed a pill, nor gied a doit for drogs aw my days, an' see
an ony of them'll rin a race wi' me whan they're naur five
score."
Mr Douglas here paid her some compliments upon her
appearance, which were pretty graciously received ; and added
that he was the bearer of a letter from his aunt Grizzy, which
he would send along with a roebuck and brace of moor-game.
"Gin your roebuck's nae better than your last, atweel it's
no worth the sendin'. Poor dry fisinless dirt, no worth the
chowing ; weel a wat, I begrudged my teeth on't. Your muir-
fowl was na that ill, but they're no worth the carryin; they're dong
cheap i' the market enoo, so it's nae great compliment. Gin ye
had brought me a leg o' gude mutton, or a cauler sawmont,
there would hae been some sense in't ; but ye're ane o' the fowk
that'll ne'er harry yoursel wi' your presents ; it's but the pickle
poother they cost you, an' I'se warran ye're thinkin mair o' your
ain diversion than o' my stamick, when ye're at the shootin' o'
them, puir beasts."
Mr Douglas had borne the various indignities levelled against
himself and his family with a philosophy that had no parallel
in his life before ; but to this attack upon his game, he was not
proof. His colour rose, his eyes flashed fire, and something
resembling an oath burst from his lips, as he strode indignantly
towards the door.
His friend, however, was too nimble for him. She stepped
before him, and, breaking into a discordant laugh, as she patted
him on the back, "So I see ye're just the auld man, Archie, —
aye ready to tak the strums, an' ye dinna get a' thing ye're ain
wye. Mony a time I had to fleech ye oot o' the dorts whan ye
was a callant. Div ye mind hoo ye was affronted because I set
ye doon to a cauld pigeon-pie, and a tanker o' tippenny, ae
night to ye're fowerhoors, afore some leddies — he, he, he ! Weel
a wat, ye're wife maun hae her ain adoos to manage ye, for ye're
a cumstairy chield, Archie."
Mr Douglas still looked as if he was irresolute whether to
laugh or be angry.
" Come, come, sit ye doon there till I speak to this bairn,"
said she, as she pulled Mary into an adjoining bedchamber,
READER 275
gi:d 9 dait for drogz 1a: ma de:z, an si: an 'onj: o Sam 1 nn 9 res
w{ mi Avan Se:r na:r faiv skoir."
"gpi jar 'robAks nei 'betar San jar last, at/wil \ts no: wAr9
Sa 'sendan. p0:r dra i 'ftsanlas d^rt, no: wAr9 Sa 't/Auan; 'wila'wat,
a bi/grAd3t ma ti9 ont. jar 'm0:rful waz ne Sat jl, bat Ser no:
wAr9 Sa 'keri9n; Ser dor) tjip { 89 'merk9t e'nu:, so its ne: gret
'komplim9nt. gm ji h9d broxt mi a leg o gyd niAtn, or o 'kalar
1sa:mant, Sar wAd he bin SAHI sens jnt; bat ji:r 3en o Sa fAuk
Sat 1 ne:r 2/her{ jar'sel w{ jar 'prezants ; ^ts bAt Sa p^kl 'puSar Se
kost ji, an az 'waran jir '9mkan me:r o jar e:n d/ver/n San o mai
'stamik, A\an jir at Sa '/y^n ° Sam' P0;r bists."
"so a si: jir dgyst S9 lo>:ld man, xert/{, — 9i 'redi t9 tak Sa
strAmz, an ji xdmwa get x'a: 9{rj jar em wai. 'mon{ a taim a had
ta flit/ ji ut o Sa dorts Aian ji waz a 'kalant. d^v ji mainc? hu:
ji waz a'frAntat bfka:z a set ji dun ta a 1ka:lc? 'p^dggn'pai, 9n 9
'tarjkgr o 'tjpn^, ^'e: mxt t9 J9r 'fAuruirz, 9'fo:r SAHI 'lediz — he:,
he:, he: ! 'wib'wat, J9r W9if man he: hgr e:n 9'd^:z ta 'mamdg ji,
for jir a kAm'stein t/il, 'ert/{."
"kAm, kAm, s^t ji dun Se:r t{l a spik ta S^s 2bern." ......
>: "e *jpi
18—2
276 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
which wore the same aspect of chilly neatness as the one they
had quitted. Then pulling a huge bunch of keys from her
pocket, she opened a drawer, out of which she took a pair of
diamond ear-rings. " Hae, bairn/' said she, as she stuffed them
into Mary's hand; "they belanged to your faither's grand-
mother. She was a gude woman, an' had four-an'-twenty sons
and dochters, an' I wiss ye nae war fortin than just to hae as
mony. But mind ye," with a shake of her bony finger, " they
maun a' be Scots. Gin I thought ye wad mairry ony pock-
puddin', fient haed wad ye hae gotten frae me. Noo baud ye're
tongue, and dinna deive me wi' thanks," almost pushing her into
the parlour again ; " an' sin ye're gawn awa' the morn, I'll see
nae mair o' ye enoo ; so fare ye weel. But, Archie, ye maun
come an' tak your breakfast wi' me. I hae muckle to say to
you; but ye maunna be sae hard upon my baps as ye used
to be," with a facetious grin to her mollified favourite, as they
shook hands and parted.
READER 277
"he:, 1bern, Se brlarjt ta jar 'feSarz 'granmiftar.
Ji waz 9 gyd 'wAman, on had fAur n 'twmti SAnz an 'doxtarz, an
a w|s ji ne: 2wa:r 'fortm San d%ysi ta he: az 'mon^. bat mein
ji, Se man 2a: bi skots. gm a 0oxt ji wad 1/men
'oni 'pok'pAdjn, 3fpt hed wad ji he gotn fre mi:, nu: had jar
tAT), an xdm?ia di:v mi wj; Oarjks, an s^n jir 2ga:n 2arwa: Sa morn,
al si: ne me:r o ji e'nu: ; so fe:r ji wil. bat, 'ert/j, ji man kAin
an tak jar 'brakfast wi mi. a he mAkl ta se: ta ji; bat ji /man?ia
bi se hard a'pon ma baps az ji 4j0:zd ta bi."
3
278
IX A. THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT
ROBERT BURNS.
November chill blaws loud wi' angry sugh ;
The short'ning winter-day is near a close ;
The miry beasts retreating frae the pleugh ;
The black'ning trains o' craws to their repose :
The toil-worn Cotter frae his labor goes —
This night his weekly moil is at an end,
Collects his spades, his mattocks, and his hoes,
Hoping the morn in ease and rest to spend,
And weary, o'er the moor his course does hameward bend.
At length his lonely cot appears in view,
Beneath the shelter of an aged tree ;
Th' expectant wee-things, toddlih, stacher through
To meet their dad, wi' flichterin' noise an' glee.
His wee bit ingle, blinkin bonilie,
His clean hearth-stane, his thrifty wifie's smile,
The lisping infant, prattling on his knee,
Does a' his weary kiaugh and care beguile,
And makes him quite forget his labor and his toil.
Belyve, the elder bairns come drapping in,
At service out, amang the farmers roun',
Some ca' the pleugh, some herd, some tentie rin
A cannie errand to a neebor town :
Their eldest hope, their Jenny, woman grown,
In youthfu' bloom, love sparkling in her e'e,
Comes hame ; perhaps, to show a braw new gown,
Or deposite her sair-won penny-fee,
To help her parents dear, if they in hardship be.
279
IX A. THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT
ROBERT BURNS.
na'vembar tf^l 1bla:z hid wj: 'anrj. 2sux ;
$a 3//ortnari 'wintar'de: jz ni:r a kloiz;
Sa 4'mairi 5bists ri'tritan fre Sa 2pljfux ;
5a 'blaknan trenz o 1kra:z ta t5er n'poiz :
Sa 'taiPworn 'kotar fre hiz 'lebar go:z —
S{s nj:xt hjz 'wiklj moil jz at an end,
ka'lsks h^z spaidz, h^z 'mataks, an iz ho:z,
'hAupan Sa 3morn jn iiz an rsst ta spsnc?,
an 'wiiri, Aur Sa m^:r h^z kurs daz 'hemward
at Isn0 h{z '\on\i kot a'piirz pi vju:,
bi'niS Sa 'Jeltar av an 'edgad tri: ;
Sa jk'spektant 'wiiGinz, 3/todlan, 'staxar 0ru:
ta mit Sar dad, w^ 'fl^xtran 6noiz an gli:.
h^z wi: bit {r)l, 'bl^nkan 3/boml{,
h^z klin hsrO'sten, h^z '0rjft{ 'waifiz small,
Sa 'Ijspan xmfan, 'pratlan on \z km:,
daz lo>: h\z "wiiri kjaix an ke:r bfgail,
an maks him kwait far'gst h^z 'lebar an h^z tail.
bflaiv, Sa 1/a:lc?ar 7bernz kAm 'drapan m,
at 'servis ut, a'marj Sa 7/fermarz run,
SAm 1ka: Sa 2pl/ux, sAm hsrd, SAHI 'tentj rm
a 7kan^ 8/i:ran<i ta a 'nibar tun :
Sar 'eldast hAup, Sar 'dgsnj, 'wAman grAun,
in rjy0fa blym, IAV 'sparklan ^n har i:,
kAmz hem ; par'haps, ta Jo: a xbra: nju: gu»,
or 'drpozit har 'seii/wAii 'pen^fi:,
ta help har 'perants di:r, ^f Se: m 'hard/ip bi:.
a e oi
280 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
With joy unfeign'd brothers and sisters meet,
And each for other's weelfare kindly spiers :
The social hours, swift- winged, unnotic'd fleet ;
Each tells the uncos that he sees or hears.
The parents partial eye their hopeful years ;
Anticipation forward points the view ;
' The mother, wi' her needle and her shears,
Gars auld claes look amaist as weel's the new ;
The father mixes a' wi' admonition due.
Their master's and their mistress's command,
The younkers a' are warned to obey ;
And mind their labors wi' an eydent hand,
An' ne'er, tho' out o' sight, to jauk or play :
" And 0 ! be sure to fear the Lord alway,
And mind your duty, duly, morn and night ;
Lest in temptation's path ye gang astray,
Implore His counsel and assisting might •
They never sought in vain that sought the Lord aright."
But hark ! a rap comes gently to the door ;
Jenny, wha kens the meaning o' the same,
Tells how a neebor lad came o'er the moor,
To do some errands, and convoy her hame.
The wily mother sees the conscious flame
Sparkle in Jenny's e'e, and flush her cheek ;
With heart-struck anxious care, enquires his name,
While Jenny hamins is afraid to speak ;
Weel pleased the mother hears its nae wild, worthless rake.
With kindly welcome Jenny brings him^en ;
A strappin' youth ; he takes the mother's eye ;
Blithe Jenny sees the visit's no ill taen ;
The father cracks of horses, pleughs, and kye :
The youngster's artless heart o'erflows wi' joy,
READER 281
wt ^301 An'fe:nd 'briSarz an 's^starz mit,
an it/ for 'iSarz 'wilfer kaincftf spiirz :
Sa 'so/al u:rz, swjft'wmd, An'notj.st flit ;
itf telz 5a 'Ankaz frat hi si:z or hiirz.
<5a 'perants 'par/al cu Sar 'hAupfal i:rz ;
antjsr'pejan 'forward paints Sa vju:.
Sa 'miSar, wj: bar nidi an bar Jiirz,
ga:rz 2a:lc? kle:z Ijuk a'mest az wilz Sa nju: ;
Sa 3/feSar 'mjksaz 2a: w^ admo'm/an djui.
tSar 'mestarz an Sar 'm^strasaz 4ka'manc?,
Sa "JAnkarz 2a: ar 'warnat ta o'be: ;
an mainc? Sar 'lebarz w\ an 'aidant 4hanc£,
an neir, 0o ut o s{xt, ta 2d3a:k or pie: :
" an o: ! bi J0:r ta fi:r da loird al'wei,
an mainc? jar 'djut^, 'djulj, 5morn an n^xt ;
lest ^.n tsm'te/anz pe0 ji garj a'stre:,
rm'ploir hjz 'kunsal an a's^stan m^xt :
Se: 'nivar 5soxt pi vein Sat 5soxt Sa lo:rd
bat hark ! a rap kAmz ^sntli ta Sa 6do:r ;
'dgsnj, 2A\.a: kenz Sa 'minan o Sa sem,
tslz hu a 'nibar 4lad kam Aur Sa 6mo:r,
ta d0: sAm 7/i:ranc?z, an 8kon'voi bar hem.
Sa 'waili 'miSar si:z Sa 9/kon/as flem
sparkl jn /d3enjz i:, an fUJ bar t/ik ;
w{ 'hertstrAk 'an/as ke:r, 10{n'kwairz h^z nem,
Mail 'dgsn^ 'haflpz \z a'fred ta spik: ;
wil pliizd da 'miSar hiirz its ne: waild, 'wArGlas rek.
'wslkAm 'd3sm brjrjz h^m ben ;
a 'strapan jy0 ; hi taks Sa 'miSarz ai ;
blai0 'dgenj siiz Sa 'viizrts no: i\ ten ;
Sa 3/feSar kraks o 'horsaz, 11pl;uxs, an kai :
Sa 'JAnstarz 'srtlas hsrt Aur'flo.'z wi 12d30i,
1 01 2 g: 3 e: 4 a: 5 o 6 door, nioor are possible 18th cen-
tury rhymes 7e 8kan'vai 9o 10ai nA 12 all the rhymes in 01,
ai, might be pronounced with AI, see Ph. §§ 200, 205.
282 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
But blate and laithfu', scarce can weel behave ;
The mother, wi' a woman's wiles, can spy
What makes the youth sae bashfu' and sae grave ;
Weel-pleas'd to think her bairn's respected like the lave.
But now the supper crowns their simple board,
The halesome parritch, chief o' Scotia's food ;
The soupe their only hawkie does afford,
That 'yont the hallan snugly chows her cood :
The dame brings forth in complimental mood,
To grace the lad, her weel-hain'd kebbuck, fell,
And aft he's prest, and aft he ca's it guid ;
The frugal wine, garrulous, will tell
How 'twas a towmond auld, sin' lint was i' the bell.
The chearfu' supper done, wi' serious face,
They round the ingle form a circle wide ;
The sire turns o'er, wi' patriarchal grace,
The big ha'-Bible, ance his father's pride :
His bonnet rev'rently is laid aside,
His lyart haffets wearing thin an' bare ;
Those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide,
He wales a portion with judicious care ;
And " Let us worship God ! " he says, with solemn air.
READER 283
bet blet an 'leGfa, skers ken wil bfheiv ;
Sa 'miSar, w\ 9 'wAmanz wailz, kan spai
Avat maks Sa jy0 se 'bajfa an se greiv ;
wil'plist ta 0irjk bar 1bernz rfspskat laik Sa leiv.
bat nu: Sa 'sipar kruiiz Sar spnpl b0:rd,
5a 'helsam 'pantj, tjif o 'skojaz fyd ;
Sa sup dar 'onli 2/haik^ daz a'f0:rd,
dat jont Sa 'halan 'snAglj t/Auz bar kyd :
Sa dem br^rjz for9 ^n komplfmental myd,
ta gres Sa lad, bar 'wilhemd 'ksbak, fel,
an aft biz prsst, an aft hi 2ka:z ii gyd ;
Sa 'frugal 'waifi, 'garalas, w^.1 tsl
hu: twaz a 'tAumanrf 2a:lc?, sp lint waz \ Sa bsl.
Sa 't/iirfa 'sipar dyn, w^ 'siinas fes,
Se rund Sa ^]1 form a sjrkl waid ;
Sa sair tArnz rAur, w{ petrfarkl gres,
Sa bjg 2ha: 3baibl, 4ens h^z 5/feSarz praid:
biz rbonat 'rsvrantb \z le:d a'said,
h^z 'laiart "hafats 'wiiran Gp an be:r ;
So:z strenz Sat 4ens did swit \n 'zaian glaid,
hi welz a 'porjan wi dgu'dijas keir ;
and " 1st AS 'wAr/^p god ! " hi ssz, wi9 'solam e:r.
a
284
XA. THE EESUEEECT10NERS
LIFE OF MANSIE WAUCH.
DAVID M. Mom ("DELTA") (1798-1851).
CHAPTER X.
Then up and spak the red-headed laddie : " It's no fair ;
anither should hae come by this time. I wad rin awa hame,
only I am frighted to gang out my lane. Do ye think the doup
of that candle wad carry i' my cap ? "
" Na, na, lad ; we maun bide here, as we are here now. Leave
me alane ? Lord safe us ! and the yett lockit, and the bethrel
sleeping with the key in his breek pouches ! We canna win out
now though we would," answered I, trying to look brave, though
half frightened out of my seven senses : " Sit down, sit down ;
I've baith whisky and porter wi' me. Hae, man, there's a cawker
to keep your heart warm ; and set down that bottle," quoth I,
wiping the sawdust affin't with my hand, " to get a toast ; I'se
warrant it for Deacon Jaffrey's best brown stout."
The wind blew higher, and like a hurricane ; the rain began
to fall in perfect spouts ; the auld kirk rumbled and rowed, and
made a sad soughing ; and the branches of the bourtree behind
the house, where auld Cockburn that cut his throat was buried,
creaked and crazed in a frightful manner; but as to the roaring
of the troubled waters, and the bumming in the lum-head, they
were past all power of description. To make bad worse, just in
the heart of the brattle, the grating sound of the yett turning
on its rusty hinges was but too plainly heard. What was to be
done ? I thought of our both running away ; and then of our
locking ourselves in, and firing through the door ; but who was
to pull the trigger ?
Gudeness watch over us ! I tremble yet when I think on it.
We were perfectly between the de'il and the deep sea — either
to stand still and fire our gun, or run and be shot at. It was
really a hang choice. As I stood swithering and shaking, the
laddie flew to the door, and, thrawing round the key, clapped
285
XA. THE KESURRECTIONERS
LIFE OF MANSIE WA UGH.
DAVID M. Mom (" DELTA") (1798-1851).
%
CHAPTER X.
San Ap an spak Sa 1red2hedet 'ladi : "jts no: feir; a'mSar
3 Jud he kAm bj: S{S taim. 9 wad rm 4a/wa: hem, 'onli am 'fqxtat
ta gar) ut ma len. dji 0mk da dAup o Sat 5kanc£l wad 6/ken \ ma
kep?"
"na:,na:, 5lad; wi man baid hi:r, az wi ar hi:r mi:. li:v mi:
a'len ? lo:rd sef as ! an Sa jet 'lokat, an Sa 'bsSral 'slipan w^ Sa
7ki: m \z brik "put/az ! wi 'kanrca 8wm ut nu: 0o wi wAd,"
'ansart CLI, 'traian ta luk bre:v, 60 4ha:f fqxtot ut o ma 9sivn
'sensaz : " s{t dun, sjt dun ; av be0 'A\Ask| an 'portar w^ mi. he:,
man, Se:rz a 4'ka:kar ta kip jar hsrt warm ; an set dun Sat botl,"
kwo ai, 'waipan Sa 4/sa:dAst afnt wj ma 5hanc#, " ta get a tost; az
far 7/dikan 'd^afrez best brun stut."
'gydnas watj Aur AS ! a tnml jst wan a 6mk ont. wi war
'perf^kl^ bftwin Sa dil an Sa dip si: — 10/eSar ta 5 stanch stn1 an 7fair
11 ur gAn, or nn an bi Jot at. j.t waz 're:lj a harj t/ais. az a styd
's*\^Sran an 'Jakan, Sa 'lodi flu: ta Sa do:r, an, 4/0raan rune? Sa 7ki:,
H, a 2i 3sAd 4^: 5a: 6e 7ai 8A 9e 10e: nwar,
wp:, wAr
286 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
his back to it. Oh ! how I looked at him, as he stood for a gliff,
like a magpie hearkening with his lug cocked up, or rather like
a terrier watching a rotten. " They're coming ! they're coming ! "
he cried out ; " cock the piece, ye sumph " ; while the red hair
rose up from his pow like feathers ; " they're coming, I hear them
tramping on the gravel ! " Out he stretched his arms against
the wall, and brizzed his back against the door like mad ; as if
he had been Samson pushing over the pillars in the house of
Dagon. " For the Lord's sake, prime the gun," he cried out, " or
our throats will be cut frae lug to lug before we can cry Jack
Robison ! See that there's priming in the pan."
I did the best I could ; but my whole strength could hardly
lift up the piece, which waggled to and fro like a cock's tail on
a rainy day ; my knees knocked against one another, and though
I was resigned to die — I trust I was resigned to die — 'od, but it
was a frightful thing to be out of one's bed, and to be murdered
in an old session-house, at the dead hour of night, by unearthly
resurrection men, or rather let me call them deevils incarnate,
wrapt up in dreadnoughts, with blacked faces, pistols, big sticks,
. and other deadly weapons.
A snuff-snuffing was heard ; and, through below the door, I
saw a pair of glancing black een. 'Od, but my heart nearly
louped off the bit — a snouff, and a gur-gurring, and over all the
plain tramp of a man's heavy tackets and cuddy-heels among
the gravel. Then came a great slap like thunder on the wall ;
and the laddie, quitting his grip, fell down, crying, " Fire, fire ! —
murder ! holy murder ! "
" Wha's there ? " growled a deep rough voice ; " open, — I'm
a freend."
I tried to speak, but could not ; something like a halfpenny
roll was sticking in my throat, so I tried to cough it up, but it
would not come. "Gie the pass-word then," said the laddie,
staring as if his eyes would loup out ; " gie the password ! "
First came a loud whistle, and then "Copmahagen," answered
the voice. Oh ! what a relief ! The laddie started up, like one
crazy with joy. " Ou ! ou !" cried he, thrawing round the key,
and rubbing his hands; "by jingo, it's the bethrel— it's the
bethrel — it's auld Isaac himsell."
v
READER 287
klapt iz bak ta it. 01 ! hu: a 'Ijukat at im, az i styd far a gljf, laik
a 'mogpai 'harknan wi h^z kg kokt Ap, or x'reSar laik a 'teriar
'wat/an a rotn. " Ser 'kAman ! Ser 'kAman ! " hi krait ut ; " kok Sa
pis, jisAmf "; MailSa 2rsd heir reiz Ap fre h^z pAu laik 'feSarz; "Ser
'kAman, a hi:r Sam 'trampan on Sa greivl ! " ut hi stret/t h^z
3ermz a'genst Sa 4wa:, an br^zd \z bak a'gsnst Sa doir laik mad;
az ^f hid bin 'samsan xpA/an Aur Sa 'p^larz in Sa hus o 'dogan.
" for Sa loirdz sek, praim Sa gAn," hi krait ut, " or 5ur Grots w{l bi
kAt fre lAg ta lAg bffoir wi kan krai dgsk 'robisan ! si: Sat Sarz
'praiman m Sa pan."
"4Ava:z Seir ?" grAult a dip rox vais; "opm, — am a frinrf."
"gi: Sa 'paswArd San," ssd Sa ladi, 'steiran az {f \z a^z wad
Uup ut ; " gi: Sa 'paswArd ! "
6fArst kam a lud 6MAsl, an San " 'kopma'hegan," 'ansart Sa
vais. o: ! A\at a n'lif ! Sa 'ladi 'stertat Ap, laik 7en 'kre.'zi w{ 8d3oi.
"u: ! u: !" krait hi, 4/6raan rune? Sa 9ki:, an 'rAban jz 10hanc?z; " bai
o, its Sa 'bsSral — its Sa 'bsSral — its 4a:lc£ 9/aizak
, a 3s 4g: 5war, wir, wAr 6i 7in 8oi 9ai
10
a:
288 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
First rushed in the dog, and then Isaac, with his glazed hat
slouched over his brow, and his horn bowet glimmering by his
knee. " Has the French landed, do ye think ? Losh keep us a',"
said he, with a smile on his half-idiot face (for he was a kind of
a sort of a natural, with an infirmity in his leg), " 'od sauf us,
man, put by your gun. Ye dinna mean to shoot me, do ye ?
What are ye about here with the door lockit ? I just keppit
four resurrectioners louping ower the wa'."
" Gude guide us ! " I said, taking a long breath to drive the
blood from my heart, and something relieved by Isaac's com-
pany— « Come now, Isaac, ye're just gieing us a fright. Isn't
that true, Isaac ? "
"Yes, I'm joking — and what for no ? — but they might have
been, for onythirig ye wad hae hindered them to the contrair,
I'm thinking. Na, na, ye maunna lock the door : that's no fair
play."
When the door was put ajee, and the furm set foment the
fire, I gave Isaac a dram to keep his heart up on such a cold
stormy night. 'Od, but he was a droll fellow, Isaac. He sung
and leuch as if he had been boozing in Luckie Tamson's, with
some of his drucken cronies. Feint a hair cared he about auld
kirks, or kirkyards, or vouts, or throughstanes, or dead folk in
their winding-sheets, with the wet grass growing over them ;
and at last I began to brighten up a wee myself; so when he
had gone over a good few funny stories, I said to him, quoth I,
" Mony folk, I daresay, mak' mair noise about their sitting up
in a kirkyard than it's a' worth. There's naething here to harm
us?"
" I beg to differ wi' ye there," answered Isaac, taking out his
horn mull from his coat pouch, and tapping on the lid in a queer
style — " I could gie anither version of that story. Did ye no ken
of three young doctors — Eirish students — alang with some resur-
rectioners, as waff and wild as themsells, firing shottie for shottie
with the guard at Kirkmabreck, and lodging three slugs in ane
of their backs, forbye firing a ramrod through anither ane's
hat ? "
This was a wee alarming — " No," quoth I ; " no, Isaac, man ;
I never heard of it."
READER 289
"haz Sa frsnj 'landat, dji 0ink ? 1loJ kip AS 2ct:,"
" od saif AS, men, 3p^t bai jar gAn. ji 'dim?a min ta Jyt mi:, d0:
ji ? A\at ar ji a'but hi:r w{ Sa do:r 'lokat ? a d3yst 'kepat fAur
resAr'ek/anarz 'Uupan Aur Sa 2wa:."
" gyd gaid'As ! " " kAm nu:, 4/aizak, jir dgyst 'gian AS
a fqxt. iznt Sat tru:, 4'aizak ? "
"jes, am 'd3okan — an A\at for no: ? — bAt Se mjxt a bin, for
1/on^9ir) ji: wad he 'hmcfort 5am ta Sa 'kontrar, am '0mkan. na:,
na:, ji 'manna lok Sa do:r : Sats no: fe:r pie:/'
Man Sa do:r waz 3p{t a'd3i:, an Sa fArm set far'nsnt Sa 5fair,
a ge:v 4/aizak a dram ta kip \z hsrt Ap on s{k a 2ka:lc? 6/storm|
ri[xt. od, bAt i waz a drol 'fela, 4/aizak. hi SATJ n ljux az ;f hid
bin 'bu:zan m 'Ukj tamsnz, w{ sAm o h^z drAkr) 'kron^z. fint a
he:r ke:rd hi a'but 2a:l<i k^rks, or kjrkjerdz, or vAuts, or 'Sruxstenz,
or did fAuk p Sar 'waindan'/its, wj: 5a wet grss 'grAuan Aur Sam ;
an at last a bfgan ta 12br^xr) Ap a wi: ma'ssl ; so: A\an i had ge:n
Aur a gyd fju: 'fAn^. sto:riz, a ssd ta hjm, kwo: ai, " 7/moni 6fAuk,
a 'darse, mak me:r 8noiz a'but Sar "s^tan Ap ^.n a kp*k'jerd San ^ts
2a: wAr9. Sarz 'neS^r) hi:r ta 9hermz ? "
" a bsg ta 'd^far wi ji Se:r," 'ansart 4/aizak, 'takan ut ^z 6horn
mAl fre h^z 6kot put/, an 'tapan on Sa l{d m a kwi:r stail — " a kAd
gi: a'niSar 'ver/an o Sat 'sto.'r^. dj:d ji no: ken o 0ri: j AT) 'doktarz —
'airij 'stjudants — a'larj w^ SAm resA'rskfanarz, az waf an waild az
Sarn'selz, 4/fairan Jot^ for '/ot{ w{ Sa ge:rd at kirkma'brek, en
'Udgan 0ri: sUgz m 10en o Sar baks, far'bai 4fairan a 'ramrod 0ru
a'mSar 10enz hat ? "
Sis waz a wi: 9a'lerman — "no:," kwo ai; "no:, 4/aizak, man;
a 'mvar nherd ot."
xo 2g: 3A 4ai 5a: 6o 7o, a, A 8oi 9e 10jm na
12/br[xtan
G. 19
290 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" But, let alane resurrectioners, do ye no think there is sic a
thing as ghaists ? Guide ye, man, my grannie could hae telled
as muckle about them as would have filled a minister's sermons
from June to January."
" Kay— kay— that's all buff," I said. " Are there nae cutty-
stool businesses — are there nae marriages going on just now,
Isaac ? " for I was keen to change the subject.
" Ye may kay — kay, as ye like, though ; I can just tell ye
this : — Ye'll mind auld Armstrong with the leather breeks, and
the brown three-story wig — him that was the gravedigger?
Weel, he saw a ghaist wi' his leeving een — ay, and what's better,
in this very kirkyard too. It was a cauld spring morning, and
daylight just coming in, whan he cam' to the yett yonder,
thinking to meet his man — paidling Jock — but Jock had sleepit
in, and wasna there. Weel, to the wast corner ower yonder he
gaed, and throwing his coat ower a headstane, and his hat on
the tap o't, he dug away with his spade, casting out the mools,
and the coffin handles, and the green banes and sic like, till he
stoppit a wee to take breath. What ! are ye whistling to your-
sell ? " quoth Isaac to me, " and no hearing what's God's truth ? "
" Ou ay," said I ; " but ye didna tell me if onybody was cried
last Sunday ? " — I would have given every farthing I had made
by the needle, to have been at that blessed time in my bed with
my wife and wean. Ay, how I was gruing ! I mostly chacked off
my tongue in chittering. But all would not do.
"Weel, speaking of ghaists — when he was resting on his
spade he looked up to the steeple, to see what o'clock it was,
wondering what way Jock hadna come, when lo and behold ! in
the lang diced window of the kirk yonder, he saw a lady a' in
white, with her hands clasped thegither, looking out to the kirk-
yard at him.
"He couldna believe his een, so he rubbit them with his
sark sleeve, but she was still there bodily ; and, keeping ae ee
on her, and anither on his road to the yett, he drew his coat and
hat to him below his arm, and aff like mad, throwing the shool
half a mile ahint him. Jock fand that ; for he was coming sing-
ing in at the yett, when his maister ran clean ower the tap o'
him, and capsized him like a toom barrel ; never stopping till
,
READER 291
" bAt, xlet a'len resA'rek/anarz, dji no: Gmk Sarz s{k a Q\y az
gests ? gaid ji, man, ma 'granj. kAd he tslt az mAkl a'bnt Sem az
2wAd av fAlt a 'mm^starz 'sermanz fre dgun ta ^anwarj."
" ke:— ke:— Sats 3a: bAf," a sed. "ar Sar ne: 'kAti'styl
'bfznasaz — ar Sar ne: 'mendgaz 'goan on dgyst nu:, 4/aizak ?" for
a waz kin ta H/endg Sa 'sAbd3{k.
" ji me ke: — ke:, az ji laik, Go: ; a kan dgyst tsl ji Sj.s : — jil
mainc? 3a:k2 'ermstror) wj: Sa 'leSar briks, an Sa brun 'Qri'sto:rj:
wjg — hmi Sat waz Sa 'gre:vd{gar ? wil, hi 3sa: a gest w{ h^z 'li:van
in — ai, an Mats 'betar, m S^s 'vera Iqrk'jerd t^:. \t waz a 3ka:lc£
sprit) 5/mornan, an 'de:l{xt dgyst 'kAman ^.n, Avan i kam ta Sa jet
"jon^ar, 'Gjrjkan ta mit \z man — 'pedlan dgok — bat dgok had
'slipat m, an 'wazna Se:r. wil, ta Sa wast 'kornar Aur "jonc^ar hi
ge:d, an 'Groan \z 5kot Aur a 6/hedsten, an {z hat on Sa tap ot, hi
dAg 3a'wa: w{ h^z spa:d, 'kastan ut Sa mulz, an Sa 5/kofan 7hanc?lz,
an Sa grin benz an sjk laik, t{l hi 'stopat a wi: ta tak bre0. Avat !
ar ji 2A\Asln ta jai-'ssl ? " kwo: 4/aizak ta mi:, " an no: 'hi:ran A\ats
godz try0 ? "
"u: ai," sed ai; "bat ji 'dj.dna tel mi ^f 5'ombAdi waz krait
last 'sAndt ? " — a 2wAd av gi:n 'ivrj 'fardan a had med bf Sa nidi,
ta hav bin at Sat 'blisad taim m ma bed w| ma waif an we:n. ai,
hu: a waz 'gruan ! a 'mestlj 't/akat af ma tArj m 't/itran. bat 3a:
2/wAdna d0:.
" wil, 'spikan o gests — Avan hi waz 'restan on h^z spa:d hi 1/ukt
Ap ta Sa stipl, ta si: A\at o klok {t waz, 'wAncZran Avat wai dgok
'hadna kAm, A\an lo: an bfhold ! ^n Sa lar) daist 'winda o Sa k^rk
"jonc^ar, hi 3sa: a 'led: 3a: m Avait, w{ har 7hanc?z 'klaspat Sa'giSar,
'Ijukan ut ta Sa k^rk'jerd at jm.
" hi xkAdna bflhv \z in, so hi'rAbat Sam w{ hjz sark sli:v, bat
Ji waz st^l 3e:r 8/bodil{ ; an, 'kipan JQ: i: on har, an a'niSar on \z
8rod to Sa jet, hi dru: h^z 5kot n hat ta h^m bflo: hj.z 9/erm, an
af laik mad, 'Groan Sa Jul 3ha:f a mail a'hpit ^m. dgok 7fanc?
Sat ; far i waz 'kAman 'sman m at Sa jet, Avan h^z 'mestar ran klin
Aur Sa tap o h^m, an kap'saist \m laik a tym barl; 'nivar
1 a, a 2 a, i 3 g: 4 ai 5 o 6 i 7 a: 8 o 9 e
19—2
292 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
he was in at his ain house, and the door baith bolted and barred
at his tail.
" Did ye ever hear the like of that, Mansie ? Weel, man, I'll
explain the hail history of it to ye. Ye see— 'Od ! how sound
that callant's sleeping," continued Isaac; "he's snoring like a
nine-year-auld ! "
I was glad he had stopped, for I was like to sink through
the ground with fear ; but no, it would not do.
" Dinna ye ken — sauf us ! what a fearsome night this is !
The trees will be all broken. What a noise in the lum ! I dare-
say there's some auld hag of a witch-wife gaun to come rumble
doun't. It's no the first time, I'll swear. Hae ye a silver six-
pence ? Wad ye like that ? " he bawled up the chimney. " Ye'll
hae heard," said he, " lang ago, that a wee murdered wean was
buried — didna ye hear a voice ? — was buried below that corner —
the hearthstane there, where the laddie's lying on ? "
I had now lost my breath, so that I could not stop him.
" Ye never heard tell o't, didna ye ? Weel, I'se tell't ye —
Sauf us, what swurls of smoke coming doun the chimley — I could
swear something no canny 's stopping up the lum-head — Gang
out and see ! "
At that moment a clap like thunder was heard — the candle
was driven over — the sleeping laddie roared "Help!" and
" Murder ! " and " Thieves ! " and as the furm on which we were
sitting played flee backwards, cripple Isaac bellowed out, " I'm
dead !— I'm killed— shot through the head !— Oh ! oh ! oh ! "
Surely I had fainted away; for when I came to myself I
found my red comforter loosed, my face all wet — Isaac rubbing
down his waistcoat with his sleeve — the laddie swigging ale out
of a bicker — and the brisk brown stout, which, by casting its
cork, had caused all the alarm, whizz — whizz — whizzing in the
chimley lug.
HEADER 293
'stopan t\l i waz m at \z e:n bus, an Sa do:r be9 'boltat an ba:rt
at \z tel.
" d{d ji 'ivar hi:r Sa laik o Sat, 'mansi ? wil, man, al j.k'splen
Sa hel 'h^str^ ot ta ji. ji si: — od ! hu: sund Sat 'kalants 'slipan,"
kan'tmjad lraizak ; " hiz 'sno:ran laik a nain i:r 2a:lc£ ! "
a waz glsd hi had stopt, far a waz laik ta sjrjk 0ru: Sa grAn
w{ fi:r ; bat no:, {t 3/wAdna d0:.
"'dprza ji ken — sa:f AS ! Mat a 'fizrsam n^xt S^s \z I Sa tri:z 1
bi 2a: brokn. Mat a 4noiz \u Sa Um ! a 'darse Sarz SAm 2a:lc?
hag o a 5/wAtJwaif 2ga:n ta kAm 'rAm61an dunt. {ts no: Sa 5fArst
taim, al swi:r. he: ji a 'sjlar 'sakspans ? 3wAd ji laik Sat ? " hi
2ba:ld Ap Sa 't/iinni. " jil he 6hsrd," ssd hi, " larj a'go:, Sat a wi:
'mArdart we:n waz 'bunt — 'dplna ji hi:r a vais? — waz 'bi:nt bflo:
Sat 'kornar — Sa 'herSsten Se:r, Mar Sa 7ladiz 'laian on ? "
a had nu: lost ma bre6, so Sat a 'kAdna stop {m.
"ji 'mvar 6herd tel ot, 'd[dna ji ? wil, az telt ji — sa:f AS, Mat
swArlz o smok 'kAman dun Sa tj^ml{ — a kAd swi:r 'sAmS^rj no:
'kanj.z 'stopan Ap Sa lAm7hed — gar) ut n si: !"
" help ! " " niArdar ! " " 0ifs ! " " am 7 ded !— am Iqlt—
Jot 6ru Sa 7hed !— o:! o:! o:! "
g: a,
294
XI A. THE AULD FARMER'S NEW- YEAR
MORNING SALUTATION TO HIS AULD
MARE, MAGGIE
ROBEKT BUKNS.
A Quid New- Year I wish thee, Maggie !
Hae, there's a ripp to thy auld baggie :
Tho' thou's howe-backit now, an' knaggie,
I've seen the day
Thou could hae gaen like onie staggie
Out-owre the lay.
Tho' now thou's dowie, stiff, an' crazy,
An' thy auld hide's as white's a daisie,
I've seen thee dappl't, sleek, an' glaizie,
A bonie gray :
He should been tight that dau'rt to raize thee
Ance in a day.
Thou ance was i' the foremost rank, '
A filly buirdly, steeve, an' swank,
An' set weel down a shapely shank
As e'er tread yird ;
An' could ha'e flown out-owre a stank
Like onie bird.
It's now some nine-an'-twenty year
Sin' thou was my guid-father's meere ;
He gied me thee, o' tocher clear,
An' fifty mark.
Tho' it was sma', 'twas weel-won gear,
An' thou was stark.
295
XI A. THE AULD FARMER'S NEW- YEAR
MORNING SALUTATION TO HIS AULD
MARE, MAGGIE
ROBERT BURNS,
9 gyd nju 'i:r 9 1w^J Si, 'magi !
he:, 'Se:rz 9 r^p ta Sai 2/a:lc£ 'bagi :
9o Su:z hAu'bakgt nu:, en A^nagi,
9v sin S9 de:
Su kAd he gem taik 3/om 'stagi
ut'Aur $9 le:.
0o nu: Suz xdAui, stif, 9n 'kre:zi,
9n Sai 2Q1:\d hgidz az Avgits 9 'de:zi,
av sin Si: daplt, slik, 9n 'gle:zi,
9 3/boni gre :
hi 4SAd bin t^xt S9t 2da:rt t9 re:z Si
5ens pi 9 de:.
Su 5ens W9z i S9 'fo:rm9st rank,
9 'f[l{ 'b0:rdl{, sti:v, 9n swank,
9n set wil dun 9 'Jepl^ Jank
9z e:r tred jjrd ;
9n kAd he fUun ut'Aur 9 stank
taik 3'on{ b^rd.
its nu: SAm /n9inn/twtnti i:r
sjn Su W9z mai gyd6/feS9rz mi:r;
hi gi:d mi Si:, o 3/tox9r kli:r,
9n 'f\fti mark.
60 rt W9z 2sma:, tw9z 'wilwAn gi:r,
9n Su: W9z stark.
9 5jnis
296 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
When first I gaed to woo my Jenny,
Ye then was trottin' wi' your minnie :
Tho' ye was trickle, slee, an' funnie,
Ye ne'er was donsie ;
But hamely, tawie, quiet, an' cannie,
An' unco sonsie.
That day, ye pranc'd wi' muckle pride,
When ye bure hame my bonie bride :
An' sweet an' gracefu' she did ride,
Wi' maiden air !
Kyle-Stewart I could bragged wide,
For sic a pair.
Tho' now ye dow but hoyte and hobble,
An' wintle like a saumont coble,
That day, ye was a j inker noble,
For heels an' win' !
An' ran them till they a' did wauble,
Far, far behin'.
When thou an' I were young and skiegh,
An' stable-meals at fairs were driegh,
How thou wad prance, an' snore, an' skriegh,
An' tak' the road !
Town's-bodies ran, an' stood abiegh,
An' ca't thee mad.
When thou was corn't, an' I was mellow,
We took the road ay like a swallow :
At brooses thou had ne'er a fellow
For pith and speed ;
But ev'ry tail thou pay't them hollow,
Whare'er thou gaed.
The sma', droop-rumpl't, hunter cattle
Might aiblins waur't thee for a brattle ;
READER 297
A\an ifjrst 9 ge:d ta wu: ma '
ji San waz 'trotan wj. J9r 'mmi :
0o ji W9z 'tr{k:[, sli:, 9n 'fAn^,
ji ne:r wgz 'dons{ ;
bAt 'hernl^ 2/ta:{, kwe:t, 9n 'kanj,
9n
Sat dei, ji pranst w{ mAkl praid,
Avan ji b0:r hem m9 3'bon{ braid :
9n swit an 'gresfa Ji d^d raid,
w{ medn e:r !
'kail'stjuart a kAd 'bragat waid,
far s{k a pe:r.
0o nu: ji dAu bAt hoit n 3hobl,
an 1wmtl laik a 2sa:m9nt 3kobl,
Sat de:, ji W9z 9 'dgnjkgr 3nobl,
f9r hilz 9n wp !
an ran Sam fyl Se 2a: d^d 3wobl,
2fa:r, 2fa:r bfhm.
A\an 4Su: an ai war JAIJ an skix,
an 'stebl'melz at fe:rz war drix,
hu: Su 5wad prans, an sno:r, an skrix,
an tak Sa 3rod !
tunz1bodiz ran, an styd a'bix,
an 2ka:t Si mad.
A\an Su: waz 3kornt, an 2a: waz 'mela,
wi tuk Sa 3rod ai laik a 'swala :
at br^izaz Su had ne:r a 'fala
far pi0 an spid ;
bAt 'ivrj tel Su pe:t Sam 'hala,
Avar'eir Su gid.
Sa 2sma:, drup'rAmplt, 'hAntar katl
m^xt 'eblmz 2wa:rt Si far a bratl ;
A 2 g: 3o 4 the genuine dialect form would be Si: an mi:
or ji: an mi 5 1, A
298 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
But sax Scotch miles thou try't their mettle,
An' gar't them whaizle.
Nae whip nor spur, but just a wattle
0' saugh or hazle.
Thou was a noble fittie-lan',
As e'er in tug or tow was drawn !
Aft thee an' I, in aught hours' gaun,
On guid March-weather,
Hae turned sax rood beside our ban',
For days thegither.
Thou never braing't, an fetch't an' fliskit,
But thy auld tail thou wad hae whiskit,
An' spread abreed thy well-fill'd brisket,
Wi' pith an' pow'r,
Till sprittie knowes wad rair't and riskit,
An' slypet owre.
When frosts lay lang, an' snaws were deep,
An' threaten'd labour back to keep,
I gied thy cog a wee bit heap
Aboon the timmer;
I ken'd my Maggie wad na sleep
For that, or simmer.
In cart or car thou never reestit ;
The steyest brae thou wad hae fac't it ;
Thou never lap, an' sten't, an' breastit,
Then stood to blaw ;
But just thy step a wee thing hastit,
Thou snoov't awa'.
My pleugh is now thy bairntime a' ;
Four gallant brutes as e'er did draw ;
Forbye sax mae, I've sell't awa,
That thou hast nurst ;
They 'drew me thretteen pund an' twa,
The vera warst.
READER 299
bAt saks skots meilz Su trait S9r metl,
9n 1ga:rt S9m Me:zl.
ne: AVAp nor spAr, bAt dgyst 9 watl
o 2sa:x gr he:zl.
Su W9z 9 nobl 'fjt:[2'la:n,
9z eir m tAg or tAu W9z 2dra:n !
aft 3Si: 9n ai, m 4axt u:rz 2ga:n,
on gyd msrt/'weSgr,
he tArnt saks ryd bi's9id 5ur 2ha:n,
fgr deiz Sg'giSgr.
Su 'nivgr brendsd, 9n fst/t 9n '
bAt Sai 2a:k£ tel Su 6w9d he
9n spred 9'brid Sai 'wilf^lt 'bqsk^t,
6w9d re:rt 9n
9n Xsl9ip9t Aur.
7frosts le: Ian, 9n 2sna:z W9r dip,
9n Gretnt 'lebgr bak t9 kip,
9 gi:d Sai kog 9 wi: b{t hip
9'byn 89 'tjmgr :
9 kent mai 'magi 6/w9dn9 slip
fgr Sat, or 'sjmgr.
^n kert or 2ka:r Su 'mv9r 'rist9t ;
89 'st9i9st bre: Su 6w9d he fest rt ;
Su 'niv9r lap, 9n stent, 9n 'brist9t,
San styd t9 2bla: ;
bAt d3yst Sai step 9 wi: 6{r) Xhist9t,
Su snuivt 29'wa:.
mai 8pl;ux \z nu: Sai 1/bernt9im 2a: ;
fAur 'gabnt bryts 9z eir did 2dra: ;
fgr'bai saks me:, 9v sslt 29'wa:,
Set Su hast nArst ;
Se dru: mi '0rstin pAnc? 9n 2twa:,
S9 'vere wArst,
2 9: 3 genuine dialect Si: 9n mi: 4 a: 5 WIT, wer, WAr
0 8A
300 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Monie a sair darg we twa hae wrought,
An' wi' the weary warl' fought !
An' monie an anxious day I thought
We wad be beat !
Yet here to crazy age we're brought,
Wi' something yet.
An' think na, my auld trusty servan',
That now perhaps thou's less deservin',
An' thy auld days may end in starvin',
For my last fow,
A heapit stimpart, I'll reserve ane
Laid by for you.
We've worn to crazy years thegither ;
We'll toyte about wi' ane anither ;
Wi' tentie care I'll flit thy tether
To some hain'd rig,
Whare ye may nobly rax your leather,
Wi' sma' fatigue.
READER 301
a se:r 2darg wi 3twa: he
an wj Sa 'wiiri 2warl 4foxt !
an 1/mon^ an 'an/as de: a 40oxt
wi 5wad bi bet !
jet hi:r ta 'kreizi edg wir 4broxt,
an '0mk na, mai 3ailc? 'trAstj 'servan,
Sat nui per'haps Suz les di'zervan,
an Sai 3a:ldl deiz me end pi 'sterven,
far mai last fAu,
a 'hipat 'st^mpart, al r^'zerv 6en
le:d bai far ju:.
wiv 4worn ta 'kreizi iirz Sa'giSar ;
wil toit a'but w^ 6en a'niSar;
w^ 'tent{ keir al fl^t Sai 'teSar
ta sAm heind rjg,
Aver ji me 'nobl{ raks jar 'leftar,
wi 3smai fa't^g.
1 A, a, o 2 ai 3 gi 4 D 5 A, i 6 ji
302
XII A. BLIN' TIBBIE
ALEC FORBES OF HOWGLEN.
GEORGE MACDONALD (1824-1905).
CHAPTER XLIV.
