THE WISE-LIKE CHAP
Aye, billies, I’m a wise-like chap,I dinna smoke nor drink,And gin I gi’e my poke a slapYe’ll hear the siller chink.My feyther has an aicht-pair[21]fairmWeel set wi’ byre an’ stack;There’s mony will obey meAn’ tak’ their pattern frae me,But Annie winna hae meAn’ my he’rt’s near brak’!My Grannie’s saved a bit hersel’,She’s three-score year an’ ten,Wha’ll get the profit nane can tell(An’ yet I think I ken!)It’s fules wad cross a rich auld wife,Sae a’ her fleers[22]I tak’,An’ tho’ it’s like to pay me,Richt little guid ’twill dae me,For Annie winna hae meAn’ my he’rt’s near brak’!Ye’ll mebbe mind the miller’s loonThat was a fair disgrace;His auld dune hat was clour’d abuneAn’ mill-dust on his face.The gowk! He gaed awa to fechtAnd syne cam’ crippl’t back;Yestre’en he passed my GrannieWi’ his left airm bandig’t cannie—But his richt ane happit Annie,An’ my he’rt’s near brak’!
FOOTNOTES:[21]The size of Angus farms is expressed by the number of horses required to work them.[22]Jibes.
[21]The size of Angus farms is expressed by the number of horses required to work them.
[21]The size of Angus farms is expressed by the number of horses required to work them.
[22]Jibes.
[22]Jibes.