BAULDY. The word that gangs, how ye're sae wise and fell, Ye'll maybe tak it ill gif I should tell. MAUSE. What folk say of me, Bauldy, let me hear; Keep naething up, ye naething have to fear. BAULDY. Well, since ye bid me, I shall tell ye a' That ilk ane talks about you, but a flaw. When last the wind made Glaud a roofless barn; When last the burn bore down my mither's yarn; When Brawny, elf-shot, never mair came hame; When Tibby kirn'd, and there nae butter came; When Bessy Freetock's chuffy-cheeked wean To a fairy turn'd, and cou'dna stand its lane; When Wattie wander'd ae night thro' the shaw And tint himsell amaist amang the snaw; When Mungo's mare stood still and swat wi' fright, When he brought east the howdy under night; When Bawsy shot to dead upon the green; And Sara tint a snood was nae mair seen;-- You, lucky, gat the wyte of a' fell out; And ilka ane here dreads ye round about,-- And say they may that mint to do ye skaith: For me to wrang ye I'll be very laith; But when I neist make groats, I'll strive to please You with a firlot of them mixt with pease. MAUSE. I thank ye, lad!--Now tell me your demand; And, if I can, I'll lend my helping hand. BAULDY. Then, I like Peggy; Neps is fond of me; Peggy likes Pate; and Patie's bauld and slee, And looes sweet Meg; but Neps I downa see. Could ye turn Patie's love to Neps, and then Peggy's to me, I'd be the happiest man. MAUSE. I'll try my airt to gar the bowls row right; Sae gang your ways and come again at night; 'Gainst that time I'll some simple things prepare, Worth all your pease and groats, tak ye nae care. BAULDY. Well, Mause, I'll come, gif I the road can find; But if ye raise the deil, he'll raise the wind; Syne rain and thunder, maybe, when 'tis late Will make the night sae mirk, I'll tine the gate. We're a' to rant in Symie's at a feast,-- O! will ye come, like badrans, for a jest? And there you can our different haviours spy; There's nane shall ken o't there but you and I. MAUSE. 'Tis like I may: But let na on what's past 'Tween you and me, else fear a kittle cast. BAULDY. If I aught of your secrets e'er advance, May ye ride on me ilka night to France!