The scene of Alec Forbes is the village and neighbourhood
of Huntly in W. Abd. Macdonald makes his characters use the
" Lingua Scottica " and not the local dialect, no doubt because
he wished to be easily intelligible to all Scottish speakers. Thus
he uses the ordinary Scottish spellings guid or gude, wha, whan,
hoo, auld, wrang, frae, which his characters would have pro-
In the course of her study of Milton, Annie had come upon
Samson's lamentation over his blindness ; and had found, soon
after, the passage in which Milton, in his own person, bewails
the loss of light. The thought that she would read them to
Tibbie Dyster was a natural one. She borrowed the volumes
from Mrs Forbes; and, the next evening, made her way to
Tibbie's cottage, where she was welcomed as usual by her gruff
voice of gratefulness.
" Ye're a gude bairn to come a' this gait through the snaw
to see an auld blin' body like me. It's dingin' on (snawing or
raining) — is na 't, bairn ? "
" Ay is't. Hoo do ye ken, Tibbie ? "
" I dinna ken hoo I ken. I was na sure. The snaw maks
unco little din, ye see. It comes doon like the speerit himsel'
upo' quaiet herts."
" Did ye ever see, Tibbie ? " asked Annie, after a pause.
" Na ; nae that I min' upo'. I was but twa year auld, my
mither used to tell fowk, whan I had the pock, an' it jist closed
up my een for ever — i' this warl, ye ken. I s' see some day as
w eel's ony o' ye, lass."
" Do ye ken what licht is, Tibbie ? " said Annie, whom Milton
had set meditating on Tibbie's physical in relation to her mental
condition.
303
XII A. BLIN' TIBBIE
ALEC FORBES OF HOWGLEN.
GEORGE MACDONALD (1824-1905).
CHAPTER XLIV.
nounced gwid, fa:, fan, hu:, ail, vrarj, fe:. Other indica-
tions of local pronunciations and usages in his works are :
speikin 'spdikan cwid kwid
trowth trAuO ohn bein' angry See Gr. § 51, Notes 1,2
chop tfop ook uk
saiven saivn greit grait
" jir 9 gyd 1bern to kAm a: S^s get 0ru: 59 sna: te si: en a:\d
blni 'bAdi bik mi:, rts 'djipn on — '{znat, 1bern ? "
" ai tst. hu: di ji ksn, 't^bi ? "
" 9 'dmwa ksn hu: a ken. 9 Xw9zn9 J^:r. Sa sna: maks 'Anka
l^tl dni, ji si:. \t kAmz dun bik 59 'spirit him'ssl 9'po kwe:t
hsrts."
"d^dji'iv9r si:, 'tibi ? "
"na:; ne: Sat 9 m9in 9'po. 9 W9z bgt twa: i:r a:lc?, ni9
'miSgr j0st t9 tsl fAuk, Man 9 hgd S9 pok, 9n |t dgyst klost Ap
m9 in far 'ivar — j 5{s 2warl, ji ken. ais si: sAm de: 9z wilz 3on{
o ji, las."
" di ji ken Avat l^xt \z, 'tibi ? "
2
a:
304 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Ay, weel eneuch," answered Tibbie, with a touch of indig-
nation at the imputed ignorance. " What for no ? What gars
ye spier ? "
" Ow ! I jist wanted to ken."
" Hoo could I no ken ? Disna the Saviour say : ' I am the
licht o' the warl ' ? — He that walketh in Him maun ken what
licht is, lassie. Syne ye hae the licht in yersel — in yer ain hert ;
an' ye maun ken what it is. Ye canna mistak' it."
Annie was neither able nor willing to enter into an argument
on the matter, although she was not satisfied. She would rather
think than dispute about it. So she changed the subject in a
measure.
" Did ye ever hear o' John Milton, Tibbie ? " she asked.
" Ow ! ay. He was blin' like mysel', wasna he ? "
" Ay, was he. I hae been readin' a heap o' his poetry."
" Eh ! I wad richt weel like to hear a bittie o' V
" Weel, here's a bit 'at he made as gin Samson was sayin' o*
't, till himsel' like, efter they had pitten oot's een — the Phillis-
teens, ye ken."
"Ay, I ken weel eneuch. Read it."
Annie read the well-known passage. Tibbie listened to the
end, without word of remark or question, her face turned towards
the reader, and her sightless balls rolling under their closed lids.
When Annie's voice ceased, she said, after a little reflection :
" Ay ! ay ! It's bonnie, an' verra true. And, puir man ! it
was waur for him nor for me and Milton ; for it was a' his ain
wyte ; and it was no to be expecket he cud be sae quaiet as
anither. But he had no richt to queston the ways o' the Maker.
But it's bonnie, rael bonnie."
" Noo, I'll jist read to ye what Milton says aboot his ain
blin'ness. But it's some ill to unnerstan'."
" Maybe I'll unnerstan' 't better nor you, bairn. Read awa'."
So admonished, Annie read. Tibbie fidgeted about on her
seat. It was impossible either should understand it. And the
proper names were a great puzzle to them.
" Tammy Riss ! " said Tibbie ; " I ken naething about him."
"Na, neither do I," said Annie; and beginning the line
again, she blundered over " blind Maeonides."
READER 305
" ai, wil 5a'njux ............ Mat for no: ? Mat 2rja:rz ji spi:r ? "
"u: ! 9 dgist 1/wantet ta ken."
" hu: kAd a no: ken ? 'dj:zna Sa 'sevjar se: : ' ai em Sa lj.xt o Sa
3warl ' ? — hi: Sat 'wa:ka9 m hmi mci:n ken Mat l^xt j;z, 'lasj:. sain
ji he Sa l^xt m jar'sel — m jar e:n hert ; an ji ma:n ken Mat ^t {z.
ji 'kan^a m^s'tak jt."
i 'ivar hi:r o 4dgon 'm^ltan, 't^bi ? " ............
" u: ! ai. hi waz blp laik ma'sel, 'wazna hi ? "
" 01, waz i. a he bin 'ridan a hip o \z 'potrj."
" e: ! a l wad r^xt wil laik ta hi:r a 'b^t^ ot."
"wil, hi:rz a b^t at hi med az gp 'samsan waz 'sean ot, t\l
laik, 'sftar Se had p^tn uts in — Sa 'f^stinz, ji ken."
"cii, a ksn wil 5a/njux. rid {t."
" ai ! ai ! its 4/bon^, an rvera tru:. an, p^:r man ! jt waz wa:r
far h^m nor far mi: an 'm^ltan ; far ^t waz a: h^z e:n wait; an jt
waz no: ta bi {k'spekat hi kAd bi se kwe:t az a'niSar. bat hi had
no: rj:xt ta kwsstn Sa 6waiz o Sa 'mekar. bat ^ts 4'bonj:, re:l
4/boni."
"nu:, al dgist rid ta ji Mat 'miltan se:z a'but \z e:n 'blmnas.
bat its SAm ^1 ta 3Anar/stanc?."
"mebi al 3Anar'stant 'bstar nor ju:, 2bern. rid a'wa:."
r^s ! ............ a ksn 'neS^rj a'but
" na:, 7/neSar di ai " ............
XA, i s a: o A ai e:
20
306 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Ye're readin' 't wrang, bairn. It sud be 'nae ony days' for
there's nae days or nichts either to the blin'. They dinna ken
the differ, ye see."
"I'm readin' 't as I hae't," answered Annie. "It's a
muckle M."
" I ken naething aboot yer muckle or yer little Ms," retorted
Tibbie, with indignation. " Gin that binna what it means, it's
ayont me. Read awa'. Maybe we'll come to something better."
"Ay will we ? " said Annie, and resumed.
With the words, " Thus with the year seasons return," Tibbie's
attention grew fixed; and when the reader came to the pas-
sage,
" So much the rather thou, Celestial Light,
Shine inward,"
her attention rose into rapture.
"Ay, ay, lassie ! That man kent a' aboot it ! He wad never
hae speired gin a blin' crater like me kent what the licht was.
He kent what it was weel. Ay did he ! "
"But, ye see, he was a gey auld man afore he tint his
eesicht," Annie ventured to interpose.
" Sae muckle the better ! He kent baith kinds. And he kent
that the sicht without the een is better nor the sicht o' the een.
Fowk nae doobt has baith ; but I think whiles 'at the Lord gies
a grainy mair o' the inside licht to mak' up for the loss o' the
ootside ; and weel I wat it doesna want muckle to do that."
"But ye dinna ken what it is," objected Annie, with un-
necessary persistence in the truth.
" Do ye tell me that again ? " returned Tibbie, harshly. " Ye'll
anger me, bairn. Gin ye kent hoo I lie awauk at riicht, no able
to sleep for thinkin' 'at the day will come whan I'll see — wi' my
ain open een — the verra face o' him that bore oor griefs an'
carried oor sorrows, till I jist lie and greit, for verra wissin', ye
wadna say 'at I dinna ken what the sicht o' a body's een is. Sae
nae mair o' that ! I beg o' ye, or I'll jist need to gang to my
prayers to haud me ohn been angry wi' ane o' the Lord's bairns ;
for that ye are, I do believe, Annie Anderson. Ye canna ken what
blin'ness is ; but I doobt ye ken what the licht is, lassie ; and, for
the lave (rest), jist ye lippen (trust) to John Milton and me."
READER 307
" jir 'ridant wran, 1bern. jt sAd bi: ' ne: 2/on^ de:z/ far Sarz
ne: de:z or n^xts 3/eSar ta Sa blm. Se 'dmwa ken Sa 'd^far, ji
si:."
" am ridnt az a he:t ............ its a mAkl sm."
"a ksn 'neSjr) a'but jar mAkl or jar l{tl emz ............ gm Sat
'bm??a Avat {t minz, {ts a'jont mi:, rid a'wci:. 'mebi wil kAm ta
'betar."
ai, wil wi?" ............
" ai, ai, 'las^ • ^^ mCLn kent a: e'but rt ! hi: 4wad 'mvar he
spi:rt gp a blm 'kretar laik mi: ksnt Avat Sa l^xt waz. hi ksnt
A\at |t waz wil. ai did i ! "
"bat, ji si:, hi waz a gai Guild man a'fo:r hi t^nt h^z 'i:s{xt."...
"se: mAkl Sa 'bstar! hi kent be0 kainz. an i kent Sat Sa
sjxt w^'Out Sa in \z 'bstar nor Sa sjxt o Sa in. fAuk ne: dut haz
be0 ; bat a 0{nk A\ailz at Sa lo:rd gi:z a 'grenj me:r o Sa 'msaid
l^xt ta mak Ap far Sa los o Sa 'utsaid; an wil a wat {t 'djzna
4 want mAkl ta d0: Sat."
" bat ji 'dmwa ksn A\at {t jz." ............
"di ji tel mi Sat a'gen? ............ jil ranar mi, 1bern. gm ji
kent hu a lai a'wa:k at n^xt, no ebl ta slip far 'Gmkari at Sa
de: w^.1 kAm A\an al si: — w{ ma e:n 'opan in — Sa 'vera fes o hmi
Sat bo:r ur grifs an lrkerj.t ur 'soraz, tn1 a dsist lai an grit, far
'vera 'w^san, ji 4/wadna se at a 'd^n^a ken A\at Sa s^xt o a 'bAdiz
in \z. se ne: me:r o Sat ! a beg o ji, or al dgist nid ta gar) ta ma
'prearz ta 5had mi 6on bin 'anq w^ en o Sa lo:rdz xbernz; far
Sat ji ar, a du brli:v, 'an^ 'anarsan. ji: 'kanrca ken Avat 'blmnas
iz ; bat a dut ji ken ,wat Sa l^xt \z, 'last; 9n> f®r S9 le;v^ dgist ji
'lipan ta 2d3on 'mjltan an mi:."
2o 3e: 4i, A 5a: 6see Gr. §51
20-
308 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Annie dared not say another word. She sat silent — perhaps
rebuked. But Tibbie resumed :
" Ye maunna think, hooever, 'cause sic longin' thouchts come
ower me, that I gang aboot the hoose girnin' and compleenin'
that I canna open the door and win oot. Na, na. I could jist
despise the licht, whiles, that ye rnak' sic a wark aboot, and sing
and shout, as the Psalmist says ; for I'm jist that glaid, that I
dinna ken hoo to haud it in. For the Lord's my frien'. I can
jist tell him a' that comes into my puir blin' heid. Ye see there's
ither ways for things to come intil a body's heid. There's mair
doors nor the een. There's back doors, whiles,' that lat ye oot to
the bonnie gairden, and that's better nor the road-side. And
the smell o' the braw flooers comes in at the back winnocks, ye
ken. Whilk o' the bonnie flooers do ye think likest Him, Annie
Anderson ? "
" Eh ! I dinna ken, Tibbie. I'm thinkin' they maun be a'
like him."
"Ay, ay, nae doobt. But some o' them may be liker him nor
ithers."
" Weel, whilk do ye think likest him, Tibbie ? "
" I think it maun be the minnonette — sae clean and sae fine
and sae weel content."
"Ay, ye're speiken by the smell, Tibbie. But gin ye saw the
rose — "
" Hoots ! I hae seen the rose mony a time. Nae doobt it's
bonnier to luik at — " and here her fingers went moving about as
if they were feeling the full-blown sphere of a rose — " but I
think, for my pairt, that the minnonette's likest Him."
" May be," was all Annie's reply, and Tibbie went on.
"There maun be faces liker him nor ithers. Come here,
Annie, and lat me fin (feel) whether ye be like him or no."
" Hoo can ye ken that ? — ye never saw him."
" Never saw him ! I hae seen him ower and ower again.
I see him whan I like. Come here, I say."
Annie went and knelt down beside her, and the blind woman
passed her questioning fingers in solemn silence over and over
the features of the child. At length, with her hands still resting
upon Annie's head, she uttered her judgment.
READER 309
"ji 'manna 0ink, hu'ivar, kaz s^k 'lonan 10oxts kAm Aur mi,
Sat 9 gar) a'but Sa hus 'gp-nan an kam'plinan Sat a 'kanna opm
Sa do:r an wpi ut. na:, na:. a kAd dsist 2di/spaiz Sa l^xt, Availz,
Sat ji mak sjk a wark a'but, an s{ij an Jut, az Sa 'sa:mast se:z ;
far am d^ist Sat gled, Sat a 'dmna ksn hu: ta 3had \t pi. far Sa
loirdz ma frin. a kan dgist tel h^m a: Sat kAmz 'mta ma p0:r
blm 4hid. ji si: Sarz 'iSar 5waiz far 0mz ta kAm mtjl a 'bAdiz
4 hid. Sarz meir do:rz nor Sa in. Sarz bak do:rz, Availz, Sat lat ji
ut ta Sa 1/bonj 'gerdan, an Sats 'bstar nor Sa 'rod'said. an Sa
smel o Sa bra: fluirz kAmz pi at Sa bak 6/wmaks, ji ken. — 6A\^lk
o Sa 1/bon^ fluirz dji 0mk 'laikast h^m, 'anj. 'anarsan ? "
" e: ! a 'dmwa ksn, 't^bi. am ^nkan Se man bi a: laik hmi."
"oi, CLI, nei dut. bat SArn o Sam me bi 'laikar hmi nor
'iSarz."
" wil, 6A\tlk di ji: 0mk laikast hmi, 'tibi ? "
" a 0mk it man bi Sa mmo'nst — se klin an se fain an se wil
kan'tsnt."
" cu, jir 'spaikaii lo\ Sa smel, 't$>i. bat gm ji sa: Sa ro:z — "
" huts ! a he sin Sa ro:z 7/mon{ a taim. ne: dut jts 1/boniar
ta ljuk at bat a 0mk, far ma 8pert, Sat Sa mmo'nets
'laikast h^m."
"me bi"
" Sar man bi rfesaz 'laikar him nor 'iSarz. kAm i:r, 'an^, an lat
mi fm 6/A\aSar ji bi laik hmi or no:."
" hu kan ji: ken Sat ?— ji 'nivar sa: him."
" 'mvar sa: h^m ! a he sin h^m Aur n Aur a'gen. a si:
Avan a laik. kAm i:r, a se:."
a: 4 e 5 ai 6 A 7 A, a, o 8 e
310 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"Ay. Some like him, nae doot. But she'll be a heap liker
him whan she sees him as he is."
When a Christian proceeds to determine the rightness of his
neighbour by his approximation to his fluctuating ideal, it were
well if the judgment were tempered by such love as guided the
hands of blind Tibbie over the face of Annie in their attempt to
discover whether or not she was like the Christ of her visions.
" Do ye think ye're like him, Tibbie ? " said Annie with a
smile, which Tibbie at once detected in the tone.
" Hoots, bairn ! I had the pock dreidfu', ye ken."
" Weel, maybe we a' hae had something or ither that bauds
us ohn been sae bonny as we micht hae been. For ae thing,
there's the guilt o' Adam's first sin, ye ken."
" Verra richt, bairn. Nae doot that's blaudit mony a face —
'the want o' original richteousness, and the corruption o' our
whole naturV The wonner is that we're like him at a'. But we
maun be like him, for he was a man born o' a wumman. Think
o' that, lass ! "
At this moment the latch of the door was lifted, and in walked
Robert Bruce. He gave a stare when he saw Annie, for he had
thought her out of the way at Howglen, and said in a tone of
asperity,
" Ye're a' gait at ance, Annie Anderson. A doonricht rinther-
oot ! "
" Lat the bairn be, Master Bruce," said Tibbie. " She's doin*
the Lord's will, whether ye may think it or no. She's visitin'
them 'at's i' the prison-hoose o' the dark. She's ministerin' to
them 'at hae mony preeviledges nae doot, but hae room for mair."
" I'm no saying naething," said Bruce.
" Ye are sayin'. Ye're offendin' ane o' his little anes. Tak
ye tent o' the millstane."
" Hoot toot ! Tibbie. I was only wissin 'at she wad keep a
sma' part o' her ministrations for her ain hame and her ain fowk
'at has the ministerin' to her. There's the mistress and me jist
mairtyrs to that chop ! And there's the bit infant in want o'
some ministration noo and than, gin that be what ye ca' 't."
A grim compression of the mouth was all Tibbie's reply.
She did not choose to tell Robert Bruce that although she was
READER 311
" ai. SAm laik hma, ne: dut. bat Jil bi a hip 'leikar hmi Aian
Ji si:z h^m az hi jz."
" dji 0mk ji:r laik hj.m, 'tibi ? "
" huts, 1bern ! e had Sa pok 'dridfe, ji ken."
"wil, 'mebi wi a: he bed 'sAmS^r) or 'iSar Sat 2hadz AS 3on
'bin se 4'bonj: az wi m^xt he bin. far e: 0m, Sarz Sa g^lt o 'adamz
5 first sm, ji ken."
"'vsra iptt, 1bern. ne: dut Sats 'bla:dat 6'moni a fes — 'Sa
want o o'ridgmel 'raitjasnas, and 5a ko'rApJn o ur hoi 'netar.' Sa
'wAnar \z Sat wir laik h^m at a:, bat wi mam bi laik h^ra, far hi
wez a man 7born o a 'wAman. 0pjk o Sat, las ! "
" jir a: get at ens, 'anj: 'anarsan. a 'dunrixt 'nnSar'ut ! "
"lat Sa xbern bi:, 'mestar 8brus, ,...Jiz 7d0an Sa lo:rdz
5 w^l, 5/AuSar ji me Sjrjk ^t or no:. Jiz 'vi:z^tan Sem ats m Sa 'pr^zan
hus o Sa dark. Jiz 'mpustran ta Ssm at he 9/monj 'priviladgaz
ne dut, bat he rum far me:r."
" am no: xsean 'neB^r) ".....
" ji ar 'seen, jir o'fsndan en o tqz l^tl enz. tak ji tent o Sa
5/milsten."
" hut tut ! 'tibi. a waz 'onl^ 'w^san at Ji 10 wad kip a sma: 1pert
o ar mm^trejnz for ar e:n hem an bar e:n fAuk at haz Sa 'mm^s-
tran ta har. Sarz Sa 'm^stras an mi: dgist 'mertarz ta Sat tjop t
an Sarz Sa b^t 'mfant m 10want o SAm mmjs'trejn nu an San, gm
Sat bi Mat ji ka:t."
xe 2a: 3 See Gr. § 51, Notes 1, 2 4o 5A 6a, A
8 old, bris. 9A, a, o 10{, A
312 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
blind — and probably because she was blind — she heard rather
more gossip than anybody else in Glamerton, and that conse-
quently his appeal to her sympathy had no effect upon her.
Finding she made no other answer, Bruce turned to Annie.
" Noo, Annie," said he, " ye're nae wantit here ony langer.
I hae a word or twa to say to Tibbie. Gang hame and learn yer
lessons for the morn."
"It's Setterday nicht," answered Annie.
" But ye hae yer lessons to learn for the Mononday."
" Ow ay ! But I hae a buik or twa to tak' hame to Mistress
Forbes. And I daursay I'll bide, and come to the kirk wi' her
i' the mornin'."
Now, although all that Bruce wanted was to get rid of her,
he went on to oppose her ; for common-minded people always
feel that they give the enemy an advantage if they show them-
selves content.
" It's no safe to rin aboot i' the mirk (dark). It's dingin' on
forbye. Ye'll be a' wat, and maybe fa' into the dam. Ye couldna
see yer han' afore yer face — ance oot o' the toon."
" I ken the road to Mistress Forbes's as weel's the road up
your garret-stairs, Mr Bruce."
" Ow nae doobt ! " he answered, with a sneering acerbity
peculiar to him, in which his voice seemed sharpened and con-
centrated to a point by the contraction of his lips. "And there's
tykes aboot," he added, remembering Annie's fear of dogs.
But by this time Annie, gentle as she was, had got a little
angry.
" The Lord'll tak care o' me frae the dark and the tykes, and
the lave o' ye, Mr Bruce," she said.
And bidding Tibbie good-night, she took up her books, and
departed, to wade through the dark and the snow, trembling
lest some unseen tyke should lay hold of her as she went.
As soon as she was gone, Bruce proceeded to make himself
agreeable to Tibbie by retailing all the bits of gossip he could
think of. While thus engaged, he kept peering earnestly about
the room from door to chimney, turning his head on every side,
and surveying as he turned it. Even Tibbie perceived, from the
changes in the sound of his voice, that he was thus occupied.
READER 313
"nu:, 'aim jir ne: 1/wantet hi:r 2'onj: 'larjgr. 9 he 9
wArd or twa: t9 se t9 't^bi. garj hem 9n Isrn J9r Issnz for 89
2 morn."
"•{ts 'sst9rd{ npt "
" b9t ji he J9r Issnz t9 Isrn for 89 'mAn9nd{."
" u: ai ! b9t 9 he 9 bjuk gr twa: ta tak hem t9 'mistres
'forbis. 9n 9 'darse 9! boid, 9n kAm t9 89 kjrk wj: h9r \ 89
2/morn9n."
"its no: sef t9 nn 9'but ± S9 mirk, {ts 'dirjgn on far'bcii. jil
bi a: wat, 9n 'mebi fa: Xmt9 S9 dam. ji 'kAdng si: jgr 4han 9rfo:r
J9r fes — ens ut o S9 tun,"
"9 ksn 39 3rod t9 ni{str9s 'forbisgz 9z wilz 89 3rod Ap ju:r
'gar9t"ste:rz, 'mest9r brus."
"u: ne dut !., 9n S9rz t9iks 9'but "
" S9 lo:rd 1 tak ke:r o mi fre: S9 dark 9n ^9 tgiks, 9n 39 le:v
o ji, Xmest9r brus "
I, A 2o 3o 4a:
314 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Sae your auld landlord's deid, Tibbie ! " he said at last.
" Ay, honest man ! He had aye a kin' word for a poor body."
"Ay, ay, nae doobt. But what wad ye say gin I tell't ye
that I had boucht the bit hoosie, and was yer new landlord,
Tibbie?"
"I wad say that the door-sill wants men'in', to baud the
snaw oot ; an' the bit hoosie's sair in want o' new thack. The
verra cupples'll be rottit awa' or lang."
uWeel that's verra rizzonable, nae doobt, gin a' be as ye
say."
" Be as I say, Robert Bruce ? "
" Ay, ay ; ye see ye're nae a'thegither like ither fowk. I dinna
mean ony offence, ye ken, Tibbie : but ye haena the sicht o' yer
een."
" Maybe I haena the feelin' o' my auld banes, aither, Maister
Bruce ! Maybe I'm ower blin' to hae the rheumatize ; or to smell
the auld weet thack whan there's been a scatterin' o' snaw or a
drappy o' rain o' the riggin' ! "
" I didna want to anger ye, Tibbie. A' that ye say deserves
attention. It would be a shame to lat an auld body like you — "
" No that auld, Maister Bruce, gin ye kent the trowth ! "
" Weel, ye're no ower young to need to be ta'en guid care
o'— are ye, Tibbie ? "
Tibbie grunted.
" Weel, to come to the pint. There's nae doobt the hoose
wants a hantle o' doctorin'."
" 'Deed does't," interposed Tibbie. " It'll want a new door.
For forbye 'at the door's maist as wide as twa ordinar doors, it
was ance in twa halves like a chop-door. And they're ill jined
thegither, and the win' comes throu like a knife, and maist cuts
a body in twa. Ye see the bit hoosie was ance the dyer's dryin'
hoose, afore he gaed further doon the watter."
" Nae doobt ye're richt, Tibbie. But seein' that I maun lay
oot sae muckle, I'll be compelled to pit anither thrippence on to
the rent."
" Ither thrippence, Robert Bruce ! That's three thrippences
i' the ook in place o' twa. That's an unco rise ! Ye canna mean
what ye say ! It's a' that I'm able to do to pay my saxpence.
READER 315
" se jar a:\d 'landlordz did, 'tibi ! "
" ai, 'onast man ! hi had ai 9 kain wArd far a p^ir 'bAdi."
"cii, CLI, ne: dut. bat A\at 1wad ji se: gm a telt ji Sat CLI had
2boxt Sa bit 'husi, an waz jar nju: 'landlord, 'tibi ? "
" a 1wad se: Sat Sa /do:r/sil * wants 'menan, ta ha:d Sa sna: ut ;
an Sa fyt 'hus{ z se:r m xwant o a nju: 9ak. Sa 'vera kAplz 1 bi
'rotat a'wa: or Ian."
" wil Sats 'vera 'nzanabl, ne: dut, gm a: bi az ji se:."
" bi az a se:, 'robart brus ? "
" CLI, ai ; ji si: jir ne 'a:SagiSar laik 'iSar fAuk. a 'd|nna min
2'om a'fens, ji ken, 'tibi; bat ji 'henrza Sa s^xt o jar in."
" 'me bi a 'hen'/za Sa 'filan o ma dild benz, 3/eSar, 'mestar brus !
'rnebi am Aur bl^n ta he: Sa 'rumat^z ; or ta smel Sa d'Ad wit 0ak
A\an Sarz bin a 'skatran o sna: or a 'drapi o ren o Sa 'rigan ! "
" a 'd^dna xwant ta 'anar ji, 'tibi. a: Sat ji se: di'zervz a'tsn/n.
it 1wad bi a Jem ta lat an Guild 'bAdi laik ju:—
" no: Sat aild, 'mestar brus, gin ji kent Sa trAu0 ! "
"wil, jir no: Aur JATJ ta nid ta bi te:n gyd ke:r o — ar ji,
'tibi?"
" wil, ta kAm ta Sa paint. Sarz ne: dut Sa hus :wants a hantl
o 'doktaran."
"did dAst, itl xwant a nju: do:r. for far'bai at Sa
do:rz mest az waid az twa: 'ordinar do:rz, it waz ens ni twa:
ha:vz laik a t/op do:r. an Se:r ^1 dgaint Sa'giSar, an Sa wAn kAmz
6rAu laik a knaif, an mest kAts a 'bAdi jn twa:. ji si: Sa b{t 'husi
waz ens Sa 'daiarz 'draian hus, a'fo:r hi ge:d 'fArSar dun Sa
'watar."
" ne: dut jir rjxt, 'tibi. bat 'sian Sat a man le: ut se: mAkl,
al bi kam'pslt te pit a'mSar 'Grrpans on ta Sa rent."
" 'iSar '0rrpans, 'robart brus! Sats 0ri: '©r^pansaz \ Sa uk m
piss o twa:. Sats an 'Anka 4raiz ! ji 'kanrca min Mat ji se: ! its
a: Sat am ebl ta d0: ta pai ma 'sakspans. an d'Ad blj.n '
1 1, A 2 o 3 e: 4ai
316 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
An auld blin' body like me disna fa' in wi' saxpences whan she
gangs luikin aboot wi' her lang fingers for a pirn or a prin that
she's looten fa'."
"But ye do a heap o' spinnin', Tibbie, wi' thae lang fingers.
There's naebody in Glamerton spins like ye."
" Maybe ay and maybe no. It's no muckle that that comes
till. I wadna spin sae weel gin it warna that the Almichty pat
some sicht into the pints o' my fingers, 'cause there was nane
left i' my een. An' gin ye mak ither thrippence a week oot o'
that, ye'll be turnin' the wather that He sent to ca my mill into
your dam ; an' I doot it'll play ill water wi' your wheels."
" Hoot, hoot ! Tibbie, woman ! It gangs sair against me to
appear to be hard-hertit."
" I hae nae doobt. Ye dinna want to appear sae. But do
ye ken that I mak sae little by the spinnin' ye mak sae muckle
o', that the kirk alloos me a shillin' i' the week to inak up wi' ?
And gin it warna for kin' frien's, it's ill livin' I wad hae in dour
weather like this. Dinna ye imaigine, Mr Bruce, that I hae a
pose o' my ain. I hae nae thing ava, excep' sevenpence in a
stockin'-fit. And it wad hae to come aff o' my tay or something
ither 'at I wad ill miss."
"Weel, that may be a' verra true," rejoined Bruce; "but a
body maun hae their ain for a' that. Wadna the kirk gie ye the
ither thrippence ? "
"Do ye think I wad tak frae the kirk to pit into your till ? "
" Weel, say saivenpence, than, and we'll be quits."
" I tell ye what, Eobert Bruce : raither nor .pay ye one baw-
bee more nor the saxpence, I'll turn oot i' the snaw, and lat the
Lord luik efter me."
Robert Bruce went away, and did not purchase the cottage,
which was in the market at a low price. He had intended Tib-
bie to believe, as she did, that he had already bought it ; and if
she had agreed to pay even the sevenpence, he would have gone
from her to secure it.
READER 317
laik mi 'dizna fa: in wi 'sakspansaz A\an Ji garjz 'ljukan a'but wi
bar lor) 'finarz far a 1ptrn or a prin Sat Jiz lutn fa':/'
"bAt ji d0: a hip o 'spman, 't^bi, wi Se: larj 'finarz. Sarz
'ne:bAdi in 'glamartan spinz laik ji."
"'mebi CLI an 'mebi no:, its no: mAkl at Sat kAmz til. a
2wadna spm se wil gni $ 'warna Sat Sa al'mixti pat SAUI s^xt 'mta
Sa paints o ma 'finarz, kaz Sar waz nen left i ma in. an gm ji
mak xiSar 'Sqpans a wik ut o Sat, jil bi 'tArnan Sa 'waSar Sat hi
sent ta ka: mai 1m{l ^nta ju:r dam ; an a dut jtl pie: il 'watar wi
ju:r A\ilz."
" hut, hut ! 'tibi, ^'Aman ! jt ganz se:r a'gsnst mi te a'pi:r ta
bi 'hard'hsrtat."
" a he: ne: dut. ji dm??a 2want ta a'pi:r se:. bat d0 ji ken Sat
a mak se: l^tl bj. Sa 'spman ji mak se mAkl o, Sat Sa kjrk axlu:z
mi a "Jilan i Sa wik ta mak Ap w^ ? an qm ^t 'warna far kain
frinz, its jl 'liivan a 2wad he: in du:r 'weSar lak Sis. 'dpma ji
fmedgin, 'mestar brus, Sat a he: a po:z o ma e:n. a he: 'neSirj
a'va:, ek'sep 3/saivnpans m a 'stokan'fjt. an ^t 2wad he: ta kAin
af o ma te: or 'sAmSirj 7iSar at a 2wad ^.1 mis."
" wil, Sat me: bi a: 'vera tru, bat a 'bAdi man he:
Sar e:n far a: Sat. 2'wadna Sa kirk gi: ji Sa xiSar X0ripans ? "
" dji Sink a 2wad tak fre Sa kp-k ta pit 'mta ju:r t^ ? "
" wil, se 3saivnpans, San, an wil bi kwits."
" a tel ji A\at, 'robart brus : 3/reSar nor pai ji wAn xba:bi mo:r
nor Sa 'sakspans, al tArn ut i Sa sna:, an lat Sa lo:rd ljuk 'eftar
mi."
18
XIII A. THE WHISTLE
CHARLES MURRAY.
Charles Murray, one of the very best of our modern Scots
poets, comes from the " North Countree." He does not in this
poem introduce the characteristic pronunciations of his Aber-
deenshire Doric. The only exception worth noting is futtrat for
whutrit, i.e. weasel. We find when, whistle, porridge, nose, from,
which in N.E. Sc. would be fan or fin, AVAS!, pontf or potitj,
niz, fe. " Dool " and " school " do not rhyme in N.E. Sc., being
dul and skwil, although they rhyme in St. Eng. dul, skul, or
in Mid Sc. dyl, skyl.
Some of Murray's other poems smack more distinctly of the
North -East, e.g. Winter :
He cut a sappy sucker from the muckle rodden-tree,
He trimmed it, an' he wet it, an' he thumped it on his knee ;
He never heard the teuchat when the harrow broke her eggs,
He missed the craggit heron nabbin' puddocks in the seggs,
He forgot to hound the collie at the cattle when they strayed,
But you should hae seen the whistle that the wee herd made !
He wheepled on't at mornin' an' he tweetled on't at nicht,
He puffed his freckled cheeks until his nose sank oot o' sicht,
The kye were late for milkin' when he piped them up the closs,
The kitlins got his supper syne, an' he was beddit boss ;
But he cared na doit nor docken what they did or thocht or said,
There was comfort in the whistle that the wee herd made.
For lyin' lang o' mornin's he had clawed the caup for weeks,
But noo he had his bonnet on afore the lave had breeks ;
He was whistlin' to the porridge that were hott'rin' on the fire,
He was whistlin' ower the travise to the baillie in the byre ;
Nae a blackbird nor a mavis, that hae pipin' for their trade,
Was a marrow for the whistle that the wee herd made.
319
XIII A. THE WHISTLE
CHARLES MURRAY.
" The Ingle's heaped wi' bleezin peats
An bits o' splutt'rin firry reets
Which shortly thow the ploughman's beets ;
An peels appear
That trickle oot aneth their seats
A' ower the fleer.
Here "peats," reets (roots), beets (boots), "seats" all rhyme with
the Aberdeensh. pronunciation i. Fleer for "floor," Mid Sc.
flure, rhymes with "appear," i.e. fliir, a'pi:r. The spelling peels
(pools) also clearly indicates the N.E. pronunciation of this word.
hi kAt a 'sapj; 'sAkar fre Sa mAkl 'rodn'tri:,
hi trmit {t, an hi wat it, an hi 0Ainpt it on h\z km: ;
hi 'mvar -"-herd Sa 'tjuxat A\an Sa 'hara 'bruk ar sgz,
hi mj:st Sa 'kragat 'hsran 'naban 'pAdaks in Sa ssgz,
hi far'got ta hAund Sa 'kol{ at Sa katl Avan Se stre:d,
bAt ji 2Jud he sin Sa 3AVAsl Sat Sa wi: herd med !
hi Aiiplt ont at 4'mornan an hi twitlt ont at nj.xt,
hi pAft hiz frsklt t/iks Antn1 h^z no:z sank ut o s^xt,
Sa kai war let for 'm^lkan Man hi paipt Sam Ap Sa klos,
Sa 'k^tlanz got \z 5'sApar sain, an hi: waz 'bsdat bos ;
bAt hi 'ke:rd na dait nor 'dokan Mat Sa did or 46oxt or sed,
Sar waz 'kAmfart m Sa 3A\Asl Sat Sa wi: hsrd med.
far 'laian lai) o 4/mornanz hi had kla:d Sa ka:p far wiks,
bat nu: hi had h^z 'bonat on a'fo:r Sa le:v had briks ;
hi waz 3/AVAslan ta Sa 'pontj dat war 'hotran on Sa 6fair,
hi waz 3'AVAslan Aur Sa 7/trev{:s ta Sa 8'baili m Sa 6bair;
ne: a 'blakbird nor a 'me:vis, Sat he: 'paipan far Sar tred,
waz a 'mara ta Sa BMAS! Sat Sa wi: hsrd med.
xa 2sAd, sid 3t 4o 5i 6ai 7s 8'beljt
320 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
He played a march to battle, it cam' dirlin' through the mist,
Till the halflin' squared his shou'ders an' made up his mind to
'list ;
He tried a spring for wooers, though he wistna what it meant,
But the kitchen-lass was lauchin' an' he thocht she maybe kent ;
He got ream an' buttered bannocks for the lovin' lilt he played.
Wasna that a cheery whistle that the wee herd made ?
He blew them rants sae lively, schottishes, reels, an' jigs,
The foalie flang his muckle legs an' capered ower the rigs,
The grey-tailed futt'rat bobbit oot to hear his ain strathspey,
The bawd cam' loupin' through the corn to "Clean Pease Strae"
The feet o' ilka man an' beast gat youkie when he played —
Hae ye ever heard o' whistle like the wee herd made ?
But the snaw it stopped the herdin' an' the winter brocht him
dool,
When in spite o' hacks an' chilblains he was shod again for
school ;
He couldna sough the catechis nor pipe the rule o' three,
He was keepit in an' lickit when the, ither loons got free ;
But he aften played the truant — 'twas the only thing he played,
For the maister brunt the whistle that the wee herd made !
READER 321
hi ple:d 9 msrtj ta batl, rt kam 'djrlan 6ru: Sa m^st,
tjl Sa 'haiflan skwa:rt \z 'Judarz en med Ap hjz main ta Ipst \
hi trait a sprjrj far 'wuarz, 0o hi 1/w^stna Avat rt ment,
bat Sa 'IqtJrIcLs waz 2/laxan an hi 30oxt Ji: 'mebi ksnt ;
hi got rim an 'bAtart rbanaks far Sa 'Uvan lilt i pleid.
'wazna Sat a 'tfiiri 4MAsl Sat Sa wi: herd med ?
hi blu: Sam rants se 'laivl^ Ja'ti/az, rilz, an
Sa 'foil^ flar) iz mAkl Isgz an 'kepart Aur Sa qgz,
Sa 'gretelt 'fAtrat 'bobat ut ta hi:r hiz e:n straS'spe:,
Sa baid kam 'Uupan 0ru: Sa 3korn ta "klin pi:z stre: ";
Sa fit o '^Ika man an bist gat 'Juki A\en hi ple:d —
he ji 'ivar 2herd o 4/A\Asl laik Sa wi: hsrd med ?
bAt Sa sna: ^t stopt Sa 'herdan an Sa 4/wAntar 3broxt ^m 5dul,
A\an m spait o haks an 't/^lblmz hi waz Jod a'gen far 5skul ;
hi 'kAdna sux Sa 'kat^kaz nor paip Sa ru:l o 0rii,
hi waz 'kipat in an rlikat Man Sa xiSar lunz got fri: ;
bAt hi 'afn pleid Sa 'truant — twaz Sa 'onlj: 0^r) hi pleid,
far Sa 'mestar brAnt Sa 4/A\Asl Sat Sa wi: herd med !
a: 3o 4^ 5y
G. 21
322
XIV A. THE " NEWS " OF THE MARRIAGE
JOHNNY O1BB OF OUSHETNEUK.
DR WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1826-1894).
CHAPTER XL.
The scene of "Johnny Gibb " is supposed to be the neigh-
bourhood of Culsalmond, Central Abd., and the dialect used is
that of the N.E. The spelling attempts to represent the local
pronunciation and with a large measure of success.
N.E. Scots extends from Deeside to Caithness. Its most
marked phonetic distinction is its treatment of O.E. and Scan.
o, Fr. u, which generally become i, e.g. "done, moon, roose
(praise), music, assure " are deen, meen, reeze, meesic, asseer, din,
min, ri:z, 'miizik, a'siir. When the vowel is followed by a
back consonant, ju is the modern development; thus "took,
cook, nook," are tyeuk, kyeuk, nyeuk, tjuk, kjuk. njuk. When a
back consonant precedes the vowel aw is developed, e.g. " good,
cool " become gweed (Mid Sc. gude or guid), cweel, gwid, kwil.
From Arbroath in Forfarsh. all along the coast to the Spey,
O.E. a before n appears as i ; thus " one, bone " are pronounced
in, bin. In Central Bnff., however, the pronunciation is ane,
bane, en, ben. In this Extract we find aleen and neen alongside
of ane, banes, stanes, which variation may be the result of the
influence of literary Scots, or perhaps be due to the fact that the
writer lived on the borders of two sub-dialects.
" Ou ay, Hairry, man ! This is a bonny wye o' gyaun on !
Dinna ye gar me troo 't ye wasna dancin' the heilan' walloch the
streen. Fa wud 'a thocht 't ye wud 'a been needin' a file o' an
aul' day to rest yer banes aifter the mairriage?"
Such was the form of salutation adopted by Meg Raffan as
she entered the dwelling of Hairry Muggart early in the after-
noon of the day after Pa tie's wedding, and found Hairry stretched
at full length on the deece.
"Deed, an' ye may jist say 't, Hennie," answered Hairry
Muggart's wife. " Come awa' ben an' lean ye doon. Fat time,
think ye, came he hame, noo? "
323
XIV A. THE " NEWS " OF THE MARRIAGE
JOHNNY O1BB OF GUSHETNEUK.
DR WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1826-1894).
CHAPTER XL.
There are some curious diphthongs in this dialect, e.g. fyow,
byowtifu, fJAU, 'bJAUtifa for "few, beautiful," wyte, gryte, seyvn,
speyke, wait, grait, saivn, spaik for " wait, great, seven, speak."
Among the consonantal peculiarities we find f = AA. over the
N.E. area. Thus " who, what, why, whisky " are fa:, fat, fui,
'fAskj. This distinction extends as far south as Arbroath, but
south of the Dee valley tends to limit its action to the pro-
nominals.
0 is used as a substitute for xt as in "daughter, might,"
dother, mith, 'doOar, m^O, and w is often replaced by v, e.g.
"wrong, lawyer, sow, snow," vrang, lavyer, schaave, snyaave,
vrojj, lavjar, Jaiv, sir/a: v.
This and that are used both as Singular and Plural. Thir,
$ir = these or those is unknown. On = on or un, meaning
" without," is employed with the Past Part, or Gerund "(see Gr.
§§ 49,51, notes 1,2); example in Extract on leet=" without lying."
The above are a few of the characteristics of this most in-
teresting of Scottish Dialects which has, moreover, preserved
a large number of old words now obsolete in other parts of
Scotland.
" u: CLI, 'heq, mm ! $iz \z a 'bom wai o xgja:n on ! 'dma ji gar
mi tru: tji 'w^zna 'dansen 5a 'hilan 'walax Sa strin. fa: wAd e
0oxt tji wAd 9 bin nidn e fail o an ail de: ta rest jir benz 2/eftar
Sa
" did, an ji me djjst se:t, 'hem, ............ kAm a'wa: bsn an len
ji dun. fat taim, Sink ji, kam hi hem, nu: ? "
1 j-am, see Ph. § 32 2 in some parts of Aberdeensh. the
termination er is sounded JT or 'ir
21—2
324
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Weel, but it's a lang road atween this an' the Broch, min'
ye," said Hairry. "An' ye cudna expeck fowk hame fae a mair-
riage afore it war weel gloam't."
" Weel gloam't ! " exclaimed Mrs Muggart. " I 'se jist haud
my tongue, than. Better to ye speak o' grey daylicht i' the
mornin'."
" Hoot, fye ! " answered Hairry. " The souter's lamp wasna
oot at Smiddyward fan I cam' in'o sicht o' 't fae the toll road."
" Ou, weel-a-wat, ye've deen won'erfu', Hairry," said the hen-
wife. " Ye hed been hame ere cock-craw at ony rate. An' nae
doot it wud be throu' the aifterneen afore ye gat them made
siccar an' wan awa' fae the Kir 'ton."
" Ay, an' dennerin an' ae thing or ither."
" Hoot, noo ; aw mith 'a min'et upo' that. An' coorse the like
o' young Peter Birse wudna pit 's fowk aff wi' naething shabby.
Hed they a set denner, said ye ? "
"Weel, an they hedna, I 'se haud my tongue. Aw b'lieve
Sarnie's wife was fell sweir to fash wi' the kyeukin o' 't. Jist fan
they war i' the deid thraw aboot it the tither day, I chanc't to
luik in. ' Weel, I 'se pit it to you, Hairry,' says she. ' Fan Sarnie
an' me wus mairriet there was a byowtifu' brakfist set doon —
sax-an'-therty blue-lippet plates (as mony plates as mony fowk)
naetly full't o' milk pottage wi' a braw dossie o' gweed broon
sugar i' the middle o' ilka dish, an' as protty horn speens as ever
Caird Young turn't oot o' 's caums lyin' aside the plates, ready
for the fowk to fa' tee. Eh, but it was a bonny sicht ; I min' 't
as weel 's gin it hed been fernyear. An' the denner ! fan my
lucky deddy fell't a heilan' sheep, an' ilka ane o' the bucks cam*
there wi' 's knife in 's pouch to cut an' ha'ver the roast an' boil't,
an' han' 't roun' amo' the pairty. He was a walthy up-throu'
fairmer, but fat need the like o' that young loon gae sic len'ths ? '
says she. ' Ou, never ye min', Mrs Pikshule/ says I, ' gin there
be a sheep a-gyaun, it '11 be hard gin ye dinna get a shank o' 't—
It '11 only be the borrowin' o' a muckle kail pot to gae o' the
tither en' o' yer rantletree.' "
" Na, but there wud be a richt denner— Nelly Pikshule wasna
far wrang, it wudna be easy gettin' knives an' forks for sic a
multiteed."
READER 325
"wil, b^t jts a IdT) rod a'twin Sis n 89 brox, main ji,...
an ji 'kAdna {k'spek fAuk hem fe a 'mer^d^ a'foir rt war wil
glomt."
" wil glomt ! az dgist ha:d ma tArj, San. 'betar ta ji
spaik o gre: 'de:ljxt i Sa 'rnornan."
"hut, fai! Sa 'sutarz lamp 'wizna ut at /simrlr'ward
fan a kam m o sixt o Sa 'tol 'rod."
" u, 'wila'wat, jiv din 'wAnarfa, 'her^, ji hed bin hem
eir 'kok'kra: at 'om ret. an ne: dut it wAd bi 0rAu Sa eftar'nin
a'foir ji gat Sam med 'sikar an wan a'wa: fe Sa 'k{rtan."
" ai, an 'denaran an e: SITJ or 'iSar."
"hut, nui; a ni{9 a 'mainat a'po Sat. an kurs Sa laik o JATJ
'pitar fyrs 'wAdna p^ts fAuk af w^ 'neGir) 'Jabi. hsd Se a set
'denar, sed ji?"
