_Baul._ To find out that, is nae difficult task; Poor bonny Peggy, wha maun think nae mair On Pate, turn'd Patrick, and Sir William's heir. Now, now, good Madge, and honest Mause, stand be, While Meg's in dumps, put in a word for me. I'll be as kind as ever Pate could prove; Less wilful, and ay constant in my love. _Mad._ As Neps can witness, and the bushy thorn, Where mony a time to her your heart was sworn: Fy! Bauldy, blush, and vows of love regard; What other lass will trow a mansworn herd? The curse of Heaven hings ay aboon their heads, That's ever guilty of sic sinfu' deeds. I'll ne'er advise my niece sae gray a gate; Nor will she be advis'd, fu' well I wate. _Baul._ Sae gray a gate! mansworn! and a' the rest: Ye leed, _auld Roudes_--and, in faith, had best Eat in your words; else I shall gar ye stand With a het face afore the haly band. _Mad._ Ye'll gar me stand! ye sheveling-gabit brock; Speak that again, and, trembling, dread my rock, And ten sharp nails, that when my hands are in, Can flyp the skin o'ye'r cheeks out o'er your chin. _Baul._ I tak ye witness, Mause, ye heard her say, That I'm mansworn:--I winna let it gae. _Mad._ Ye're witness too, he ca'd me bonny names, And should be serv'd as his good breeding claims. Ye filthy dog!---- [_Flees to his hair like a fury.--A stout battle.--Mause endeavours to redd them._ _Mause._ Let gang your grips, fy, Madge! howt, Bauldy leen: I wadna wish this tulzie had been seen; 'Tis sae daft like.---- [_Bauldy gets out of Madge's clutches with a bleeding nose._ _Mad._ ----'Tis dafter like to thole An ether-cap, like him, to blaw the coal: It sets him well, with vile unscrapit tongue, To cast up whether I be auld or young; They're aulder yet than I have married been, And or they died their bairns' bairns have seen. _Mause._ That's true; and Bauldy ye was far to blame, } To ca' Madge ought but her ain christen'd name. } _Baul._ My lugs, my nose, and noddle finds the same. } _Mad._ Auld Roudes! filthy fallow; I shall auld ye. _Mause._ Howt no!--ye'll e'en be friends with honest Bauldy. Come, come, shake hands; this maun nae farder gae: Ye maun forgi'e'm. I see the lad looks wae. _Baul._ In troth now, Mause, I have at Madge nae spite: But she abusing first, was a' the wite Of what has happen'd: And should therefore crave My pardon first, and shall acquittance have. _Mad._ I crave your pardon! Gallows-face, gae greet, And own your faut to her that ye wad cheat: Gae, or be blasted in your health and gear, 'Till ye learn to perform, as well as swear. Vow, and lowp back!--was e'er the like heard tell? Swith, tak him deil; he's o'er lang out of hell. _Baul._ [_running off._] His presence be about us! Curst were he That were condemn'd for life to live with thee. [_Exit_ BAULDY.