" wil, an Se 'hedna, aiz xha:d ma tAn. a bliiv 'sam^z waif w\z
fel swiir ta fa/ wj: Sa 'kjukan ot. d^st 2fan Se war i Sa did 9ra:
a'but {t Sa 'iSar de:, a t/anst ta ljuk m. 'wil, az pit it ta ju,
'herj/ ssz Ji. '2fan 'sami an mi: w^.z 'msr^t Sar w^z a 'bJAutifa
'brakfast set dun — saksn'Oertj: blu'l^pat plsts (az 'mon{: plets
az 'mom fAuk) 'netl{ fAlt o 3m{lk 'potitj wj: a bra: rdos^ o gwid
brun 'Jugar i Sa m^dl o ^Ika d^J, an az 'protj: horn spinz az 'ivar
kja:rd JATJ tArnt ut oz ka:mz 'laian a'said Sa plsts, 'rsdi far Sa
fAuk ta fa: ti:. e:, b^t ^t w^z a 'bonj s^xt; a maint az wilz gjn rt
bed bin 'ferniir. an Sa 'denar ! 2fan ma 'Uk^ 'dedi felt a 'hilan
Jip, an '{Ika en o Sa bAks kam Se:r wiz knaif mz put/ ta kAt n
'ha:var Sa rost n bailt, an 4hant run a'mo Sa 'pert{. hi: w^z a
'walSj; 'Ap'6rAu 'fermar, b^t fat nid Sa laik o Sat JATJ lun ge: S{k
lenGs? ' sez Ji. ' u, 'nivar ji main, 'm^stras 'p^kjul,' sez ai, • gm Sar
bi a Jip 5a'gja:n, ^tl bi ha:rd gm ji: 'd|na get a Jarjk ot — {tl 'onl^
bi Sa 'boroan o a mAkl kel pot ta ge o Sa 'tiSar sn o jir 'rantl-
tri ! "
"na, b^t Sar WAd bi a r^xt 'denar — 'nel^ 'pjkjul 'w^zna fa:r
vran, it 'wAdna bi 'i:zi getn knaifs n forks far s^k a 'mAltitid."
a 1, 'i A a: a -a:n
326 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" N — , weel, ye see, puckles o' the young fowk wudna kent
sair foo to mak' eese o' them, though they hed hed them. Sarnie
'imsel' cuttit feckly, bit aifter bit, on a muckle ashet, wi' 's fir
gullie, 't I pat an edge on till 'im for the vera purpose ; ithers
o' 's han't it roun' ; an' they cam' a braw speed, weel-a-wat, twa
three o' them files at the same plate, an' feint a flee but then-
fingers — a tatie i' the tae han', an' something to kitchie 't wi' i'
the tither."
" Eh, wasnin 't a pity that the bridegreem's mither an' 's
sister wusna there to see the enterteenment," said Meg, rather
wickedly. " Weel, ye wud start for the Broch syne ? "
" Aifter we hed gotten a dram ; an' wuss't them luck. But
jist as we wus settin' to the road, sic a reerie 's gat up ye heard
never i' yer born days ! Aw 'm seer an' there was ane sheetin'
there was a score — wi' pistills an' guns o' a' kin kin'. The young
men hed been oot gi'ein draps o' drams ; an' they hed their pis-
tills, an' severals forbye ; an' the tae side was sheet in, an' the
tither sheetin back upo' them, till it was for a' the earth like a
vera battle ; an' syne they begood fungin' an' throwin' aul' sheen,
Sing dang, like a shoo'er o' hailstanes."
" Na, sirs ; but ye hed been merry. Sic a pity that ye hedna
meesic. Gin ye hed hed Piper Huljets at the heid o' ye, ye wud
'a been fairly in order."
" Hoot, Meg ; fat are ye speakin' aboot ? Isna Sarnie Pikshule
'imsel' jist a prencipal han' at the pipes fan he likes ? Aweel, it
was arreeng't that Sarnie sud ride upon 's bit grey shaltie, an*
play the pipes a' the road, a wee bittie afore— he's ill at gyaun,
ye^ ken, an' eeswally rides upon a bit timmer kin' o' a saiddlie
wi' an aul' saick in aneth 't. But aul' an' crazy though the beastre
be, I 'se asseer ye it was aweers o' foalin' Sarnie i' the gutters,,
pipes an' a', fan a chap fires his pistill— crack !— roon' the nyeuk
o' the hoose— a gryte, blunt shot, fair afore the shaltie's niz I
Sarnie hed jist begun to blaw, an' ye cud 'a heard the drones
gruntm' awa', fan the shaltie gya a swarve to the tae side, the
'blower' skytit oot o' Sarnie's mou', an' he hed muckle adee to
keep fae coupin owre 'imsel'."
'Na; but that wusna canny!" exclaimed both Hairry's
auditors simultaneously.
READER 327
"n — , wil, ji si:, pAklz o Sa JArj fAuks 'wAdna kent seir fu: ta
mak is o Sam, 60 Se bed had 5am. 'sam^ mi'sel 'kAtat 'feklj, b^t
'sftar fyt, on 9 mAkl 'a Jet, wi:z f^r 'q&\\, at a pat an ed^ on t{l mi
far Sa 'vsra 'pArpas; 'iSarz o:z xhant j.t run; an Se kam a bra:
spid, 'vvila'wat, 'twaOri o Sam failz at Sa sem plst, an fmt a fli:
b^t Saf 'fmarz — a 'ta:t{ i Sa te: 1han, an 'sAmSirj ta 'k{tj{ rt w{ \ Sa
'tiSar."
" e:, 'w^zmnt a 'piti Sat Sa 'braidgrimz 'miSar ans 's^star 'wAzna
Se:r ta si: Sa sntar'tinmant, wil, ji wAd start far Sa brox
sain?"
" 'sftar wi bed gatn a dram ; an wAst Sam Uk. b^t d3^st az
wi WAZ setn ta Sa rod, s^k a rri:ri gat Ap ji xherd 'nivar ( jir born
de:z ! am si:r an Sar w^z en Jitn Sar w\z a sko:r — wj; p^stlz n gAnz
0 a: km kain. Sa JATJ men bed bin ut rgian draps o dramz; an
Se: bed Sar pjstlz, an 'ssvralz far'bai ; an Sa te: said wiz Jitn, an
Sa 'tiSar Jitn bak a'po Sam, til {t w^z far a: Sa er6 laik a 'vsra
batl ; an sain Se bi'gud "fAnan an 'Sroan a:l Jin, drrj dan, laik a
'Juar o 'helstenz."
" na:, s^rz ; b^t ji bed bin 'merj:. sjk a rpiti Sat ji 'hedna 'mi.'zik.
grn ji had bed 'paipar 'hAldjats at Sa hid o ji, ji WAd a bin xferl{
in 'ordar."
" hut, msg ; fat ar ji 'spaikan a'but? ^zna "sann 'p^kjul ^m'ssl
cl5tst a 'prsnsipl xhan at Sa paips 2fan i laiks? a'wil, ^t waz
a'rindgt Sat 'samj: sAd raid a'ponz b^t gre: 'Jalti, an pie: Sa paips
a: Sa rod, a wi: 'b^ a'fo:r — hiz il at 3gja:n, ji ken, an 'i:zwal{
raidz a'pon a bit 't^mar kain o a 'sedlj: wj an a:l ssk m a'neSt. b^t
a:l n 'kre:zi 0o Sa 'bisti bi:, az a'si:r ji ^t wiz axwi:rz o 'folan 'sarnj
1 Sa 'gAtarz, paips an a:, 2fan a tjap fairz \z p^stl — krak ! — run Sa
njuk o Sa bus — a grait, bUnt Jot, fe:r a'fo:r Sa 'Jaltiz n^z ! 'sami
hsd dgjBt bfgAn ta bla:, an ji 'kAd a 1herd Sa dronz 'grAntan a'wa:,
2 fan Sa 'Jalti gja: a swarv ta Sa te: said, Sa 'bloar 'skaitat ut o
nm:, an i hsd mAkl a'di: ta kip fe 'kAupan Aiir
i^ b^t Sat 7wAzna '
j-a:n
328
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Sarnie was fell ill-pleas' t, I can tell ye," continued Hairry
Muggart. " ' Seelence that shottin this moment ! ' says he, ' or
I'll not play anoder stroke for no man livinV "
" Eh, but it wusna mowse," said Mrs Muggart.
" Awat Sarnie was on 's maijesty. ' Ye seerly don't know the
danger o' fat ye're aboot,' says he. " It's the merest chance i' the
wordle that that shot didna rive my chanter wi' the reboon o' 't.'
An' wi' that he thooms the chanter a' up an' doon, an' luiks at
it wi' 's heid to the tae side. ' Ye dinna seem to be awaar o' fat
ye're aboot. I once got as gweed a stan' o' pipes as ony man
ever tyeuk in 's oxter clean connacht the vera same gate,' says
Sarnie."
" Weel ? " queried Meg.
" Hoot ! Fa sud hin'er Sarnie to hae -the pipes a' fine muntit
wi' red an' blue ribbons. An' ov coorse it was naitral that he sud
like to be ta'en some notice o'. Nae fear o' rivin the chanter.
Weel, awa' we gaes wi' Sarnie o' the shaltie, noddle-noddlin aneth
'im, 's feet naar doon at the grun, an' the pipes scraichin like
ony thing. For a wee filie the chaps keepit fell weel in order ;
jist gi'ein a bit ' hooch/ an' a caper o' a dance ahin Sarnie 's they
cud win at it for their pairtners ; for ye see the muckle feck o'
the young chaps hed lasses, an' wus gyaun airm-in-airm. But
aw b'lieve ere we wan to the fit o' the Kirktoon rigs they war
brakin' oot an' at the sheetin again. Mains's chiels wus lowst
gin that time, an' we wus nae seener clear o' the Kir'ton nor
they war at it bleezin awa' ; an' forbye guns, fat hed the nickums
deen but pitten naar a pun' o' blastin' pooder in'o the bush o'
an aul' cairt wheel, syne culft it, an' laid it doon aneth the
briggie at the fit o' the Clinkstyle road, wi' a match at it. Owre
the briggie we gaes wi' Sarnie's pipes skirlin' at the heid o' 's,
an' pistills crackin' awa' hyne back ahin, fan the terriblest pla-
toon gaes aff, garrin the vera road shak' aneth oor feet ! "
" Keep 's an' guide 's ! " said Meg. " Aw houp there wasna
naebody hurtit."
" Ou, feint ane : only Sarnie's shaltie snappert an' pat 'im in
a byous ill teen again. But I'm seer ye mitha heard the noise
o' 's sheetin an' pipin', lat aleen the blast, naar three mile
READER 329
"'sanq: w^.z fsl {1 plist, e ken tsl ji "silens Sat Jotn
Sj;s 'moment ! ' sez hi, ' or ol not pie: e'noder strok fer no: man
'liven.' "
" e:, brt rt 'wAzne m AUZ,"
" a'wat 'sami wj:z onz 'medgasti. ' ji 'si:rl^ dont no: Sa 'dendger
o fat jir e'but,' sez hi:. ' {t-s Se 'mi:rest tjans i Se wordl Sat Sat
Jot 'djxlne raiv ma 'tjanter \vi Se n'bun ot.' an wj; Sat hi 0umz
Sa 'i Jan tar a: Ap an dun, an ljuks at ft wiz hid ta Sa te: said. ' ji
'dma sim ta bi e'war o fat jir a'but. ai wAns got az gwid a stan
o paips az 'onj: man 'iver tjuk mz 'okstar klin 'konext Sa 'vsra sem
get,' sez 'samj:."
"wil?"
" hut ! fa: sAd 'hmar 'sam^ ta he: Sa paips a: fain 'mAntat wj
rid an blu: 'r^banz. an av kurs ft w^z 'netral Sat hi SAd laik ta
bi te:n sAm 'notis o. ne: fi:r o 'rarvan Sa t/antar. wil, a'wa: wi
ge:z w\ 'sam^ o Sa 'Jalti, 'nodl'nodlan a'nsS pn, \z fit na:r dun at
Sa grAn, an Sa paips 'skrexan laik 'on^m. far a wi 'faili Sa t/aps
'kipat fsl wil ^n 'ordar; d3^st 'gian a b{t hux, an a 'kepar o a dans
'ahm 'samj z Se kAd wm at ft far Sar 'pertnarz; far ji si: Sa mAkl
fsk o Sa JATJ t/aps hed 'lasaz, an w^z 1gja:n srm jn erm. b^t a
bli:v e:r wi wan ta Sa frt o Sa 'kirtan r^gz Se war 'brakan ut an
at Sa Jitn a'gen. menz t/ilz WAZ Uust gp Sat taim, an wi WAZ
ne: 'sinar kli:r o Sa 'k^rtan nor Se war at rt xbli:zan a'wa: ; an
for'bai gAnz, fat hsd Sa 'n^kamz din b^t p^tn na:r a pAn o 'blastan
'pudar ni o Sa bA/ o an a:l ksrt Mil, sain kAlft {t, an le:d {t dun
a'ns9 Sa 'br^gi at Se f[t o Sa klmk'steil rod, wj; e mat/ et {t. Aur
Se 'br^gi wi ge:z w{ 'samiz peips 'skjrlen et Se hid oz, en pj.stlz
'kraken a'wa: hein bak e'hm, 2fen Se 'teriblest ple'tun ge:z af,
'garen Se xvsre rod Jak e'nsS. wir fit ! "
" kips en geidz ! a hAup Sar 'wizne 'ne:bAdi 'hArtet."
" u:, fmt en : 'onl{ 'sam^z 'Jalti xsnapert en pat ^.m m e 'baies
il tin e'gen. b{t em si:r ji mi0 e 3hsrd Se noiz oz Jitn en 'peipen,
lat e'lin Se blast, na:r Sri: meil e'wa:."
2i,
330 MANUAL OF MQDERN SCOTS
" Weel, aw was jist comin' up i' the early gloanrin, fae lockin'
my bits o' doories, an' seein' that neen o' the creaturs wasna
reestin the furth, fan aw heard a feerious lood rum'le — an't had
been Whitsunday as it 's Mairti'mas aw wud 'a raelly said it was
thunner. But wi' that there comes up o' the win' a squallachin
o' fowk by ordinar', an' the skirl o' the pipes abeen a'. That was
the mairriage— Heard you ! Aw wat, aw heard ye ! "
" Oh, but fan they wan geylies oot o' kent boun's they war
vera quate — only it disna dee nae to be cheery at a mairriage,
ye ken."
" An' fat time wan ye there ? "
" Weel, it was gyaun upo' seyven o'clock."
" An' ye wud a' be yap eneuch gin than ! "
"Nyod, I was freely hungry, ony wye. But aw wat there
was a gran' tae wytin 's. An aunt o' the bride's was there to wel-
come the fowk ; a richt jellie wife in a close mutch, but unco
braid spoken ; aw 'm thinkin' she maun be fae the coast side, i'
the Collieston wan, or some wye. The tables wus jist heapit at
ony rate ; an' as mony yalla fish set doon as wud 'a full't a box
barrow, onlee't."
" An' was Peter 'imsel' ony hearty, noo ? "
"Wusnin 'e jist! Aw wuss ye hed seen 'im; an' Rob his
breeder tee, fan the dancin' begood. It wudna dee to say 't ye
ken, but Robbie hed been tastin' draps, as weel 's some o' the
lave, an' nae doot the gless o' punch 't they gat o' the back o'
their tae hed ta'en o' the loon ; but an he didna tak' it oot o' twa
three o' the lasses, forbye the aul' fishwife, 't was bobbin awa'
anent 'im b' wye o' pairtner, wi' 'er ban's in 'er sides an' the
strings o' 'er mutch fleein lowse. It's but a little placie, a kin'
o' a but an' a ben, an' it wusna lang till it grew feerious het. I'se
asseer ye, dancin' wasna jeestie to them that try't it."
" Weel, Mistress Muggart, isna yer man a feel aul' breet to
be cairryin on that gate amon' a puckle daft young fowk ? "
" Deed is 'e, Hennie ; but as the sayin' is, ' there's nae feel
like an aul' feel.' "
" Ou, but ye wud 'a baith been blythe to be there, noo," said
Hairry, " an' wud 'a danc't brawly gin ye hed been bidden."
" An' Sarnie ga'e ye the meesic ? "
READER 331
" wil, a wiz dgist 'kAtnan Ap 1 Sa 'erli 'gloman, fe 'lokan me bits
o 'doirjz, en 'sian Sat nin o Sa 'kretarz 'wizna 'ristan Sa fAr0, 1fen a
3 herd a 'fi:nas lud rAml — ant had bin 'Aqtsndi az its 'mertrmas a
'wAd a 're:li sed it wjz '0Anar. bit wj Sat Sar kAmz Ap o Sa wpi
a 'skwalaxan o fAuk bai 'orcktar, an Sa skirl o Sa paips a'bin a:.
Sat wiz Sa 'meridg— 3herd jui ! a wat, a 3herd ji ! "
" o:, bit 1fan Se wan 'gailiz ut o kent bunz Se war 'vera kweit —
'onli jt 'dizna di: ne: ta bi 'tjiiri at a rm£rid3, ji ksn."
" an fat taim wan ji Seir ? "
" wil, {t wiz 2gja:n a'po xsaivan o'klok."
" an ji wAd a: bi jap a'njux gpi San ! "
" jiod, a w{z 'friil^ 'hAnq, 'on^ wai. b^t a'wat Sar w^z a gran te:
'waitanz. an ant o Sa braidz w^z Seir ta 'welkAm Sa fAuk ; a r^xt
'dgsli waif in a klos mAt/, brt 'Anka bred spokr) ; am 'Sinkan Ji
man bi fe Sa kost said, i Sa 'kolistan wan, or sAm wai. Sa teblz
WAZ dg^st 'hipat at 'on^ ret ; an az 'monj "jala f^J set dun az WAd
a f Alt a boks 'bara, onliit."
" an wiz 'pitar ^m'sel ron{ 'hert[, nu: ? "
"'wAzmn i dgjst ! a WAS ji bed sin mi ; an rob ln_z 'bridar ti:,
xfan Sa 'dansan bfgud. jt 'wAdna di: ta seit ji ken, bit 'robi hed
bin "testan draps, az wilz SAm o Sa leiv; an ne: dut Sa gles o pAnJ
at Se gat o Sa bak o Sar te: hed te:n o Sa lun ; bit an hi: 'd^dna
tak it ut o 7twa 0ri o Sa 'lasaz, for'bai Sa a:l 'fi/waif, at wiz 'boban
a'wa: a'nent ^m ba wai o 'pertnar, w{ ar 3hanz ^n ar saidz an Sa
strirjz o ar rnAtJ 'flian IAUS. its brt a l^tl 'ples^, a kein o a bAt an
.a ben, an rt xwAzna larj til it gru: 'fhrias het. az a'si:r ji/dansan
'w^zna 'dgisti ta Sem Sat trait it."
" wil, 'm^stras 'mAgart, ^zna jir man a fil a:l brit ta bi 'kenan
on Sat get a'mon a pAkl daft JArj fAuk? "
"did rz i, 'hem; bit az Sa 'sean iz, 'Sarz ne: fil laik an a:l
fil.' "
" u:, bit ji wAd a be0 bin blaiS ta bi Se:r, nu:, an WAd
a danst 'bra:li gin ji hed bin bidn."
" an 'sami ge: ji Sa 'mi:zik? "
2j-a:n 3a:
332
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Maist pairt. They got a hand o' a fiddle — there was a cheelie
there 't cud play some — but the treble string brak, so that \vudna
dee. An* files, fan they war takin' a kin' o' breathin', he wud
sowff a spring to twa three o' them ; or bess till 'imsel' singin',
wi' the fiddle, siclike as it was. Only Sarnie eeswally sat i' the
tither en' to be oot o' their road, an' mak' mair room for the
dancers, an' dirl't up the pipes, wi' a fyou o' 's that wusna carein'
aboot the steer takin' a smoke aside 'im."
"Na, but ye hed been makin' yersel's richt comfortable.
Hedna ye the sweetie wives ? "
" Hoot ay ; hoot ay ; till they war forc't to gi'e them maet
an' drink an' get them packit awa' — that was aboot ten o'clock.
An' gin than," continued Hairry, " I was beginnin' to min' 't I
hed a bit traivel afore me. Aw kent there was nae eese o' wytin
for the young fowk to be company till 's, for they wud be seer
to dance on for a file, an' than there wud lickly be a ploy i' the
hin'eren' at the beddin' o' the new-marriet fowk ; so Tarn Meeri-
son an' me forgathered an' crap awa' oot, siri'ry like, aifter sayin'
good nicht to the bride in a quate wye — Peter was gey noisy gin
that time, so we loot him be. We made 's gin we hed been
wuntin a gluff o' the caller air ; but wi' that, fan ance we wus
thereoot, we tyeuk the road hame thegither like gweed billies."
READER 333
" mest pert. Se got a haid o a fjxil — Sar wj;z 9 't/ili Seir at kAd
pie: SAm — b^t Sa trsbl strjrj brak, so Sat 'wAdna di:. an failz, xfan
Se war 'takan a kain o 'bre:San, hi wAd SAuf a spr^rj ta 'twa8ri o
Sam ; or bss t^l im'ssl 'sman, w{ Sa fjdl, sjk'laik az rt w^z. 'onl^.
'samj 'iizwal^ sat i Sa 'tiSar en ta bi ut o Sar rod, an mak meir
rum far Sa 'dansarz, an djrlt Ap Sa paips, wj: a fjAu oz Sat 'wAzna
'kerran a'but Sa stiir xtakan a smok a'said jrn."
"na:, bjt ji hsd bin 'makan jir'sslz r^xt "komfartabl. 'hedha
ji Sa 'switi' waifs?"
" hut ai ; hut ai ; fyl Se war forst ta gi: Sam met an drmk an
get Sam 'pakat axwa: — Sat wiz a'but ten o'klok. an gin San,
a w{z bi'gman ta main at a hsd a bjt treivl a'foir mi. a
kent Sar w^.z ne: i:s o 'waitan far Sa JATJ fAuk ta bi 'kAmpani t^lz,
far Se WAd bi si:r ta dans on far a fail, on San Sar WAd 'l^kl^ bi a
ploi i Sa 'hmar'en at Sa 'bedan o Sa njui'msr^t fAuk; so tarn
'miinsan an mi far'geSart an krap a'wa: ut, xsmr{ laik, 'sftar'sean
gud n\xi ta Sa braid m a kwet wai — 'pi tar w^z gai 'noizj gm Sat
taim, so wi lut hmi bi:. wi medz gm wi hsd bin 'wAntan a gUf
o Sa 'kalar e:r ; b^t wj Sat, afan ens wi WAZ Se'rut, wi tjuk Sa rod
hem Sa'giSar laik gwid
334
XV A. TO A MOUSE
ROBERT BURNS.
Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie !
Thou needna start awa' sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle !
I wad be laith to rin and chase thee,
Wi' murdering pattle !
I'm truly sorry man's dominion
Has broken nature's social union,
An' justifies that ill opinion
Which makes thee startle
At. me, thy poor earth-born companion,
And fellow-mortal !
I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;
What then? poor beastie, thou maun live !
A daimen icker in a thrave
's a sma' request :
I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,
An' never miss't !
Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin !
Its silly wa's the win's are strewin' !
An' naething now to big a new ane
O' foggage green !
An' bleak December's winds ensuin',
Baith snell an' keen !
Thou saw the fields laid bare an' waste,
An' weary winter comin' fast,
An' cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell,
Till crash ! the cruel coulter past
Out thro' thy cell.
335
XV A. TO A MOUSE
ROBERT BURNS.
wi:, 'slikat, 'ku:ren, 'tjmras 'best{,
o:, A\at 9 'panj.ks m Sai 'brestj. !
Su: 'nidna stert xa'wa: se 'hestj,
w| 'bjkran bratl !
a: 2wad bi Ie0 ta rm en t/es 8ti,
w\ 'mArdran patl !
em 'trul{ 'soq manz de'minjen
hez 'broken 'neterz 'so/al 4jmJ8n,
an 'd3Astifi:z Sat ^.1 a'pmjan
Av^tJ maks Si startl
at mi:, Sai p0:r sr65born kam'penjan,.
an 'felo'mortl !
a 7dutna, A\ailz, bat 5u: me 0i:v;
A\at San? p0:r 6/best{, Su man li:v !
a 'deman 'tkar m a 76re:v
za 1sma: rfkwsst:
al get a 'bljsan w^ Sa le:v,
an 'mvar m^st !
Sai wi: b^.t 'husi, tj2Tr, m 'rum !
^ts 'si\i 1wa:z Sa 8wAnz ar 'strum !
an 'neS^r) nu: ta bjg a nju: jpi
o 'foojids grin !
an blik dfsembarz 8wAnz m'Juin,
be0 snel n kin !
Su xsa: Sa fildz le:d be:r an west,
an 'wi:ri 8'wAntar 'kAman 9fest,
an 'ko:zi hi:r, 10bi'ni9 Sa blast,
Su U0oxt ta dwsl,
til kraj! Sa krual 'kutar past
ut Bru: 5ai ssl.
IQ: 2A, i 3 See Ph. §217 (d) 4 See Ph. §151
7 ;
a
336 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
That wee bit heap o' leaves and stibble
Has cost thee monie a weary nibble !
Now thou's turned out for a' thy trouble,
But house or hauld,
To thole the winter's sleety dribble,
And cranreuch cauld !
But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane
In proving foresight may be vain !
The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain
For promis'd joy !
Still thou art blest, compared wi' me !
The present only toucheth thee :
But och ! I backward cast my e'e
On prospects drear !
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear.
READER 337
Sat wi b^t hip o lifs en stibl
haz 1kost Si 2/monj: 9 'wi:ri mbl !
nu: Suz tArnt ut for 3a: Sai tnbl}
bAt bus or 3 hailed,
t9 0ol Sa 4/wmtarz 'sliti dnbl,
en 5kranjux 3ka:lc£ I
bAt, 'musi, Su art no: Sai len
lii "pr^ivan 'fors^xt me: bi ven !
Se 'bsst'leid skimz o mais an men
gar) aft Vglai,
and li: AS 1noxt bAt grif an pen
for 'promist 6dgai !
st{l Su art blest, kam'peirt w^ mi:
Sa 'prszant 'onl^ 'tAt/a8 Si: :
bAt Jox ! a 'bakward kast ma i:
on "prospaks dri:r !
an 'forward, 0o a 'kanna si:,
a gss an fi:r.
o, A, a 3g- 4t, A 5'kranJAx
22
338
XVI A. THE SAYING OF ANNIE
BESIDE THE BONNIE BRIER BUSH.
IAN MACLAREN (1850-1907).
Doctor MacLure did not lead a solemn procession from the
sick-bed to the dining-room, and give his opinion from the hearth-
rug with an air of wisdom bordering on the supernatural, because
neither the Drumtochty houses nor his manners were on that
large scale. He was accustomed to deliver himself in the yard,
and to conclude his directions with one foot in the stirrup ; but
when he left the room where the life of Annie Mitchell was
ebbing slowly away, our doctor said not one word, and at the sight
of his face her husband's heart was troubled.
He was a dull man, Tammas, who could not read the meaning
of a sign, and laboured under a perpetual disability of speech ;
but love was eyes to him that day, and a mouth.
"Is't as bad as yir lookin', doctor? Tell's the truth; wull
Annie no come through ? " and Tammas looked MacLure straight
in the face, who never flinched his duty or said smooth things.
"A' wud gie onything tae say Annie hes a chance, but a'
daurna ; a' doot yir gaein' tae lose her, Tammas."
MacLure was in the saddle, and as he gave his judgment, he
laid his hand on Tammas's shoulder with one of the rare caresses
that pass between men.
"It's a sair business, but ye 'ill play the man and no vex
Annie ; she 'ill dae her best, a'll warrant."
" An' a'll dae mine " ; and Tammas gave MacLure's hand a
grip that would have crushed the bones of a weakling. Drum-
tochty felt in such moments the brotherliness of this rough -
looking man, and loved him.
Tammas hid his face in Jess's mane, who looked round with
sorrow in her beautiful eyes, for she had seen many tragedies,
and in this silent sympathy the stricken man drank his cup,
drop by drop.
339
XVI A. THE SAVING OF ANNIE
BESIDE THE BONNIE BRIER BUSH.
IAN MACLAKEN (1850-1907).
"{st az bad az jir 'lukan, 'doktar? tslz Sa tryG ; WA! 'anj; no:
kAin eru:?"
" a wAd gii 1oni9{r) ta se: 'am hez a t/ans, bAt a 'da:rna ; a dut
jir xgean ta bs bar, 'tamas."
"jts a se:r 'biznas, bat jil pie: Sa man an no: vsks xan^ ; Jil
de: bar best, al 'waran^."
': an a:l de: main."
22 2
340 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" A' wesna prepared for this, for a' aye thocht she wud live
the langest.... She's younger than rne by ten years, and never
wes ill... We've been mairit twal year laist Martinmas, but it's
juist like a year the day.... A' was never worthy o' her, the
bonniest, snoddest, kindliest lass in the Glen.. . .A' never cud mak
oot hoo she ever lookit at me, 'at hesna hed ae word tae say
aboot her till it's ower late.... She didna cuist up tae me that a'
wesna worthy o' her, no her, but aye she said, ' Yir ma ain gude-
man, and nane cud be kinder tae me.'... An' a' wes minded tae be
kind, but a' see noo mony little trokes a' micht hae dune for her,
and noo the time is bye....Naebody kens hoo patient she wes wi'
me, an' aye made the best o' me, an' never pit me tae shame
afore the fouk....An' we never hed ae cross word, no ane in twal
year.... We were mair nor man and wife, we were sweethearts a'
the time.... Oh, ma bonnie lass, what 'ill the bairnies an' me dae
withoot ye, Annie ? "
The winter night was falling fast, the snow lay deep upon the
ground, and the merciless north wind moaned through the close
as Tammas wrestled with his sorrow dry- eyed, for tears were
denied Drumtochty men. Neither the doctor nor Jess moved
hand or foot, but their hearts were with their fellow-creature,
and at length the doctor made a sign to Marget Howe, who had
come out in search of Tammas, and now stood by his side.
"Dinna mourn tae the brakin' o' yir hert, Tammas," she
said, " as if Annie an' you hed never luved. Neither death nor
time can pairt them that luve ; there's naethin' in a' the warld
sae strong as luve. If Annie gaes frae the sicht o' yir een she 'ill
come the nearer tae yir hert. She wants tae see ye, and tae hear
ye say that ye 'ill never forget her nicht nor day till ye meet in
the land where there's nae pairtin'. Oh, a' ken what a'm saying
for it's five year noo sin' George gaed awa, an' he's mair wi' me
noo than when he wes in Edinburgh and I wes in Drumtochty.'
" Thank ye kindly, Marget ; thae are gude words and true,
an' ye hev the richt tae say them; but a' canna dae without
seein' Annie comin' tae meet me in the gloamin', an' gaein' in
an' oot the hoose, an' hearin' her ca' me by ma name, an' a'll
no can tell her that a' luve her when there's nae Annie in the
hoose.
READER 341
"9 'wezn9 pn'pe:rt far SJB, far 9 91 1/0oxt Ji wAd li:v S9
'lanast....Jiz 'JAnar San mi: bj: ten i:rz, an 'nivar wez j.l....wiv bin
2/merjt twal i:r lest 'mertmmas, bat (ts dgyst laik a iir Sa de:.<..
a wez 'mvar 'wArSi o bar, Sa 1/boniast, 'snodast, 'kaincftiast las {n
Sa glen.... a 'mvar kAd mak ut hu: Ji 'ivar'lukat at mi:, at 'hezna
bed e: wArd ta se: 9'but 9r t{l {ts 'Auar let....Ji 'd^dng kyst Ap ta
mi Sat a 'wezna 'wArSi o ar, no: bar, bat ai Ji sed, 'jir ma e:n
gyd'man, an nen kAd bi 'kaincfer ta mi.'...an a wez 'maindgt ta
bi kainc?, bat a si: nu: 3/mon^ l^tl troks a m^xt he dyn far bar, an
mi: Sa taim iz boi.../nebAdi kenz hu: 'pe/ant Ji wez w^ mi, an ai
med Sa best o mi, an rmvar pft mi ta Jem 9'fo:r $9 fAuk....en wi
'nivar bed e: 4kros WArd, no: en m twal i:r....wi war me:r nor
man an waif, wi war 'switherts a: Sa taim....o, ma 1/bon^ las,
Sa 2bern^z an mi: de: wr*0ut ji, 'anj?"
mArn ta Sa 'brakan o jir hert, 'tames, ............ 9z if
'an^ 9n ju: bed 'mvgr 8Uvd. 5/neS9r de0 nor teim kgn 2pert Sem
8et S!AV ; Serz 'neSm m a: S9 warlc^ se: stror) 9z S!AV. {f 'anj ge:z
fre Sa s^xt o jir in Jil kAm Sa 'ni:rar ta jir hert. Ji 6wants ta si:
ji, an ta hi:r ji se: Sat jil 'nivar far'get bar n^xt nor de: til ji mit
in Sa 7land Avar Sarz ne: 2/pertan. o:, a ken Mat am 'sean, far ^ts
faiv i:r nu: sm dgord3 ge:d a'wa:, an hiz me:r wj; mi nu: San Man
hi: wez m 'ednbAra an ai wez ^n drAm'toxti."
" Sank ji 'kaindlt, 'marg^t ; Se: ar gyd wArdz en tru:, an ji hsv
Sa rp:t ta se: Sam ; bat a 'kanna de: wr'Sut 'sian 'ant 'kAman ta
mit mi pi Sa 'glom9n, 9n 'ge9n in 9n ut S9 bus, 9n 'hi:r9n 9r ka:
mi b[ mg nem, 9n 9! no: kgn tel hgr S9t 9 S!AV h9r A\9n S9rz ne:
'am m S9 bus.
o 2e 3-a, A, o 4o 5e: 6A,
342 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Can naethin' be dune, doctor? Ye savit Flora Cammil, and
young Burnbrae, an' yon shepherd's wife Dunleith wy, an' we
were a' sae prood o' ye, an' pleased tae think that ye hed keepit
dfeith frae anither hame. Can ye no think o' somethin' tae help
Annie, and gie her back tae her man and bairnies? " and Tammas
searched the doctor's face in the cold, weird light.
" There's nae pooer in heaven or airth like luve," Marget said
to toe afterwards ; " it maks the weak strong and the dumb tae
speak. Oor herts were as water afore Tammas's words, an' a' saw
the doctor shake in his saddle. A' never kent till that meenut
hoo he hed a share in a'body's grief, an' carried the heaviest
wecht o' a' the Glen. A' peetied him wi' Tammas lookin' at him
sae wistfully, as if he hed the keys o' life an' deith in his hands.
But he wes honest, and wudna hold oot a false houp tae deceive
a sore hert or win escape for himsel'."
" Ye needna plead wi' me, Tammas, to dae the best a' can
for yir wife. Man, a' kent her lang afore ye ever luved her ; a'
brocht her intae the warld, and a' saw her through the fever
when she wes a bit lassikie ; a' closed her mither's een, and it
wes me hed tae tell her she wes an orphan, an' nae man wes
better pleased when she got a gude husband, and a' helpit her
wi' her fower bairns. A've naither wife nor bairns o' ma own,
an' a' coont a' the fouk o' the Glen ma family. Div ye think a*
wudna save Annie if I cud? If there wes a man in Muirtown
'at cud dae mair for her, a'd have him this verra nicht, but a' the
doctors in Perthshire are helpless for this tribble.
" Tammas, ma puir fallow, if it could avail, a' tell ye a' wud
lay doon this auld worn-oot ruckle o' a body o' mine juist tae see
ye baith sittin' at the fireside, an' the bairns roond ye, couthy
an' canty again ; but it's no tae be, Tammas ; it's no tae be."
" When a' lookit at the doctor's face," Marget said, " a' thocht
him the winsomest man a' ever saw. He wes transfigured that
nicht, for a'm judging there's nae transfiguration like luve."
"It's God's wull an1 maun be borne, but it's a sair wull for
me, an' a'm no ungratefu' tae you, doctor, for a' ye've dune and
what ye said the nicht"; and Tammas went back to sit with
Annie for the last time.
Jess picked her way through the deep snow to the main road
READER 343
"ken 'ne0pi bi dyn, 'dokter? ji 'seiv^t 'flo:re kctml, en JATJ
bArn'bre:, en jon 'Jsperdz waif dAn'H0 wei, an wi war a: se: prud
o ji, an pliizd ta 0ir)k Sat ji hsd 'kipet 1di0 fre e'mSer hem. kan
ji no: 0jrjk o 'sAm0pi ta help 'an^, an gi: bar bak ta har man an
2berntz?"
"Serz nei 'puar pi hsvn or er0 laik S!AV, j.t maks Sa
wek stroT) an Sa dAm ta spik. ur hsrts war az 'water e'fo:r
'tamasaz wArdz, an a sa: Se 'dokter xjak pi \z 2sedl. a 'mvar ksnt
til Sat 'minat hu: hi hsd a Jeir pi 'a:bAdiz grif, an 2'kerj:t Sa
'heviast wsxt o a: Sa glsn. a 'pitid hj.m wi 'tamas 'lukan at pn
se: 'w^stfalj, az if hi hsd Sa 3ki:z o laif an 1di0 \r\ \z 4hanefe. bat
hi wsz 'onast, an 'wAdna 4had ut a fa:s hAup ta di'siiv a soir hsrt
or wjn r*skep for nn'ssl."
"ji 'nidna plid w{ mi:, 'tamas, ta de: Sa best a kan far jir
waif, man, a kent ar larj a'fo:r ji: 'ivar 8lAvd ar ; a 5broxt ar 'inta
Sa ^warld, an a sa: ar 9ru: Sa 'fiver Man Ji wsz a b{t 'lasik^; a
klo:zd ar 'miSarz in, an ^t wsz mi: hsd ta tsl ar Ji wsz an 'orfen,
an ne: man wsz 'bstar pli:zd A\an Ji got a gyd 'hAzband, an a
'hslpat ar w^ ar fAur 2bernz. ev 6/neSer weif nor 2bernz o me 7on,
en e kunt a: Se fAuk o Se glsn me 'femli. d\v ji G^nk a 'wAdna
se:v/an^ jf e kAd? if Ser wsz e man in 'marten et kAd de: me:r
for er, ed hev pn Sis xvsre n^xt, bet a: Se 'dokterz pi 'psr63Jair er
'hslples fer S^s tnbl.
" 'tames, me p0:r 'fala, ^f it kAd a'vel, a tsl ji a wAd le: dun
Sis o,:\d 'worn'ut rAkl o e 5/bodi o mein dgyst te si: ji be0 's^ten
et Se 3'fairseid, en Se 2bernz rune? ji, 'ku0i en 'kanti e'gen ; bet
^ts no: te bi:, 'tames ; {ts no: te bi:."
aA\en e 'luket at Se 'dokterz fes e 50oxt him Sa
'wmsemest man e 'iver sa:. hi wsz trans'figart Sat nixt, for em
^Adgen Serz ne: transf^ger'ejn leik 8lAv."
" ^ts godz WA! en ma:n bi born, bet ^ts e se:r WA! fer mi:, en
em no: An'gretfe te ju:, 'dokter, for a: ji:v dyn en A\at ji ssd Se
mxt."
ei ct: o e: AU
344 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
with a skill that came of long experience, and the doctor held
converse with her according to his wont.
"Eh, Jess wumman, yon wes the hardest wark a' hae tae
face, and a' wud raither hae ta'en ma chance o' anither row in a
Glen Urtach drift than tell Tammas Mitchell his wife wes deein'.
" A' said she cudna be cured, and it wes true, for there's juist
ae man in the land for't, and they micht as weel try tae get the
mune oot o' heaven. Sae a' said naethin' tae vex Tammas's hert,
for it's heavy eneuch withoot regrets.
" But it's hard, Jess, that money wull buy life after a', an' if
Annie wes a duchess her man wudna lose her ; but bein' only a
puir cottar's wife, she maun dee afore the week's oot.
" Gin we hed him the morn there's little doot she wud be
saved, for he hesna lost mair than five per cent, o' his. cases, and
they'll be puir toon's craturs, no strappin' women like Annie.
" It's oot o' the question, Jess, sae hurry up, lass, for we've
hed a heavy day. But it wud be the grandest thing that was
ever dune in the Glen in oor time if it cud be managed by hook
or crook.
" We 'ill gang and see Drumsheugh, Jess ; he's anither man
sin' Geordie Hoo's deith, and he wes aye kinder than fouk kent " ;
and the doctor passed at a gallop through the village, whose
lights shone across the white, frost-bound road.
"Come in by, doctor; a' heard ye on the road. Ye'll hae
been at Tammas Mitchell's ; hoo's the gudewife ? A doot she's
sober."
" Annie's deein', Drumsheugh, an' Tammas is like tae brak
his hert."
" That's no lichtsome, doctor, no lichtsome ava, for a' dinna
ken ony man in Drumtochty sae bund up in his wife as Tammas,
an' there's no a bonnier wumrnan o' her age crosses oor kirk door
than Annie, nor a cleverer at her wark. Man, ye 'ill need tae pit
yir brains in steep. Is she clean beyond ye ? "
" Beyond me and every ither in the land but ane, and it wud
cost a hundred guineas tae bring him tae Drumtochty."
" Certes, he's no blate ; it's a fell chairge for a short day's
work ; but hundred or no hundred we 'ill hae him, an' no let
Annie gang, and her no half her years."
READER 345
" e:, d3es 'wAman, jon wez Sa 'hardest wark a he: ta fes, an a
lrreSar he tem ma t/ans o 9'mSar TAU in a glen 'Artax drift
San tel 'tamas 'mitjal hiz waif wez 'dian."
" a sed Ji 'kAdna bi kj^ird, an it wez tru:, far, Sarz dgyst e:
man in Sa 2lanc? fort, an Se mjxt az wil trai ta get Sa myn ut o
hevn. se a sed 'ne0m ta veks 'tamas^z hert, far its 'hevi 3a'njux
wr'Sut n'grets.
" bat its hard, dges, Sat 'niAni WA! bai laif xsftar a:, an if 'ani
wez a 'dAt/ss har man 'wAdna 4lu:z ar; bat 'bian 5'on\\ a p^ir
'kotarz waif, Ji man di: a'foir Sa wiks ut.
"gin wi hsd him 5a 5morn Sarz lrtl dut Ji wAd bi seivt, for
hi 'hszna lost me:r San faiv par sent o h^z 'kesaz, an Sell bi p0:r
tunz 'kretarz, no: 'strapan 'wiman laik 'oni.
"its ut o Sa 'kwestan, dges, se 'liAri Ap, las, far wiv hed 9
'hevi de:. bat it wAd bi Sa 'grandast 0irj Sat wez 'ivar dyn in Sa
glen in u:r taim if it kAd bi 'man^d ba huk or kruk.
" wil garj an si: drAmz3'hjux, dges ; hiz a'mSar man sin 'dgordi
hu:z 6di6, an hi wez ai 'kaincfer San fAuk kent."
"kAm in bai, 'doktar; a 7herd ji on Sa rod. jil he bin at
'tamas 'mitjalz; hu:z Sa gyd'waif ? 9 dut Jiz 'sobar."
"'aniz 'dian, drAmz3/hjux, an 'tamas iz laik ta brak iz hert."
"Sats no: 'lixtsam, 'doktar, no: 'lixtsam a'va:, for 9 'dinn9
ken 5/oni man in drAm'toxti se: bAnd Ap in iz W9if az xtamaz, an
Sarz no: a 5/bomar 'wAman o har ed3 5/krosaz u:r k^k do:r San
'ani, nor a 'klivarar at ar wark. man, jil nid ta pit jar bremz in
stip. iz Ji klin bi'jond ji? "
"brjond mi: 9n 'ivri 'iSar in Sa 2lanc£ bat en, an it WAd 5kost
a hAnc?ar rginiz ta brir) him ta drAm'toxti."
"'sertiz, hiz no: blet; its a fel tjerdg far a 5Jort de:z wark;
bat 'hAnc^ar or no: 'hAncfor wil he: him, an no: 8let 'ani gar), an
har no: ha:f har i:rz."
e: 2a: 3A 4los 5o 6e 7a 8a, a
346 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"Are ye meanin' it, Drumsheugh ? " and MacLure turned
white below the tan.
"William MacLure," said Drumsheugh, in one of the few
confidences that ever broke the Drumtochty reserve, "a'm a
lonely man, wi' naebody o' ma ain blude tae care for me livin',
or tae lift me intae ma coffin when a'm deid.
" AJ fecht awa at Muirtown market for an extra pund on a
beast, or a shillin' on the quarter o' barley, an' what's the gude
o't? Burnbrae gaes afF tae get a goon for his wife or a buke for
his college laddie, an' Lachlan Campbell '11 no leave the place
noo withoot a ribbon for Flora.
" Ilka man in the Kildrummie train has some bit fairin' in his
pooch for the fouk at hame that he's bocht wi' the siller he won.
" But there's naebody tae be lookin' oot for me, an' comin'
doon the road tae meet me, and daflfin' wi' me aboot their fairing,
or feeling ma pockets. Ou ay, a've seen it a' at ither hooses,
though they tried tae hide it frae me for fear a' wud lauch at
them. Me- lauch, wi' my cauld, empty hame !
"Yir the only man kens, Weelum, that I aince luved the
noblest wumman in the Glen or onywhere, an' a' luve her still,
but wi' anither luve noo.
"She hed given her hert tae anither, or a've thocht a' micht
hae won her, though nae man be worthy o' sic a gift. Ma hert
turned tae bitterness, but that passed awa beside the brier bush
whar George Hoo lay yon sad simmer-time. Some day a'll tell
ye ma story, Weelum, for you an' me are auld freerids, and will
be till we dee."
MacLure felt beneath the table for Drumsheugh's hand, but
neither man looked at the other.
"Weel, a' we can dae noo, Weelum, gin we haena mickle
brichtness in oor ain hames, is tae keep the licht frae gaein' oot
in anither hoose. Write the telegram, man, and Sandy 'ill send
it aff frae Kildrummie this verra nicht, and ye 'ill hae yir man
the morn."
" Yir the man a' coonted ye, Drumsheugh, but ye '11 grant
me ae favour. Ye 'ill lat me pay the half, bit by bit — a' ken yir
wullin' tae dae't a' — but a' haena mony pleesures, an' a' wud like
tae hae ma ain share in savin' Annie's life."
READER 347
" or ji 'minan it, dr Amz4'hj ux ? "
" wilm ma'klu:r, am 9 'loiili man, wi 'nebAdi o ma e:n
blyd ta ke:r far mi 'li:van, or ta lift mi 'mta ma 'kofan A\an am
did.
" a fext a'wa: at 'm0:rtan 'msrkat far an 'ekstra pAunrf on a
bist, or a '/{Ian on a 'kwcirtar o 'barlj, an Avats Sa gyd ot ?
bArn'bre: ge:z af ta get a gun far \z waif or a byk for j:z 'kolad3
'ladi, an 'laxlan 'kamal 1 no: li:v Sa pies nu: wj'Sut a 'qban far
'flo:ra.
" 'ilka man jn Sa kil'drAmi tre:n hez SAHI bit 'fe:ran in \z put/
far Sa fAuk at hem Sat hiz 1boxt wi Sa 'silar hi wAn.
"bat Sarz 'neibAdi ta bi 'lukan ut far mi:, an 'kAman dun Sa
rod ta mit mi:, an 'dafan wj mi: a'but tSar 'fe:ran, or 'filan ma
'pokats. u: ai, av sin it a: at 'iftar 'husaz, 0o Se trait ta haid jt
fre mi: far fi:r a wAd 2lax at Sam. mi: 2lax, wi ma ka:lc?, 'smti
hem !
" jir Sa 1/onlj man ksnz, wilm, Sat a ens 7Uvd Sa 'noblast 'wAman
jn Sa glen or lroniAvar, an a 7Uv ar stil, bat wi a'n^Sar 7Uv nu:.
" Ji hed gin bar hsrt ta a'niSar, or av a6oxt a mjxt he wAn ar,
9o ne: man bi 'wArSi o sik a gift, ma hsrt tArnt ta 'b^tarnas, bat
Sat past a'wa: bi'said Sa 'briar bAs Avar d3ord3 hu: le: jon sad
'simartaim. SAHI de: al tel ji ma 'storj, wilm, far ju an mi ar
a:lc£ frmdz, an wil bi til wi di:."
" wil, a: wi kan de: nu:, wilm, gin wi 'hena mikl 'brixtnas in
3ur e:n hemz, iz ta kip Sa Ijxt fre xgean ut in a'mSar hus. rait
Sa "tslagram, man, an 'sandi 1 ssncZ it af fre ki?drAmi SIB 'vsra
nixt, an jil he jar man Sa 1morn."
"jir Sa man a xkuntat ji, drAmz4/hjux, bat jil grant mi e:
'fevar. jil lat mi: pai Sa ha:f, bit bi bit — a ken jir 'wAlan ta de:t
a: — bat a 'hena 5moni 6pli:zarz, an a WAd laik ta he ma e:n Je:r
in 'se:van 'aniz laif.
, wAr, war 4 A 5 a, o, A
348 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Next morning a figure received Sir George on the Kildrum-
mie platform whom that famous surgeon took for a gillie, but
who introduced himself as " MacLure of Drumtochty." It seemed
as if the East had come to meet the West when these two stood
together, the one in travelling furs, handsome and distinguished,
with his strong, cultured face and carriage of authority, a charac-
teristic type of his profession ; and the other more marvellously
dressed than ever, for Drumsheugh's topcoat had been forced
upon him for the occasion, his face and neck one redness with the
bitter cold ; rough and ungainly, yet not without some signs of
power in his eye and voice, the most heroic type of his noble
profession. MacLure compassed the precious arrival with obser-
vances till he was securely seated in Drumsheugh's dogcart — a
vehicle that lent itself to history — with two full-sized plaids
added to his equipment — Drumsheugh and Hillocks had both
been requisitioned — and MacLure wrapped another plaid round
a leather case, which was placed below the seat with such rever-
ence as might be given to the Queen's regalia. Peter attended
their departure full of interest, and as soon as they were in the
fir-woods MacLure explained that it would be an eventful journey.
" It's a' richt in here, for the wind disna get at the snaw, but
the drifts are deep in the Glen, and th'ill be some engineerin'
afore we get tae oor destination."
Four times they left the road, and took their way over fields ;
twice they forced a passage through a slap in a dyke ; thrice they
used gaps in the paling which MacLure had made on his down-
ward journey.
" A' seleckit the road this mornin', an' a' ken the depth tae
an inch ; we 'ill get through this steadin' here tae the main road,
but oor worst job 'ill be crossin' the Tochty.
" Ye see the bridge hes been shakin' wi' this winter's flood,
and we daurna venture on it, sae we hev tae ford, and the snaw's
been melting upUrtach way. There's nae doot the water's gey big,
an' it's threatenin' tae rise, but we'll win through wi' a warstle.
" It micht be safer tae lift the instruments oot o' reach o' the
water; wud ye mind haddin' them on yir knee till we're ower?
An' keep firm in yir seat in case we come on a stane in the bed
o' the river."
READER 349
"its a: rixt pi hi:r, far Sa w^ncZ 'dizna get at So snai, bet Sa
drifts ar dip pi $a glen, an $il bi: sAm pid3i'niiran a'foir wi get ta
ur destr'ne/n."
" a si'kkat 5a rod S^s 1/mornan, an a ken Sa dep0 ta an jnj; wil
get 6ru: S^s 'stsdan hiir ta Sa men rod, bat ur wArst dgob 1 bi
1/krosan 5a 'toxt^.
" ji si: Sa bqg hsz bin x/akan wj 5^.s V^ntarz flAd, an wi 'dairna
ventar ont, se: wi hsv ta fjZ^ird, an Sa snaiz bin 'msltan Ap 'Artax
wai. Sarz ne: dut Sa 'watarz gai b^g, an its '9ritnan ta 2raiz, bat
wil wpi 0ru: wj a warsl.
11 it mjxt bi 'sefar ta lift Sa '^nstrumants ut o ritj o 5a Vatar;
wAd ji mainc? 'hadan Sam on jir ni: til wir Aur ? an kip f^rm in
jir set in kes wi kAm on a sten in Sa bed o Sa 'nvar."
raiz
350 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
By this time they had come to the edge, and it was not a
cheering sight. The Tochty had spread out over the meadows,
and while they waited they could see it cover another two inches
on the trunk of a tree. There are summer floods, when the water
is brown and flecked with foam, but this was a winter flood,
which is black and sullen, and runs in the centre with a strong,
fierce, silent current. Upon the opposite side Hillocks stood to
give directions by word and hand, as the ford was on his land,
and none knew the Tochty better in all its ways.
They passed through the shallow water without mishap, save
when the wheel struck a hidden stone or fell suddenly into a
rut ; but when they neared the body of the river MacLure halted,
to give Jess a minute's breathing.
"It'll tak ye a' yir time, lass, an' a' wud raither be on yir
back ; but ye never failed me yet, and a wumman's life is hangin'
on the crossin'."
With the first plunge into the bed of the stream the water
rose to the axles, and then it crept up to the shafts, so that the
surgeon could feel it lapping in about his feet, while the dogcart
began to quiver, and it seemed as if it were to be carried away.
Sir George was as brave as most men, but he had never forded
a Highland river in flood, and the mass of black water racing
past beneath, before, behind him, affected his imagination and
shook his nerves. He rose from his seat and ordered MacLure
to turn back, declaring that he would be condemned utterly and
eternally if he allowed himself to be drowned for any person.
"Sit doon," thundered MacLure; "condemned ye will be
suner or later gin ye shirk yir duty, but through the water ye
gang the day."
Both men spoke much more strongly and shortly, but this is
what they intended to say, and it was MacLure that prevailed.
Jess trailed her feet along the ground with cunning art, and
held her shoulder against the stream ; MacLure leant forward in
his seat, a rein in each hand, and his eyes fixed on Hillocks, who
was now standing up to the waist in the water, shouting direc-
tions and cheering on horse and driver.
" Haud tae the richt, doctor ; there's a hole yonder. Keep oot
o't for ony sake. That's it ; yir daein' fine. Steady, man, steady.
READER 351
"{tl tak ji a: jir taim, las, an a wAd 1reSar bi on jir bak;
bat ji 'mvar felt mi jet, an a 'wAmanz laif \z 'harjan on $a
2/krosan."
" sjt dun," 'tUndard ma'kluir ; " kon'demt ji wjl bi 'synar or
'letar gin ji J^rk jir 'djut^, bat 9ru: Sa 'wcitar ji gar) Sa de:."
a3had ta tte r^xt, 'doktar; Sarz a hoi 'joncfor. kip ut ot
for 2/on^ sek. Sats jt ; jir 'dean fain. rstsdi, man, 'stsdi. jir at Sa
352 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Yir at the deepest ; sit heavy in yir seats. Up the channel noo,
an' ye'll be oot o' the swirl. Weel dune, Jess, weel dune, auld
mare ! Mak straicht for me, doctor, an' a'll gie ye the road oot.
Ma word, ye've dune yir best, baith o' ye, this mornin'," cried
Hillocks, splashing up to the dogcart, now in the shallows.
"Sail, it wes titch an' go for a meenut in the middle; a
Hielan' ford is a kittle road in the snaw time, but ye're safe noo.
" Gude luck tae ye up at Westerton, sir ; nane but a richt-
hearted man wud hae riskit the Tochty in flood. Ye're boond
tae succeed aifter sic a graund beginnin' " ; for it had spread
already that a famous surgeon had come to do his best for Annie,
Tammas Mitchell's wife.
Two hours later MacLure came out from Annie's room and
laid hold of Tammas, a heap of speechless misery by the kitchen
fire, and carried him off to the barn, and spread some corn on the
threshing-floor and thrust a flail into his hands.
" Noo we've tae begin, an' we 'ill no be dune for an' oor, and
ye've tae lay on withoot stoppin' till a; come for ye ; an' a'll shut
the door tae haud in the noise, an' keep yir dog beside ye, for
there maunna be a cheep aboot the hoose for Annie's sake."
"A'll dae ony thing ye want me, but if — if"-
" A'll come for ye, Tammas, gin there be danger ; but what
are ye feared for wi' the Queen's ain surgeon here ? "
Fifty minutes did the flail rise and fall, save twice, when
Tammas crept to the door and listened, the dog lifting his head
and whining.
It seemed twelve hours instead of one when the door swung
back, and MacLure filled the doorway, preceded by a great burst
of light, for the sun had arisen on the snow.
His face was as tidings of great joy, and Elspeth told me that
there was nothing like it to be seen that afternoon for glory,
save the sun itself in the heavens.
" A' never saw the marrow o't, Tammas, an' a'll never see the
like again ; it's a' ower, man, withoot a hitch frae beginnin' tae
end, and she's fa'in' asleep as fine as ye like."
"Dis he think Annie... 'ill live?"
" Of coorse he dis, and be aboot the hoose inside a month ;
that's the gude o' bein' a clean-bluided, weel-livin'
HEADER 353
'dipest ; sit 'hevi m jir sets. Ap Se t/anl nu:, en jil bi ut o $e
1 swirl, wil dyn, dgss, wil dyn, a,:\d mi:r ! mak strext fer mi,
'dokter, en al gi: ji Se rod ut. ma wArd, jiv dyn jir best, be0 o
ji, Sis 2'mornen,"
"sal, it wez tit/ en go: fer e 'minet in Se rajdl; e 'hilend
f0:rd iz e kjtl rod in Se 'sna:teim, bet jir sef nui.
"gyd lAk te ji Ap et 'wasterten, 1s^r; nen bet e 'qxt'hsrtet
man wAd he 'r^sket Se 'toxti. m flyd. jir bAnc? te SAk'sid 'efter
s^k e 3granc? bfgmen."
"nui wiv te bfgm, en wil no: bi dyn fer en u:r, en jiv te le:
on wr*9ut 'stopen t{l e kAm for ji ; en el /At Se do:r te 3had jn Se
nolz, en kip jir 4dog bi'seid ji, fer Ser 'manwe bi e t/ip e'but Se
bus fer xanjz sek."
ael de: 5/oni0ir) ji 6want mi, bet if— if " —
"el kAm for ji, 'tames, gin Ser bi 'dend3er; bet Avat er ji
fe:rt for w Se kwinz e:n 'sArden hi:r?"
" e 'mver sa: Se 'mare ot, 'tames, en el 'niver si: Se leik
e'gen ; its a: Aur, men, wr'Gut e h^J fre bfginen te end, en Jiz
'faen e'slip ez fein ez ji leik."
"diz hi0ink'ani...l liiv?"
" ev kurs hi diz, en bi e'but Se hus in'seid e mAn6 ; Sats Se
gyd o 'bien e 'klin'blydet, 'williiven
1 A 2 o 3 a: 4 A, AU 5 o 6 A, i
G. 23
354 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
"Preserve ye, man, what's wrang wi' ye? It's a mercy a'
keppit ye, or we wud hev bed anither job for Sir George.
" Ye're a' richt noo ; sit doon on the strae. A'll come back
in a whilie, an' ye 'ill see Annie juist for a meenut, but ye maunna
say a word."
Marget took him in and let him kneel by Annie's bedside.
He said nothing then or afterwards, for speech came only
once in his lifetime to Tammas, but Annie whispered, " Ma ain
dear man."
When the doctor placed the precious bag beside Sir George
in our solitary first next morning, he laid a cheque beside it and
was about to leave.
" No, no," said the great man. " Mrs Macfadyen and I were
on the gossip last night, and I know the whole story about you
and your friend.
" You have some right to call me a coward, but I'll never let
you count me a mean, miserly rascal"; and the cheque with
Drumsheugh's painful writing fell in fifty pieces on the floor.
As the train began to move, a voice from the first called so
that all in the station heard.
" Give's another shake of your hand, MacLure ; I'm proud to
have met you ; you are an honour to our profession. Mind the
antiseptic dressings."
It was market-day, but only Jamie Sou tar and Hillocks had
ventured down.
" Did ye hear yon, Hillocks ? Hoo dae ye feel ? A'll no deny
a'm lifted."
Half-way to the Junction Hillocks had recovered, and began
to grasp the situation.
" Tell's what he said. A' wud like to hae it exact for Drum-
sheugh."
" Thae's the eedentical words, an' they're true ; there's no a
man in Drumtochty disna ken that, except ane."
" An' wha's that, Jamie ? "
" It's Weelum MacLure himsel'. Man, a've often girned that
he sud fecht awa for us a', and maybe dee before he kent that
he hed githered mair luve than ony man in the glen.
" ' A'm prood tae hae met ye,' says Sir George, an' him the
greatest doctor in the land. ' Yir an honour tae oor profession.'
"Hillocks, a' wudna hae missed it for twenty notes," said
James Soutar, cynic-in-ordinary to the parish of Drumtochty.
READER 355
" prrzerv ji, man, Avats wrar) wi ji? its 9 'msrsi 9 'kepat ji, or
wi wAd 9v hsd 9'niSgr dgob for 'sp: dgordg.
" jir a: r^xt nui ; sit dun on S9 stre:. 9! kAm bak in 9
9n jil si: ran{ d3yst far 9 'minat, bat ji 'moiiwa se: 9 wArd.
m9 e:n diir man."
"d{d ji hiir jon, 'h{laks? hu: de: ji: fil? 9! no: d/nai a:m
"telz Avat i sed. 9 wAd laik ta he jt ig'zak for drAmz1hjux."
" Se:z $9 i'dsntikl wArdz, 9n Ser tru: ; S9rz no: a man p.
drAm'toxtt 'd^zng ken Sat, ik'ssp en."
" 9n Ava:z Sat, 'dgimi ? "
"{ts wilm m9'klu:r hjm'ssl. man, 9v ofn g^rnt Sat hi sAd fsxt
a'wa: far AS a:, an 'm{b{ di: bffo:r i ksnt Sat hi hed 'gjSart me:r
IAV San 2/on^ man pi Sa glen.
"'am prud ta he met ji/ ssz ^^r dgordg, an him Sa 'gretast
'doktar jn S9 3land. ' jir an 'onar ta ur pro'fe/n.'
u/hjl9ks, 9 'wAdn9 he m^st it far ^twpti nots," ssd dgemz
7sut9r.
23—2
356
XVII A. THE NEW BUITS
MY MAN SANDY.
J. B. SALMOND.
The scene of Mr Salmond's sketches is the town of Arbroath
in E. Forfar. The author writes generally in Mid Sc. but he
introduces a good many local words and pronunciations.
The Arbroath dialect exhibits at least two features found in
N.E. Sc. ;
(1) t—JA. mostly in pronominal words, e.g. fa: = Mid Sc.
AMI:, Aio,: = "who" (interrogative); in our extract "what" and
"when" are written with ordinary English spelling.
(2) O.E. d + n turns up as i ; thus O.E. stdn, an, ban, nan
become steen, een, been, neen phonetically stin, in, bin, nin ;
There's twa things Sandy Bowden's haen sin' ever I got
acquant wi' him — an' that's no' the day nor yesterday — that's
fairntickles an' cheepin' buits. I never kent Sandy bein' withoot
a pair o' 'lastic- sided buits that gaed squakin' to the kirk like
twa croakin' hens. I've seen the fowk sometimes turn roond-
aboot in their seats, when Sandy cam' creakin' up the passage,
as gin they thocht it was a brass-band comin' in. But Sandy
appears to think there's something reverint an' Sabbath-like in
cheepin' buits, an' he sticks to them, rissen be't or neen. I can
tell ye, it's a blissin' there's no' mony mair like him, or we'd hae
gey streets on Sabbath. The noise the maitter o' twenty chields
like Sandy cud mak' wi' their buit soles wud fair deave a hale
neeperhude.
Hooever, it wasna Sandy's buits I was to tell you aboot ; it
was my nain. But afore I say onything aboot them, I maun tell
you aboot the fairntickles. As 'I was sayin', Sandy's temple
fairntickled aboot the neck an' the sides o' the nose, an' oor lest
holiday made him a hankie waur than uswal. He's a gey prood
mannie too, mind ye, although he winna haud wi't. But I can
tell you it's no a bawbee-wirth o' hair oil that sairs Sandy i' the
week. But that's nether here nor there.
357
XVII A. THE NEW BUITS
MY MAN SANDY.
J. B. SALMOND.
Mid Sc. stane, ane, bane, nane. neen is the only example of this
localism in our text.
On the other hand, the Arbroath dialect agrees with Mid
Sc. in rendering O.E. o or Fr. u by y or 0, the ordinary spelling
being u + consonant as in gude, or ui as in buits.
It rejects 9 as a substitute for a: as in a.ild = old. The
glottal catch is rare.
A curious unvoicing is heard in the suffixes age, ble, e.g.
manish, 'manif = " manage," terriple, 'teripl = terrible.
Lastly kn becomes tn (see Ph. § 21) as in our text tnet,
tnet = " knit," knock, tnok = clock (timepiece).
S9rz twci: 0mz 'sandi 'bAudgnz hem s^n 'ivar a: got a'kwant
w{ {m — 9n Sats no: Sa de: nor 'jjstardj — Setts 'ferntiklz en 't/ipan
byts. a 'nivar kent 'sandi 'bian wi'6ut 9 pe:r o 'lastik'saidat byts
Sat ge:d 'skwa:kan t9 Sa k^rk laik twa: 'krokan henz. 9v sin Sa
fAuk 'sAmtaimz tArn 'rund'a'but ^n Sar sets, Avan 'sandi kam
'krikan Ap 5a 'pasad^, az gjn Se a0oxt jt waz a /brss2/banc? 'kAman
^n. bat 'sandi a'piirz ta Sjrjk Sarz 'sAme^r) 'revnnt n 'sciibaS laik
jn 'tfipan byts, an hi st^ks ta Sam, r^zn biit or nin. a ksn tel ji,
its a 'bl^san Sarz no: 3/monj: me:r laik hjm,or wid he: gai strits on
'scLibaQ. Sa 4noiz Sa 'meter o 'twrnti t/ilz laik 'scindi kAd mak w^
Sar byt solz wAd fe:r di:v a hel 'niparhyd.
hu'ivar, ^t 'wazna 'sandiz byts a waz ta tel ji a'but ; it waz
ma 5ne:n. bat a'fo:r a se: ^onjGjr) a'but Sam, a man tel ji a'but Sa
'fernt^klz. 9z 9 W9z 'segn, 'sandiz 'tsripl 'fernt^klt 9'but Sa nek 9n
S9 sgidz o S9 no:z, 9n 6ur lest 'holidj: med jm a hankl wa:r San
"j0:zwal. hiz a gai prud 'man^ t^:, mainc? ji, alr0o: hi 'wtiiTza ha,:d
wit. bat a kgn tsl ji jts no: 9 'baibi'wirS o he.'r'gil S9t se:rz
'sandi i S9 wik. b9t Sats 7/neSar hi:r nar Se:r.
o, a, A 4 01 5 See Ph. § 217 (e) 6 w^r, W9r, wAr 7 e:
358 . MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Weel, Sandy had been speak in' aboot his fairntickles to
Saunders Robb. Saunders, in my opinion, is juist a haiverin'
auld ass. He's a hoddel-dochlin', hungert-lookin' wisgan o' a
cratur ; an', I'm shure, he has a mind to match his body. There's
naethin' he disna ken aboot — an', the fac' is, he kens naething.
He's aye i' the wey o' improvin' ither fowk's wark. There's
naethin' Saunders disna think he could improve, excep' himseF
mibby. I canna be bathered wi' the chatterin', fykie, kyowowin*
little wratch. He's aye throwin' oot suggestions an' hints aboot
this and that. He's naething but a suggestion hirnsel', an' I'm
shure I cud of en throw him oot, wi' richt gude will.
Weel, he'd gien Sandy some cure for his fairntickles, an'
Sandy, unbekent to me, had gotten something frae the druggie
an' mixed it up wi' a guid three-bawbee's wirth o' cream that I
had in the upstairs press. He had rubbit it on his face an' neck
afore he gaed till his bed ; but he wasna an 'oor beddit when he
had to rise. An' sik a sicht as he was ! His face an' neck were
as yellow's mairyguilds, an' yallower; an' though I've taen
washin' soda, an' pooder, an' the very scrubbin' brush till't,
Sandy's gaen aboot yet juist like's he was noo oot o' the yallow
fivver an' the jaundice thegither.
" Ye'll better speer at Saunders what'll tak' it aff," says I till
him the ither mornin'.
" If I had a grip o' Saunders, I'll tak' mair than the fairn-
tickles aff him," says he ; an' faigs, mind you, there's nae sayin'
but he may do't ; he's a spunky carlie Sandy, when he's raised.
But, as far as that's concerned, I'm no' sorry at it, for it'll
keep the cratur awa' frae the place. Sin' Sandy put that sofa
into the washin'-hoose, him an' twa-three mair's never lain oot
o't. Lyin' smokin' an' spittin' an' crackin' aboot life bein' a
trauchle, an' so on ! I tell you, if it had lested muckle langer,
I'd gien them a bucket o' water sweesh aboot their lugs some
day; that's juist as fac's ocht.
But I maun tell you aboot my mischanter wi' my noo buits.
I'm sure it has fair delighted Sandy. He thinks he's gotten a hair
i' my neck noo that'll haud him gaen a while. He was needin't,
I can tell you. If ilky mairter he's made had been a hair in his
neck, I'll swag, there wudna been room for mony fairntickles.
READER 359
wil, 'sandi had bin 'spikan a'but hjz 'ferntjMz ta 'sandarz
rob. 'sandarz, pi mai o'pirjan, \z dgyst a 'he:vran Guild as. hiz 9
'hodl'doxlan, 'biArjart 'lukan 'wj:zgan o a 'kretar ; an, am J0:r, hi haz
a rnaincZ ta mat/ jz 1/bodi. Sarz 'ne9pi hi 'dj;zha ksn a'but — an,
Sa fak iz, hi ksns 'ne9rn. hiz ai i Sa wai o {m'pr0:van 'iSar fAuks
wark. Sarz 'neGpi 'sandarz 'd:j:zna 0irjk hi kAd jm'pr0v, ik'ssp
im'ssl 'm^bj:. a 'kanr?a bi 'baSart w^ Sa 't/atran, 'faiki, 'kJAu'wAuan
litl ^ratj. hiz ai 'Groan ut sAd'gist/anz n h^nts a'but S^s 1,1 Sat.
hiz 'neOrrj bat a sAd^ist/an h^m'ssl, an am J0:r a kAd ofn 6ro: h^m
ut, w{ rj[xt gyd 2wjl.
wil, hid gin 'sandi sAm kj0:r far jz 'fernt^klz, an 'sandi, An-
bfksnt ta mi:, had gotn 'sAme^rj fre Sa 'drAgi an m^kst jt Ap w{
a gyd Sri 'ba:biz wjr0 o krim Sat a had pi Sa 'Apsteirz prss. hi
had 'rAbat ^t on h^z fes n nek arfo:r hi ge:d t^l {z bed ; bat i 'wazna
an u:r 'bedat Man hi had ta 3raiz. an sjk a sjxt az i waz ! hjz
fes n nsk war az "Jala z 'merjgyldz, an "jaloar; an 60 av tem
'wa/an 'soda, an 'pudar, an Sa 'vera 'skrAban brA/ t^lt, 'sandiz
'gean a'but jet dgyst laiks i waz nu: ut o Sa 'jala 'fivar an Sa
'dgandiz Sa'giSar.
" jil 'betar spi:r at 'sandarz Avat 1 tak j:t af," ssz ai t^l h^m Sa
'iSar ^^'mornan.
" jf a had a grjp o 'sandarz, al tak me:r San Sa 'fernt^klz af
pn," ssz hi; an fegz, mainc? ji, Sarz ne: 'sean bat i me d0:t; hiz
a 'spArjk^ 'karl{ 'sandi, Aian iz re:zd.
bat, az fa:r az Sats kan'seirnt, am no: 'son at jt, far jtl kip Sa
'kretar a'wa: fre Sa pies, sp 'sandi pAt Sat 'sofa 'jnta Sa 'wa/an-
'hus, hjm an 'twa6ri me:rz 'nivar le:n ut ot. 'laian 'smokan an
'spjtan an 'krakan a'but laif 'bian a tra:xl, an so on ! a tsl ji, ^f
it had 'lestat niAkl 'lanar, ad gin Sam a 'bAkat o 'watar swij a'but
Sar Ugz SAm de:; Sats dgyst az faks 1oxt.
bat a man tsl ji a'but ma mi'/antar wj; ma nu: byts. am J0:r
^t haz fe:r di'laitat 'sandi. hi 6mks hiz gotn a he:r i ma nsk nu:
Sat 1 *had ^m 'gean a Avail, hi waz nidnt, a kan tsl ji. ^f '{lk^
'mertar hi:z med had bin a he:r jn h^z nsk, al swag, Sar 'wAdna
bin rum far 5'monj 'fernt^klz.
a: 5 a, o
360
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Weel, I gaed awa' to the kirk lest Sabbath — Sandy, of coorse,
cudna get oot wi' his yallow face an' neck. He had a bran
poultice on't to see if it wud do ony guid. I canna do wi' noo
buits ava, till I've worn them a while. I pet them on mibby to
rin an errand or twa, till they get the set o' my fit, an' syne I
can manish them to the kirk. But I canna sit wi' noo buits ;
they're that uneasy. I got a noo pair lest Fursday, an' tried
them on on Sabbath mornin'. But na, na ! Altho' my auld
anes were gey binkit, an' worn doon at the heels, I juist put
them on gey hurried, an' aff I set to the kirk, leavin' Sandy to
look efter the denner.
I was feelin' akinda queerish when I startit ; but I thocht
it was juist the hurry, an' that a breath o' the caller air wud
mak' me a' richt. But faigs, mind ye, instead o' better I grew
waur. My legs were like to double up aneth me, an' my knees
knokit up again' ane anither like's they'd haen a pley aboot
something. I fand a sweit brakin' oot a' ower me, an' I had to
stop on the brae an' grip the railin's, or, it's juist as fac's ocht,
I wudda been doon i' the road on the braid o' my back. I thocht
I was in for a roraborialis, or some o' thae temple diseases. Eh,
I was feard I wud dee on the open street ; I was that ! Mysie
Meldrum noticed me, an' she cam' rinnin' to speer what was ado.
"I've taen an awfu' dwam, Mysie," says I. "I think I'm
genna dee. Ye micht juist sit doon on the railin's aside's till
the fowk be by."
"I think we're aboot the henmost, Bawbie," says she. " We're
gey late ; but I'll bide aside you, lassie."
We sat for the maitter o' ten meenits, an' I got akinda
roond, an' thocht I wud try an' get hame. Mistress Kenawee
had putten on her tatties an' come oot for a dander a bittie, an'
noticed the twa o's; so she cam' up, an' I got her airm an'
Mysie's, an', though it was a gey job, we rnanished to get hame.
An' gled I was when I saw Sandy's yallow nose again, I can tell
ye, for I was shure syne I wud dee at hame amon' my nain
bed-claes.
" The Lord preserve's a' ! " says Mysie when she saw Sandy.
" What i' the name o' peace has come ower you ? I'll need to
go ! I've Leeb's bairns at hame, you see, an' this is the collery
READER 361
wil, 9 ge:d a'wa: ta Sa k^rk lest 'sa:ba0 — 'sandi, ev kurs,
'kAdna get ut w{ hjz 'jala fes en nek. hi had 9 bran 'polt^s ont
ta si: (f {t wAd d0: l'oi\i gyd. a 'kanrca d0: w{ nu: byts a'va:, t{l
av ^orn Sam a'A\ail. 9 p^t Sam on 'mfci t9 rin 9n 2'e:rand or
twa:, tjl Se get Sa set o ma fjt, an sain a kan 'mamj Sam ta Sa
k^rk. b9t 9 'kanrza sjt wj; nu: byts ; Se:r Sat 3An/i:zi. 9 got 9 nu:
pe:r lest 'f0:rzd{, 9n trait S9m on 9n 'sa:ba0 ^mornan. b9t na:,
na: ! al'0o ni9 a:lc£ enz W9r gai 'bmkat, u 1worn dun 9t Sa hilz, 9
dgyst p^t S9in on gai 'liAr^t, 9n af 9 set to S9 k^rk, 'Ii:v9n 'sandi
t9 luk 'eft9r S9 'dengr.
9 W9z 'filan 9'kjnc?9 'kwi:rif A\9n 9 'startet; bgt 9 10oxt jt
W9z dgyst Sg 'hAr{, 9n Sat 9 4bre9 o S9 'kalgr e:r WAd mak mi a:
r^xt. b9t fegz, n\Qmd ji, 5p/sted o 'bet9r 9 gru: wa:r. ni9 legz
W9r bik t9 dubl Ap 49'ne0 mi, 9n m9 ni:z 'nokgt Ap 9rgen en
9'mS9r Igiks Sed he:n 9 plai 9'but 'sAmGm. 9 6fanc? 9 swgit
'brakgn ut a: Aur mi, 911 9 hgd t9 stop on S9 bre: 9n grAp S9
'relgnz, or, {ts dgyst 9z faks 1oxt, 9 WAd 9 bin dun { S9 rod on S9
bred o m9 bak. 9 ^oxt 9 W9z \n for 9 roraborr'aliz, or sAm o Se:
'terrpl 3di/zi:z9z. e:, 9 W9z 7fi:rd 9 wAd di: on S9 'op9n strit ; 9
WAZ Sat! 'mgizi 'meldrAm 'notist mi, 9n Ji kam 7nn9n t9 spi:r
Avat W9z 9'd0:.
" 9v te:n 9n 'a:f9 dwa:m, 'maizi," sez ai. " 9 0mk 9m 'gpm9 di :.
ji mjxt dgyst s^t dun on Sg 'rebnz 9's9idz t^l S9 fAuk bi bai."
" 9 0mk wi:r 9'but S9 'h^nmgst, 'ba:bi," sez Ji. " wi:r ggi let ;
b9t al bgid x9S9id ji, 'lasj."
wi sat fgr S9 'met9r o ten 'mingts, 9n 9 got 9rknic?9 rune?, 9n
10oxt 9 wAd trai 9n get hem. 'm^strgs 'ken9wi hgd pAtn on 9r
'tat^s n kAm ut f9r 9 6/danc?9r 9 'b^tj;, 9n 'notist S9 twa: o:z ; so Ji
kam Ap, gn 9 got h9r 4erm 9n 'mgiziz, 9n, Co jt W9z 9 ggi dgob,
wi 'mamjt t9 get hem. 9n gled a W9z M9n 9 sa: 'sandiz 'jab
no:z 9rgen, 9 kgn tel ji, fgr 9 wgz J0:r sgin 9 WAd di: at hem
9'mon mg ne:n 'bed'kle.-z.
"S9 lo:rd prfzervz a: !" sez 'maizi A\an Ji sa: 'sandi. "A\.at
^n Sa nem o pis haz kAm Aur ji? al nid t9 go: ! 9v libz 4bernz
9t hem, ji si:, 9n S^s \z S9 'kobri or Sa 'qndarpest or '
5i
a:
362
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
or the renderpest or something come ower you twa, an' I'm
feard o' smittin' the bairns, or I wudda bidden. As share's I
live, I'll need to go ! " an' she vanisht oot at the door wi' a face
as white's kauk.
" I think I'll rin for the docter, Bawbie," said Mistress Kena-
wee. She kent aboot Sandy's fairntickles afore, of coorse, an'
Sandy's yallow fizog didna pet her aboot.
"Juist hover a blink," says I, "till I see if I come to rnyseP."
I sat doon in the easy-chair, an' Sandy was in a terriple
wey aboot me. He cudna speak a wird, but juist keepit say in',
" O dinna dee, Bawbie, dinna dee ; your denner's ready ! " He
lookit me up an' doon, an' then booin' doon till he was for a' the
world juist like a half-steekit knife he roars oot, " What's ado wi'
your feet, Bawbie ? Look at them ! Your taes are turned oot
juist like the hands o' the tnock, at twenty meenits past echt.
You're shurely no genna tak' a parrylattick stroke."
I lookit doon, an' shure eneuch my taes were turned oot an'
curled roond like's they were gaen awa' back ahent my heels.
Mistress Kenawee got doon on her knees aside me.
" Preserve's a', Bawbie," says she ; " you have your buits on
the wrang feet ! Nae winder than your knees were knokin'
thegither wi' thae auld worn-doon heels turned inside, an' your
taes turned oot."
But I'll better no' say nae mair aboot it. I was that angry ;
and Mistress Kenawee, the bissam, was like to tnet hersel'
lauchin' ; but, I ashure ye, I never got sik a fleg in my life—
an' sik simple dune too, mind ye.
READER 363
kAm Aur jui two,:, en 9m 1fi:rd o smjtn Sa 2bernz, or a wAd a b:j:dn.
az J0:rz 9 liiv, 9! nid t9 go: ! " 9n Ji 'vamjt ut at Sa do:r wj: 9 fes
9z Avaits ka:k.
" 9 Orrjk 9! nn fgr Sa 'doktar, 'ba:bi," sed 'metres 'kenawi. Ji
ksnt a'but 'sandiz 'ferntiklz a'fo:r, 9v kurs, an 'sandiz 'Jala fr'zog
'd^dna pit h9r 9'but.
" d3yst 'ho:var 9 blmk," ssz ai, " til 9 si: j:f 9 kAm t9 ma'sel."
9 sat dun p. Sa 3/i:zi't/e:r, 9n rsandi waz p a 'tsripl wai a'but
mi. hi 'kAdna spik a wjrd, b9t dsyst 'kipgt 'se9n, " o:, 'dpircg di:,
'ba:bi, 'dmwg di:; jar 'denarz 'redi ! " hi 'lukat mi Ap an dun, an
San 7buan dun tjl hi waz far a: Sa 4warlcZ dgyst laik a "haifstikat
naif hi ro:rz ut, " Avats ard0: w^ jar fit, xba:bi ? luk at Sam ! jar
te:z ar tArnt ut dgyst laik Sa 4hanc£z o Sa 5tnok, at 'twmti 'minits
past ext. jir 'fyiT\i no: 'c^mia tak a parr'latik strok."
a 'lukat dun, an J0:r 6a/njux ma te:z war tArnt ut an kArlt
rune? laiks Se war 'gean a'wa: bak a'hjnt ma hilz. 'm^stras 'kenawi
got dun on ar ni:z a'said mi.
"pn'zsrvz a:, rba:bi," ssz Ji; "ji hav jar byts on Sa wYdty fit !
ne: 'wmdbr San jar ni:z war 5/nokan Sa'giSar wj: Se: Gbild 5/worn-
xdun hilz tArnt p'said, an jar te:z tArnt ut."
bat al 'betar no: se: ne: me:r a'but it. a waz Sat "arjr^; an
'm^stras 'ksnawi, Sa bpsm, waz laik ta 7tnst har'sel 4/laxan; bat,
a ax/^:r ji, a 'mvar got sjk a fleg jn ma laif — an s^k s^mpl dyn t0:,
mainc? ji.
e: 4a: 5o 6A 7 See Ph. §21
364
XVIII A. HUGHIE'S INDIGNATION AT THE
CONDUCT OF THE ABSCONDING ELDER
J. LOGIE ROBERTSON.
He's aff the kintra at a spang !
He's on the sea — they've tint him !
The warst o' weather wi' him gang !
Gude weather bide ahint him !
O for a rattlin' bauld Scots blast
To follow an' owretak' him —
To screed his sails, an' brak' his mast,
An' grup his ship, an' shak' him.
Yet wha was less possessed wi' guile,
Or prayed wi' readier unction ?
He brocht the sweetness o' a smile
To every public function.
There wasna ane had half the grace
Or graciousness o' Peter ;
There wasna ane in a' the place
For the millennium meeter.
He's fairly aff, he's stown awa',
A wolf that wore a fleece, man !
He's cheated justice, jinkit law,
An' lauch'd at the policeman.
The mission fund, the parish rate,
He had the haill control o't ;
The very pennies i' the plate —
He's skirtit wi' the whole o't !
It's juist a year — it's no' a year,
I'm no' a hair the belder,
Since in the Session Chaumer here
We made him rulin' elder.
365
XVIII A. HUGHIE'S INDIGNATION AT THE
CONDUCT OF THE ABSCONDING ELDEE
J. LOGIE ROBEKTSON.
hiz af Sa 'kintra at 9 spar) !
hiz on 5a si: — 5ev tjnt ^m !
Sa wctrst o 'wsSar wj hpn garj !
gyd 'wsSar baid a'hpit jin !
o: far a 'ratlan 1ba:lc? skots blast
ta 'fola an Aur'tak im —
ta skrid {z selz, an brak jz mast,
an grAp jz J^p, an Jak ^m.
jet 1A\.a: waz Iss pa'zsst wj gail,
or preid w{ 'rediar 'AFJ Jan ?
hi 2broxt Sa 'switnas o a smail
ta 'ivq 'pAblik 'fArj/an.
Sar 'wazna 3en had 1ha:f Sa gres
or 'gre/asnas o 'pitar ;
Sar 'wazna 3en jn 1a: Sa pies
far Sa mi'lsnjam 'mi tar.
hiz fe:rl{ af, hiz stAun 1a/war,
a wulf Sat wo:r a flis, man !
hiz rt/itat "dgAstis, /d3^nkat 1la:,
an 4laxt at Sa pa'lisman.
Sa mi/n fAnc?, Sa 'peri/ ret,
hi: had Sa hel kan'trol ot;
Sa rvsra 'psnjz \ 5a plet —
hiz 'sk^rtat w^ Sa hoi ot !
its dgyst a i:r — its no: a i:r,
am no: a he:r Sa 'beldar,
sms in Sa ss/n 1/t/a:mar hi:r
wi med m 'ru:lan 'eldar.
ln
366
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
An' juist a month as Feursday fell
He gat the gold repeater,
That in a speech I made mysel
We handit owre to Peter.
A bonnie lever, capp'd an' jew'ld,
Perth never saw the mak' o't,
An' wi' his character in goold
Engraven on the back o't.
He's aff ! He's aff wi' a' the spoil,
Baith law and justice jinkit !
O for a wind o' winds the wale
To chase his ship an' sink it !
To lift the watter like a fleece
An' gie him sic a drookin',
Whaur on his growf he groans for grace
But canna pray for pukin'.
Then wash'd owre seas upon a spar,
Wi' seaweeds roun' the head o'm,
Let neither licht o' sun nor star
Shine down upon the greed o'm !
But let a shark fra oonderneath,
It's jaws wi' hunger tichtenin',
Soom round him, shawin' izzet teeth
At every flash o' lichtnin' !
Till in the end the angry waves
Transport him to a distance
To herd wi' wolves an' sterve in caves
An' fecht for an existence !
READER 367
9 mAn9 9z 'f0:rzd}: fel
hi gat $9 gold n'pit9r,
S9t pa 9 spitj 9 med m9'sel
wi Xhand9t Aur t9 'pit9r.
9 2'bon{ 'Ii:v9r, kapt 9n d3u:ld,
per0 'nivgr 3sa: $9 mak ot,
9n wj hjz 'karekt9r m 4gu:ld
pi'greivn on S9 bak ot.
hiz af ! hiz af w^ 3a: S9
be0 3la: 911 xd3
o: fgr 9 5wAnc£ o 5wAnc?z S9
t9 t/es \z J^p 9n s{T)k {t !
t9 l{ft S9 'wat9r bik 9 flis
9n gi: him s^k 9 'druk9n,
AV9r on iz grAuf hi gromz f9r gres
b9t 'kan??9 pre: f9r 'pjukgn.
San wa/t Aur si:z 9'pon 9 spair,
wi 'snwidz rune? 89 hid om,
6lst 7neS9r l^xt o sAn nor stair
/9in dun 9'pon S9 grid om !
b9t 6let 9 Jark fre uncfor'niS,
{ts 3dga:z wj 'hAr)9r 't^x^ngn,
sum ruiid im, Xja9n ^Z9t ti9
9t xivrt flaj o 'Ip:£n9n !
t{l jn 89 snd S9 'cinrj we:vz
trans'port jm t9 9 'd{st9ns
t9 herd wj: wulfs 9n stsrv m keivz
9n fsxt fgr 9n
ai 2 o 3 9: 4 an 18th century pronunciation 5 1 6 a, 9
368
XIX A. THE WOOER
ROBBIE DOO.
JOSEPH LAING WAUGH.
I dinna ken hoo Davie got word ower to the lassies, but
whenever we landed I saw at aince that I was expected. Marget
left Davie staunin' at the ootside' door and took me richt ben
to the kitchen, and there, sittin' on the settle was the biggest,
fattest lass I had ever seen, wi' a face like a full harvest moon
and a crap o' hair like the mane o' a chestnut pownie. Man,
she was a stoot yin. Her claes seemed to be juist at the burst
and the expectant kind o' wey she was sittin' on the edge o' the
settle made her stootness a' the mair pronounced. I couldna
help lookin' at her, and stood sayin' nocht, but gey dumb-
foondered like. Then I heard the ooter door steek, and when I
lookit roon Marget was off, and I was my leave-a-lane wi' the
fat fremit lassie.
Efter a wee, when the tickin' o' the clock had got awfu' lood>
I remarked that it was a nice nicht for the time o' year, and
she said at aince that it was. Mind ye, we had never shaken
hauns, or ocht o' that kind, and we micht easily hae dune sae,
withoot pittin' oorsel's to muckle trouble, for mine were in my
pooch, and hers were lyin' on her lap as if she never intended
usin' them again in this warld. You see, I had never been to
see the lassies before. I was a novice at the usual formalities,
and wasna juist very sure o' what was expected o' me, so I
made some ither remark aboot the tattie crap, and sat doon at
the ither end o' the settle, and twirled my bonnet roon my
finger.
Man, the nearer I was to her, the bigger she was, and the
redder her face, and hair, and hauns seemed to be. Dod, my
lass, thinks I to mysel', I've seen something like you made in a
brickwark. I gied a bit lauch to mysel', as the thocht struck
me, and lookit at her oot o' the tail o' my e'e. In a moment
369
XIX A. THE WOOER
ROBBIE DOO.
JOSEPH LAING WAUGH.
8 'dmrca ksn hu: 'de:v{ got wArd Aur ta Sa 'lasjz, bat Avan'ivar
wi x'landat 8 2sa: at 5ens Sat a waz ik'spskat. 'margat left 'deivj
2/sta:nan at Sa 'utsaid do:r an tuk mi rjxt bsn ta Sa 'k^tjan, an
Se:r, 's^tan on Sa sstl waz Sa 'bj;gast, 'fatast las a had 'ivar sin, wj:
a fes laik a fAl 'hsrvast myn an a krap o heir laik Sa men o a
'tJssfaiAt 'pAum. man, Ji WAZ a stilt jm. har kleiz simt ta bi
d3yst at Sa bArst an Sa ik'spsktant kain o wai Ji waz 's^tan on Sa
edg o Sa sstl med ar 'stutnas 2a: Sa meir pra'nunst. a rkAdna
help lukan at ar, an styd 'sean 3noxt, bat gai dAmxfunart laik.
San a 4hsrd Sa 'utar do:r stik, an Avan a 'lukat run rmargat waz
of, an a waz ma liiva'len w{ Sa fat 'frem^t 'las^.
'sftar a wi:, Man Sa 'tjkan o Sa klok had got 2/a:fa lud, a
n'markt Sat jt waz a nais njxt far Sa taim o i:r, an Ji ssd at 5ens
Sat it waz. main ji, wi had 'mvar 'Jakan 2hamz-, or 3oxt o Sat
kain, an wi mj:xt 6i:zlj he dyn se, wr'Sut pjtn ur'selz ta mAkl
trAbl, far main war m ma put/, an harz war 'laian on ar lap az ^f
Ji 'mvar m'tsndat 'j^izan Sam a'gen m S^s 1warlc?. ji si:, a had
'nivar bin ta si: Sa 'las^z bi'foir. 9 waz a 'novis at Sa 'j^.'zwal
for'malitiz, an 'wazna dgyst 'vera J0:r o Avat waz jk'spekat o mi,
so a med SAHI 'iSar rfmark a'but Sa 'tat{ krap, an sat dun at Sa
'iSar enc? o Sa setl, an 7tw^rlt ma 'bonat run ma rf{r)ar.
man, Sa ni:rar a waz ta har, Sa 'fygar Ji waz-, an Sa 8/redar
har fes, an he:r, an 2ha:nz simt ta bi:. dod, ma las, 6mks a ta
ma'ssl, av sin 'sAmO^T) laik ju: med m a 'bqkwark. a gi:d a b^t
la:x ta ma'ssl, az Sa 30oxt strAk mi, an 'lukat at ar ut o Sa tel o
xa: 2o.: 3o 4a 5jms 6e: 7A 8a
G. 24
370
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
she lookit side-weys at me, and lauched, too, and says she,
" There ye go noo. Ye've sterted."
" Sterted," says I, " what to dae ? "
" H'm ! what to dae — as if ye didna ken. My word, but you
toon chiels are great boys," and she gaed a wee bit loll in the
settle and giggled and jippled.
Dod, thinks I, she's gien me credit for bein' a bit o' a blade,
and, to tell ye the truth, I admit it flattered my vanity, so I
thocht it juist as weel to act up to the character, as yin micht
say.
" Aye, you're richt," says I, " Thornhill chiels ken a thing or
twae, I tell ye/'
" Yes," says she, " but if you're a sample o' them, there's ae
thing they dinna ken."
" What's that ? " I asked, raither ta'en aback.
" Hoo to sit on a settle beside a lass," said she, and she
lookit up to a side o' bacon hingin' on the ceilin' and giggled
again.
Man, that took the stairch oot o' me, as it were, and I didna
very weel ken what to say. I lookit at the lang length o' settle
that was between us, and muttered something aboot meetin'
her hauf-road. Govanenty ! she cam' her hauf glibly, and I
sidel'd ower mine, and there we sat cheek-for-jowl ; but I keepit
my bonnet in my haun.
Man, d'ye ken this, when I was close beside her she seemed
sae big, and me sae wee, that I felt like a wee sparra cooryin'
aside a corn stook.
Just for something to say, I asked her where she belanged
to and she said, " Crawfordjohn." Then I spiert if she had ever
been in Thornhill, and she said "Yes," that she had gaen
through it aince in a cairt.
"Where were they cairtin' ye to?" I asked withoot lauchin'.
" Oh," says she, " they werena cairtin' me onywhere. I was
gaun to Scaurbrig Kirk."
" Oh, then," says I, "ye'll be a Cameronian."
" Not at all," says she, " I'm a dairywoman."
So I let it staun at that, and put my bonnet doon on the
flaer.
READER 371
ma i:. jn a 'rnomant Ji 'lukat 'saidwaiz at mi, an la:xt, t0:, an ssz
Ji, " Se:r ji go: nu:. jiv 'stsrtat."
" stsrtat," ssz a, " Avat ta de: ? "
" m ! Avat ta de: — az jf ji 'djdna ken. mai wArd, bat ju: tun
t/ilz ar gret ^oiz," an Ji ge:d a wi: bit lol in Sa sstl an giglt n
dgiplt.
dod, 6mks ai, Jiz 'gian mi 'kredit for 'bian a b{t o a bled, an,
ta tsl ji Sa try0, a a'dmrt {t 'flatart ma 'vanity so a 20oxt it d3yst
az wil ta ak Ap ta Sa 'karaktar, az jm mjxt se:.
"ai, jir r^xt," ssz ai, "0orn'h}:l tjilz ksn a 0m, or twe:, a
"jes," ssz Ji, " bat {f ju:r a sampl o Sam, Sarz JQ: Q\y Se '
ksn."
" Avats Sat? " a ast, 3/reSar te:n a'bak.
" hu: ta srt on a sstl bfsaid a las," ssd Ji, an Ji 'lukat Ap ta
a said o 'bekari 'hman on Sa 'selan an g^glt a'gen.
man, Sat tuk Sa stertj ut o mi, az jt war, an a 'didna 'vsra
wil ksn Avat ta se:. a 'lukat at Sa larj Isn0 o sstl Sat waz brtwin
AS, an 'mAtart 'sAmS^rj a'but mitn ar 4/ha:frod. govan'snt^ ! Ji:
kam bar 4ha:f 'gljblk an a: saidlt Aur main, an Se:r wi sat tjik
far dgAul; bat a: 'kipat ma 'bonat ^n ma 4ha:n.
man, dji ksn S^s, Avan a waz klos bfsaid ar Ji: simt se: bjg,
an mi: se: wi:, Sat a fslt laik a wi: 'spara 'kuirian a'said a 2korn
stuk.
d3yst far 'sAiiiS^r) ta se:, a ast ar 4Ava:r Ji bi'lant ta an Ji ssd,
U4kra:f0r/d3on." San a spi:rt {f Ji had "ivar bin in 0orn'hil, an Ji
ssd "jes," Sat Ji had gem 6ru {t 5ens p a 6kert.
" 4A\a:r war Se 6/kertan ji ta? " a ast w{'0ut rla:xan.
" o:," ssz.Ji, "Se 'warna 6/kertan mi 2/onjAvar. a waz 4ga:n ta
skar'bqg kirk."
"o:, San," ssz ai, "jil bi a kamar'onjan."
"not at 4a:l," ssz Ji, "am a 'deinwAman."
so: a 7lst rt 4sta:n at Sat, an pit ma 'bonat dun on Sa fle:r.
1oi 2o 3e: 4o,: 5j{ns 6s 7a, a
24—2
372 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" That's the thing," says she, and she notched hersel' up ;
" ye're the better o' baith hauns free when ye come to see the
lassies."
Man, I kenned then that I was in a tichtish place, and I
began to wonder hoo in the name o' guidness I was to get oot
o't. I saw at aince that it was policy to keep sweet wi' her, so,
to appear mair at name and taen wi' my quarters, I put my
airm on the back o' the settle. Dod, she was quick o' the
uptak', for she sune leaned back till her shooder touched my
airm, and then she turned her face to mine, and, in the firelicht,
man, d'ye ken it was juist like a sunset.
Hoo I did curse Davie Gracie, and hoo I wished he wad
come in, or that the ceilin' wad fa', or the hoose tak' on fire, or
something desperate wad tak' place to save me. Nocht hap-
pened tho', and I juist sat quate, but a' the time I felt she was
gettin' mair and mair cooriet into me, and my airm, wi' her
great wecht on't, was beginnin' to sleep, and to feel terribly
jaggy weys and prickly. Mair than that, I had the uncomfort-
able feelin' that she was makin' things gang, what yin micht
ca', " swift a wee."
At last, efter a lang silence, she spiert at me if I kenned a
nice piece o' poetry ca'd " The Pangs o' Love."
" No," says I, " I never heard o't, but the fact is love's no
muckle in my line."
" Hoo's that ? " she asked quite surprised.
I didna very weel ken what to say. Then a happy thocht
struck me. It cam' like an inspiration — a' in a flash, as it were
— and I saw my wey oot o't. Efter hurridly thinkin' ower
maitters, says I, " Weel, I daursay I needna say that love's no*
in my line, for it is. Nocht wad gie me greater pleesure than
to hae a nice lassie like you for a sweethert, and the prospect
before me o' a happy mairrit life, but that can never be," and I
pou'd my hair doon aboot my een and shook my heid frae side
to side. " Of coorse, you, bein' a stranger in this locality, will-
no' ken that a' my family's peculiar — not only peculiar but
dangerous."
" In what wey ? " she asked.
" Oh, weel," says I, " when we turn twenty-yin we've a' to-
HEADER 373
"Sats Sa Gig," sez./i, an Ji hotjt ar'ssl Ap; "jir Sa 'bstar o
be9 1hamz fri: wan ji kAm ta si: Sa 'lasiz."
man, a ksnt San Sat a waz in a 'tixtij pies, an a bfgan ta
'wAncfor hu: in Sa nem o 'gydnas a waz ta get ut ot. a 1sa: at
^ens Sat it waz 'polisi ta kip swit wi bar, so:, ta a'pi:r me:r at
hem an te:n wj ma 'kwartarz, a pit ma 3erm on Sa bak o Sa sstl.
dod, Ji waz kw^k o Sa 'Aptak, far Ji syn lent bak tn1 ar 'Judar
tAt/t ma 3erm, an San Ji tArnt bar fes ta main, an, in Sa 4'fair-
lixt, man, dji ken it waz dgyst laik a 'sAnsst.
hui a did kArs 'deivj 'gresj, an hu: a 5wj:Jt hi wad kAm m, or
Sat Sa 6'selan wad 1fa:, or Sa bus tak on 4fair, or 'sAmSjr) 'dsspqt
wad tak pies ta seiv mi. 7noxt hapnt 0o:, an a dgyst sat kweit,
bat 1a: Sa taim a fslt Ji waz gstn me:r an meir 'kuirit ^nta mi,
an ma 3erm, w{ bar gret wsxt ont, waz bfgman ta slip, an ta fil
'teribli ^agi waiz an 'pqkli. me:r San Sat, a had Sa An'kAm-
fartabl 'filari Sat Ji waz 'makan 6irjz gan, A\.at jm mjxt 1kai,
" swjft a wi:."
at last, 'eftar a lar) 'silans, Ji spiirt at mi jf a ksnt a nais pis
o 'potri xka:d "Sa parjz o IAV."
"no:," ssz ai, "a 'nivar 8herd ot, bat Sa fak iz IAVZ no: mAkl
in ma: lain."
"hu:z Sat?" Ji ast kwait 9sAi/praizd.
a 'd^dna 'vera wil ken Avat ta se:. San a 'hapi 70oxt strAk
mi. jt kam laik an mspir'ejan — 1a: pi a naj, az it war — an a
1sa: ma wai ut ot. 'sftar 'hAridli 'Sinkan Aur 'metarz, ssz ai,
"wil, a 'darse a 'nidna se: Sat IAVZ no: in mai lain, for it iz.
7noxt wad gi: mi: 'gretar 10pli:zar San ta he a nais 'lasi leik ju:
far a 'swithsrt, an Sa 'prospsk bffo:r mi o a rhapi 3'merit laif, bat
Sat kan 'nivar bi:," an a pu:d ma he:r dun a'but ma in an Jyk ma
hid fre said ta said, "av kurs, ju:, bian a 4/strend3ar in Sis
la'kaliti, wil no: ksn Sat 1a: ina 'femliz pfkjuljar — not 'onli
pfkjuljar bat 4/dend3aras."
" in Mat wai ? " Ji ast.
" o:, wil," ssz ai, " Avan wi tArn 'twmti'jm wiv xa: ta bi te:n
2jms 3s 4ai 5A 6i 7o 8a 9sAr'prajst
374
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
be taen to an asylum for a wee — in fact, I doot I'll hae to gang
before I'm that age, for I feel terribly queer at times. For
instance, the day noo, I've been daein' the daftest things
imaginable, and my heid's been bizzin' like a bum bee's bike."
She lookit at me for a meenit, but I juist put on a kistin'
face and my b'lo' jaw was doon.
" It's very hard lines on a young chap like me," I gaed on,
" wi' a* the warld before me, but it's in the bluid, and the warst
o't is, it's bluid we seek. If it was a hairmless kind o' daftness
it wad be naething, but Weel, isn't it a peety ? "
She made nae answer, but, mair to hersel' than to me, she
says, " I think that fire needs a wee bit coal. I'll juist gang oot
and get a bit."
For a stoot lass she raise quick, and her step was licht. She
gaed oot, but she never cam' back, and I sat at the fire warm in'
my taes till Marget and Davie returned. Man, it was a mercifu'
deliverance. When we were aince ootside, quat o' the ferm
toon and tacklin' the Burn brae, I told Davie a' aboot my ploy,
and he lauched a' the road hame.
READER 375
ta an a'sailam far 9 wi: — m fak, a dut a:l he ta gar) bi'foir em
Sat edg, for 9 fil 'tsribl^ kwi:r at taimz. far 'mstans, Sa de: nu,
av bin 'dean Sa 'daftast Gjrjz {'medgmabl, an ma hidz bin 'bj:zan
laik a 'bAmbi:z baik."
Ji 'lukat at mi far a 'min^t, bat a dgyst p^t on a 'k^stan fes an
ma bloi Xd3a: waz dun.
"its 'vera hard lainz an a JATJ t/ap laik mi:," a geid on, " w^
lQji Sa 2warlc? a'foir mi, bat its m Sa blyd, an Sa warst ot \z, its
blyd wi sik. {f \t waz a 3/hermlas kain o 'daftnas ^t wad bi 'neGirj,
bAt wil, jznt it a 'piti? "
Ji med ne: ransar, bAt, me:r ta har'ssl San ta mi:, Ji ssz, "a
6mk Sat 4fan- nidz a wi: b^t kol. al djyst garj ut an get a b^t."
far a stut las Ji re:z kw^k, an har step waz l^xt. Ji ge:d ut,
bat Ji 'mvar kam bak, an a sat at Sa 4fair warman ma te:z t^l
'margat an 'deivj ri'tArnt. man, ^t waz a 'msrsifa dfl^vrans.
Avan wi war 5ens ut'said, kwat o Sa 3ferm tun an 'taklan Sa bArn
bre:, a told 'de:vi lo,i a'but ma 6ploi, an hi la:xt xa: Sa rod hem.
a: 3s 4ai 5ims 6 01
376
XX A. TAIBLET
WEE MAGQREEOOR.
J. J. BELL.
The dialect of Wee Macgreegor is the Scotch of the Glasgow
working man. Its most marked phonetic feature is the use of
the glottal catch (see Ph. §44) before the consonants t, p, k, and
sometimes n. In rapid speech, these consonants are frequently
replaced by the glottal catch whether in medial or final position,
the only limit to the use of the substitute being intelligibility.
" When I'm a man," observed Macgregor, leaning against
the knees of his father, who was enjoying an evening pipe before
the kitchen fire, " when I'm a man, I'm gaun to be a penter "
"A penter," echoed John. "D'ye hear whit Macgreegor's
sayinV Lizzie ? " he inquired of his wife.
Lizzie moistened her finger and thumb, twirled the end of a
thread, and inserted it into the eye of a needle ere she replied.
"Whit kin' o' a penter? Is't pictur's ye're wantin' to pent,
Macgreegor ? "
" Naw ! " said her son with great scorn. " I'm gaun to ha'e a
big pot o' pent an' a big brush, an' I'm gaun to staun' on a ladder,
an' pent wi' white pent, an' rid pent, an' bew pent, an'—
" Aw, ye're gaun to be a hoose-penter, Macgreegor," said his
father.
"Ay. But I'm gaun to pent shopes tae. An' I'm gaun to
ha'e big dauds of potty fur stickin' in holes. I like potty. Here
a bit ! " And Macgregor produced from his trouser pocket a
lump of the greyish, plastic substance.
" Feech ! " exclaimed Lizzie in disgust. " Whaur got ye that ?
Ye 11 jist file yer claes wi' the nesty stuff."
" Wullie Thomson whiles gets potty frae his Paw. Wullie's
Paw's a jiner."
" I thocht you an' Wullie had cast oot," said John. " Ha'e
ye been makin' freens wi' him again ? "
377
XX A. TAIBLET
WEE MAGGREEGOR.
J. J. BELL.
In the text, the symbol for the glottal catch, viz. ?, is used only
when the consonant is omitted.
Note also in this dialect (1) 9: for a: as h<?:f = " half,"
(2) bew, bjui, " blue," (3) the unrounding of 0 and y to e and i
as in dae, del, "do," jist, d3ist, "just," and of u before a back
consonant to A as tuk, tAk, "took."
"A\an am a man, Avan am a man, am gg:n ta bi a
'pentar."
" a 'pentar, dji hi:r Avit ma'grigarz 'sean, 'liizi ? "
"AVI? km o a pentar? jst 'piktarz jar 'wantan ta pent,
ma'grigar?"
" no,? ! am ggm ta he a b^g pot o pent an a bj:g brA/,
an am gg:n ta stgin on a 'leSar, an pent wj A\ai? psnt, an rad
pent, an bjui pent, an —
" o.:, jar ggm ta bi a 'hus'pentar, ma'grigar,"
" ai. bA? am ggin ta pent Jops te:. an am go.:n ta he bjg
dgidz o po?{ fAr st^?an m holz. a lai? po?{. hiir a bjt ! "
" fix ! Avgir go? ji Sa? ? jil dgist fail jar kleiz wj Sa
'nesti stAf."
u/wAlj aomsan Aiailz gets po?{ fre h^z pg:. 'WA^Z pg:z a
'dgainar."
aa 6oxt ju an 'wAlj had kast ut he ji bin ma?an
frinz w^ hjm a'gen? "
378 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Navv. But I seen him wi' the potty, an' I askit him for a
daud."
" It wis rale nice o' the laddie to gi'e ye a bit," remarked
Lizzie, looking up from her seam.
" He didna gi'e it, Maw. I tuk it frae him."
" Aw, Macgreegor ! " said Lizzie, shaking her head reproach-
fully.
" Wullie's bigger nor me, Maw."
" Ay ; but he's gey wake i' the legs."
"I hut him, an' he tummilt; an' I jis,t tuk hauf his potty,"
said Macgregor unconcernedly.
John was about to laugh, when he caught his wife's eye.
" An' hoo wud ye like," she said addressing her son, " if yer
Paw gi'ed ye potty, an' anither laddie cam' an' "
" Paw hasna ony potty,"
John sniggered behind his hand.
" Weel," said Lizzie, casting her husband a severe look, and
turning again to her son, " hoo wud ye like if yer Paw gi'ed ye
taiblet, an' anither laddie cam' an' tuk hauf o' 't awa' ? "
" I wud gi'e him yin on the neb twicet ! " said Macgregor
boldly, going over to the window to see the lamps being lighted.
" But if he hut ye an' knocked ye doon ? "
" I wudna let him. Paw hasna gi'ed me taiblet fur a lang
while," said the boy over his shoulder.
" Macgreegor/' said his mother solemnly, "I'm thinkin' ye're
gettin' waur every day."'
" Aw, the wean's fine, Lizzie," interposed John, softly.
"Haud yer tongue, John," retorted Lizzie quietly. "The
wean's no fine ! An' instead o' lauchin' at him an' makin' a pet
o' him, ye ocht to be gi'ein' him a guid skelpin'."
"I've never skelpit a wean yet, an' "
" It's easy seen ye've never skelpit Macgregor, John. Ye jist
let him get his ain wey, an' he dis'na ken when he's misbehavin'
hissel'. Weans needs to be checkit whiles."
" Aweel, whit dae ye want me to dae, Lizzie ? "
"I want ye to punish Macgreegor for hittin' that puir
speldron o' a laddie, Wullie Thomson, an' stealing hi& potty,"
said Lizzie in an undertone.
EEADER 379
"ng:. bA? a sin jm w{ Sa poPj, an a 'askat ^m fAr a dg:d."
" jt wjz reil nais o Sa 'Igdi ta gi: ji a b{t," ............
" hi d{dn{ gi jt, mg:. a tAk {? fre hmi."
"g:, ma'grigar !" ............
"'WA!J:Z 'b^gar nar mi:, mg:."
" CLI ; bA? iz gai wek i Sa legz."
" a hAt mi, an i tAmlt ; an a d3ist tAk hg:f iz 'po?{."
"an hu: wAd jilai? ............ ^f jar pg: gi:d ji: rpo?j, an a'mSar
'Igdi kam an - "
" pg: 'h^zn{ 'onj: 'po?^"
"wil, ............ hu: wAd ji lai? if jar pg: gi:d ji: 'teblat, an
a'mSar 'Igdi kam an tAk hg:f o {t a'wg:?"
" a WAd gi: h^m jp on Sa neb twaist ! " ............
" bA? if hi hAt ji an 'no?at ji dun? "
"a 'wAdna le? ^m. pg: 'hazna gi:n mi 'teblat fAr a larj
Avail" ............
" ma'grigar, ............ am 'S^rjkan jar 'ge^en wg:r 'ivn de:."
"g:, Sa wemz fain, 'liizi." ............
"hgd jar tAn, d3on, ............ Sa wemz no: fain! an nYsted o
'la:xan a? mi an ma?an a pet o mi, ji oxt ta bi 'gian mi a gid
'skelpan."
"av 'mvar 'skelpat a we:n je?, an - "
" its 'i:zi sin jiv 'mvar 'skelpat ma'grigar, dgon. ji dgist le?
mi geP \z e:n wai, an i 'd^zm ken Men hiz m^sbfhevan h^sel.
wemz nidz ta bi 'tfe?at Availz."
"awil, AV{? de ji want mi ta de:, 'lizzi?"
"a want ji ta 'pAmJ ma'grigar far 'hj?an Sat pe:r 'speldran o
a Igdi, 'WA^ 'tomsan, an stiln \z 'pot^" ............
380 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Macgregor came back from the window with the putty
plastered over his nose.
" Paw, see ma neb ! " he said gaily, unaware of the conversa-
tion which had just passed concerning him.
John laughed loudly. " Dod, but ye've a braw neb the nicht,
Macgreegor ! "
" Tak' it aff this meenit ! " cried Lizzie. " John, ye micht
think shame o' yersel' to sit there lauchin' at his nesty tricks !
D'ye no' mind hoo Mrs. Cochrane's man tell't us his neb wis
aye bew wi' him pittin' potty on't when he wis a wean?... Tak'
it aff, Macgreegor, or I'll sort ye ! "
Macgregor, but little abashed, returned to the window,
removed the offending plaster, rolled it into a ball, and pro-
ceeded to squeeze it through his ringers with undisguised relish.
"John," whispered Lizzie, "dae whit I tell't ye."
" I canna," returned John miserably. " It micht wauken wee
Jeannie," he added a little hopefully.
"I didna exac'ly say ye wis to — to wheep the laddie," said
his wife, "but ye maun gi'e him a lesson he'll no' furget. I'm
no' gaun to ha'e him boastin' an' ill-usin' ither weans. D'ye
see ? "
" But whit am I to dae, Lizzie ? "
" I'll tell ye, John. Ye'll gang ower to the dresser an' open
the wee drawer, an' ye'll tak' oot the taiblet ye brocht hame fur
Macgreegor the morn Are ye listenin' ? "
" Ay, wumman."
"An' ye'll tell Macgreegor ye bocht the taiblet fur his
Setterday treat, thinkin' he deservit it, but ye've fun' oot he
disna deserve it, an' ye canna gi'e him ony."
" Aw, Lizzie ! "
" An' ye'll tie up the paircel, an' gar him tak' it roon the
corner to Wullie Thomson, an' gi'e it to Wullie Thomson, an'
gi'e him back his potty furbye."
" Aw, Lizzie ! "
"An' it'll be a lesson to Macgreegor no' to strike laddies
waker nor hissel'. Ye wud be gey sair pit aboot, John, if a
muckle laddie wis strikin' Macgreegor."
" Deed, wud I ! But — but Macgreegor 's that fond o' taiblet."
READER 381
" pgi, si m9 nsb ! "
"dod, bA? jiv 8 brg: nsb Se njxt, mg'griggr S"
" tci? it af S^s 'minst ! dgon, ji mixt 0mk Jem o jar'sel
t9 s^t 5e:r 'Ia:x9n 9t {z 'nest{ trjks ! dji 110: mgind hu: 'm^straz
'koxrgnz man telt AS h^z neb wez ei bju: w{ h^m 'pt?8n 'po?^ ont
i wjz 9 we:n?. . .ta? ^t af, ni9/grig9r, or a:l sort ji ! "
de: Aqt 9 telt ji."
"9 'kani, ............ it mpt 'wgkgn wi: 'dgini," ............
"9 'd^dm ig'zakl^ se: ji w^z t9 — 19 Avip S9 'l^di,
ji m9n gi: jm 8 lesn hil no: fAr'gs?. 9m no: go,:n t9 he nn rbost9n
9n il'jeizsn 'iS9r we:nz. dji si: ? "
"bA? A\I? 9m 9 t9 de:, "liizi?"
" 9! tsl ji, dgon. jil garj Aur t9 S9 'drssgr 9n opm S9 wi:
'drggr, 9n jil ta? ut S9 'tebb? ji broxt hem fAr mg'griggr S9
morn — - 9r ji 'Ij:sn9n?"
" ai, rwAm9n."
U9n jil tsl m9/grig9r ji boxt S9 Xtebl9? fAr \z 7s£?9rd{ tret,
'Sirjkgn hi di'zsrv9t ^t, bA? jiv fAn ut hi 'd^zm dfzerv ^t, 9n ji
'kani gi ^m 'onj."
"QI, 'liizi!"
" 9n jil tai Ap S9 'persl, 9n gAr \m ta? ^t run S9 Xkorn9r t9
'WA!J 'toms9n, 9n gi? t9 7wAh 'tomsgn, 9n gi: mi ba? jz '
fAr'bai."
"
9n iil bi 9 'ksn t9 mg'griggr no: t9 str9ik 'Igdiz 'wekgr nor
hr'sel. ji wAd bi ggi se:r xp^? 9'but, d3on, if 9 mA?l 'Igdi w^z
m9'grig9r."
" did, wAd 9 ! bA? — bA? m9'grig9rz Sat fond o 'tebb?."
382
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Man, man, can ye no' think o' whit's guid fur Macgreegor ?
That's the wey ye spile him, John. Ye wud gi'e him the cock
aff the steeple if he cried fur't ! "
" Maybe ye're richt, Lizzie. But it's a hard thing ye're askin'.
Wud it no' dae to gi'e him hauf the taiblet to tak' to Wullie
Thomson ? "
" Na, na," said Lizzie firmly. " Here, Macgreegor," she called
to her son. " Yer Paw wants to speak to ye....Noo, John !"
With a huge sigh, John rose, went to the wee drawer in the
dresser, and returned with the poke of " taiblet.''*
" Paw," said Macgreegor absently, " I like taiblet better nor
potty."
The father glanced appealingly at the mother, but she was
adamant. She had resumed her needle, but was keeping an eye
on the twain.
"Macgreegor," said John with a painful effort, "whit wey
did ye strike puir Wullie Thomson ? "
" I wan tit a wee daud o' potty."
" Ay," murmured John, and paused for a moment. " Are ye
sorry ye hut him ? "
" Naw. I got the potty, Paw."
" But ye sud be sorry, Macgreegor."
" Whit wey, Paw ? "
" Wis he greetin' ? "
" Ay ; wis he ! "
John looked across at Lizzie for aid, but she was sewing
diligently.
"Weel," he said, haltingly, "yer Maw an' me's no' vera
pleased wi' whit ye done to Wullie Thomson. It wisna fair to
strike the likes o' him."
Macgregor's visage began to assume an anxious expression.
" Yer Maw," continued John, " yer Maw says ye canna "
" John ! " murmured Lizzie, warningly.
" Yer Maw and me thinks ye canna get ony taiblet the morn."
Macgregor's under lip shot out quivering.
" An'— ye've got to gi'e the taiblet to Wullie Thomson, an'
gi'e him back his potty, furbye, an'— an'— oh, Lizzie, I canna say
ony mair ! "
READER 383
"man, man, kan ji no: 0mk o M{?S gid fAr ma'grigar? $a?s
3a wei ji spail im, dgon. ji wAd gi ^m Sa kok af 5a stipl jf i
krait fArt ! "
"'mebi jir r^xt, 'li:zi. bA? jts a hard 0irj jir 'askan. wAd {?
no: de: to gi {m hg:f Sa 'tebla? t9 ta? ta 'WA!{ 'tomsan? "
"na:, na:, ............ hi:r, ma'grigar ............ jar pg: wants ta
spi? ta ji. . .nu:, dgon ! "
"pg:, ............ a laik 'tebla? 'bs^ar nor 'poP^."
/'ma'grigar, ............ Avt? wai d^d ji straik pe:r 'w\\i 'tom-
san?"
" a 'wantat a wi: dg:d o 'po?{."
" CLI, ............ ar ji 'soq ji hAt pri ? "
" ng:. a go? Sa 'po?i, pg:."
" bA? xji sAd bi 'sor{, ma'grigar."
" AVJ? wai, pg: ? "
aw^z i'gritan?"
" ai ; wtz i ! "
"wil, ............ jar mg: an mi:z no: 'vsra plist w^ A\{? ji dm ta
'WA!{ /toms9n. it 'w^zm fe:r ta str9ik Sa laiPs o
ujsr mg: ............ jar mg: sez ji'kani - "
ad3on!" ............
" jar mg: 9n mi: 0tnks ji 'kani gs? 'on^ xtebla? Sa morn."
"an— jiv go? ta gi: Sa 'teblaP ta VA^ 'tomsan, an gi: mi ba?
tz 'P^^t, rfArbai, 9n — an — o, 'li:zi, a xkam se: 'onj me:r!''
384 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
It took a few seconds for the dire truth to dawn upon
Macgregor, but when it did, a low wail issued from him, and the
tears began to flow.
John was about to lift him on to his knee, but Lizzie
interposed.
" Pit on yer bunnet, Macgregor," she said quietly, " an' tak'
the taiblet an' potty roon' to Wullie Thomson. It's no' dark yet,"
she added, glancing out of the window.
"I'm no' wantin' to gi'e the taiblet to Wullie Thomson,"
sobbed the luckless youngster.
"Ye've jist to dae'whit ye're tell't," returned his mother
calmly, but not unkindly. " Ye're no' to be a tawpy noo," she went
on, endeavouring to dry his eyes. " Ye're to be a man. Whit wud
Wullie Thomson think if he seen ye greetin' ? Eh, Macgreegor ? "
Lizzie had struck the right note. The sobs ceased, though
the breath still came gustily. He mopped the tears with his
cap, and replaced it on his head.
" Am I to gi'e him a' the taiblet an' the potty furbye ? " he
inquired plaintively.
" Ay. An ye're to say ye're sorry fur hurtin' him. He's no' a
fine, strong laddie like yersel', Macgreegor — mind that ! Yer Paw
an' me wudna like if ye wis wake i' the legs like puir Wullie.
Noo, jist gang roon' an' gi'e him the taiblet an' his potty, an' see
if ye canna mak' freen's wi' him again."
" I'm no' wantin' to be freen's," said Macgregor, rebelliously.
" I'm no' wantin' to gang."
" Are ye feart fur Wullie Thomson ? " asked Lizzie. Another
clever stroke !
" I'm no' feart ! I'll gang ! "
" Fine, man ! " cried John, who had been listening in gloomy
silence. " I kent ye wisna feart."
Macgregor began, to feel himself rather a hero. In dignified
silence he took the poke of " taiblet," which his mother had tied
securely with a piece of tape from her work-bag, and departed
on his errand,
John looked anxiously to Lizzie.
She sat down to her seam again, but her fingers were less
deft than usual. They both eyed the clock frequently.
READER 385
"p£? on jar 'bAnat, ma'grigar, en ta? Sa 'tebla? an
'poPj; run ta 'WA.\I 'tomsan. its no: dark jet,"
„ am no: 'wantan ta gi: Sa 'tebla? ta 'WA!I 'tomsan."
"jiv dgist ta de: M{? jir telt, jir no: ta bi a 'to,:pi
nu:, .jir ta bi a man. AVL? wAd 'WA!{ 'tomsan 0mk ^f i sin
ji gritn? e:, ma'grigar? "
"am a ta gi mi g: Sa 'tebla? an Sa 'poP^ fAr'bai? "...
" ai. an jn- ta se: jir 'sor^ fAr 'hArtan ^m. hiz no: a fain, strot)
'Igdi laik jar'sel, ma'grigar — maincZ Sa? ! jar po,: an mi: 'wAdni
laik if ji w{z wek i Sa legz lai? pe:r '\VA!{. nu:, d5ist garj run an
gi mi Sa 'tebla? an \z 'po?i, an si: {f ji 'kani ma? frinz w{ ^m
a'gen."
"am no: 'wantan ta bi frinz, am no: 'wantan ta
9*9."
" ar ji fi:rt fAr 'WA!J 'tomsan ? "
" am no: fi:rt ! al gar) ! "
" fain, man ! " a kent ji 'wpmi fi:rt."
G. 25
386 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" He sudna be mair nor five meenits," remarked John. " I
doot we wis ower hard on the wean, wumman."
Lizzie made no response, and ten minutes dragged slowly
past.
" Did ye expec' he wild dae't ? " asked John presently.
" Och, ay ! " she answered with affected carelessness.
" I wisht I had went wi' him," said John.
Lizzie put in half-a-dozen stitches in silence. Then she
said — "Ye micht gang roon an' see whit's keepin' him, John."
"I'll dae that, Lizzie.... Dae ye think I micht buy him a bit
taiblet when I'm ootbye ? " He asked the question diffidently.
His wife looked up from her seam.
" If ye like, John," she said, gently. " I'm thinkin' the laddie's
had his lesson noo. He's unco prood fur to be a wean, is he no' ? "
" Ay," said John. " There's no mony like Macgreegor." He
nodded to his wife, and went out.
About twenty minutes later father and son re-entered the
house together. Both were beaming.
" I cudna get Macgreegor awa' frae Wullie Thomson, Lizzie,"
said John, smiling.
" Weel, weel," said his wife, looking pleased. " An' did ye gi'e
Wullie the taiblet an' the potty, Macgreegor ? "
" Ay, Maw."
Whereupon his mother caught and cuddled him. " Gi'e him
a bit taiblet, John," she said.
John did so right gladly and generously, and Macgregor
crumped away to his heart's content.
" An' whit kep' ye waitin' at Wullie's a' this time ? " inquired
Lizzie, pleasantly.
"He gi'ed me a big daud o' potty, Maw," said the boy,
producing a lump the size of an orange.
" Oh ! " exclaimed Lizzie, trying not to look annoyed.
" An' him an' me ett the taiblet," added Macgregor.
READER 387
" hi 'sAdm bi me:r nor faiv 'minats, a dut wi w^z Aur
hard on 5a wem, 'wArnan."
"d{d ji jk'spsk hi wAd de:t? ".
"ox, or!"
" a w^ft a h{d went wj pn."
" ji mjxt gar) run an si: Aq?s 'kipan jm,
"al de: 8a?, 1i:zi...de ji 0trjk a mtxt bai im a bp 'teblaP Man
am ut'bai?"
" if ji laik, dgon, ............ am '6{rjkan Sa 'Igdiz had \z Issn nu:
hiz 'Arjka prud fAr ta bi a we:n, \z i no: ? "
"ai,. ........... Sarz no: 'monj lai? ma'grigar."
"a 'kAdni gs? ma'grigar a'wg: fre 'WA!{ 'tomsan, 'liizi."..
"wil, wil, ............ an d{d ji gi: 'WA!{ Sa .'tebla? an Sa
ma'grigar?"
" 01, mo.:."
" gi mi a bp 'tebla?, dgon."
"an Aq? ksp ji rwe?an at 'WA!IZ g: S^s taim? ".
"hi gi:d mi a b^g dg:d o 'po?{. mg:,"
"o:!"
"an hmi an mi: e? 5a 'tebla?,"
25—2
388
XXI A. CUDDLE DOON
ALEXANDER ANDERSON (Surfaceman) (1845-1909).
The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht
Wi' muckle faucht an' din;
" Oh try and sleep, ye waukrife rogues,
Your faither's comin' in —
They never heed a word I speak;
I try to gi'e a froon,
But aye I hap them up an' cry,
" O, bairnies, cuddle doon."
Wee Jamie wi' the curly heid —
He aye sleeps next the wa',
Bangs up an' cries, " I want a piece " —
The rascal starts them a'.
I rin an' fetch them pieces, drinks,
They stop awee the soun',
Then draw the blankets up an' cry,
" Noo, weanies, cuddle doon."
But ere five minutes gang, wee Rab
Cries out, frae 'neath the claes,
" Mither, mak' Tarn gi'e ower at ance,
He's kittlin' wi' his taes."
The mischiefs in that Tarn for tricks,
He'd bother half the toon;
But aye I hap them up and cry,
" O, bairnies, cuddle doon."
At length they hear their faither's fit,
An, as he steeks the door,
They turn their faces to the wa',
While Tarn pretends to snore.
389
XXI A. CUDDLE DOON
ALEXANDER ANDERSON (Surfaceman) (1845-1909).
Sa ^bern^z kAdl dun at n^xt
wj: mAkl faixt en dpi ;
" o: trai en slip, ji 2'wa:krjf rogz,
jar 3'feSarz 'kAman m — "
Se: 'nivar hid a wArd a spik ;
a trai ta gi a frun,
bat ai a hap Sam Ap an krcti,
" o:, ^berniz, kAdl dun."
wi: 'dgimi wj: Sa 'kArlj: 4hid —
hi ai slips nekst Sa 2wa:,
banz Ap an kraiz, "a 5wmt a pis"
Sa raskl stsrts Sam 2a:.
a nn an fetj Sam 'pisaz, dr^rjks,
Se stop a'wi: Sa sun,
San 2dra: Sa 'blankats Ap an krai,
"nu:, Vemjz, kAdl dun."
bat e:r faiv 'minats gan, wi: rab
kraiz ut, fre 4ni6 Sa kleiz,
"'miSar, mok tarn gi Aur at 6ens,
hiz 'kitlan w{ h^z te:z."
Sa 'mistjifs ^n Sat tarn far trjks,
hid 'boSar 2ha:f Sa tun ;
bat ai a hap Sam Ap an krai,
" o:, 1/bern{z, kAdl dun."
at kn9 Se hi:r Sar 3/feSarz f^t,
an, az i stiks Sa doir,
Se tArn Sar 'fesaz ta Sa 2wa:,
Avail tarn prftsnc^z ta sno:r.
5 a, A 6 jtns
390 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Ha'e a' the weans been gude ? " he asks,
As he pits aff his shoon;
" The bairnies, John, are in their beds,
An' lang since cuddled doon."
An' just afore we bed oorsel's,
We look at our wee lambs,
Tarn has his airm roun' wee Rab's neck,
And Rab his airm roun' Tarn's.
I lift wee Jamie up the bed,
An' as I straik each croon,
I whisper, till my heart fills up,
" 0, bairnies, cuddle doon."
The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht
Wi' mirth that's dear to me;
But sune the big warl's cark an' care
Will quaten doon their glee.
Yet, come what will to ilka ane,
May He who rules aboon
Aye whisper, though their pows be bald,
" 0, bairnies, cuddle doon."
HEADER 391
" he lo,i Sa wemz bin gyd? " hi asks,
az hi pjts of iz Jan ;
" Sa 2/bern^z, dgon, ar m Sar bsdz,
an lar) sms kAdlt dun."
an dgyst a'fo:r wi bed 3ur'sslz,
wi luk at- u:r wi: lamz,
tarn haz hjz 2erm run wi: rabz nsk,
an rab h^z 2erm run tamz.
a l{ft wi: 'dgimi Ap Sa bed,
an az a strek it/ krun,
a 4'A\.Aspar, t^l ma hert f[lz Ap,
" o:, 2/bern^z, kAdl dun."
Sa 2/bern^z kAdl dun at n^xt
w; m{r9 5ats di:r ta mi: ;
bat 5syn Sa b^g 6warlc?z kark an ke:r
4wAl kwe:tn dun Sar gli:.
jet, kAm Avat 4wAl ta ^Ika 7en,
me: hi: hu ru:lz a'bun
ai 4/A\Aspar, 0o Sar pAuz bi 1ba:lc?,
" o:, 2/bern^z, kAdl dun."
2s 3w^r, wAr, war 4t 5J 6a: 7jm
392
XXII A. FAUE WAUR
GALLOWAY GOSSIP.
R. DE BRUCE TKOTTER.
This extract is an example of Galloway and Nithsdale speech
which is sharply distinguished from that of East Dumfries.
Gaelic lingered up till the beginning of the 18th century in
Sth. Ayrshire and Galloway, but at a very early date " Inglis "
was no doubt spoken in the boroughs like Kirkcudbright and
Dumfries. Galloway Scots is distinctly of the Lothian type.
Among middle-aged speakers in the country y and $ are still
rounded vowels, though with younger people and in the towns
they are tending towards i and e. j occurs very commonly after
a back consonant such as k or g followed by a front vowel, e.g.
kjen, gjed, ken, gaed" know," " went." When d is dropped after
Weel-ye-ken ! in coorse o' . time A gaed wrang i' head like
ither folk, an' took a man, an' we set up hoose in The Ferry ;
for yer faither ken't a lot o' folk there, an' try't tae get a practice
in't, for there wus nae doctor there at the time, but an aul' buddy
yt had been in the airmy, an' didna care whether he gaed oot
or no — for the half o' the natives wus Eerish, an gied him nae thing
but thanks, an' the lave o' them wus gentilities yt keepit him
rinnin' efter them nicht an' day, an' gied him naething but an
ill name whun he crave't them for siller. Ye see, whun they
wudna pey he wudna gang back, an' they had tae invent some
kin' o' a story for an excuse for leavin' him, an' gettiii' a Newton-
Stewart doctor yt didna ken them, in his place. Of coorse my
man didna ken ocht aboot this, an' had tae buy his experience
like ither doctors.
Sae ye see, he gat plenty 'a do, but unco little tae eat ; lots
o' promises but little pey, an' whiles a deal o' grumblin.
The warst grumbler o' them a' wus an aul' buddy frae Barfad,
they ca't Bella Gibson, yt wus aye badly, an' naething he could
gie her wud do her ony gude. She was an " aul' lass " aboot 95
or 96, an' wus cross an' cantankerous acause she hadna a man
393
XXII A. FAUR WAUR
GALLOWAY GOSSIP.
R. DE BRUCE TROTTER.
a nasal, there is a distinct lengthening of the nasal as in kain: =
kind. 9: never takes the place of a: as in so many districts of
Mid Sc. unless among incomers from Ayrshire and their children.
The glottal catch (see Ph. §44) so common in N. Ayr is also
unknown among genuine Galloway speakers. A is very common
as a substitute for i or j.
Dr Trotter's sketches are very racy and real specimens of
Scottish Vernacular. Those who know the Galloway of last
century can testify that they are also true to the old world life
of the ancient province.
wil i kjen ! m kurs o taim a gjed rarj i hid leik r'Ser fok, en
tuk 8 man, en wi set Ap hus pi Se 'feq ; far jar 'feSer kjent e lot
o fok Seir, en trait te gjst e 'praktjs pit, fer ?5er WAZ ne: 'dokter
$e:r et Se teim, bet en a:l 'bAdi.it hed bin pi Se 'erini, en 'djxlne
kje:r 'MASer hi gjed ut or no: — fer Se haif o Se 'net^vz WAZ 'iirij",
en gjid pn 'neSirj bet 0anks, en Se le:v o Sem WAZ dgen'tilit^z {t
'kipet pn "rmen 'efter Sem n^xt n dei, en gjid mi 'neO^rj bet en {1
nem AVAU i kreivt Sem fer 'siler. ji si:, AiAn Se: 'wAdne pei hi:
'wAdne gjar) bak, en 5e hed te m'vsnt sAm km o e 'sto:q fer en
jk'skjys fer 'li:ven jm, en 'gjsten e 'njuten 'stjuart 'dokter ^t
'didne kjsn Sem, m iz pies, ev kurs me man 'd^dne kjsn oxt
e'but 5{s, en hed te bai hjz ik'sperjens leik ^5er 'dokterz.
se ji si:, hi gat 'plsnti e'd0:, bet 'Anke htl te it ; lots o 'pro-
misez bet l^tl pei, en Aveilz e del o 'grAmlen.
Se warst 'grAmler o Sem a: WAZ en ail xbAdi fre bar'fad, Se
ka:t 'bsle 'gibsen, {t WAZ ei 'badlj, en 'ne9m. i kAd gji er wAd
d0: er 'on{ gjyd. Ji WAZ en "a:l las" e'but 'naint{ faiv or
'neintj; sjks, en WAZ kros en ken'tankeres e'koz Ji 'hedne e man
394
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
tae rage on ; an' she had a brither they ca't Alick, yt leev't next
door, an' was twa or three year younger nor her, an he wus a
wabster, an' wrocht plaids an' blankets an' things o' that kin'.
A see the dictionary says it should be pronounce't " plad," but
thats joost nonsense, for its pronounce't joost like the English
" played." But that's naething.
Weel ! Bella an Alick belang't tae the Glenkenns, an' they
ca't their faither Sauners M^ubb, him yt use't tae leeve across
the water frae Dairy ; but they cheinge't their name tae Gibson
whun they turn't genteel. A'll no say but it was an improve-
ment, though.
Every twa-three days Alick use't tae come doon tae The
Ferry, an gie a furious chap at the door.
" Eh ! Doctor ! " says he, " ye'll hae tae c'wa up tae Barfad
an' see Bella, she's far waur the day ; yon med'cine didna do her
a bit o' gude ; she's joost dune wi' hosstia, an fair chokit wi' the
clocher an' the floam." He use't the same words every time he
cam, an' whun he had restit a bit, he resume't — " 0 ! Doctor !
she's aboot bye wi't ! could ye no gie's a pair o' aul' black
trousers tae wear at the burial ? " As, we had nae black trousers
tae spare in thae days, he gat nane; so he finish't aff wi'—
" Heest ye ! Doctor ! heest ye ! she'll be deid or ye wun half-way.
She gat aff the Session, ye ken."
Aff gaed the Doctor, four weary miles an' nae mile-stanes,
an' as sune as he wun in ye door an' could be seen through the
reek, he was salutit wi' — " Eh ! Doctor ! whut keepit ye ? A'm
far waur ! A'm fit tae be chokit wi' the clocher an' the floam !
yon drogg was nae use. A micht as weel 'a' suppit saep-sapples •
A'm clocherin' and hosstin' frae morning tae nicht, an' frae nicht
tae morning."
It wus verra heartless tae be tell't every time he gaed yt
she wus far waur, an' the Doctor wus fair provokit aboot it, an'
thocht folk wud notice the man comin' day efter day to the door,
an' think he was makin' a puir han' o' her.
Hooever, a big blue letter cam' frae Edinburgh yae day, an'
this wus a Insurance Company wantin' him tae gang tae Palnure
tae examine aul' Doctor Agnew tae see if he wus aye leevin ?
He wus 99, an' there wus an annuity on his life, an' they thocht
HEADER 395
ta reds on ; an Ji had a 'briSar Se ka:t 'alik, it liivt nskst do:r,
an WAZ 'twarGri i:r 'JArjar nor bar, an i WAZ a 'wabstar, an wroxt
pledz an 'blarjkats an Omz o Sat kain. a si: Sa 'dikjnq sez it Jud
bi pra'nunst "plad," bat Sats djyst 'nonsans, far its pra'nunst
dgyst laik Sa 'mlij " pled." bat Sats 'neGro.
wil! 'bela an 'alik bi'lant ta Sa 'glenkmz, an Se ka:t Sar
'feSar 'samarz ma'gAb, him it j0st ta liiv a'kros Sa 'watar fre
da'rai; bat Se 1t/aind3t Sar nem ta 'gibsan AYAn Se tArnt d3in/til.
al no: se: bat it WAZ an im'pr0:vmant, 60:.
'twciGri de:z 'cilik j0st ta kAm dun ta Sa 'feri, an gji: a
t/ap at Sa do:r.
" e: ! 'doktar ! " ssz i, " jil he: ta kwa: Ap ta bar'fad an si:
'bsla, Jiz fa:r wa:r Sa de: ; jon 'medsp 'didna d0: ar a bit o gjyd ;
Jiz dgyst dyn wi 'hostan, an fe:r 't/okat wi Sa 'kloxar an Sa flom."
hi j0st Sa sem wArdz xivri taim i kam, an AVAn i had 'rsstat a bit,
hi rfzumt — " o: ! 'doktar ! Jiz a'but bai wi:t ! kAd i no: 2gjis a
pe:r o a:l blak 'tru:zarz ta wi:r at Sa 'b^inal?" az wi had ne:
blak 'tru.'zarz ta spe:r in Se: de:z, hi gat nen ; so i 'fini/t af wi —
"'histi ! 'doktar ! 'histi ! Jil bi did or i wAn 'haifwai. Ji gat af Sa
'ssjan, i kjsn."
af gjed Sa 'doktar, 'fAuar 'wi:ri mailz an ne: 'mailstenz, an az
syn az i wAn pi ji do:r an kAd bi sin 6ru: Sa rik, hi WAZ sa'lutat
wi — "e:! 'doktar! AVAt 'kipat i? am fa:r wa:r! am fit ta bi
'tjokat wi Sa 'kloxar an Sa flom ! jon drog WAZ ne: jys. a mpct
az wil a 'sApat 'sep'saplz ! am "kloxaran an 'hostan fre 'mornan
ta nixt, an fre nixt ta 'mornan."
it WAZ 'vsra 'hertlas ta bi telt 'ivri taim hi gjed it Ji WAZ
fa:r wa:r, an Sa 'doktar WAZ fe:r pre'vokat a'but it, an 6oxt fok
wAd 'notis Sa man 'kAmari de: 'eftar de: ta Sa do:r, an Sink i WAZ
xmakan a p0:r han o ar.
hu'ivar, a big blju: 'letar kam fre 'sdnbAra je: de:, an Sis WAZ
a in'Jurans 'kAmpam 'wantan im ta gar) ta parnju:r ta ig'zamm
ail 'doktar ragnju ta si: if i WAZ ai 'liivan ? hi WAZ rnainti nain,
an Sar WAZ an a'njuiti on iz laif, an Se Goxt i Jud a bin did larj
HJainJt 2gji:z
396
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
he should 'a' been deid lang afore ; an' they jalouse't yt some-
buddy else wus signing his name an' gettin' the siller.
Weel ! the Doctor gaed his wa's ower an' saw him ; an' he
wus oot in the yaird settin' kail, an' they gaed awa-ye-hoose an'
had a dram thegither.
" Eh ! man ! " says Doctor Agnew, " an' ye'r i' Ferry, ir ye ?—
d'ye ken Sanny M'Kie, is he aye leevin' yet; an' hoo's John
M'Clurg an' Peter M'Quhae ? " An' he speer't an' better speer't,
whiles aboot folk yt wus leevin' an' whiles aboot folk yt wus deid
mony a year afore, an' at last he said — " An' hae ye been ca't
tae Barfad yet tae see Bella Gibson ? "
" Aye ! " says my man, " yt hae A."
" Is she far waur ? " says the Doctor.
" Aye ! she's far waur," wus the answer.
" Weel ! " says Doctor Agnew, " she haes been ' far waur ' tae
my knowledge for fifty-seven year, sae ye'll no' be dishearten't
if she keeps ' far waur ' for a dizzen year tae come. A suppose
she's as badly as ever wi' the clocher an' the floam."
It wus an awfu' relief; an' he cam hame as pleas't as if he
had fun a groat ; an' the next time aul' Alick cam for him, he
speer't if she wusna " far waur " ; an' whun he begood aboot the
aul' black trousers, he tell't him it wudna be lang or she wus
gaun aboot the Ferry, an' beggin' for an aul' black goon tae mak
her decent for Alick's burial. It wus months efter afore Alick
cam back for him again.
Yae nicht aboot fowr year efter this, Alick wus in maskin'
some tea for her, an' quo she — " Dinna lea' me the nicht, Alick !
A'm far waur nor ever A wus; A'm horridly chokit wi' the
clocher an' the floam." " Deevil choke ye ! " quo Alick, " ye can
choke awa' there ; ye'e been far waur this fifty year ; maybe ye
think A'm as big a fule as the doctor " ; an' he gaed aff tae his
bed an' left her.
In the mornin' she wus fun stark deid.
" Confoond her ! " says Alick, " could she no V tell't folk ! she
wus aye cryin' * far waur ! ' but wha ever thocht o' heedin' her ? "
In coorse o' time Alick dee't too, an' there wus twunty-three
coats fun in the hoose, an' seeventy-nine black trousers, a' etten
useless wi' the moths; an' the queer pairt o't wus — yt whun
Bella dee't he had a new black suit made for the burial, an' made
nae use o' a' he had beggit for't.
HEADER 397
e'fo:r; en Se c^a'lust j:t 'sAmbAdi sis WAZ 'seinen jz nem en 'gsten
Se 's^ler.
wil ! Se 'dokter gjed \z wa:z 'Auer en set: hpn ; en i WAZ ut i
Se jsrd 'ssten kel, en Se gjed e'waji'hus en bed e dram Se'giSer.
ae: ! men!" ssz 'dokter 'agnju, "en jer i 'fsr{, ir (j)i? — dji
kjsn 'sani me'ki:, \z i ei 'liiven jet; en hu:z d3on me'klArg en
'piter me'kxAve: ? " en i spiirt en 'bster spiirt, Aveilz e'but fqk {t
WAZ 'li:ven en Aveilz e'but fok {t WAZ did 'monj: e i:r e'fo:r, en et
last i ssd — " en he ji bin ka:t te bar'fad jst te si: 'bsle 'gj:bsen ? "
" ai ! " sez me man, " jt he e."
" \z Ji fa:r wa:r ? " ssz Se 'dokter.
" ai ! Jiz fa:r wa:r," WAZ Se 'anser.
"wil!" ssz 'dokter 'agnju, "Ji bez bin 'fa:r wa:r' te mai
'noledg fer 'f^fbt'sivn i:r, se il no: bi d^s'hsrtent {f Ji kips 'fa:r
wa:r ' fer e djzn i:r te kAm. e sA'poiz Jiz ez 'badlj: ez 'iver wj Se
'kloxer en Se flom."
it WAZ en 'a:fe rflif ; en hi kam hem ez pli:st ez ^f i bed fAn
e grot ; en Se nskst teim a:l 'aljk kam for jm, hi spi:rt jf Ji
'wAzne ' fa:r wa:r ' ; en A\An i bi'gud e'but Se a:l blak 'triKzerz, hi
tslt im it 'wAdne bi lai) or Ji WAZ gam e'but Se 'fsrj, en 'bsgen
fer en a:l blak gun te mak er 'desent fer 'aljks 'b0:nel. jt WAZ
mAn0s 'sfter e'fo:r 'al^k kam bak for pn e'gen.
je: n^xt e'but 'fAuer i:r 'efter S^s, 'al{k WAZ pi 'masken sAin ti:
for er, en kwo Ji: — "'dj:nne li: mi Se n^xt, 'aljk ! em fa:r wa:r nor
'iver e WAZ ; em 'horedl{ 'tjoket w^ Se 'kloxer en Se flom." " di:vl
tjok ji\'- kwo 'aljk, "ji ken tjok e'wa: Se:r; ji e bin fa:r wa:r
S^s 'fift^ i:r ; 'mebi ji 6mk em ez b^g e fyl ez Se 'dokter"; en i
gjed af te {z bsd en Isft er.
jn Se 'mornen Ji WAZ fAn stark did.
"ken'fun er!" ssz 'al{k, akAd Ji no: e tslt fok! Ji WAZ ei
'kraien ' fa:r wa:r ! ' bAt Ava: 'iver 0oxt o 'hiden er ? "
pi kurs o teim 'al^k di:b t0:, en Ser WAZ 'twAntr'Sri: kots fAn
in. Se bus, en 'sivnt^'nein blak 'tru:zerz, a: stn 'jysles w{ Se
mo6s ; en Se kwi:r psrt ot WAZ — {t iWAn 'bsle di:t hi bed e nju:
blak syt msd fer Se 'b0:nel, en msd ne: jys o a: hi ed 'bsget
fort.
398
XXIII A. WINTER
ECHOES FROM KLINGRAHOOL.
JUNDA (J. S. ANGUS).
These verses are written in the Shetland dialect which is
Mid Scots grafted upon an original Scandinavian stock. The
Orkney and Shetland Islands came under the Scottish Crown
in 1469 in pledge for the dowry of Margaret of Denmark on her
marriage with King James III. The Scottish governors with
their following of officials, retainers and traders, introduced the
language of the Lowlands so that the islanders gradually
abandoned their old Scanic tongue. According to the late
Dr Jakobsen of Copenhagen University, there are still about
10,000 words of Scandinavian origin in the modern dialect.
The pronunciation given in this extract is that of Mr Brown,
Schoolmaster of John o' Groats, Caithness, who is a native of
Fetlar and has had a phonetic training.
JBlaw, blaw, blaw !
Eain, rain, rain !
I wis tinkin he sho'rely wis gjaain ta faa,
Bit he's takkin 'im up again.
Da streen he wis up at da wast
An noo he's as hard fae da aest,
If dis wicked wadder be's gjaain ta last
Hit'll finish baith man an baest.
Sleet, sleet, sleet !
An slush up as hiech as da cots, —
Da mellishan widna had oot ta da feet, —
Hit wid sok trou da best sea-bots.
An as for a clog or a sho !
Hit gengs trou dem da sam as trou socks ;
An what can a por body do,
'At haes naethin bit rivleens or smucks.
399
XXIII A. WINTER
ECHOES FROM KL1NORAHOOL.
JUNDA (J. S. ANGUS).
Among the phonetic points of interest in this dialect are :
(1) O.E. o, Scan. 6, Fr. u become y or 0, e.g. shorely, pb'r,
cots, sho.
(2) O.E. a + n = i as in part of N.E., e.g. stane, lane = stin,
lin.
(3) Diphthong ou in "through, thought, brought," trou,
tout, brout.
(4) 9 and "3 are very widely rendered by t and d (generally
advanced), e.g. da = the, tinkin = thinking.
For many years now, fishermen from the N.E. have frequented
these islands and many have even settled there. This will
account for the occasional appearance of a N.E. pronunciation,
e.g. fu, fu = " how," in our poem.
bla:, bla:, bla: !
rein, rein, rein !
ai waz 'tarjkan hi 'Jyrli waz gjctin ta fa:,
bat hiz 'taken em Ap a'gin.
da strin hi waz Ap at da wast
an nui hiz az hard fe da est,
af das 'wikid 'wadar biz gjain to lsTst
hatl finij be8 man an best.
slit, slit, slit !
an S!A/ Ap az haic, az da kyts, —
da 'msli/an 'wadna had ut ta da fit, —
hat wad sok trou da best 'si'byts.
an az far a klog or a J0i !
hat gsnz trou dam da sam as trou soks ;
an A\.at kan a p0ir "bodi d0i,
at haz 'neGin bat 'ravlinz or smAks.
400 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Whan Baabie cam hame fae da gippeen
I made her a new pair o clogs —
Dey hed aald bain soles for da shoddeen
An peerie bress pies i da lugs.
Ta lat wis see fu dey wir wearin,
I aksed her ta shaw dem dastreen,
Bit, sae get I belt, an dat's swearin,
Sho brocht me da upper o ean.
Dere's da twartree craeturs o sheep —
Der no mony o dem left —
I bol'd a foon o dem up at da Neep
An da rest o dem doon at da Klift ;
Wi da ebb dey goed doon i da gjo
Ta nibble da bleds o waar,
Da sea hit cam in an hit laid dem i soe
An carried dem — god kens whaar.
Bit Johnie o Skjotaing's Gibbie
He wis at da craigs aerdastreen,
An he says at whan he wis bewast da Knibbie
He tocht 'at he shorely saw ean ;
Sho wis lyin i da wash o da shoormal
As composed lek as ever he saw,
Da craws wis aboot her most pooerful,
Bit her een an her tail wis awa.
I widna a minded sae muckle
If I'd only been clair wi da rent,
For if I soud a lived on a wilk or a cockle,
I'd a tried till a cleared it at lent ;
Bit wi sikkan a year as he's bon,
An appearinly still gjaain ta be,
Der jost as oonleekly a circumstance bon
As da last leevin craetur ta dee.
An dan whaar's his rent ta come frae ? —
Fae da clood o da lift, or da stane ?
So, boy, I mann bid dee god day,
I left peerie Beenie her lane.
READER 401
Avert "barbi kam him fe da "gapin
ai med bar a nju: pe:r a klogz —
de bed arid be:n solz far da '/odiri
an 'pi:ri bres paaz a da Ugz.
ta lat xwaz si: fu de wir 'weran,
ai akst bar ta Ja: dam dastrin,
bat, se get ai belt, an dctts 'sweran,
J0: brout mi da 'Apar a in.
derz da 'twartri 'kretarz a Jip —
der noi 'mom a dam left —
ai byld a fun a dam Ap at da nip
an da rest a dam dun at da klaft ;
wi da eb de gyd dun a da cyo:
ta nabl da bledz o wa:r,
da si: at kam an an hat led dam a so:
an 'kjarid dam — gyd kinz A\.a:r.
bat 't/oni a 'skjotenz 'gabi
hi waz at da kregz erda'strin,
an hi sez at Aian hi waz bi'wast da 'knabi
hi tout at hi 'fyrli sa: in ;
JV waz laian a da waf a da 'Jurmal
az kAm'pozd lek az avar hi sa:,
da kra:z waz a'but bar most 'purfel,
bat bar in an bar te:l waz a'wa:.
ai 'wadna a 'maindad se mAkl
af aid 'onli bin kli:r wi da rent,
fAr af ai sud a lavd on a wailk or a kokl,
aid a traid tal a kliird at at lent ;
bat wi 'sexkan a ji:r az hi:z bin,
an a'pirantli stal gjam ta bi:,
dar t/yst az unle-'-kli a 'sarkamstans bin
az da last 'lavan 'kretar ta di:.
an dan Ava:rz haz rent ta kAm fre: ? —
fe da klud o da laft, or da stin ?
so, boi, ai man bad di gyd de:,
ai left 'piri xbini bar lin.
1 us
26
402
XXIV A. SOUTHERN SCOTTISH
An extract from the story of Ruth (Ch. i) in the Teviotdale
dialect of 50 years ago as given by Sir James A. H. Murray in
The Dialect of the Southern Counties of Scotland (1873), pp. 242,
244.
The Extract shows the following points of difference between
Sth. Sc. and Mid Sc.
An' thay cryed oot lood, an' grat ageane, an' Orpah kysst
hyr guid-muther, but Ruith hang bey'er. An' schui said, " Sey,
(y)eir guid-syster's geane away heame tui her ayn fuok, an' tui
her g6ds; geae 'way yuw tui, sefter (y)eir guid-syster." An'
Ruith said, " 0 dynna treit on-us tui leeve-(y)e, or tui gang bak
frse cumein sefter (y)e, for quhayr-ever (y)ee gang, aa'l gang,
an'*quhayr (y)ee beyde, aa'l beyde, yoor fuok'll bey maa fuok,
an' yoor G6d maa God. Quhayr (y)ee dey, aa'l dey, an' bey laid
i the greave theare aseyde-(y)e : the Loard dui-seae an mayr
tui mey, yf owcht but death cum atwein yuw an' mey ! " Quhan
schui saa, &t schui was sset 6nna gangein wui'r, schui gse ower
speikein tyll 'er.
Seae the tweaesum geade, tyll thay cam tui Bsethlem. An'
quha"n thay wan tui Ba3thlem, quhat but the heale toon was yn
a steir aboot-them ; an' quo' thay, " Ys thys Naaomie, thynk-
wey ? " An' schui says tui-them, " Dynna caa mey Naaomie,
caa-meh Maarah, for the Almeychtie hes dealt wui-meh vserra
bytterlie. Aa geade oot fuw, an' the Loard hes browcht meh
heame tuim : huw wad-(y)e caa-meh Naaomie, syn the Loard
hes wutnest ageane-meh, an' the Almeychtie hes gein-meh sayr
truble?"
Seae Naaomie cam heame, an Ruith the Moabeytess, hyr
guid-dowchter, wui'r, hyr &t cam oot o the cuintrie o Moab;
an' quhan thay cam tui Bsethlem, yt w&s aboot the fuore-end o
the baarlie hasrst.
403
XXIV A. SOUTHERN SCOTTISH
English
how, you, full
grave, name, home
die, be, me
very, set, harvest
fore, folk
bitterly, barley-
corning (noun inf.)
sister, think
when, where
daughter
en SeT kraid ut lud, en grat a'gian, en 'orpg kest er g0d'niASer,
bAt r09 harj bei sr. en J0 seTd, "sei, ir g0d'sesterz gien 9'weT hjem
t0 sr e:Tn fuek, en t0 er goidz ; gia we:T JAU t0, se'ftsr ir g0d-
'sester." en r09 seTd, "o: 'dene trit 'ones te li:v i, or te gar) bak
0rs 'kAmin 'sefter i, for x^e'Vever ii gar), ail gcuj, en xMe:Tr i: beTid,
ail beTid, ju:r fuek 1 bei ma: fu9k, en ju:r goid ma: go:d. x^e:Tr
i: dei, a:l dei, en bei leTd e Se gn:9v Si:er 9xseTid i : 5e lo:rd d0 sii9
en me:Tr te mei, ef xox^t bAt di90 kAin 9'twin JAU en mei ! " xMAn
J0 SCLI, 9t J0: WAZ sget on 9 'garjin w0:r, J0 gas our spikin tel er.
si:9 Se 'twi:9SAm gi9d, t) Se kam ts 'bseQlem. en xMAn Se
wan te 'bae-Slem, x^at bAt Se hjel tun WAZ en e sti:r 9'but Sem ;
en kw9 Se:T, " ez Ses naro:mi, 6enk we ?" en J0 sez te Sem, " 'den9
ka: mei na'o:mi, ka: me /ma:r9, for Se al'megti hez digit w0 me
'va^re 'beterli. a: gied ut fAu, en Se lo:rd hez brox^t me hjem
t0m : hAu wAd i ka: me na'oimi, sen Se lo:rd hez 'wAtnest 9'gi9n
me, en Se al'megti hez gin me se:Tr trAbl ? "
si:9 na'o:mi kam hjem, en r06 Se /mo9beTites, her 1g0d'doxMter,
w0:r, her et kam ut 9 Se 'k0ntri 9 moiob ; en xMAn Se kam te
"bseGlem, et WAZ 9'but Ss 'fu^r'send 9 Se 'ba.'rli haBrst.
Mid Sc.
Sth. Sc.
u: (final)
AU
hu:,ju:, fu:
hAU, JAU, fAU
e:, e, he
1:9, 19, hje
gre:v, nem, hem
gn:9v, mgm, hjem
i:
ei
dee, be, me
dei, bei, mei,
e
8B
vere, set, herst
vsere, sa3t, hasrst
0, 0
U9
fo:r, fok and fAuk
fu9r, fu9k
I (in suffixes)
i
brt9rl{, ba(:)rlj;, bo:rlj
beterli, ba(:)rli
'kAmm, or 'kAmon
'kAmin
I
e
sj:st9r, 9{rjk
sester, 9erjk
AY
XAV
A\an, Aver
xMAn, xMer
ox
OXM
doxtor
dox^ter
1 Might be written ouxt, rdouxter
26—2
PART IY
BALLADS AND SONGS
406
I B. SIK PATEICK SPENS1
ANONYMOUS.
j, . »
The king sits in Dunfermline town,
Drinking the bluid-red wine ;
" O whare will I get a skeely skipper,
To sail this new ship of mine ? "
0 up and spake an eldern knight,
Sat on the king's right knee,
" Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
That ever sailed the sea."
Our king has written a braid letter
And sealed it with his hand,
And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens,
Was walking on the strand.
" To Noroway, to Noroway,
To Noroway o'er the faem ;
The king's daughter of Noroway,
'Tis thou maun bring her hame."
The first word that Sir Patrick read,
Sae loud loud laughed he ;
The neist word that Sir Patrick read,
The tear blinded his e'e.
" O wha is this has done this deed,
And tauld the king o' me ;
To send us out, at this time of the year,
To sail upon the sea ?
" Be it wind, be it weet, be it hail, be it sleet,
Our ship must sail the faem ;
The king's daughter of Noroway,
'Tis we must fetch her hame."
1 The versions of I, II, III, X are taken from George Eyre-Todd's Scottish
Ballad Poetry and Ancient Scottish Ballads.
407
I B. SIR PATRICK SPENS
ANONYMOUS.
Sa kit) sits pi cUm'fermlin tun,
'drinkan Sa blyc^rid wain;
" o A\a:r 2w^l a get 8 'skill 'skipar,
ta sel Sjs nju: Jip o main ? "
o Ap an spak an 'sldarn kn^xt,
sat at Sa kinz qxt kni:,
" 2sir 3/patrjk spens iz Sa bsst 'selar
Sat 'ivar 4seld Sa si:."
5 war kit) haz 2wr^tn a bred Is tar
an 3sild ^t w^ h^z 6hand,
an sent it ta 2sjr 3'patrik spens,
waz 7/wa:kan on Sa 6 strand.
" ta 'norawe, ta 'norawe,
ta 'norawe Aur Sa fern ;
Sa kinz 8/doxtar o 'norawe,
tz Su: man brr ar hem."
Sa 2f{rst 9wArd Sat 2str 3/patrik red,
se lud lud 6laxt hi: ;
Sa nist 9wArd Sat 2sp: 3/patqk red,
Sa tiir 'bljndat \z i:.
" o 7Avai iz Sjs haz dyn Sjs did,
an 7ta:lrf Sa kirj o mi: ;
ta send AS ut, at S^s taim o Sa i:r,
ta sel a'po Sa si: ?
" bi it 9wAud, bi it wit, bi it hel, bi it slit,
u:r Jip niAst sel Sa fem ;
Sa kinz 8/doxtar o 'norawe,
tiz wi: mAst fss ar hem."
1 e, a 2 A 3 e 4 t 5 w^r. wAr, ur 6 a: 7 91
408 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
They hoysed their sails on Monenday morn
Wi' a' the speed they may ;
They ha'e landed in Noroway,
Upon a Wodensday.
They hadna been a week, a week,
In Noroway, but twae,
When that the lords o' Noroway
Began aloud to say,
" Ye Scottishmen spend a' our king's gowd,
And a' our queenis fee."
" Ye lie, ye lie, ye liars loud !
Fu' loud I hear ye lie ;
" For I brought as much white money
As gane my men and me,
And I brought a half-fou of gude red gowd
Out o'er the sea wi' me.
" Make ready, make ready, my merry men a',
Our gude ship sails the morn."
" Now, ever alake, my master dear,
I fear a deadly storm.
" I saw the new moon, late yestreen,
Wi' the auld moon in her arm ;
And if we gang to sea, master,
I fear we'll come to harm."
They hadna sailed a league, a league,
A league but barely three,
When the lift grew dark, and the wind blew loud,
And gurly grew the sea.
The anchors brak, and the top-masts lap,
It was sic a deadly storm ;
And the waves cam' o'er the broken ship,
Till a' her sides were torn.
" 0 where will I get a gude sailor,
To take my helm in hand,
Till I get up to the tall top-mast,
To see if I can spy land ? "
BALLADS AND SONGS 409
Se 1haizd Sar selz on 'mAnandj: morn
w{ 2a: Sa spid Se me ;
Se: he 3/landat m 'norawe,
a'pon 9 'wodznde.
Se 'hadna bin o 4wik, a 4wik,
pi 'norawe, bAt twe:,
A\an Sat Sa lordz o 'norawe
brcjan a'lud ta se:,
"ji 'skotif men spend 2a: 5war kirjz gAud,
an a: 5war kwiniz fi:."
" ji H:, ji li:, ji 'liarz lud !
fu lud a hiir ji li: ;
" far a 6broxt az mAtJ Avait 'mAn^
az gen ma men an mi:,
an a 6broxt a 2/haff:u o gyd 7rid gAud
ut Aur Sa si: w{ mi:,
mak 'rsdi, mak 'rsdi, ma 'mer^ msn 2ai,
5 war gyd Jrp selz Sa 6morn."
unu:, 'rvar a'lak, ma 'mestar di:r,
a fi:r a 8/didl{ 6storm.
"a 2sa: Sa nju: myn, let ja'strin,
w{ Sa 2a:\d myn pi bar 8erm ;
an {f wi gar) ta si:, 'mestar,
a fi:r wil kAin ta 8herm.''
Se 'hadna 9seld a lig, a lig,
a lig bat 'be:rl{ 6ri:,
Avan Sa l{ft gru: dark, an Sa wAn blu: lud,
an rgArl{ gru: Sa si:.
Sa 'arjkarz brak, an Sa 'tapmasts lap,
li waz s{k a 8/didl{ 6 storm ;
an Sa we:vz kam Aur Sa 'broken J^p,
t^l 2a: bar saidz war 6torn.
" o 2Aia:r 10w^l a get a gyd 'selar,
ta tak ma helm m 3hanc/,
t{l a get Ap ta Sa 2ta:l 'tapmast,
ta si: if a kan spai 3lanc? ? "
1 ai, 01 2 g: 3 a: 4 uk 5 w^r, ur 6 o 7 e, a
410 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" 0 here am I, a sailor gude,
To take the helm in hand,
Till you go up to the tall top-mast,
But I fear you'll ne'er spy land."
He hadna gane a step, a step,
A step but barely ane,
When a bout flew out of our goodly ship,
And the salt sea it cam' in.
" Gae, fetch a web o' the silken claith,
Another o' the twine,
And wap them into our ship's side,
And let na the sea come in."
They fetched a web o' the silken claith,
Another o' the twine,
And they wapp'd them round that gude ship's side,
But still the sea cam' in."
O laith, laith were our gude Scots lords
To weet their cork-heeled shoon !
But lang or a' the play was played,
They wat their hats aboon.
And mony was the feather bed
That flatter'd on the faem ;
And mony was the gude lord's son
That nevermair cam' hame.
The ladies wrang their fingers white,
The maidens tore their hair,
A' for the sake of their true loves,
For them they'll see nae mair.
O lang, lang may the ladies sit,
Wi' their fans into their hand,
Before they see Sir Patrick Spens
Come sailing to the strand !
And lang, lang may the maidens sit,
With their gowd kaims in their hair,
A' waiting for their ain dear loves !
.. For them they'll see nae mair.
BALLADS AND SONGS 411
" o hi:r 8m 01, 9 'sebr gyd,
to tak 5a helm in 1hanc?,
tn1 ju go Ap te 5a 2ta:l tapmast,
bet 9 fi:r jul ne:r spai Mand"
hi 'hadna ge:n 9 step, 9 step,
9 stsp b9t 'be:rl{ 3en,
Man 9 bAut flu: ut 9v ur 'gydlj: f\p,
9n 5a 2sa:t si: {t kam pi.
"ge:, fes 9 4wab o $9 'sjlkan kle9,
a'm5ar o 5a twain,
an wap 5am 'pita ur J^ps said,
9n 5lst n9 59 si: kAm pi."
5e fest 9 4wab o S9 's^lkgn kle6,
9rmS9r o $9 twgin,
9n Se wapt S9in runc^ Sat gyd J^ps S9id,
b9t st^l S9 si: kain p.
o Ie9, Ie0 wsr ur gyd skots lordz
to wit S9r Xkork6hild Jyn !
D9t larj or 2a: S9 pie: W9z ple:d,
Se wat 69r hats 9'byn.
9n 7/mon{ W9z 59 'fetJer bed
Sat 'flat9rt on S9 fern ;
911 7/monj: W9z 59 gyd lordz 8sm
59t 'mvar'meir kam hem.
59 'Isdiz wrar) 59r /f^T)9rz AV9it,
69 mednz to:r 59r he:r,
2 a: f9r 59 sek o 6e:r tru: IAVZ,
f9r 5sm 5e:l si: ne: me:r.
o Ian, lat) me: 69 'lediz s|t,
w{ 59r fanz jnt9 69r 1hanc^,
bi'fo.'r 6e si 8s^r 9/patqk spsns
kAm 'selgn to 69 l strand !
9n Ian, larj me: 59 mednz s^t,
w^ 59r gAud kemz m 59r he:r,
2a: 10/weton f9r 59r e:n di:r IAVZ !
far Ssm 5e:l si: ne: me:r.
2 Q: 3 jm 4 o 5 9, a 6 t 7 a, o, A 8 A 9 e 10 ei
412 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
0 forty miles off Aberdeen
'Tis fifty fathoms deep,
And there lies gude Sir Patrick Spens,
Wi' the Scots lords at his feet.
BALLADS AND SONGS 413
o 'fort{ mailz af eber'din
i\z 'f{ft{ 1'faSamz dip,
en Se:r laiz gyd 2s^r 3/patqk spsns,
w{ Sa skots lordz at \z fit.
1 'fadamz 2 A 3 e
414
II B. THE TWA CORBIES
ANONYMOUS.
As I was walking all alane,
I heard twa corbies making a mane ;
The tane unto the tother say,
" Where sail we gang and dine the day ? "
" In behint yon auld fail dyke
I wat there lies a new-slain knight ;
And naebody kens that he lies there
But his hawk, his hound, and his lady fair.
" His hound is to the hunting gane,
His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame ;
His lady's ta'en another mate,
Sae we may mak' our dinner sweet.
" Ye'll sit on his white hause-bane,
And I'll pike out his bonnie blue een.
Wi' ae lock o' his gowden hair
We'll theek our nest when it grows bare.
" Mony a ane for him mak's mane,
But nane sail ken where he is gane.
O'er his white banes, when they are bare,
The wind sail blaw for evermair."
415
II B. THE TWA CORBIES
ANONYMOUS.
9z a W9z 1/wcLik9n xa: 9'len,
9 hard 1twa: 2/korbiz 'makgn 9 men ;
$9 ten 'Ant9 tte 'tit?9r se:,
" xAva:r sal wi gar) 9n d9in S9 de: ? "
" pi bfhpit jon l Guild fel d9ik
9 wat $9r laiz 9 'njui'slein knpt ;
9n xneibAdi ksnz S9t hi: laiz Seir
b9t h^z 1ha:k, hjz hAn, 9n hjz 'kdi fe:r
" hjz hAn iz t9 S9 'hAntgn gen,
hiz xha:k t9 fss S9 'wgilc^fuil hem ;
hj:z 'lediz te:n 9'niSgr met,
se wi: rue mak 3ur -dengr swit.
"ji:l s^t on hj:z A\9it /'hais'ben,
9n a:l pgik ut h^z 1'boni blu in.
wj^'e: lok o h^z gAudn heir
wil 6ik 3ur nest AV9n jt grAuz beir.
9 5en f9r h{m maks men,
b9t nen sal ksn AV9r hi: \z gen.
Aur hp AV9it benz, M9n Se 9r be:r,
S9 wAn sal 1bla: f9r /iv9r/me:r."
o 3 war, wir 4 a, A, o
416
III B. THE DOWIE DENS O' YARKOW
ANONYMOUS.
Late at e'en, drinking the wine,
And ere they paid the lawing,
They set a combat them between
To fight it in the dawing.
" 0 stay at hame, my noble lord !
0 stay at hame, my marrow !
My cruel brother will you betray
On the dowie houms o' Yarrow."
" O fare ye weel, my lady gay !
0 fare ye weel, my Sarah !
For I maun gae, though I ne'er return,
Frae the dowie banks o' Yarrow."
She kissed his cheek, she kaimed his hair,
As oft she had done before, 0 ;
She belted him wi' his noble brand,
And he's away to Yarrow.
As he gaed up the Tennies bank,
1 wat he gaed wi' sorrow,
Till down in a den he spied nine armed men,
On the dowie houms o' Yarrow.
" O come ye here to part your land,
The bonnie forest thorough ?
Or come ye here to wield your brand,
On the dowie houms o' Yarrow ? "
" I come not here to part my land,
And neither to beg nor borrow ;
I come to wield my noble brand
On the bonnie banks o' Yarrow.
" If. I see all, ye're nine to ane,
And that's an unequal marrow ;
Yet will I fight while lasts my brand,
On the bonnie banks o' Yarrow."
417
III B. THE DOWIE DENS O' YARROW
ANONYMOUS.
let at i:n, 'drjrjkan 5a wain,
an e:r Se 1paid $a 2'laan,
Se set a 'kombat Sem bi'twin
ta fext it in Sa 2/daan.
" o 3ste: at hem, ma nobl lord I
o 3ste: at hem, ma 'maro !
ma kruil 'briSar wjl ju bi'tre:
on Sa 'dAin hAumz o 'jaro."
" o fe:r ji wil, ma 'ledi ge: !
o fe:r ji wil, ma 'sa:ra !
far a man ge:, eo a ne:r n'tArn,
fre 5a 'dAui banks o 'jara."
Ji k{st h^z t/ik, Ji 4kemd h^z heir,
az oft Ji had dyn brfbir, o ;
Ji 'be 1 tat hmi w{ h^z nobl 5 branch,
an hi:z 2a'wa: ta 'jaro.
az hi ge:d Ap Sa rten|.z bank,
a wot hi geid wj: 'soro,
t^l dun m a den hi 4spaid nain 46ermd men,
on Sa 'dAui hAumz o 'jaro.
" o kAm ji hi:r ta 6pert jar 5land,
Sa 7/bon{ 'forast '0oro*?
or kAm ji hi:r ta wild jar 5brand,
on Sa 'dAui hAumz o "jaro? "
"a kAm not hiir ta pert ma 5lanc£,
an 'neiSar ta beg nor 'boro ;
a kAm fa wild ma nobl 5 brand
on 5a 7/boni barjks o "jaro.
" if a si 2a:, ji:r nain ta 8en,
an Sats an A'nikwal 'maro ;
jet 9wjl a fext Mail lasts ma 5 brand,
on Sa 7/bon{ barjks o 'jaro."
le: 2g: 3ai 4t 5a: 6e 7o 8jpi 9A
e. 27
418 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Four has he hurt, and five has slain,
On the bloody braes o' Yarrow,
Till that stubborn knight came him behind,
And ran his body thorough.
" Gae hame, gae hame, glide-brother John,
And tell your sister Sarah,
To come and lift her leafu' lord,
He's sleeping sound on Yarrow."
" Yestreen I dreamed a dolefu' dream,
I fear there will be sorrow—
I dreamed I pu'd the heather green
Wi' my true love on Yarrow.
" 0 gentle wind that bloweth south
From where my love repaireth,
Convey a kiss from his dear mouth
And tell me how he fareth.
" But in the glen strive armed men,
They've wrought me dule and sorrow ;
They've slain— the comeliest knight they've slain,
He bleeding lies on Yarrow."
As she sped down yon high, high hill,
She gaed wi' dule and sorrow ;
And in the den spied ten slain men
On the dowie banks o' Yarrow.
She kissed his cheek, she kaimed his hair,
She searched his wounds all thorough ;
She kissed them till her lips grew red,
On the dowie houms o' Yarrow.
" Now baud your tongue, my daughter dear,
For a' this breeds but sorrow ;
I'll wed ye to a better lord
Than 'him ye lost on Yarrow."
" O baud your tongue, my father dear,
Ye mind me but of sorrow ;
A fairer rose did never bloom
Than now lies cropped on Yarrow."
BALLADS AND SONGS 419
fAur haz i hArt, an faiv haz slem,
on Sa 'blydi bre:z o 'jaro,
t^l Sat 'stAbran knjxt kam h{m bflim,
an ran z lxbodi '6oro.
"ge: hem, ge: hem, gyd'bnSar
an tsl jar 'sistar 'saira,
ta kAm n Ijft ar 'li:fa lord,
hiiz 'slipan snnd on 'jara."
"ja'strin a 23drimd a 'dolfa 3drim,
a fi:r Sar 4wil bi 'soro —
a 23drimd a 2pu:d Sa 'heSar grin
w{ ma tru: IAV on 'jaro.
" o dgentl 4wp Sat 5'bloa9 su8
from Me:r mai IAV rfpeiraS,
6kanrve: a kjs from hjz diir muO
an tsl rni hu hi Xfe:ra9.
" bAt in Sa glsn straiv 23/ermad men,
Sev Jwroxt mi dyl an 'soro ;
Sev slem — Sa 'kAmliast kn^xt Sev slem,
hii 'blidan laiz on "jaro."
az Ji sped dun jon hix, hix h{l,
Ji geid w^ dyl an 'soro ;
an m Sa dsn 2spaid ten slem men
on Sa rdAui banks o 'jaro.
Ji Iqst iz t/ik, Ji 2kemd \z he:r,
Ji 3sertjt iz wunc^z 5a: 0oro ;
Ji kpst Ssm ti\ ar lips gru: 3rid,
on Sa 'dAui hAumz o 'jaro.
"nu 75ha:d jar tArj, ma 7/doxtar di:r,
far 5a: S^s bridz bat 'soro ;
al wad ji t{ a 'be tar lord
San hmi ji lost on rjaro."
" o 75ha:d jar tAr), ma 'feSar diir,
ji mainc? mi bAt o rsoro ;
a xfe:rar roiz d{d 'nivar blym
San nu: laiz kropt on 'jaro."
2t 3s 4A 5g: 6kan'vai 7a
27—2
420
IV B. FAIR HELEN OF KIRKCONNEL
ANONYMOUS.
I wish I were where Helen lies !
Night and day on me she cries.
O that I were where Helen lies,
On fair Kirkconnel Lea !
Curst be the heart that thought the thought,
And curst the hand that fired the shot,
When in my arms burd Helen dropt,
And died to succour me !
0 think na ye my heart was sair,
When my love dropt down and spak nae mair !
There did she swoon wi' meikle care,
On fair Kirkconnel Lea.
As I went down the water-side,
None but my foe to be my guide,
None but my foe to be my guide,
On fair Kirkconnel Lea ;
1 lighted down my sword to draw,
I hacket him in pieces sma',
I hacket him in pieces sma',
For her sake that died for me.
0 Helen fair, beyond compare !
I'll make a garland of thy hair,
Shall bind my heart for evermair,
Until the day I die.
O that I were where Helen lies !
Night and day on me she cries ;
Out of my bed she bids me rise,
Says, " Haste and come to me ! "
O Helen fair ! O Helen chaste !
If I were with thee, I were "blest,
Where thou lies low, and takes thy rest,
On fair Kirkconnel Lea.
421
IV B. FAIR HELEN OF KIRKCONNEL
ANONYMOUS.
a WAS a war 1Ava:r 'elan laiz !
nptt an de: on mi: Ji kraiz..
o: Sat a wer 1Ava:r 'elan laiz,
on fe:r kjr'konl li: !
kArst bi Sa hert Sat 20oxt Sa 29oxt,
an kArst Sa^hand Sat 4faird Sa Jot,
Avan m ma 5ermz bArd 'elan dropt,
an 6di:t ta 'sAkar mi !
o: fynk na ji ma hert waz seir,
Avan ma IAV drapt dun an spak ne me:r !
Seir did /i swun w{ mikl ke:r,
on fe:r kjr'konl li:.
az a went dun Sa 'watar'said,
nen bat ma fe: ta bi ma gaid,
nen bat ma fe: ta bi ma gaid,
on fe:r kjr'konl li: ;
a 'l^xtat dun ma su:rd ta xdra:,
a 'hakat hmi m 'pisaz 1sma:,
a 'hakat h^m m 'pisaz 1sma:,
far har sek Sat 6di:t far mi.
o 'elan fe:r, bi'jond kam'pe:r !
al mak 8 'garland o Sai he:r,
sal bmd ma hert far 'ivarme:r,
An't^l Sa de: a di:.
o: Sat a wer 1A\.a:r 'elan laiz !
n^xt n de: on mi: Ji kraiz ;
ut o ma bed Ji b{dz mi raiz,
sez, " hest ^ kAm ta mi ! "
o 'elan fe:r ! o 'elan tjest !
{f a wer wi Si, a wer blest,
Avar Su laiz lo:, an taks Sai rest,
on fe:r k^r'konl li:.
: 2o 3a: 4fairt 5e 6di:d
422 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
I wish my grave were growing green,
A winding-sheet drawn ower my een,
And I in Helen's arms lying,
On fair Kirkconnel Lea.
I wish I were where Helen lies !
Night and day on me she cries ;
And I am weary of the skies,
For her sake that died for me.
BALLADS AND SONGS 423
8 WAS ma greiv war 'grAuan grin,
a 'waindan'Jit xdra:n Aur ma in,
an ai in 'elanz 2ermz 'laim,
on fe:r Iqr'konl Hi.
a WAS a war 1A\a:r "elan laiz !
njxt 11 dei on mi: Ji kraiz ;
an ai am 'wiiri o Sa skaiz,
for har sek Sat 3di:t for mi:.
!: 2s 3di:d
424
Y B. MY JO, JANET
ANONYMOUS.
" Sweet sir, for your courtesy,
When ye come by the Bass, then,
For the love ye bear to me
Buy me a keekin' glass, then."
" Keek into the draw-well,
Janet, Janet ;
There ye'll see your bonnie sel',
My jb, Janet."
" Keekin' in the draw-well clear,
What if I fa' in then ?
Syne a my kin will say and swear
I drowned mysel' for sin, then."
" Haud the better by the brae,
Janet, Janet ;
Haud the better by the brae,
My jo, Janet."
" Gude sir, for your courtesy,
Comin' through Aberdeen, then,
For the love ye bear to me,
Buy me a pair o' shoon, then."
" Clout the auld, the new are dear,
Janet, Janet ;
Ae pair may gane ye half a year,
My jo, Janet."
" But what if, dancin' on the green,
And skippin' like a maukin,
They should see my clouted shoon,
O' me they will be talkin'."
" Dance aye laigh, and late at e'en,
Janet, Janet ;
Syne a' their faut's will no be seen,
My jo, Janet."
425
V B. MY JO, JANET
ANONYMOUS.
"swit 1s{r, for jar 'kurtasi,
Aian ji kAm bai Sa bas, San,
for Sa IAV ji be:r ta mi
bai mi a 'kikan glas, San."
" kik 'mta Sa 2/dra:wsl,
'dganat, 'dganat ;
Se:r jil si: jar 3/bonj: sel,
ma d3oi, ^anat."
"'kikan m Sa 2'dra:wel kliir,
AY at jf a 2fa: in San?
sain 2a: ma kp 1w^l se: an swi:r
a 4drunt ma'ssl far sm, San."
" 25had Sa 'betar bai Sa bre:,
'dganat, ^anat ;
25 had Sa 'betar bai Sa bre:,
ma dgo:, 'dganat."
"gyd 1s^r, for jar 'kurtasi,
kAman 6ru ebar'din, San,
for Sa IAV ji be:r ta mi,
bai mi a pe:r o Jin, San."
"klut Sa 2a:ld, Sa nju: ar di:r,
'dganat, 'dganat ;
je: pe:r me gen ji 2ha:f a i:r,
ma djo:, 'djanat."
" bat Avat ^f, 'dansan on Sa grin,
an 'skrpan laik a 2/ma:km,
Se: sad si: ma 'klutat Jin,
o mi: Se w{l bi 2/ta:kan."
" dans ai lex, an let at i:n,
'dganat, 'd3anat ;
sain a: Sar 2fa:ts 1w^l bi no: sin,
ma dgo:, 'dganat."
U 2: 3o 4d 5a:
426
VI B. ANNIE LAUEIE
LADY JOHN SCOTT (1810-1900).
Maxwell ton braes are bonnie,
Where early fa's the dew,
And it's there that Annie Laurie
Gied me her promise true,
Gied me her promise true,
Which ne'er forgot will be ;
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me doon and dee.
Her brow is like the snaw-drifb,
Her neck is like the swan,
Her face it is the fairest
That e'er the sun shone on —
That e'er the sun shone on,
And dark blue is her e'e ;
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me doon and dee.
Like dew on the gowan lying,
Is the fa' o' her fairy feet :
And like winds in simmer sighing,
Her voice is low and sweet—
Her voice is low and sweet,
And she's a' the world to me,
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me doon and dee.
427
VI B. ANNIE LAURIE
LADY JOHN SCOTT (1810-1900).
'maksweltan bre:z 9r
Aiar 'erli 2fa:z Sa dju:,
an \ts Se:r Sat 'an{ 2'la:r{
gi:d mil bar 'promts trui,
gild mi: bar 'promts tru:,
AqtJ neir far'got w^l bi: ;
an far 1/bonj 'an{ 2'la:r{
ad le: mi dun an di'i.
bar bru; jz laik Sa 2/sna:/dr^ft,
bar nek \z laik Sa swan,
bar fes it jz Sa 'feirast
Sat eir Sa sAn Jon on—-
Sat eir Sa SAn Jon on,
an dark blu: \z bar i: ;
an far l7boDt 'anj 2/la:r{
ad lei mi dun an di:.
laik dju: on Sa 'gAuan ylaien,
{z Sa 2fa: o bar 'fe:r{ fit :
an laik 3wmdz m 'simar 'saian,
bar vais \z lo: an swit^ —
bar vais {z lo: an swit,
an Jiz 2a: Sa 4warM ta mi;,
an far 1/bon^ 'an^ 2/la:r{
ad le: mi dun an di:.
a:
428
VII B. MAGGIE LAUDEK
FRANCIS SEMPILL? (died 1682).
Wha wadna be in love
Wi' bonnie Maggie Lauder ?
A piper met her gaun to Fife,
And spier'd what was't they ca'd her ;
Right scornfully she answered him,
" Begone, you hallan shaker,
Jog on your gate, ye bladder scate,
My name is Maggie Lauder."
" Maggie," quo' he, " and by my bags
I'm fidgin' fain to see thee ;
Sit down by me, my bonnie bird,
In troth I winna steer thee :
For I'm a piper to my trade,
My name is Rob the Ranter;
The lasses loup as they were daft,
When I blaw up my chanter."
" Piper," quo' Meg, " hae ye your bags,
Or is your drone in order ?
If ye be Rob, I've heard of you,
Live ye upon the border ?
The lasses a', baith far and near,
Hae heard o' Rob the Ranter ;
I'll shake my foot wi' right good-will,
Gif ye'll blaw up your chanter."
Then to his bags he flew wi' speed,
About the drone he twisted ;
Meg up and walloped o'er the green,
For brawly could she frisk it.
429
VII B. MAGGIE LAUDER
FRANCIS SEMPILL? (died 1682).
^a: 'wadna bi m IAV
wj: 2/bon{ 'magi 1la:d9r?
9 paipar met ar xga:n ta faif,
an spiirt Avat wast Se 1ka:d ar ;
rptt 'skornfali Ji 'ansart him,
" bi'gon, ji 'halan 'Jakar,
d3og on jer get, ji 3/blsdar sket,
ma nem \z rrnagi 1/la:dar."
" 'magi," kwo hi:, " an bai ma bagz
am 'f^a'n fe:n ta si: Si ;
s^t dun bai mi, ma 2/bon{ b^rd,
m tro6 a 4/win??a sti:r Si :
far am a 'paipar ta ma tred,
ma nem \z rob Sa 'rantar ;
Sa xlasaz Uup az Se war daft,
A^an a: 1bla: Ap ma t Jan tar."
" 'paipar," kwo msg, " he: ji jar bagz,
or \z jar dron m 'ordar?
tf ji: bi rob, av 5hard o ju:,
li:v ji a'pon Sa 'bordar?
Sa xlasaz xa:, be8 xfa:r an ni:r,
he 5hard o rob Sa 'rantar;
al Jak ma fib wi qxt gyd^w^l,
gif jiil xbla: Ap jar t/antar."
5an ta h^z bagz hi flu: w^ spid,
a'but Sa dron i 'tw^stat ;
rnsg Ap an 'walapt Aur Sa grin,
far 1/bra:li kAd Ji fr^sk jt.
2o 3/bkSar
430 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
" Weel done," quo' he : " play up," quo' she :
" Weel bobb'd," quo' Rob the Ranter ;
" It's worth my while to play, indeed,
When I hae sic a dancer."
" Weel hae you play'd your part," quo' Meg,
" Your cheeks are like the crimson ;
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel,
Sin' we lost Habby Simson.
I've lived in Fife, baith maid and wife,
These ten years and a quarter :
Gin ye should corne to Anster fair,
Spier ye for Maggie Lauder."
BALLADS AND SONGS 431
" wil dyn," kwo hi: : " pie: Ap," kwo Ji: :
" wil bobd," kwo rob Sa 'rantar ;
" its wArG ma Avail ta pie:, m'did,
A\.an a he: sjk a 'dansar."
" wil he: ji ple:d jar 1pert," kwo meg,
"jar t/iks ar laik Sa "krimsan ;
Sarz nen pi 'skotland ple:z se wil,
spi wi lost 'habi 'sjmsan.
av 2li:vd pi faif, be0 med an waif,
Si:z ten i:rz an a 'kwartar :
gpi ji: 3/ad kAm ta 'enstar fe:r,
spi:r ji far 'magi 4/la:dar."
2t 3sAd
432
VIII B. BESSY BELL AND MARY GRAY
ALLAN RAMSAY (1686-1758),
0 Bessy Bell an' Mary Gray,
They are twa bonny lasses,
They bigg'd a bow'r on yon burn-brae,
An' theek'd it o'er wi' rashes.
Fair Bessy Bell I loo'd yestreen,
An' thought I ne'er cou'd alter;
But Mary Gray's twa pawky een,
They gar my fancy falter.
Now Bessy's hair's like a lint tap,
She smiles like a May morning,
When Phoebus starts frae Thetis' lap,
The hills wi' rays adorning :
White is her neck, saft is her hand,
Her waist an' feet's fu' genty,
Wi' ilka grace she can command,
Her lips, O wow ! they're dainty.
An' Mary's locks are like the craw,
Her een like diamonds glances ;
She's ay sae clean redd up, an' braw,
She kills whene'er she dances :
Blythe as a kid, wi' wit at will,
She blooming, tight, an' tall is ;
An' guides her airs sae gracefu' still,
O Jove ! she's like thy Pallas.
Dear Bessy Bell an' Mary Gray,
Ye unco sair oppress us,
Our fancies jee between ye twa,
Ye are sic bonny lasses :
Waes me, for baith I canna get,
To ane by law we're stented ;
Then I'll draw cuts, an' tak my fate,
An' be wi' ane contented.
433
VIII B. BESSY BELL AND MARY GRAY
ALLAN RAMSAY (1686-1758).
o 'bssj: bsl 9n 'meirj gre:,
Se ar Hwa: 2/bon| 'Ias9z,
Se 3b{gd 9 bu:r on jon bArn'brer,
9n 6ikt j:t Aur wj: xra/9z.
fe:r 'besj bel a lu:d jg'strin,
9n 29oxt 9 neir kAd 'altgr ;
b9t 'meirj; greiz Hwa: lApa:ki in,
Se gair ni9 'fansi 'faltgr.
nu 'bes{z heirz Igik 9 l^nt tap,
Ji sm9ilz l9ik 9 m9i 2/morn9n,
rfeb9s starts fre r0etis lap,
S9 hjlz w^ reiz 29'dorn9n :
9r nek, saft \z
h9r west 9n fits fu
w\ 'i\kd gres Ji kan 4
'hgr l^ps, o WAU ! Ser '
9n "meiriz loks 9r laik S9 1kra:,
h9r in Igik 'd9.im9nc?z 'glansgz;
Jiz 9i se klin rsd Ap, 9n 1bra:,
Ji kjlz ^.an'eir Ji "dans9z :
bl910 9Z 9 k^d, W{ W{t 9t W{1,
Ji /bluni9n, tjxt, 9n 1ta:l \z ;
9n ggidz 9r e:rz se Xgresf9 stjl,
o d%o:v I Jiz toik Sai Xpal9z.
di:r 'bss^ bsl 9n 'meir^ gre:,
ji rAnk9 se:r 9'pres 9s,
5ur 'fans^z d3i: bi'twin ji twe:,
ji ar s^k 2/boni /las9z :
we:z mi, far be0 9 'kan/19 get,
t9 6en bj 1la: wir Xstsnt9t ;
Sen al 1dra: kAts, 9n tak m9 fet,
9n bi w 6en
a: 5w|r, WAP
G.
28
434
IX B. TULLOCHGOEUM1
JOHN SKINNER (1721-1807).
Come gie's a sang, Montgomery cry'd,
And lay your disputes all aside,
What signifies' t for folks to chide
For what was done before them :
Let Whig and Tory all agree,
Whig and Tory, Whig and Tory,
Whig and Tory all agree,
To drop their Whig-mig-morum ;
Let Whig and Tory all agree
To spend the night wi' mirth and glee,
And cheerful sing alang wi' me
The Reel o' Tullochgorum.
O' Tullochgorum's my delight,
It gars us a' in ane unite,
And ony sumph that keeps a spite,
In conscience I abhor him :
For blythe and cheerie we'll be a',
Blythe and cheerie, blythe and cheerie,
Blythe and cheerie we'll be a'.
And make a happy quorum,
For blythe and cheerie we'll be a'
As lang as we hae breath to draw,
And dance till we be like to fa'
The Reel o' Tullochgorum.
What needs there be sae great a fraise
Wi' dringing dull Italian lays,
I wadna gie our ain Strathspeys
For half a hunder score o' them :
1 "Amusements of Leisure Hours, by the late Reverend John Skinner, Edin-
burgh, 1809."
435
IX B. TULLOCHGORUM
JOHN SKINNER (1721-1807).
:gi:z 9 san, mAn'gAmq *kraid,
9n le: jar 'd^spjuts a: a'said,
M.at 'smjifist far 2fAuks ta *t/aid
far Avat waz dyn bi'fo:r Sam :
3lat Aqg an 'to:q a: a'gri:,
AVKJ an 'to:q, Aqg an 'to:r{,
Aqg an 'to:r{ a: a'gri:,
ta drap Sar ^g-mtg-'moiram ;
3lat Aijg an xto:rj a: a'gri:
ta spsn Sa n^xt w^ mjrB an gli:,
an a/iirfa s^rj alarj w^ mi:
Sa ril o tAlax'goiram.
o tAlax'gorramz mai di'lait,
{b 4gairz AS a: {n en ju'nait,
an 2/onj sAmf dat kips a spait,
^n 2/konJans a aVhoir am :
far blai0 an 't/iiri wil bi a:,
blai8 an 't/iiri, blai0 an 'tjiiri,
blaiO an 't/iiri wil bi a:,
an mak a 'hapt "kwoiram,
far blai9 an 't/iiri wil bi a:
az lat) az wi he 4bre0 ta dra:,
an dans tj:l wi bi laik ta fa:
Sa ril o tAlax'goiram.
Avat nidz Sar bi se: gret a fre:z
wi 'drjipn dAl 'italjan leiz,
a 'wadna gi: 5ur e:n straG'speiz
far ha:f a 'hAner skoir o Sam :
1 gis 2 o 3 a, e 4 e 5 wp*, war, wAr
* Both words might be pronounced with diphthong Ai in
N.E. Sc., making a perfect rhyme.
28—2
436 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
They're dowf and dowie at the best,
Dowf and dowie, dowf and dowie,
Dowf and dowie at the best,
Wi' a' their variorum ;
They're dowf and dowie at the best,
Their allegros and a' the rest,
They canna' please a Scottish taste
Compar'd wi' Tullochgorum,
Let warldly worms their minds oppress
Wi' fears o' want and double cess,
And sullen sots themsells distress
Wi' keeping up decorum :
Shall we sae sour and sulky sit,
Sour and sulky, sour and sulky,
Sour and sulky shall we sit
Like old philosophorum !
Shall we sae sour and sulky sit,
Wi' neither sense, nor mirth, nor wit,
Nor ever try to shake a fit
To th' Reel o' Tullochgorum ?
May choicest blessings ay attend
Each honest, open hearted friend,
And calm and quiet be his end,
And a' that's good watch o'er him ;
May peace and plenty be his lot,
Peace and plenty, peace and plenty,
Peace and plenty be his lot,
And dainties a great store o' them ;
May peace and plenty be his lot,
Unstain'd by any vicious spot,
And may he never want a groat,
That's fond o' Tullochgorum !
But for the sullen frumpish fool,
That loves to be oppression's tool,
May envy gnaw his rotten soul,
And discontent devour him ;
BALLADS AND SONGS 437
Ser cUuf an 'dAui at Sa best,
cUuf an 'dAui, dAuf an 'dAui,
dAuf an 'dAui at Sa best,
w[ ct: Sar van'o:ram ;
Ser dAuf an 'dAui at Sa best,
Sar cile'gro:z an a: Sa rest,
Se: 'kanna pliiz a 'skotij test
kampe:rt wj: tAlax'go:ram.
Mat 2'waryi| wArmz Sar maindz a'pres
w^ fiirz o 5want an dubl ses,
an "sAlan sots Sam'sslz dfstrss
wj 'kipan Ap de'koiram ;
Jal wi: se suir an 'sAlki s^t,
su:r an 'sAlki, su:r an 'sAlki,
su:r an 'sAlki Jal wi: s^t
laik o,:\d ^losa'foiram !
Jal wi: se su:r an 'sAlki s^t,
w^ 3/neSar sens, nor nn;r9, nor w^t,
nor 'ivar trcii ta Jak a f^t
ta 5a ril o tAlax'goiram?
me 'tjaisast 'bl^sanz ai a'tenc?
itj 'onast, 'opm 'hertat frenc?,
an ka:m an xkweiat bi h^z enc?,
an a: Sats gyd watj o:r am ;
me 4pis an "plenty bi h^z lot,
4 pis an 'plenty pis an 'plenty
4 pis an 'plenty bi h|z lot,
an 'dent^z a gret stoir o Sam ;
me 4pis an 'plenty bi hjz lot,
Anrste:nd bcii 'en{ 'v^Jas spot,
an me hi 'mvar 5want a grot,
Sats fond o tAlax'goiram.
bat far Sa sAln 'frAmpiJ fyl,
Sat IAVZ ta bi a'prejnz tyl,
me 'envai #nct: h^z i-otn sol,
an 'djskan'tent dfvoir am ;
xa, e 2a: 3e: 4e 5i, A
438 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
May dool and sorrow be his chance,
Dool and sorrow, dool and sorrow,
Dool and sorrow be his chance,
And nane say, wae's me for him !
May dool and sorrow be his chance,
Wi' a' the ills that come frae France,
Wha'er he be that winna dance
The Reel o' Tullochgorum.
BALLADS AND SONGS 439
me ldul an 'sora bi: h^z tjans,
1du\ an 'sora, 1dul en 'sora,
1dul an 'sora bi: hjz tjans,
an nen^se:, we:z mi for am !
me 1dul an 'sora bi: hj:z tjans,
wi a: Sa ^lz dat kAm fre frans,
hi bi: Sat 2w{nwa dans
ril o tAlax'goiram.
440
XB. THE LAIRD O' COCKPEN
•
LADY NAIRNE (1766-1845).
The Laird o' Cockpen, he's proud and he's great,
His mind is ta'-en up wi' things o' the state ;
He wanted a wife his braw house to keep,
But favour wi' wooin' was fashious to seek.
Doun by the dyke-side a lady did dwell,
At his table heid he thocht she'd look well ;
McCleish's ae dochter o' Claverseha' Lea,
A penny less lass wi' a lang pedigree.
His wig was weel-pouthered, as gude as when new,
His waistcoat was white, his coat it was blue ;
He put <MI a ring, a sword, and cocked hat,
And wha could refuse the Laird wi' a' that ?
He took the grey mare and rade cannily,
And rapped at the yett o' Claverseha' Lea.
" Gae tell Mistress Jean to come speedily ben :
She's wanted to speak wi' the Laird o' Cockpen."
Mistress Jean, she was makin' the elderflower wine:
" And what brings the Laird here at sic a like time ?
She put off her apron and on her silk goun,
Her mutch wi' red ribbons, and gaed awa' doun.
And when she cam' ben, he bowit fu' low ;
And what was his errand, he soon let her know.
Amazed was the Laird when the lady said, Na,
And wi' a laigh curtsie she turned awa'.
Dumfoundered was he, but nae sigh did he gie ;
He mounted his mare and rade cannily,
And aften he thocht as he gaed through the glen,
" She was daft to refuse the Laird o' Cockpen ! "
441
X B. THE LAIRD 0' COCKPEN
LADY NAIRNE (1766-1845).
Sa lerd o ko&'pen, hiz prud en hiz gret,
hj:z mainrf \z te:n Ap w{ G^nz o Sa stet ;
hi x'wantat 9 waif h^z bra: bus ta kip,
bat 'feivar w{ 'wuan waz 'fa/as ta sik.
dun bai Sa daik'said a 'ledi d{d dwsl,
at htz tebl 2hid hi 30oxt Jid luk wel;
ma'kli/az Je:.3/doxtar o 'kle:varzha li:,
a 'penjlas las wj: a lar) pedrYjri:.
hjz w^g waz wil'puSart, az gyd az A\.an njui,
h^z 'wesZkat waz A\.ait, h^z kot {t waz blju: ;
hi pit on a rjr), a suird, an kokt hat,
an 4Ava: kAd rffjfiiz Sa lerd w{ 4a: Sat?
hi tuk Sa gre: mi:r an red "kamlj:,
an rapt at Sa jst o 'kleivarzha li:.
" ge: tsl 'm^stras dgin ta kAm 'spidili ben :
Jiz a/wantat ta spik w| Sa lerd o koA/psn."
'mjstras dgin, Ji waz 'makan 5a 'sldarflur wain :
" an Avat brjrjz Sa lerd hi:r at sjk a laik taim? "
Ji pit, af ar 'epran an on ar s^lk gun,
bar mAtJ w^ 5red 'rjbanz, an ge:d 4a'wa: dun.
an Avan Ji kam ben, hi "buat fu lo: ;
an Avat waz hiz 6i:ranc£, hi 7syn 8let har no:.
a'me:zd waz Sa lerd A\an Sa 'ledi sed, na:,
an w a lex 'kArts i xtArnat Vwa:.
dAm'func^art waz hi, bat ne: s{x d^d hi gi: ;
hi 'muntat hp mi:r an red 'kamli,
an 'afn hi 30oxt az hi ge:d 0ru Sa glen,
" Ji waz daft ta n'f)>:z 'Sa lerd o ko&'pen ! "
5a, i 6e: 7Jyn 8a, a
442
XI B. THE LAND O' THE LEAL
LADY NAIRNE.
I'm wearin' awa', John,
Like snaw-wreaths in thaw, John,
I'm wearin' awa'
To the land o' the leal.
There's nae sorrow there, John ;
There's neither cauld nor care, John ;
The day is aye fair
In the land o' the leal.
Our bonnie bairn's there, John ;
She was baith gude and fair, John ;
And oh ! we grudged her sair
To the land o' the leal.
But sorrow's sel' wears past, John,
And joy's a-coming fast, John,
The joy that's aye to last
In the land o' the leal.
Sae dear that joy was bought, John,
Sae free the battle fought, John,
That sinfu' man e'er brought
To the land o' the leal.
Oh ! dry your glistening e'e, John,
My soul langs to be free, John,
And angels beckon me
To the land o' the leal.
Oh ! haud ye leal and true, John,
Your day it's wearin' through, John,
And I'll welcome you
To the land o' the leal.
Now fare-ye-weel, my ain John,
This warld's cares are vain, John,
We'll meet, and we'll be fain
In the land o' the leal.
443
XI B. THE LAND O' THE LEAL
LADY NAIRNE.
am 1/wi:r0n Vwa:, 3d3on,
laik 2/snairi0s j:a 20a:, 3d3on,
em 1/wiiren Vwa:
ta Sa 4lanc£ o Sa HI.
Sarz ne: 'sora Seir, 3d3on ;
Sarz lAneSar 2ka:ld nor ke:r,
Sa de: iz ai fe:r
pi Sa 4lcin^ o Sa lil.
5ur 3/bon^ 6bernz Se:r,
Ji waz be9 gyd an fe:r, 3
an 01 ! wi grAdgd ar se:r
ta 5a 4lanrf o Sa lil.
bat 'soraz sel 1wi:rz past,
an 7d30iz a 'kAman fast, 3d3on,
Sa 7d3oi Sats ai ta last
pi Sa 4lan^ o Sa lil.
se di:r Sat 7d30i waz 3boxt,
se frii Sa batl 3foxt, 3d3on,
Sat 'smfa man e:r 3broxt
ta Sa 4lanc? o Sa lil.
o: ! drai jar 'gl^snan i:, 3d3on,
mai sol laijz ta bi fri:, 3d3on,
an /end3|lz 'bskan mi:
ta Sa 4lanrf o Sa lil.
o: ! 24had ji lil an tru:, 3d3on,
jar de: its 1/wi:ran 0ru:, 3d3on,
an a:l 'wslkAm ju:
ta Sa 4land o Sa lil.
nu: 'fe.'r'ji'wil, ma e:n 3d3on,
Sjs 4warlc?z ke:rz ar vem,
wil mit, an wil bi fe:n
n Sa 4lan<i o Sa lil.
5 wjr, war, wAr
444
XII B. THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST
JEAN ELLIOT (1727-1805).
I've heard the lilting at our yowe-mi Iking,
Lasses a-lil ting, before the dawn of day ;
But now they are moaning, on ilka green loaning ;
The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away.
At buchts, in the morning, nae blithe lads are scorning, _
The lasses are lanely and dowie and wae ;
Nae daffin, nae gabbin', but sighing and sabbing,
Ilk ane lifts her leglin, and hies her away.
In hairst, at the shearing, nae youths now are jeering,
The bandsters are lyart, and runkled, and gray ;
At fair or at preaching, nae wooing, nae fleeching —
The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away.
At e'en, in the gloaming, nae swankies are roaming,
'Bout stacks wi' the lasses at bogle to play ;
But ilk ane sits drearie, lamenting her dearie —
The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away.
Dool and wae for the order sent our lads to the Border !
The English, for ance, by guile wan the day ;
The Flowers of the Forest, that fought aye the foremost,
The prime of our land, lie cauld in the clay.
We'll hear nae mair lilting at our yowe-milking,
Women and bairns are heartless and wae ;
Sighing and moaning on ilka green loaning —
The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away.
445
XII B. THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST
JEAN ELLIOT (1727-1805).
CLV xhard Se 'Ijltan et ur JAn'
'lasez e'lilten, bi'foir 5e dam o de: ;
bet nu: Se er 'mo:nen, on '{Ike grin 'loman ;
Se fluirz o Sa 'forest ar 2ct: wid e'we:.
at bAxts, {n 5a 3/mornan, ne blaiB ladz ar 3'skornen,
Sa 'lasez ar 'lenlj: an 'dAin an we: ;
ne: 'dofan, ne: 'gaben, bat 's^xan an 'saban,
{Ik 6en l^fts ar 'Isglp, an hcuz bar a'we:.
pi 1herst, at Sa 'Jiiran, ne: 4ju6s nu: ar ^iiran,
Sa 5/banc?starz ar 'laiart, y. rAnklt, an gre: ;
at feir or at 'pritjan, ne: 'wuan, ne: 'flit/an —
Sa flu:rz o Sa 'forest ar 2a: wid a'we:.
et i:n, ^n Se 'gloman, ne: 'swankiz ar 'romen,
but staks w{ Sa 'lasez et bogl te pie: ;
bet {Ik 6en sjts 'dri:ri, la'msnten her 7di:ri —
Se fln:rz o 5e 'forest er 2a: wid e'we:.
dul en we: fer Se order sent 7ur ladz ta Sa 'bordar !
Se 'irjlij, fer 8ens, b{ geil wan 6a de: ;
Se flu:rz o Sa 'forest, Set 3foxt ei Se 'fo:rmest,
Se preim o ar 5land, lai 2ka:lc? p Se kle:.
wil hi:r ne: me:r 'lijten at u:r JAu'm^lkan,
'wimen en xbernz ar 'hsrtlas en we: ;
'sjxen en 'momen on '].lke grin 'lomen —
Se flu:rz o Se 'forest er 2a: wid e'we:.
7wer, wAr, wir 8jms
446
XIII B. AULD EOBIN GRAY
LADY ANNE BARNAKD (1750-1825).
When the sheep are in the fauld, when the kye's come hame,
And a' the weary warld to rest are gane,
The waes o' my heart fa' in showers frae my ee,
Unkent by my guidman, wha sleeps sound by me.
Young Jamie lo'ed me weel, and sought me for his bride,
But saving ae crown-piece he had naething beside ;
To make the crown a pound my Jamie gaed to sea,
And the crown and the pound — they were baith for me.
He hadna been gane a twelvemonth and a day,
When my father broke his arm and the cow was stown away ;
My mither she fell sick — my Jamie was at sea,
And auld Robin Gray came a-courting me.
My father couldna wark — my mother couldna spin —
I toiled day and night, but their bread I couldna win ;
Auld Rob maintained them baith, and wi tears in his ee,
Said : " Jeanie, O for their sakes, will ye no marry me ? "
My heart it said na, and I looked for Jamie back,
But hard blew the winds, and his ship was a wrack,
His ship was a wrack — why didna Jamie dee, ,.
Or why am I spared to cry wae is me ?
My father urged me sair — my mither didna speak,
But she looked in my face till my heart was like to break ;
They gied him my hand — my heart was in the sea —
And so Robin Gray he was guidman to me.
I hadna been his wife a week but only four,
When, mournfu' as I sat on the stane at my door,
I saw my Jamie's ghaist, for I couldna think it he,
Till he said : " I'm come hame, love, to marry thee ! "
447
XIII B. AULD EOBIN GRAY
LADY ANNE BARNAED (1750-1825).
Avan Sa Jip ar m Sa l failed, Avan Sa kaiz kAm hem,
an l Cbi Sa 'wi:ri 2warlc£ to rest ar 3gen,
Sa we:z o ma hert 1fa: pi 'Juarz fre ma i:,
An'kent b{ ma gyd'man, 1A\.a: slips sund bai mi:.
JAT) 'dgimi luid mi wil, an 4soxt mi far \z braid,
bat 'se:van je: 'krunpis hi had 'neSjij bi'said;
ta mak Sa krun a pAuncZ ma 'dsimi ge:d ta si:,
en Sa krun an Sa pAunc^ — Se war be0 far mi:.
hi 'hadna bin 3gen a "twalmAnS an a de:,
Man ma 3/feSar brak hjz 5erm an Sa ku: waz rstAuan a'we: ;
ma 'miSar Ji fsl sik — ma 'dgimi waz at si:,
an 1Q1:\d 'robin gre: kam a'kurtan mi:.
ma 3/feSar 'kAdna wark — ma 'miSar "kAdna spm —
a tailt de: an mxt, bat Sar brid a 'kAdna wpi ;
1a:lcZ rob man'tent Sam be0, an w{ ti:rz m hjz i:,
ssd: <c/d3ini, o: far Se:r seks, w^l ji: no 5/msr{ mi:?"
ma hert jt ssd na:, an a lukt far 'dgimi bak,
bat ha:rd blu: Sa 6wpc?z, an h^z Jip waz a rak,
h^z J^p waz a rak — Aiai "d^dna 'dgimi di:,
or Avai am ai spe:rt ta krai we: \z mi: ?
ma 3/feSar Ardgd mi se:r — ma 'miSar 'd^dna spik,
bat Ji lukt pi ma fes til ma hert waz laik ta brek ;
Se gi:d hj:m ma 2hanc? — ma hert waz pi Sa si: —
an so: 'robm gre: hi waz gyd'man ta mi:.
a 7hadna bin h^z waif a wik bat 'onlj: fo:r,
Avan, 'mArnfa az a sat on Sa sten at ma do:r,
a 1sa: ma 'dgimiz gest, far a xkAdna 8mk {t hi:,
til hi ssd: "am kAm hem, IAV, ta 5/meq Si: !"
448
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
Oh, sair sair did we greet, and mickle say of a',
I gied him ae kiss, and bade him gang awa' —
I wish that I were dead, but I'm nae like to dee,
For, though my heart is broken, I'm but young, wae is me !
I gang like a ghaist, and I carena much to spin,
I daurna think o' Jamie, for that wad be a sin,
But I'll do my best a gude wife to be,
For, oh ! Robin Gray, he is kind to me.
BALLADS AND SONGS 449
o:, se:r se:r djd wi grit, an m^kl se: av 1a:,
8 gi:d him e: kps, an bad hmi garj Vwa: —
8 2wA/ Sat 8 war did, b8t 8m ne: laik t8 di:,
ibr, 0o ma hert \z 'broken, 8m bat JATJ, we: \z mi: 1
8 gat) taik 8 gest, an 8 'keirna mAt/ ta spm,
a 1/da:rna 0mk o 'dgimi, far Sat 3wad bi a sin>
bat a:l d0: ma best a gyd waif ta bi:,
far, o: ! 'robm gre:, hi \z kaind ta mi:.
G. 29
450
XIV B. LOGIE O' BUCHAN
GEORGE HALKET? (died 1756).
0 Logie o' Buchan, O Logie the laird,
They hae ta'en awa' Jamie, that delved i' the yard,
Wha play'd on the pipe, and the viol sae sma',
They hae ta'en awa' Jamie, the flower o' them a'.
He said, " Thinkna lang, lassie, tho' I gang awa' " ,
He said, " Thinkna lang, lassie, tho' I gang awa' " ;
The simmer is comin', cauld winter's awa',
And I'll come and see thee in spite o' them a'.
Tho' Sandy has ousen, has gear, and has kye,
A house, and a hadden; and siller forbye,
Yet I'd tak my ain lad, wi' his staff in his hand,
Before I'd hae him wi' his houses and land.
My daddy looks sulky, my minnie looks sour,
They frown upon Jamie because he is poor ;
*Tho' I lo'e them as weel as a daughter should do,
They're nae half sae dear to me, Jamie, as you.
1 sit on my creepie, I spin at my wheel,
And think on the laddie that lo'es me sae weel ;
He had but ae saxpence, he brak it in twa,
And gied me the half o't when he gaed awa'.
Then haste ye back, Jamie, and bidena awa',
Then haste ye back, Jamie, and bidena awa',
The simmer is comin', cauld winter's awa',
And ye'll come, and see me in spite o' them a'.
* Another version runs :
But daddy and minny altho' that they be,
There's nane of them a' like my Jamie to me.
451
XIV B. LOGIE O" BUCHAN
GEORGE HALKET ? (died 1756).
o: 'logi o 'bAxan, o: 'logi Sa lerd,
Se he tem a'wa: ^imi, Sat delt { Sa jerd,
Ava pleid on Sa paip, an Sa 'vaiol se: sma:,
Se he: tem a'wa: 'dgimi, Sa flu:r o Sam a:.
hi sed, "'Bmkna Ian, 'las{, eo a gar) aVa: ";
hi sed, " 'e^rjkna Ian, xlas{, 0o a gar) a'wa: " ;
Sa 'simar jz 'kAman, ka:l lxwmtarz a'wa:,
an al kAm an si: Si p spait o Sam a:.
0o 'sandi haz xAusan, h^z gi:r, an haz kai,
a bus, an a 'hadan, an 's^lar far'bai,
jet a:d tak ma e:n lad, w{ h^z staf p hjz 2hand,
bi'fo^ ad he h^m wj h^z 'husaz an 2land
ma 'dadi luks 'sAlkj, ma 'minj: luks su:r,
Se frun a'pon 'dgimi bi'ka:z hi j;z pu:r ;
*0o a hi: Sam az wil az a 3/doxtar 4/ud 5du:,
Ser ne: ha:f se di:r ta.mi, 'dgimi, az 5ju:.
a s{t on ma 'kri:pi, a spm at ma Mil,
an 0{T)k on Sa 'ladi Sat lu:z mi se: wil ;
hi had bat e: 'sakspans, hi brak {t p twa:,
an gi:d mi Sa ha:f ot Avan hi ge:d a'wa:.
San hist ji bak, 'dgimi, an 'baidna a'wa:,
San hist ji bak, 'dgimi, an 'baidna a'wa:,
Sa 'simar \z 'kAman, ka:lc? 1/wmt9rz a'wa:,
an jil kAm an si: mi m spait o Sam a:.
1 A, i 2 a: 3 o 4 sAd 5 i, Northern rhyme
* Another version runs :
bat 'dadi an 'min^ al'0o Sat Se biz,
Sarz nen o Sam a: laik ma 'dgimi ta mi:.
29—2
452
XV B. AULD LANG SYNE
BURNS.
Chorus.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne !
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind ? L.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne ?
And surely yell be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne !
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander/d monie a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne !
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne !
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne !
453
XV B. AULD LANG SYNE
BURNS.
Chorus.
far lo>:\d larj sain, ma dir,
far la:\d larj sain,
wil tak a kAp o' 'kaindnas jet)
far la,i[d larj sain !
2Jud lQ,:\d a'kwantans bi far'got,
an 'mvar 3broxt ta main?
2/ud lo,i\d a'kwantans bi far'got,
an laild larj sain ?
an 'J0rl{ ji:l bi ju:r paint'stAup,
an 'J0rl{ a:l bi main,
an wil tak a kAp o 'kaincfaas jst
far lQ>:\d IQT) sain !
wi xtwa: he rAn a'but Sa breiz,
an 4pu:d Sa 'gAuanz fain,
bAt wiv 4/wanc?ard 5/mom a 'wi:ri
sm lai\d larj sain !
wi Hwa: he pedlt pi Sa bArn
fre 3/mornan 8sm t^l dain,
bAt si:z bi/twin AS bred he 4ro:rd
sp 1a:y larj sain !
an Se:rz a 6hanc?, ma 'trAst^ fi:r,
an 7gi:z a 6hand o Sain,
an wil tak a rj:xt gyd^w^i xwa:xt
far 1a:lc? lar) sain !
1 g: 2 sAd 3 o 4 1 5 A, a, o 6 a: 7 gis
454
XVIB. 1A MAN'S A MAN FOE A' THAT
BURNS.
Is there, for honest poverty,
That Jiings his head, an' a that?
The coward slave, we pass him by —
We dare be poor for a' that !
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toil's obscure, and a' that, •,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that;
What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddih grey, an' a' that ?
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine —
A man's a man for a' that I
For a' that, and a' that, .
Their tinsel show, an' a' that ;
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that !
Ye see yon birkie, ca'd " a lord,"
Wha struts, and stares, an' a' that ;
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a cuif for>a' that:
For a' that, and a' that,
His ribband, star, and a' that,
The man of independent mind,
He looks and laughs at a' that !
A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an' a' that ;
But an honest man's aboon his might —
Quid faith he mauna fa' that !
455
XVI B. A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT
BUKNS.
iz Sar, far 'onast 'poverty
Sat h{nz iz 1hed, an 2a: Sat?
Sa 'kuard sleiv, wi pas hmi bai- —
wi 2da:r bi p0:r far 2a: Sat !
far 2a: Sat, an 2a: Sat,
3ar tailz ab'skj0:r, an 2a: Sat,
Sa rank \z bAt Sa 'giniz stamp,
Sa manz Sa gAud far 2 a: Sat.
Avat 0o on 'hemlj: feir wi dain,
wiir hodn gre:, an 2a: Sat?
gi: fylz Sar s{lks, an ne:vz Sar wain —
a manz a man far 2a: Sat !
far 2a: Sat, an 2a: Sat,
Sar 'tmsal Jo:, an 2a: Sat ;
Sa 'onast man, 0o eir se p0:r,
iz kirj o men far 2a: Sat !
ji si: jon 'b^rkj, 2ka:d "a lord,"
2Ava: strAts, an ste:rz, an 2a: Sat ;
9o 7hAnc?arz 'wAr/ip at h^z wArd,
hi:z bat a kyf far 2a: Sat :
far 2a: Sat, an 2a: Sat,
h{z 'r^ban, sta:r, an 2a: Sat,
Sa man o mdi'psndant mainc?,
hi luks an 4laxs at 2a: Sat !
a prjns kan mak a 'bsltat n^xt,
a "markwis, djuk, an 2a: Sat;
bAt an 'onast manz a'byn hjz mjxt —
gyd fe0 hi 'manwe 2fa: Sat !
w[r, war, wAr 4a:
456 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
For a' that, and a' that,
Their dignities, an' a' that,
The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth,
Are higher rank than a' that.
Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a' that)
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
May bear the gree, an' a' that !
For a' that, and a' that,
It's comin' yet, for a' that,
That man to man, the world o'er,
Shall brithers be for a' that !
BALLADS AND SONGS 457
far xa: Sat, an*1 a: Sat,
Sar 'dtgnit^z, an 1a: Sat,
Sa pj:8 o sens, an praid o 2w;r6,
ar haiar rarjk San 1a: Sat.
San 3lst AS pre: Sat kAm ^t me:,
(az kAm $ 2w{l far 1a: Sat)
Sat sens an wp-6, Aur 1a: Sa j^r6,
Jal be:r Sa gri:, an 1o: Sat !
far 1a: Sat, an xa: Sat,
its 'kAman jst, far xa: Sat,
Sat man ta man. Sa 4warlc? Aur,
Jal 'bnSarz bi far la: Sat !
3a, a 4a:
458
XVII B. DUNCAN GRAY
BURNS.
Duncan Gray Cam-here to woo,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !)
On blithe Yule night when we were fou,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !)
Maggie coost her head fu' high,
Looked asklent and unco skeigh,
Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh —
Ha, ha, the wooing o't !
Duncan fleech'd and Duncan pray'd,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !)
Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !) .
Duncan sigh'd baith" out and in,
Grat his een baith bleer't an' blin',
Spak' o' lowpin o'er a linn —
Ha, ha, the wooing o't !
Time and chance are but a. tide,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !)
Slighted love is sair to bide,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !)
" Shall I, like a fool," quoth he,
" For a haughty hizzie die ?
She may gae — to France for me ! " —
Ha, ha, the wooing o't !
How it comes, let doctors tell,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !)
Meg grew sick, as he grew hale,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !)
Something in her bosom wrings,
For relief a sigh she brings ;
And O, her een they spak sic things ! —
Ha, ha, the wooing o't !
Duncan was a lad o' grace,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't 3)
Maggie's was a piteous case,
(Ha, ha, the wooing o't !)
Duncan could na be her death,
Swelling pi ty smoor'd his wrath ;
Now they're crouse and canty baith —
Ha, ha, the wooing o't !
459
XVII B. DUNCAN GRAY
'dArjkan gre: kam hi:r ta wai,
on blaiO jyl n^xt AVan wi war fu:,
'magi kyst bar 1hed fu hix,
lukt a'sklsnt an 'Anka skix,
2ga:rt p0:r 'dArjkan 3 stanch a'bix —
ha:, ha:,- Sa ^'ueri ot !
'dATjkan flit/t n 'dATjkan pre:d,
meg waz dif az 'elsa kreg^
'dAnkan 4spct be0 ut ^i p,
grat \z in be0 blirt n bl^n,
spak o 'Uupan Aur a l|n —
bar, ha:, Sa w'uan ot I
taim an t Jans ar bAt a taid,
'sl^xtat IAV \z se:r ta baidv
" Jal ai, laik a fyl" two hi: ,
" for a 5'ha:t^ 'h^zi dii? </,.."
Ji: me ge:— ta frans far mi: ! "-
ha:, ha:, tte ^uan ot !
hu: ^t kAmz, 6lst 'doktarz tel,
meg gru: sik, az hi: gru: hel,
'sAm0jr) in bar bu:zm wrjnz,
for rflif a 4s^x Ji brmz ;
an o:, bar in Se spak s{k 0p]z ! —
ha:, ha:, tSa w'uaii ot !
'dAnkan waz a 3lad o gres,
'magiz waz a 'pitjas kes,
'dATjkan 'kAdna bi: bar de0,
'swelan 'piti sm0:rd h^z *re0 ;
nu: Se:r krus an 'kanti be0 —
ha:, ha:, Sa w'uan ot !
1 i 2 e 3 a: 4 sai, more common now. 5 g: 6 a, a
* Older wre0, cf. Cursor Mundi, c. 1300 :
" 0 chastite has lichur leth,
On charite ai werrais wreth"
460
XVIII B. JOHN ANDERSON, MY JO
BURNS.
John Anderson, my jo, John,
When we were first acquent;
Your locks were like the raven,
Your borne brow was brent;
But now your brow is beld, John,
Your locks are like the snaw;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson, my jo !
John Anderson, my jo, John,
We clamb the hill thegither ;
And monie a can tie day, John,
We've had wi' ane anither :
Now we maun totter down, John,
And hand in hand we'll go ;
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson, my jo !
401
XVIII B. JOHN ANDERSON, MY JO
BURNS.
Mgon 'ancforsan, ma dgo:,
Avan wi war 2fjrst a'kwent;
jar loks war laik Sa 're:vn,
jar lrbon{ bru: waz brent ;
bat mi: jar bru: \z 3beld,
jar loks ar laik 5a sng: ;
bat 'bl^sanz on jar l 'frosty pAu,
MS on 'cincfersan, ma dgo: !
1d3on 'anrfarsan, ma dgo:,
wi klam Sa hjl Sa'giSar ;
an 4/mon{ a 'kanti de:,
wi:v had w{ 5en a'niSar :
nu: wi man xtotar dun, 1d3on,
an 6hand m 6hanc? wil go: ;
an slip Sa'giSar at Sa f[t,
'an^arsan, ma
3belt 4a, A, o 5jp 6a:
462
XIX B. THEKE WAS A LAD WAS BORN
IN KYLE
BURNS.
Chorus.
Robin was a rovin boy,
A rantin, rovin, rantin rovin,
Robin was a rovin boy,
Rantin, rovin Robin.
There was a lad was born in Kvle,
But whatna day o' whatna style,
I doubt it's hardly worth the while
To be sae nice wi' Robin.
Our monarch's hindmost year but ane
Was five-and-twenty days begun,
'Twas then a blast o' Janwar' win'
Blew hansel in on Robin.
The gossip keekit in his loof;
Quo' scho : — wha lives will see the proof,
This waly boy will be nae coof :
I think we'll ca' him Robin.
He'll hae misfortunes great and sma',
But aye a heart aboon them a' ;
He'll be a credit till us a',
We'll a' be proud o' Robin !
But sure as three times three mak' nine,
I see by ilka score and line,
This chap will dearly like our kin',
So leeze me on thee, Robin.
463
XIX B. THERE WAS A LAD WAS BORN
IN KYLE
BURNS.
Chorus. ,
'robin waz 9 'ro:van 1boi,
a 'rantan, 'ro:van, 'rantan 'ro: van,
'robin waz a 'ro:van 1boi,
'ran tan, 'ro:van 'robni.
Sar waz a 2lad waz 3born pi kail,
bat 'Avatna de: o 'Avatna stall,
a dut ^ts 'harc£l{ wAr9 Sa Avail
ta bi se: nais wj: 'robin.
4ur 'monarks 'hinc^mast iir bat jpi
waz 'faivan'twinti deiz bi'gAn,
twaz San a blast o 'dganwar 5wj:n
blu: 'hansal in on 'robin.
Sa 'gosip 'kikat jn hjz lyf,
kwo J0: — 6Ava: liivz 5w^l si: Sa pryf,
Sjs 6'wa:l{ xboi 5w^l bi nei kyf:
a 0jnk will 6ka: hjm 'robp.
hil he: m{s'fortjanz gret ^ 6sma:.
bat ai a hsrt a'byn ^am 6a: ;
hil bi a 'krsdit t^l AS 6a:,
wi:l 6a: bi prud o 'robni !
bat J0:r az 9ri taimz 0ri: mak nain,
a -si: bai '^Ika sko:r an lain,
S^s 5t/ap w{l 'di:rli[ laik 4ur kain,
se: li:z mi on Si, 'robni.
a: B o 4 wir, wAr, war
464
XX B. WILLIE BREWED A PECK 0' MAUT
BURNS.
Chorus.
We are na fou, we're no that fou,
But just a drappie in our e'e !
The cock may craw, the day may daw,
And aye we'll taste the barley bree.
0, Willie brewed a peck o' maut,
And Rob and Allan cam to pree ;
Three blyther hearts, that lee-lang night,
Ye wad na found in Christendie.
Here are we met, three merry boys,
Three merry boys I trow are we ;
And monie a night we've merry been,
And monie mae we hope to be !
It is .the moon, I ken her horn,
That's blinkin' in the lift sae hie !
She shines sae bright to wyle us hame,
But, by my sooth, she'll wait a wee !
Wha first shall rise to gang awa',
A cuckold, coward loon is he !
Wha first beside his chair shall fa*5,
He is the king amang us three !'
465
XX B. WILLIE BREWED A PECK O' MAUT
BUKNS.
Chorus.
wi a:r na fu:, wir no: Sat fa:,
bat dsyst a 'drapj pi ur i: !
Sa kok ma 1krai, Sa de: me 1da:,
and ai wi:l test Sa 'barlj bri:.
o:, 2/w{l{ bruid a psk o 1moJ:t,
an rob an 'alan kam ta pri: ;
0ri: 'blai0ar herts, Sat 'li:lar) n^xt,
ji 3/wadna f\nd \n 'krjsandi:.
hi:r ar wi met, 6ri: 'men 4boiz,
Sri: 'meq 4boiz a trAu ar wi: ;
an 5/mon{ a n^xt wi:v 'merj: bin,
an 5/moni me: wi hAup ta bi: !
jt iz Sa myn, a ken bar 6horn,
Sats 'blmkan m Sa l|ft se: hi: !
Ji Jainz se: brpt ta wail AS hem,
bAt, bai ma sy0, Jil 7wet a wi: !
xA\.a: 2f[rst Jal raiz ta gat) 1a/wa:,
a 'kAkald, 'kuard lun \z hi: !
JAva: 2f^rst bfsaid hjz 7tje:r Jal 1fa:,
hi: JZ Sa kir) a'mat) AS 6ri: !
3 A, i 4 01 5 A, o, a 6 o 7 ai
30
466
XXI B. OF A' THE AIRTS THE WIND
CAN BLAW
BUBNS.
I.
Of a' the airts the wind can blaw
I dearly like the west,
For there the bonie lassie lives,
The lassie I loe best.
There's wild woods grow, and rivers row,
And monie a hill between,
But day and night my fancy's flight
Is ever wi' my Jean.
II.
I see her in the dewy flowers —
I see her sweet and fair.
I hear her in the tunefu' birds —
I hear her charm the air.
There's not a bonie flower that springs
By fountain, shaw, or green,
There's not a bonie bird that sings,
But minds me o' my Jean.
467
XXI B. OF A' THE AIRTS THE WIND
CAN BLAW
BURNS.
I.
o la: Sa 2erts Sa 3wpi kan 1bla:
a 'di:rlt laik Sa west,
for Seir Sa 4/bon{ 'last li:vz,
Sa 'last a lu: best.
Seirz waild 3w^dz grAu, an ^varz TAU,
an 5/mon{ a h{l bftwin,
bat de: an npct ma 'fans^z flpt
\z 'ivar w^ ma dgin.
II.
a si: har jn Sa xdjui fluirz —
a si: har swit an fe:r.
a hi:r har p Sa 'tjynfa bjrdz—
a hi:r har t/arm Sa e:r.
Sarz not a 4/bon{ flu:r Sat spr^rjz
bi xfAuntan, ^a:, or grin,
Sarz not a 4/bonj b^rd Sat SJTJZ,
bat mainc^z mi o ma dgin.
5o, A, a
30—2
468
XXII B. WAE'S ME FOR PEINCE CHAELIE
WILLIAM GLEN (1789-1826).
A wee bird cam' to our ha' door,
He warbled sweet and clearly,
An' aye the owre-come o' his sang
Was, " Wae's me for Prince Charlie ! "
Oh ! when I heard the bonnie, bonnie bird,
The tears cam' drappin* rarely,
I took my bonnet aff my head,
For weel I lo'ed Prince Charlie !
Quoth I, " My bird, my bonnie, bonnie bird,
Is that a sang ye borrow ;
Or is't some words ye've learnt by heart,
Or a lilt o' dool an' sorrow? "
" Oh ! no, no, no," the wee bird sang,
" I've flown sin' mornin' early ;
But sic a day o' wind an' rain —
Oh ! wae's me for Prince Charlie !
" On hills that are by right his ain,
He roves 'a lanely stranger,
On ilka hand he's press'd by want,
On ilka side is danger.
Yestreen I met him in a glen,
My heart maist burstit fairly,
For sadly changed indeed was he —
Oh ! wae's me for Prince Charlie !
" Dark night cam on, the tempest roar'd,
Oot owre the hills an' valleys,
An' whar was't that your Prince lay down,
Whase hame should been a palace ?
469
XXII B. WAE'S ME FOR PRINCE CHARLIE
WILLIAM GLEN (1789-1826).
a wi: 1b[rd kam to u:r 2h(i: do:r,
hi warblt swit en 'kliirl^,
an ei $9 'AurkAm o hjz sar)
W9z, " we:z mi for prms 'tjeirlf ! "
o: ! A\an 9 3hard $9 4/bon{, 4/bon^ bn-d,
89 ti:rz kam 'drap9n 're:rl{,
a tuk m9 'bon9t af m9 5hid,
for wil 9 lu:d prms 't/e:rl{ !
kwod ai, " m9 1b^rd, m9 4/boni, 4/bon{
{z Sat 9 sat) ji 'boro ;
or i$t sAm wArdz jiv Isrnt b{ hert,
or 9 l^lt o 6dul 9n 'soro ? "
"o: ! no:, no:, no:," S9 wi: xb{rd san?
" av flAun sp 4/morn9n 'e:rl{ ;
b9t s\k 9 de: o lvf\nd 9n ren —
o: ! we:z mi for pqns 'c/eirlj !
" on hjlz S9t a:r bj rjxt h^z e:n,
hi ro:vz 9 xlenl{ 7/strend39r,
on Xilk9 hand hiz prest bj: want,
on ^Ik9 S9id j:z 7/dend39r.
J9'strin 9 met him pi 9 glsn,
ni9 hsrt rnest xbArst9t 'fe:rl{,
for 'sadlT 7t/end3t p'did W9z hi: —
o: ! we:z mi for prms 't/e.'rlj: 1
" dark np:t kam on, S9 Xtsmp9st ro:rt,
ut Aur S9 h^lz 9n 5/val^z,
9n 2Aia:r west- Sat J9r pr^ns le: dun,
Ave:z hem Jud bin 9 5/palj:s?
470
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
He row'd him in a Highland plaid,
Which cover'd him but sparely,
An' slept beneath a bush o' broom —
Oh ! wae's me for Prince Charlie ! "
But now the bird saw some red coats,
An' he shook his wings wi' anger,
" Oh ! this is no a land for me ;
I'll tarry here nae langer ! "
A while he hover'd on thawing
Ere he departed fairly,
But weel I mind the fare weel strain
Was, " Wae's me for Prince Charlie ! "
BALLADS AND SONGS 471
hi rAud hmi jn a 'hilancZ pled,
AvitJ 'kAvart h^m bat 'speirlj,
an slept 1bi/ni9 a bAs o brym —
o: ! weiz mi for prms 'tjeirlj: ! "
bat mil Sa 2bird 3sai sAm 4red kots,
an i Jyk h^z wmz wj; 'arjar,
" 01 ! Sjs \z noi a 5lanc? far mil ;
al 'taq hiir ne: "larjar ! "
a Avail hi 'hoivart on Sa w^rj
eir hi 6di/pertat 'feirl^,
bat wil a maind Sa 'feirwil stren
waz, " weiz mi for prms 't/eirlj ! "
le 2A 3gi 4a,i 5ai 6s
472
XXIII B. WHEN THE K YE COMES HAME
JAMES HOGG (1770-1835).
Chorus.
When the kye comes hame,
When the kye comes hame,
'Tween the gloamin and the mirk
When the kye comes hame.
Come all ye jolly shepherds
That whistle through the glen,
I'll tell ye of a secret
That courtiers dinna ken ;
What is the greatest bliss
That the tongue o' man can name?
'Tis to woo a bonnie lassie
When the kye comes hame.
'Tis not beneath the coronet,
Nor canopy of state ;
'Tis not on couch of velvet,
Nor arbour of the great —
'Tis beneath the spreadin' birk,
In the glen without the name,
Wi' a bonnie, bonnie lassie,
When the kye comes hame.
There the blackbird bigs his nest
For the mate he loe's to see,
And on the topmost bough,
Oh, a happy bird is he !
Then he pours his meltin' ditty,
And love is a' the theme,
And he'll woo his bonnie lassie
When the kye comes hame.
473
XXIII B. WHEN THE KYE COMES HAME
JAMES HOGG (1770-1835).
Chorus.
A\an Sa kai kAmz hem,
Aian Sa kai kAmz hem,
twin Sa 'gloman en Sa imrk
A\an Sa kai kAmz hem.
kAm 1a: ji 'dgoh 'Jepardz
Sat 2AYAsl Uru: Sa glen,
al tel ji o a 'sikr^t
Sat 'kurtjarz xdtn??a ksn ;
Avat i% Sa 'gretast bl^s
Sat Sa tAT] o man kan nem?
t^z ta wu: a 3/bon{ "lasj
Avan Sa kai kAmz hem.
t^z not 4bi/ni0 Sa 'koranst,
nor 'kanopt o stet ;
tjz not on kutj o 'velvet,
nor 'arbar QV Sa gret —
t^z 4birni0 Sa 'spredan birk,
m Sa glen wj:'0ut Sa nem,
w^ a 3/bon{, 3/bon{ 'lasi,
Avan Sa kai kAmz hem.
Se;r Sa 'blakbard bigs h^z nest
far Sa met hi lu:z ta si:,
and on Sa 'tapmast bAu,
o:, a 'hap^ b^rd \z hi: !
San hi pu:rz h^z 'meltan '
an IAV iz 1a: Sa 0em,
an hil wu: h^z 3/bon{ 'l
Avan Sa kai kAmz hem.
2i
474 . MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
When the blewart bears a pearl,
And the daisy turns a pea,
And the bonnie lucken-gowan
Has fauldit up her e'e,
Then the laverock frae the blue lift
Drops down, and thinks nae shame
To woo his bonnie lassie
When the kye comes hame.
See yonder pawkie
That lingers, on the hill,
His yowes are in the fauld,
And his lambs are lyin' still,
Yet he downa gang to bed,
For his heart is in a flame
To meet his bonnie lassie
When the kye comes hame.
When the little wee bit heart
Rises high in the breast,
And the little wee bit starn
Rises red in the east,
Oh, there's a joy sae dear
That the heart can hardly frame
Wi' a bonnie, bonnie lassie
When the kye comes hame.
Then since all nature joins
In this love without alloy,
Oh, wha wad prove a traitor
To nature's dearest joy?
Or wha wad choose a crown
Wi' its perils and its fame,
An' miss his bonnie lassie
When the kye comes hame?
BALLADS AND SONGS 475
59 'blu9rt be:rz 9 perl,
en Sa 'de:zi tArnz 9 pi:,
9n 59 l 'boni '1 Aken'g AU9n
hez 2/fa:ldat Ap her i:,
San So 'lavrek fre 59 blu: lift
draps dan, 9n 6rnks ne: Jem
t,9 wu: hiz 1/bon| 'lasi
59 kai kAmz hem.
si: 'jondgr 2/pa:k^ x/£p9rd,
#9t 'l^nerz on S9 hjl,
hpz JAUZ 9r ^n S9 2fa:\d,
9n h^z lamz or Xlai9n st^l,
jet hi 'dAun9 gar) t9 bed,
f9r hjz hsrt \z ^n 9 flem
t9 mifc h^z 1/bon^ 'las^
AV9n S9 kai kAmz hem.
AV9n S9 l{tl \vi: b^t hsrt
3/raiz9z hai ^n S9 brist,
9n S9 l^tl wi: b^b starn
3/raiz9z 4red m So ist,
5
se: di:r
S9t S9 hsrt k9n 'hardly frem
9 1/bonj, ^boni 'last
A\.9n S9 kai kAmz hem.
Ssn sps 2a: rnet9r
m Sis IAV wt'eut 6a/loi,
o:, 2Ava: 6w9d pr0:v 9 X
t9 rnet9rz 'di:r9st
or 2Aia: 6w9d t/0:z 9 krun
wi jts 'psrglz 9n its fern,
9n mis hiz 1/boni 'lasi
AV9n S9 kai kAmz hem?
476
XXIV B. MY LOVE SHE'S BUT A LASSIE YET
JAMES HOGG (1770-1835).
My love she's but a lassie yet,
A lightsome lovely lassie yet;
It scarce wad do
To sit an' woo
Down by the stream sae glassy yet.
But there's a braw time comin' yet,
When we may gang a-roamin' yet,
An' hint wi' glee
O' joys to be,
When fa's the modest gloamin' yet.
She's neither proud nor saucy yet,
She's neither plump nor gaucy yet ;
But just a jinkin',
Bonnie blinkin',
Hilty-skilty lassie yet.
But O her artless smile's mair sweet
Than hinny or than marmalete ;
An' right or wrang,
Ere it be lang,
I'll bring her to a parley yet.
I'm jealous o' what blesses her,
The very breeze that kisses her.
The flowery beds
On which she treads,
Though wae for ane that misses her.
Then 0 to meet my lassie yet,
Up in yon glen sae grassy yet ;
For all I see
Are nought to me
Save her that's but a lassie yet !
477
XXIV B. MY LOVE SHE'S BUT A LASSIE YET
JAMES HOGG (1770-1835).
ma IAV Jiz bAt a 'Icisj jst,
a 'Ijxtsam '!AV!{ 'last jst;
j;t skers xwad du:
ta s^t an wa:
dun bdi Sa strim se 'glasj: jst,
bat Sarz a 2bra: taim 'kAman jst.
A\.an wi me gar) a'roman jst,
an hmt w{ gli:
o 3d3oiz ta bi:,
A^an 2fa:z Sa 'modast 'gloman jst.
Jiz 4'net5ar prud nor 2/sa:si jst,
Jiz 4/neSar pi Amp nor 2/ga:s{ jst ;
bat d3yst a 'd^
'las^ jst.
bat o: har 'srtlas smailz meir swit
San 'hm{ or San 'inormalit ;
an wiixt or
eir it bi Ian,
al br^rj har ta a '
am ^slas o Avat "bl^saz har,
Sa 'vsra briiz Sat 'k^saz har.
Sa 'fluiri bsdz
on AqtJ Ji trsdz,
9o we: far 5en Sat 'mjsaz har.
Ssn o: ta mit ma 'lasj jst,
Ap m jon glsn se 'gras^ jst ;
far 2a: a si:
ar 6noxt ta mi:
seiv har Sats bAt a 'lasi jst !
A 2: 3oi 4e: 5tn 6
478
XXV B. THERE'S NAE LUCK ABOUT
THE HOUSE
ANONYMOUS.
Chorus.
There's nae luck about the house,
There's nae luck ava ;
There's little pleasure in the house
When our gudeman's awa'.
And are ye sure the news is true?
And are ye sure he's weel?
Is this a time to think o' wark?
Ye jauds, fling by your wheel.
Is this a time to think o' wark,
When Colin's at the door?
Eax me my cloak ! I'll to the quay
And see him come ashore.
Rise up and mak a clean fireside,
Put on the muckle pot ;
Gie little Kate her cotton gown,
And Jock his Sunday coat ;
And mak their shoon as black as slaes,
Their hose as white as snaw ;
It's a' to please my ain gudeman,
For he's been lang awa'.
There's twa fat hens upon the bauk,
Been fed this month and mair ;
Mak haste and thraw their necks about,
That Colin weel may fare ;
1And mak the table neat and clean,
Let ev'ry thing look braw ;
For wha can tell how Colin fared
When he was far awa' ?
1 These four lines were add d by William J. Mickle (1734-1788).
479
XXV B. THERE'S NAE LUCK ABOUT
THE HOUSE
ANONYMOUS.
Chorus.
Sarz nei Uk a'but Sa hus,
Sarz ne: Uk 19/vai ;
Sarz ]{tl 2/pli:zar pi 5a hus
Avan uir gyd'manz Vwa:.
and ar ji J0:r Se nju:z \z tru:?
an or ji J0:r hiz wil?
j:z S^s a toim ta O^nk o work?
ji 1d3<i:dz, fl^rj bai J9r Avil.
\z S^s 9 tgim t9 6ink o wark,
Avan 'kolpz at Sa doir?
raks mi ma klok ! al ta 5a ki:
an si: hjm kAm a'Joir.
3raiz Ap an mak a klin 3fair/said,
pjt on Sa mAkl pot ;
gi: l^tl ket bar kotn gun,
an d3ok h^z 'sAnd^ kot ;
an mak Sar Jyn az blak az sleiz,
Sar ho:z az Avait 9z ^^sna: ;
^ts 1Q>: t9 pliiz m9 em gyd'man,
for hi:z bin lar) 1a/wa:.
Sarz 1twa: fat hsnz a'pon Sa 1ba:k,
bin fed S^s mAn8 an me:r ;
mak best an X6rai Sar neks a'but,
Sat 'kolp wil me: feir ;
• an mak Sa tebl nit n klin,
4 let 'ivrj: 0^r) luk xbra: ;
far 1A\.a: kan tel hu: 'kolp fe:rd
hi \vaz 1fa:r 1a'wa: ?
'pleizar ; also with 3 3 ai 4 a, a
480 MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
0 gie me down my bigonet,
My bishop satin gown,
For I maun tell the bailie's wife
That Colin's come to town.
My Sunday's shoon they maun gae on,
My hose o' pearlin bluej
Tis a' to please my ain gudeman,
For he's baith leal and true.
Sae true his words, sae smooth his speech,
His breath's like caller air !
His very foot has music in't
As he comes up the stair.
And will I see his face again?
And will I hear him speak?
I'm downright dizzy wi' the thought —
In troth, I'm like to greet.
1The cauld blasts o' the winter wind,
That thrilled through my heart,
They're a' blawn by ; I hae him safe,
Till death we'll never part.
But what puts parting in my head?
It may be far awa' ;
The present moment is our ain,
The neist we never saw.
2 If Colin's weel, and weel content,
I hae nae mair to crave ;
And gin I live to keep him sae,
I'm blest aboon the lave ;
And will I see his face again,
And will I hear him speak?
I'm downright dizzy wi' the thought —
In troth, I'm like to greet.
This stanza was added by Dr Seattle (1735-1803).
2 The first four lines were added by William J. Mickle.
BALLADS AND SONGS 481
o: gi: mi dun ma 'b^gonst,
me 'bi/ap 'setm gun,
far ai man tsl Sa 1/bailiz waif
Sat 'kolmz kAm ta tun.
ma 'sAndjz Jyn Se: man ge: on,
ma hoiz o 'psrlni blu: ;
i\z 2a: ta pli:z ma em gyd'man,
far hi:z be0 HI an tru:.
se: tru: h^z wArdz, se: smu9 h{z spitf,
h^z 3bri8s laik 'kalar e:r !
h^z 'vsra fffc haz 'm0:zik mt
az hi kAmz Ap Sa steir.
an 4w^l a si: hjz fes a'gen?
an 4wn" a hi:r h^m spik?
am 'dunqxt 'djzi w^ Sa 50oxt —
m tro0, am laik ta grit.
5a 2kaild blasts o Sa 6/wmtar 4wmd,
Sat S^rlt 0ru: ma 7h?rt,
Seiv 2a: 2bla:n bai ; a he: h:mi sef,
t{l de0 wil 7mvar 7psrt.
bat Avat p^ts 7/pertan |n ma 7hid?
it me: bi 2fa:r 2arwa: ;
Sa "prszant "momant \z 8ur e:n,
5a nist wi 'nivar 2sa:.
jf 'kol^nz wil, an wil kan'tsnt,
a he: ne: meir ta kre:v ;
an gm a li:v ta kip hmi se:,
am bl^st a-'byn Sa le:v ;
an 4w^l a si: h^z fes a'gen,
an 4wjl a hi:r hmi spik?
am 'dunrjxt 'djzi w^ Sa 50oxt —
in tro0, am laik ta grit.
'beli, 'belji 2§: 3e, s 4A 5o 6i, A 7e 8w^r, war, wAr
G. 31
482
XXVI B. GLOOMY WINTER'S NOW AW A'
ROBEKT TANNAHILL (1774-1810).
Gloomy winter's now awa',
Saft the westlan' breezes blaw,
'Mang the birks o' Staneley shaw
The mavis sings fu' cheerie, O ;
Sweet the crawflower's early bell
Decks Gleniffer's dewy dell,
Blooming like thy bonnie sel',
My young, my artless dearie, O.
Come, my lassie, let us stray
O'er Glenkilloch's sunny brae,
Blythely spend the gowden day
'Midst joys that never weary, 0.
Tow'ring o'er the Newton wuds,
Lav'rocks fan the snaw-white cluds,
Siller saughs, wi' downy buds,
Adorn the banks sae briery, O ;
Round the silvan fairy nooks
* Feathery breckans fringe the rocks,
'Neath the brae the burnie jouks,
And ilka thing is cheerie, O ;
Trees may bud, and birds may sing,
Flow'rs may bloom, and verdure spring.
Joy to me they canna bring,
Unless wi' thee, my dearie, 0.
483
XXVI B. GLOOMY WINTEK'S NOW AWA'
ROBERT TANNAHILL (1774-1810).
'glumi lxwmtarz nu: 2a'wa:,
saft. Sa 'wastlan 'bri:zaz 2bla:,
mat) Sa bjrks o 'stenl{ 2Ja:
Sa 'me : vis s{T)z fu 't/i:ri, o: ;
swit Sa 2/kra:flu:rz 'erl{ bel
dsks glsn'ifgrz 'djui del,
'blumgn laik Sai 3/bon{ sel,
mai JAT), mai 'srtlas 'diiri, o:.
kAm, mai 'las^, 4let AS stre:
Aur glen'kilaxs 'SADJ bre:,
'bbiSlt spsnc? Sa 'gAuden de:
m^dst 5d3oiz Sat 'nivar 'wiiri, o:.
'tuiran Aur 5a 'njutan wAdz,
lavraks fan Sa 2/snaAiait kUdz,
xs{lar 2sa:xs, wt 'dAun^ bAdz,
a'dorn Sa barjks se 'briaq, o: ;
rund Sa 'silvan 'feir^ nuks
"fsSaq "brskanz frpdg Sa roks,
ne0 5a bre: Sa 'bArn{ dguks,
an x^lka 0jr) ^z "t/irri, o: ;
tri:z me bAd, an bjrdz me sjr),
flu:rz me blym, an 'verdjar sprm.
5dgoi ta mi: Se 'kamza bqrj,
An'lss w{ Si:, ma 'diiri, o:.
g: 3 o 4 a, a 5 01
31—2
484
XXVII B. CASTLES IN THE AIR
JAMES BALLANTINE (1808-1877).
The bonnie, bonnie bairn, wha sits poking in the ase,
Glowerin' in the fire wi' his wee roun' face ;
Lauchin' at the fuffin' lowe, what sees he there?
Ha ! the young dreamer's biggin' castles in the air.
His wee chubby face, and his touzie curly pow,
Are lauchin' and noddin' to the dancin' lowe ;
He'll brown his rosy cheeks, and singe his sunny hair,
Glowerin' at the imps wi' their castles in the air.
He sees muckle castles towerin' to the moon !
He sees little sodgers pu'ing them a' doun !
Worlds whamlin' up and doun, bleezin' wi' a flare,
See how he loups ! as they glimmer in the air.
For a' sae sage he looks, what can the laddie ken?
He's thinkin' upon naething, like mony mighty men ;
A wee thing maks us think, a sma' thing maks us stare,
There are mair folk than him biggin' castles in the air.
Sic a night in winter may weel mak him cauld ;
His chin upon his buffy hand will soon mak him auld ;
His brow is brent sae braid, O pray that Daddy Care
Would let the wean alane wi' his castles in the air !
He'll glower at the fire ; and he'll keek at the light !
But mony sparklin' stars are swallowed up by night;
Aulder een than his are glamoured by a glare,
Hearts are broken, heads are turned, wi' castles in the air.
485
XXVII B. CASTLES IN THE AIR
JAMES BALLANTINE (1808-1877).
5a 1/bonr, 1/bonj 2bern, A\a srts 'pokan p 5a es,
"gUuran p 59 3fair w{ hjz wi: run fes ;
4/lax0n at 5a 'fAfan IAU, Avat si:z hi 5e:r?
ha: ! 5a JATJ 'drirnarz 'tygan kastlz p 5a e:r.
h{z wi: 't/Abi fes, en h^z 'tu:z{ 'kArlj
er 4'laxan an 'nodan ta Sa 'dansan IAU ;
hil brun h{z 'rozi t/iks, an sjrj h^z 'SAHJ he:r,
'gUuran at 5a ^mps w{ Sar kastlz p Sa e:r.
hi si:z mAkl kastlz 'tu:ran ta Sa mun !
hi si:z l^tl 'sodgarz 'puan 5am 5a: dun !
4warlc?z 'Avamlan Ap an dun, xbli:zan w^ a fle:r,
si: hu hi lAups ! az 5e 'gl^mar p 5a e:r.
far 5a: se: sedg hi luks, Mat kan 5a ladi ken?
hiz 'Q^rjkan a'pon 'neStr), laik 8/mon{ 'm{xtj: men ;
a wi: 0{rj maks AS G^nk, a 5sma: 0^r) maks AS ste:r,
Sar ar me:r fAuk San h^m 'b^gan kastlz p 5a e:r.
sik a mxt p 6/wmtar me wil rnak h^m 5ka:ld;
h{z t/p a'pon h^z 'bAfj: 4hanc^ w^l syn mak hpi 5a:lc? ;
h^z bru: iz brent se bred, o pre: Sat 'dadi ke:r
6 wad 7lat 5a we:n a'len w{ h^z kastlz p 5a e:r !
hil gUur at 5a 3fan-; an hil kik at 5a Iptt !
bat 8/mom 'sparklan sta:rz ar 'swalat Ap bi njxt ;
5/a:lc?ar in 5an h^z ar 9/glamard bai a gle:r,
herts ar 'brokan, 10hidz ar tArnt, w{ kastlz p 5a e:r.
2e 3ai 4a: 5£: °A, i 7a, e 8a, o, A
8n. -» A 9f. 10
ALPHABETICAL WOED INDEX TO PAET II
(The numerals refer to paragraphs.)
begude, 69
beheef o', 102
behint, behint-hand, 103,
183
belike, 77
belive, belyve, 71, 160
below, 104
ben, benn, 72, 105
beneath, 106
benmost, 42
benorth, 107
beside, 108
besom, 17
beyond, 110
bias, 180
billie, 16
binna, 58
bit, bittie, 18, 127
bittock, 18, 178
blindlins, 176
blythe of, 127
bodle, boddle, 20
body, bodie, 16, 29
bood, 65
boonmost, 42
boos, boost, 65
boot of, to the, 111
bot, 147
bow, bowe, 19
bowrock, 178
braw and, 45
breeken, 8
breer, breers, 9
buckie, 16
bud, bude, 65
buddy, 16
buist, 65
bunemost, 42, 177
but, buit (vb.), 65
but (prep.), 112
but, butt (adv.), 72, 112
by, bye, 99, 113, 184
bye-ganging, 184
bye-hands, 184
bygane, 184
by-ordinar, 184
byous, 180
by'se, 150
byst, 65
a, 2
around, 96
'a, 59
-art, 164
a-, 159
as, 147, 150
aa, 64
as far as, 95
abeigh, 72
aside, asides, 108, 159
abin, 86
as sune's, 149
ablow, 72, 84, 104, 159
at, 97
aboon, 72, 86
'at, 27, 145 (b)
aboot, about, 85
at ane mae, at ane mair, 74
abune, 72, 86
'at-hoo, 145 (b)
acqueesh, 109
athoot, 143
acquent, 165
athort, 98
ae, 3, 32
ation, 15
aff and on, 128
at no rate, 79
aff o', 128
atower, 99
afore, 71, 101, 149, 159
at the lang lenth, 71
aften, 71
attour, 99
again, agane, agen, 89, 149
atweel, 75 (with footnote)
against, 89
atween, atweesh, 109, 159
ahin, ahint, 103, 159, 183
auch, 156
aiblins, 73
aucht, 31, 64
aich, 153
aucht or ocht, 30
aicht, 31
auchteen, 31
aifter, 88, 149
auchty, 31
aince, 71
auld, 44
ainsel, 24
ava, 83, 127
air, 71
aw (I), 21
aither, 145
awa, 82
a'kin, 38
awe, 64
alang, 90
aweel, 75 (with footnote),
a-lenth, 90
157
allenarly, 74
ay, 78
along, 90
aye, 71
amaist, 74
ayont, 110, 159
amang, 91
amna, amnin, 58
b', 113
amo', arnon', among, 91
back or fore, 73
an, 148
bairn, 15
an', 145
baith, 145
an a', 74
bannock, 178
ance, anes, 71, 149
baudrins, baudrons, 158
-an(d), 49
bawbee, 20
ane, 1, 29, 31
bawty, 158
aneath, 92, 106, 159
be-, 160
anent, 93
beed, beet, 65
ane's errand, 74
beflum, 160
aneth, 92, 106
begood, 69
antrant, antrin, 39
begouth, 69
apiece, 4
begowk, begunk, 160
488
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
cairn, 18
doon-with, 187
forby, forbye, 117
callan, callant, 16
dought, 54
fore, 188
cam-, 185
dow, 54
fore-end, 161
camseuch, 185
downa do, 54
foregather, forgedder, 161
camsteary, camstrairy, 185
downcome, 187
forenenst, 119
canna, 52, 61
dozen't, 156
forenicht, 161
car, carr, 9
drap, drappie, 18, 127
forfain, 161
carle, carlie, 16
du, 22
forfecht, forfeuchan, 161
carlin, carline, 17
dune, 74
foment, foranent, 119
cast oot, 131
duv, 53
forpet, forpit, 19
cast up, 139
forrit, 72
catch them, 152
easel, 166
forwandered, 161
cauldrife, 182
edder, 147
four hours, 33
caur, 9
eemest, 42
foursome, 33
'cause, 146
een, 8
fower, 31
cep, 'cep, 115, 148
e-fther, efter, 71, 88, 149
fowerteen, 31
'ceptna, 107, 115
-el, 166
fra, frae, 118, 131
chalder, 19
eleeven, 31
fraat, 116
chappie, 16
erne, 15
freely, 74
chappin, 19
-en, Ch. V, App. B, 167
frithat, 116
cheelie, 16
endlang, 176
fu', 74
chiel, chielie, 16
-er, 23
-fu', 171
childer, 9
-ern, 167
full, 26
clean, 74
-est, 43
fur, 116, 188
cleik up, 139
-et, 48
fur-afore, 188
come owre, 132
ettle after, 88
fur-ahin, 188
coo, 10
ewest, 72
fyfteen, 31
coof, 16
eyther, 145
fyve, 31
corp, 13
crater, 16
fa, 26, 27
gae-lattin', 67
creatur, creature, 16
fae, 118
gangtherout, 179
crivens, by, 152
faigs, 152
gar, gart, 68
croose o', 127
fair, 74
gate, gait, 189
cry on, 129
fan, 71
gay, 45
cud, cudna, 61
fa' on, 129
ger, 68
cuddie, 158
far, faur, faure, 72
get, gett, 15
cull, 16
farrer, 72
get aboon, 86
curn, 18
fashous, 180
geJ5 geyan, 45, 74
curran, 18
-fast, 170
geyley, 74
cutty, 17
fat, fatten, 26
gif, 148
feck, 18
gill, 19
daar, daur, 63
feckly, 74
gin, 120, 148, 149, 150
'deed, 152
fegs, 152
girzie, 17
deemie, 17
fell (adv.), 74
glimp, 13
deil, 79, 186
fell (vb.), 70
gowpenfu', 18
deil-haet, 79, 186
fell puckle, 18
grainy, 18
dhay, 58
fer, 116
gray mare, grey mear, 15
dhur, 58
ferny ear, 71
gudesire, 15
dinna, 52
ferrar, 72
guidman, 15
div, divna, divnin, 53
fieut, 79
guidwife, 15
do, 53, 54
filk, 26
gullock, 178
docht, 54
fine, 74
gutcher, 15
doit, 20
firlot, 19
gweeshteens, 154
dooms, 74
foo, 73
gye an', 45, 74
doon, doun, down, 106, 114,
for (adv.), 72
178, 187
for (prep.), 116
hae, 59, 151
doon-laid, 187
for-, fore-, 161
haed, 59
doon-sittin, 187
for a', for a' as, 147
haen, 59
doon the water, 187
for a' that, 116
haet, 18, 30
doon-throu', 135, 187
forbear, 161
haill on, 74
WORD INDEX TO PART II
489
ban', 74
intown, intoon, 190
mebbe, 77
hantle, 18
ir, 58
megsty-me, 154
hard upon, 121
I'se, 57
meikle, 41
baud oot, 131
-it, 48
meiosis, 80
haw, 151
ither, 37, 73
merk, 20
hawkie, 158
itlane, 25
micht, 60
heap, 18
hech, 154
jaud, 17
mickle, 41
mines, 21
heely, 154
hegh sirs, 153
jilp, 18
John Tamson's man, 15
minnie, 15
mint at, 97
-held, 172
mis-, 162
hempie, 16, 17
kail throu' the reek, 135
mith, mitha, 60
here-awa, 72
kam-, 185
mithnin, 60
here-there, 83
keep me, keep's a', 154
morn, the, 6
hersel', 24
kenning, 18
-most, 177
hesna, hisna, 59
kimmer, 17
muckle, muckler, mucklest,
het, 23
kine, 10
41, 42
hev, 59
kinrick, 181
mun, 62
hey, 151
knave-bairn, 15
mutchkin, 19
hine awa, 72
kneevelick, 18
hinmost, 42
kye, 10
na (adv.), 78
hinna, 59
na (conj.), 150
hinner, 42
lad, 17
-na, 52, Ch. V, App. C
hint, 42
lane, 25
naar, naar-han', 74
hirsle yont, 144
lanesome, 25
nae, 74, 78
hissell, 24
lass, lass-bairn, 15, 17
naebody, 29
hit, 23
lat, latt'n, 67
naegait, naegate, 189
hither and yont, 73
lat-a-bee, 67
nae-the-less, 75
hiz, 21
lat at, lat licht, 67
naething, 30
hizzie, 17
-le, 167
nainsell, 24
hoe, 13
leeful, 25
naither, 145
hoo, 73
leens, 25
naitherans, 147
hooly, 154
leet, 67
naithless, 147
hoot awa, 154
leeze me, 70
nar, 71
hoots, 154
length of, the, 74, 95
natheless, 147
hosen, 8
let abee, 124
near, 126
hotch, 16
let bye, 184
near-ban', 126
hout fie, 154
like, 70, 77, 178
nedderin, 147
hout tout, 154
-like, 175
neist, 71
howsomever, 75
likein, 77
netherins, 147
hunner, 31
limmer, 17
nethmost, 42
hup, 158
-lin, -lins, 73, 176
nevo, nevoy, 15
hus, huz, 21
lippie, 19
neyther, 145
hyne awa, 72
loon, 15
nicht, the, 71
loot, looten, 67
nievefu', 18
1,21
losh, losh-me, 154
nigh-han', 74
ilk, ilka, ilkin, 28, 38
loshtie, 154
-nin, 52
in-, 122, 190
luckie, 15
no, 76, 78, 80
in about, 85, 190
lutten, 67
noo, 6, 72
in bye, 184
noo-tban, 146
income, 190
ma, 21
nor, 145 (&), 150
infare, 190
ma certes, 152
not (adv.), 78
infeedle, 190
mae, 41, 42
not (vb.), 66
infield, 190
mair, 41
note, 20
inlack, inlaik, inlake, 190
mair by token, 75
nouther, 145
inner, 138
maist, 74
now, the, 6
in-owre, 132
maitter o', 18
no-weel, 80
input, 190
matter of, 74
nows and nans, 71
intae, 123
maugre, 125
nowther, 145
intil, intill, intul, 122, 123
maun, 62
nyod, 152
31—5
490
MANUAL OF MODERN SCOTS
o', 127, 129
-r, 9
taupie, tawpie, 16
ochan, 153
rael, 74, 81
tee, 137
och hone, 153
redd out, 131
terrible, 81
ocht or flee, 30
redd up, 139
thae, 35, 36
-ock, 178
richt, 73
that, 27, 36, 74
od, odd, 152
-rick, 181
that gate, 189
oe, oye, 15
rickle, ruckle, 18
the, 4, 5, 7
o'er-, 193
-rife, 182
the day, 6
o'ercome, o'erhigh, 193
rintherout, 179
thegither, 6 (b)
o'erturn, 193
roon, 96, 133
them, 36
ohn, 51, 163
routh, 18
the morn, 71
ohone, 153
the nicht, 71
on, 129, 163, 191
's, 21, 57, 150
the noo, 71
on-cairry, 191
sae, 73, 74, 146
the're, 47
oncomes, 191
sae's, 150
thereanent, 93
ending, 191
sal, 57, 152
thereoot, 72, 179
ongae, 191
sail, 57, 152
they wur, 47
onkenned, 163
sang, 152
thir, 35
onless, 148
sanna, 57
this, 35
ontill, 136
sax, saxty, 31
thocht, 18
onybody, 29
scho, 23
thon, 36
onything, 30
'ae, 57
thonder, 72
oonder, oon'er, 138
seestu, 22
thoo, 22
oor, 21
seeven, seeventy, 31
thoosand, 31
oot, out, 131, 179, 192
sel', 24
thrawart, 164
ootfeedles, 192
sel o', the, 24
threep owre, 132
ootwuth, 192
sepad, 57
thretteen, 31
or, 130
set him up for, 155
thretty, 31
or ens no, 77
severals, 39
thrie, 31
or than no, 77
she, 23
throu, throuch, through,
other gate, 189
sheugh, 156
135
out an' in, 192
shilp, 17
through ither, throu'dder,
outbye, 72, 131, 143, 192
shoon, shuin, 8
135
out-cast, 192
shute him forrit, 155
through-gaun, 135
outfields, 192
sic, siccan, 40
through-han', 135
outgait, 189
sich, 40
through the muir, 135
out oner, 131
siclike, 40
till, 136
outoure, outower, oot-ower,
sin', 134
tither, 37
99, 131
sinery, 41
tittie, 15
out-taken, 131
sinsyne, 134
tod-lowrie, 158
out - through, out - throw,
sirce me, sirce the day,
toosht, 18
131
153
tother, 37
ower, owre, 74, 132, 193
-some, 33
tou, 22
ower and abune, 193
somegate, 73
towmon, towmond, tow-
ower bye, 184, 193
sorra, 79
mont, 33
owergae, 193
soup, 18
treen, 8
owsen, 8
starn, starnie, 18
trypal, 16
owther, 145
still-and-on, 75
turven, 8
oye, 15
stock, 16
twa, twae, 31
streen, the, 6
twal hours, 33
parritch, 12
sud, suld, sudna, 57
twasome, 33
pickle, puckle, 18, 41
sune, 71
twa three, 32
piece, 38, 127
syne, 71
tweesht, 109
plack, 20
tyke, 158
proo, proo, proochiemoo,
-t, 21, 34, 46, 48, 145 (b)
158
tae, 32, 71, 137
umist, 42
pun'-note, 20
tait, tate, 18
unco, uncoly, 74
tane, 37
up, 139, 194
quha, 27
quhilk, 26, 27
tantrin, 39
tappit-hen, 19
up by, up bye, 194
up by cairts, 194
WORD INDEX TO PART II
491
upgang, 194
weel-a-wat, 75
willawins, 153
upgive, 194
weel-a-weel, 157
willyard, 164
upo' go, 140
weels me, 70
wind, wynd, wyne, 158
upon, 140
wenches, 17
winnock, 178
uppit, 194
wes, 58
win owre, 132
uptak, 194
wessel, 166
without, withouten, 143,
up-throu, 194
wha, whae, wham, whase,
148
us, 21
26, 27
wir, wur, 21
whan, 71
wis, 58
verra, 74
whar, whare, 58, 72
wonna, 55
whas, 26
worth, 70
wa, 72
whatefer, 83
wow, 152
wad, wadna, 55
what for? what for no? 76,
wall, 55
waesucks, 153
116
wuntin', 141
waf, 16
whatten, what'n, whatna, 26
wus, wusnin, 58
wakerife, waukrife, 182
whaur, 58, 72
wan-, 163
wheen, 18, 127
yae, 32
wanfu', 163
wheesht, 154
yean, 158
wanownt, 163
whiles, 71
ye'er, 58
wanrestfu', 163
whilk, 26, 27
yer, 22, 58
wanting, 141
whin, 18
yestreen, 71
war, 58
whisht, 154
yince, yinst, 32, 71
warst, 42
whit, 26
yir, 22, 58
wass, 58
whit wey? 76
yoke on, 129
waufie, 16
wi', 142
yon, 36
waur, 42
widna, winna, wudna, 55
'yont, 110
wean, 15
wife, wine, 17
yont, 144
wee, 18
wight, 16
young, 44
weel, 73
will, 55
GLOSSAEY OF SCOTS WOEDS IN EXTEAOTS
abeigh, abiegh, aloof
aboon, abune, above
abreed, abroad
adoos, troubles, difficulties
ae, one
aerdastreen, the evening before the last
qffiri't, off from it
agley, wrong, awry
ahint, behind
aiblins, perhaps
Ailsa Craig, an islet rock (at the mouth
of the Firth of Clyde off the Ayrshire
coast)
ain, own
aince, once
aim, iron
airt, direction
aith, an oath
aits, oats
akinda, a sort of
alaiv, below
amaist, almost
anes, once
ase, ashes
ashet, a flat dish
asklent, askance, obliquely
asseer, assure
aught, possession
auld, old
auld lang syne, times of long ago
aweers o\ on the point of
aivmous, alms, charity
baggie, the belly
bags, bagpipes
bailie, baillie, burgh magistrate, cattle-
man
bain, bend of leather
bairnswoman, nurse
bairntime, progeny
baps, morning rolls
bassened quey, a young cow whose
forehead has a white streak
bauk, to roost
bauld, bold
bawbee, halfpenny
baivd, a hare
bear, barley
bedeen, speedily
begood, began
begunk, trick
beld, belder, bald, balder
beldam, a hag
belyve, soon
ben, inside, inner room or parlour
bend (the bicker), quaff
bethrel, beadle
beuk, baked
bew, blue
beioast, west of
bey, by
bicker, sb. a bowl, v. to hurry
bienli, comfortably
big, to build
bigonet, linen cap or coif
bike, nest of wild bees or wasps
billie, fellow, comrade
binkit, spoiled in the shape
birk, birch
birkie, a smart, conceited fellow
birsle, to toast
bissim, term of reproach for a woman
bladderskate, a foolish talker
blate, backward, shy
blaud, spoil
bleer't, b leered
bleeze, blaze
blellum, babbler
blethering, boasting
blewart, speedwell (Veronica chamae-
drys)
Wo, under
blude, bluid, blood
bobbit (bands), ornamented with tassels
boddle, bodle, a small copper coin
bogle, spirit, ghost, hobgoblin ; to play
at bogles = hide and seek
b'ol'd, folded
600, to bend
boot, in phr. to the boot = over and
above the bargain
boss, empty
bouk, carcase, body
bourtree, elderberry wood (Sambucus
nigra)
bout, bolt
bow(e), a boll or measure of corn = 6
bushels
bowet, lantern
brae, slope, hillside
bragged, challenged
braid, breadth
braing't, pulled rashly
brak, broke
brattle, uproar, scamper, spurt
braw, fine
494
GLOSSARY OF SCOTS WORDS IN EXTRACTS
breastit, sprang forward
bree, brew ; barley bree is ale or whisky
breeks, breeches
breet, brute
brent, smooth, un wrinkled
brent new, brand new
briskit, breast
brizzed, pressed
brooses, wedding races from the church
to the bride's home
browcht, brought
buchts, sheep-pens
buff'y, chubby
buirdly, stout and strong
buits, boots
bumbaized, dumfoundered
burd, maid, lady
bure, bore
busk, prepare
but, outer room or kitchen
bute, bude, must (emphatic)
byke, see bike
byous, exceedingly
byre, cowshed
callant, lad
caller, fresh
Cameronian, a member of one of the
strictest of the Presbyterian sects
canna, cannot
cannie, quiet, cautious
cannily, softly, carefully
cantie, cheerful, comfortable
cantraip, cantrip, device, charm, trick
carle, an old man
carlin, an old woman
cast oot, quarrel
ca't, called
cauld, cold
cauler, fresh
caum, a mould
caup, wooden bicker
caw, drive, call
caivker, glass of spirits
cess, tax
chacked, bit
chamber o' deas, best room
chancy, lucky
chap, knock at the door
chapman billies, pedlars
cheat-the-wuddy, cheat the gallows
cheepin', squeaking
chiels, men, fellows
chop, the shop
chow, chew
chynge-house, an inn
chyre, chair
claes, clothes
clamb, climbed
claught, seized
claw, to scrape
deck, to hatch, invent
cleekit, hooked, took hold
cleiks, hooks
clocher, a wheezing in the throat
doss, a lane
coft, bought
cog, a hollow wooden vessel for holding
milk, &c.
collery, cholera
connach, spoil, ruin
cood, cud
coo/, fool, weakling
cookie, a bun
coorie, cower, snuggle close to
coost, threw off
corbie, raven, crow
cots, ankles
coup, overturn
cour, stoop
couthie, comfortable
crack(s), gossip, chat
craggit, long-necked
cranreuch, hoar-frost
crap, a crop
crawflower, wild hyacinth (Scilla
nutans)
creepie, a low stool
creeshie, greasy
cried, proclaimed in church
crony, boon companion
croon, hum to oneself
croynt awa\ shrivelled up
crummock, a crooked stick, name for a
cow with crooked horns
cuif, a blockhead, simpleton
cuist, cast
cults, ankles
culf, drive home the wadding
cumein, coming
cumstairy, obstinate
curn, a handful
cutty, short; the cutty-stool was the
low stool on which church offenders
were admonished
c' wa', come away
daffin', jesting, teasing
daft, foolish
daiker, stroll
daimen, occasional
dander, stroll leisurely
darg, day's work
daud, lump
daunder, same as dander
daw, dawn (vb.)
daioing, dawn (sb.)
dead, deid, death
deas, deece, a wooden settle
dee, to die
GLOSSARY OF SCOTS WORDS IN EXTRACTS
495
deid thraw, point of death, critical
moment
deive, deafen, plague
dey, die
diced (windoiv), figured like dice
dike, a wall
dine, dinner
ding on, to snow or rain hard
dinket oot, dressed up
dinna, do not
dirl, rattle
divors, debtors
divot, a turf
docken, the dock weed (Rumex obtusi-
folius)
doit, a small copper coin
dominie, village schoolmaster
donsie, perverse, vicious
dool, woe
dorts, ill-humour
dossie, a pat (of butter or sugar)
douce, sedate
doup, bottom
dour, stubborn
doiv(na), may (not)
dowf, dull
doivie, doleful, weakly
driegh, dreary
dringing, singing dolefully
drook, drench
droop -rumpl't, short-rumped
drouthy, thirsty (especially for li-
quor)
druggie, druggist
dub, a muddy pool
duddies, shabby clothes
dule, woe
dune, done
dwam, a feeling of faintness
dyke, see dike
echt, eight
ee(n), eye(s)
Eerish, Irish
eese, use (sb.)
eeswally, usually
eithly, easily
eldern, elderly
eldritch, eldrich, awesome
eneuch, eneugh, enough
enoo, enow, just now
ett, etten, ate, eaten
ettle, (vb.) try, purpose, (sb.) aim,
impetus
even, to cross
eydent, diligent
/a', to claim, attempt, pretend to
fa\ fall
/ac's ocht, true as anything
faem, foam
fail, turf
fain, joyous, eager
fairin', present bought at a fair, deserts
fairntickles, freckles
fash, trouble
fashion, pretence
fashions, vexatious
faucht, struggle
fauld, fold
faut, fault
feck, a number or quantity, the muckle
feck = the majority
feckless, feeble
fecldy, chiefly
feel, fool
feerious, furious
feint a flee, feint a hair = devil a bit ;
see fient
fek, quantity; see feck
fell, (adj. ) sharp to the taste, (adv.) very
ferny ear, last year
fetch't, stopped suddenly
fidge, move restlessly
fidgin? fain, restlessly eager
Jient , the fient a tail = the devil a tail ;
fient haed = devil a bit ; see feint
fiere, comrade
file, to dirty
file, filie, while (sb.)
fin, feel
firlot, a measure = | boll
fissinless, tasteless
fisslin, rustling
fittie-lan', the near horse of the hind-
most pair in the plough
fivver, fever
fiaer, floor
flattered, floated
flaw, exaggerate
flee, fly
fleech, coax
fleg, fright
fiichterin', fluttering
fiiskit, capered
fioam, phlegm
foalin', overturning
foggage, second crop of grass
foon, a few
forbye, besides
fou, full, drunk
fow, a heap of corn in the sheaves
foiver oors, afternoon meal
f raise, fuss
freen, friend
f remit (adj.), stranger
ju\ full
fule, fool
fun, found
fungin, flinging
496
GLOSSARY OF SCOTS WORDS IN EXTRACTS
fuok, folk
furbye, besides
Fursday, Thursday
furth, away from home
futt'rat, weasel
fyke, fret
fy kie, fidgety
fyou, few
gab, the mouth; set up their gabs =
chatter disrespectfully
gaberlunzie, licensed beggar
gait, road
gane, suffice
gang-there-out, fond of wandering
gar, compel
gash, wise-looking
gate, road
gaucy, buxom
gaun, going
gaivn, going
gawsy, jaunty, portly
geade, went
gear, property
geek at, make fun of
genna, going to
genty, graceful, dainty
ger, compel
gey, (adj.) wild, (adv.) very, rather
gey lies, pretty well
ghaist, ghost
gied, gave
gillravaging, depredation, plundering
gin, if
gippeen, fish-gutting
girn, complain fretfully
gjo, a creek
gliff , a moment
gloam, pass from twilight to dark;
gloaming = twilight
ghiff, a mouthful
Gorbals (The), a district in Glasgow
goivan, the daisy
gowd(en), gold (en)
gowk, fool
grainy (a), a little
graith, equipment
grane, groan
grat, wept
gree, prize, first place
greet, greit, cry, weep
grien, desire eagerly
growf, belly
grue, shudder with fear or cold
gryte, great
gude-dochter, daughter-in-law
guide, to treat
guid-willie, hearty
gullie, a big knife
gurly, threatening to be stormy
gusty, tasty
gweed, good ; gweed billies = good
friends
gyte, mad
hadden, holding
hae, haen, have, had (past pt. )
haffits, temples, cheeks, side-locks
hqfflins, half, partly
haill, whole
hain, save up, preserve
hairst, harvest
haiverin', talkative
hale, whole ; halesome = wholesome
half -foil, ^ part of a peck
halflin, half-grown lad
half-steekit, half -closed
hallan, partition
hallan-shaker, rascal of shabby appear-
ance
haly, holy
hankie, much
hansel, the first gift for luck
hantle, much
hap, to cover
harn, coarse woollen cloth, made from
the refuse or hards of flax or hemp
harns, brains
haud, hold ; hand wtft = acknow-
ledge it
hauf-road, half-way
hauld, protection
hause-bane, throat-bone
ha'ver, cut in halves
haw kie, a cow
heale, the whole
heame, home
heese, to lift
heest, hast (vb.)
helt, health
henmost, last
hidlins, hidlings, secret
hie, hiech, high
hilty-skilty, careless, helter-skelter
hinny, honey, a term of endearment
hizzie, wench
hoastin\ croaking
hoddel-dochlin, clumsy and silly
hoddin grey, coarse woollen cloth, grey
homespun
hoo, how
hosstin, coughing
hotch'd, jerked (his arm in playing) ;
sidled
hotter, make a bubbling noise in boiling
houkins, diggings
houlets, owls
houms, holms
hover, delay (vb.)
GLOSSARY OF SCOTS WORDS IN EXTRACTS
497
hoive-backit, hollow-backed
howp, hope
hoyte, amble, hobble along
hurdies, buttocks
hyne, far
icker, ear of corn
ilka, ilky, every
ill-fared, ill-faured, ill-favoured
ingans, onions
ingle, fireside
izzet, zig-zag
jalouse't, suspected
jauk, trifle ever work
jee, move hesitatingly
jeestie, matter for jest
jellie, sonsy
jiner, joiner
jink, elude ; jinkin', frolicsome
jinker (noble), a noble goer
jippled, rippled over with laughter
jo, sweetheart, dear
jook, to bow
justified, executed
kaims, combs
kauk, chalk
kebbuck, cheese
keek, look, peep
ken, know
kep, to catch
Tciauch, cark
kilt up, tie up
kinkin, kinds
kintra, country
kirsened, christened
kistin', coffining
kitchie (vb.), give a relish to food
kittle (vb.), tickle; (adj.), ticklish
knaggie, knobby
knoices, knolls
kye, cows
kyeukin, cooking
Kyle, the central district of Ayrshire
kyoivoivin', fastidious
kyteful, bellyful
laigh, low
laird, landowner, squire
laith, loath
laitJifii1, awkward, sheepish
lan\ flat in a house
lane, alone, as in my lane
lap, sprang
lave, the rest
laverock, lark
lowing, reckoning
lay, lea
lea'e, leave
leafu\ lawful
leal, true, loyal
lean down, sit down, recline
lee-lang, livelong
leev't, lived
leeze me on, blessings be on
leglin, a pail
leive, live
leuch, laughed
lift, the sky
lilt, sing softly
limmcr, rascal (a familiar term applied
to both sexes)
link, trip along
linn, waterfall
lint, flax
lippen, trust
loan(ing), lane, milking-park
Zo'e, love
lood, loud
Zoo/, palm of hand
looten, past pt. of let
Lords o' Session, Judges in the Court
of Session, the supreme civil court
of Scotland
loup, leap
low(e), flame
lowp, leap
lowse, leave off work
lucken, looking
lucken-goican, the globe flower
lucky -daddy, grandfather
lug, ear, chimney-corner
luik, look
him, chimney
lyart, hoary, grey-haired
mae, more (of number)
mailens, rent
mair, more, formerly of quantity only,
now also of number
mairter, mess
mairyguilds, marigolds
mane, moan
marrow, mate, match
maukin, hare
maun, must
maut, malt
meere, mare
megsty, an exclamation
meikle, much, big
melder, quantity of oats ground at a
time
mellishan, the devil (cf. malison)
mm', remember
minnie, mother
mirk, darkness
mischanter, accident
mith(a), might (have)
mittans, fingerless gloves
498
GLOSSARY OF SCOTS WORDS IN EXTRACTS
moots, mould, the grave
mowse, used negatively; nae mowse =
no joke, dangerous
mu\ the mouth
muckle, big, much
muntit, mounted
mutch, woman's cap
naar, naur, near
wain, own
nappy, ale
neb, the nose
neist, next
neuk, nook, corner
nickums, young rascals
niz, the nose
nocht, nothing
nowte, cattle
nyeuk, corner
oe, grandchild
onlee't, without telling a lie
ony, any
ook, week
ool, owl
oot-bye, outside, besides
ootset, beginning
or, before
or ens no, a phrase implying incredu-
lity or lack of respect
ousen, oxen
outby (of), without
oivcht, aught
ower, over
owre-come, refrain
oxter, the armpit
paidlin, short-stepped
parritch, porridge
pattle, a stick
paukie, pawky, shrewd, arch
peerie, small
pey, pay
pickle, small quantity
pies, eyelets
pint, point
pirn, reel
pitiful, kind
plack, a Scots copper coin, ^ of a penny
pleugh, plough
pley, a quarrel
pliskie, a trick
ploy, a trick, frolic
pock (the), small-pox
pock-neuk, corner of a sack
pock-puddin\ glutton, used especially
of Englishmen
pooch, pocket
pooket-like, puny, shabby
pottage, porritch
pou'd, pulled
pow, the head or poll
pownie, pony
pree, to taste
preen, a pin
press, cupboard
prin, a pin
protty, fine
puckles, numbers
puir, poor
quat, quit
quate, quiet ; quaten = quieten
quean, young woman
queering, making fun of
quey, young cow
quhan, when
quhayr, where
rair, to roar
ranter, a roving blade
rantle-tree, the beam across the chim-
ney by which the crook is suspended
rave, tore
rax, stretch, hand out
ream, cream
reamed, mantled
reaming, frothy
redd up, tidy
reek, smoke, steam
reerie, noise
reest, dry in the smoke
reest, balk, stop in one's course
reest, roost
reivin', thieving
rid, red
riggin, ridge of roof
rigwoodie, lean and scraggy
rintheroot, gad-about
ripp, a handful of corn from the sheaf
rissen, reason
rivleens, sandals of undressed skin
rodden-tree, mountain-ash
rotten, a rat
roup, sell by auction
row, roll
rug, pull violently
runkled, wrinkled
sae, so
saep-sapples, soap-suds
sair, serve
sark, shirt
sauf, save
saugh, willow
scads, scalds
scald, to scold
scart, scratch, put on hurriedly
scho, schui, she
scraich, scriech, shriek
GLOSSARY OF SCOTS WORDS IN EXTRACTS
499
screed, tear to pieces
seer, sure
seggs, sedges
Session, (for Kirk Session) = the lowest
Presbyterian Church Court, which in
former days dispensed public charity
and superintended the morals of the
community
severals, others
shake a jit, to dance
shaltie, pony
shaw, a grove
sheen, shoes
sheetin\ shooting
shewed, sewed
shoo, scare away
shool, shovel
shoon, shoes
shoormal, shore-mark, margin
shore, threaten
shdrely, surely
shilit, suit of clothes
sib, related
sic, siccan, such
siccar, sure
siller, money
silly, weak
sin, since
siriry like, separately
skaith, harm
skeely, skilful
skeigh, skittish
skellum, a worthless fellow
skelp, whip, slap, move briskly on
skiltin', skipping
skirtit, run off, bolted
skriegh, call, whinny
skytit, shot out, slipped quickly
slae, sloe
slap, opening in hedge or fence
slee, sly
sleight, cunning, dexterous
sly pet, slipped
sma', small
smoor'd, smothered
smucks, woollen shoes
snappert, stumbled
sneeshin, snuff
snell, sharp
snod, neat
snoove, jog along
snule, anything mean or paltry
sodger, soldier
soe, pieces of limpet chewed and then
thrown into the sea as an attraction
for fish ; hence fragments
sonsie, plump, good-natured
soom, swim
soop, sweep
sort, put to rights, punish
sough, (sb.) moaning sound, (vb.) whistle
over a tune in a low tone ; see sugh
soupled, made flexible
souter, shoemaker
sowff, hum over
spang, spring
spean, wean
speer, spier, ask
speldron, lanky, badly-shaped person
spout, downpour
spreagh, cattle raid
sprittie, full of rush roots
spunkie, spirited
squakin', squeaking
squallachin, squealing, noisy clamour
stacher, stagger
staggie, young stag or horse
stank, ditch
stappin', stepping
stark, strong
starn, star
staunin, standing
steek, close
steep, in pit yir brains in steep, i.e. ex-
ercise all your wits
steer, steir, trouble
steerin, bustling about
steeve, compact
stend, spring suddenly, past pt. stent
stent, restricted
stent-masters, assessors
steyest, stiffest
stimpart, % peck
stirrah, young fellow
stook, a shock of corn
stour, dust in motion
stown, stolen
stowp, liquor vessel
strae, straw
straik, stroke
Strathspeys, Highland dances and their
music
strums, in talc the strums, i.e. take the
pet
sugh, see sough
sumph, surly person
sune, soon
sung, singed
sivag, guarantee (vb.)
swank, agile
swankies, swains, strapping young
fellows
swat, sweated
swats, newly brewed ale
sweir, lazy
swither, hesitate
syne, then
to' en 0', taken effect on
tawie, tame, tractable
500
GLOSSARY OF SCOTS WORDS IN EXTRACTS
tawpy, stupid, clumsy person, a giddy,
idle girl
teen, a tune
tent, attention
tentie, attentively
tead, toad, term applied to a child
teuchat, lapwing
theek, to thatch
theft-boot, the taking of some payment
from a thief to secure him from legal
prosecution
thir, those
thof, though
thrave, 24 sheaves of grain set up in
two stooks of 12 sheaves each
thraw, twist
through-stanes, flat gravestones
tight, ready for action, in good order
or health
tine, lose; past pt. tint
tippenny, cheap ale
tnet, to knit
tnock, clock
tocher, dowry
toom, empty
tow, rope
toyte, toddle
trauchle, drudge, weary burden
travise, a partition between two stalls
in a stable
trig, neat
trokes, jobs
troo, believe
twartree, two or three
tweaesum, a couple or pair
tiveetled, tootled
tyeuk, took
tyke, a rough, unkempt dog
tyleyors, tailors
unca, unco (adj., adv.), extraordinary,
very
unchancy, unlucky, not safe to meddle
with
uncos, strange things
up-throu\ up the country
vauntie, proud
vouts, vaults
wa\ wall
waar, seaweed
wabster, weaver
wadset, a mortgage
waesuck, alas!
waff, disreputable
wale, choose
ivalie, fine, jolly, ample
walloch, Highland fling
walloped, moved forcibly, danced with
swinging force
wame, the belly
ivan, direction
wan oiver, escaped
icap, bind or splice with a cord
wapping, lusty, stout
ivarstle, struggle
wat, wet
wat, know
wather, water
leathers, wethers
wattle, rod or wand
wauble, wobble
ivaught, draught
waukrife, wakeful
waur, worse
waur't, worsted (vb.)
wawlie, see walie
wean, child
wede, vanished, faded
weel-a-wat, assuredly
w eel-tocher ed, well-dowered
whaizle, breathe hard
ivheen, a few, several
ivheep, whip
wheepled, whistled
widdy, the gallows
wintle, stagger, toss about
wis, us
wisgan, contemptible-looking person
wuddy, see widdy
icy, wye, way
wyle, choose
wyme, the belly
wyte, blame
yauld, active
yett, gate
yird, earth
youky, itchy
yowe, ewe
Yule, Xmas
CAMBRIDGE : PRINTED BY J. B. PEACE, M.A., AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.
Grant, William
210^. Manual of modern Scots
G73
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