Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — CompleteScott, Walter
History
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Complete
Scott, Walter
Historical fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction; Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
[Footnote: These lines form the burden of an old song to which Burns
wrote additional verses.]
Curious to know what could have determined Mr. Gellatley on an
excursion of such unwonted extent, Edward began to dress himself in all
haste, during which operation the minstrelsy of Davie changed its tune
more than once:--
There's nought in the Highlands but syboes and leeks,
And lang-leggit callants gaun wanting the breeks,
Wanting the breeks, and without hose and shoon,
But we'll a'win the breeks when King Jamie comes hame.
[Footnote: These lines are also ancient, and I believe to the tune of
We'll never hae peace till Jamie comes hame, to which Burns likewise
wrote some verses.]
By the time Waverley was dressed and had issued forth, David had
associated himself with two or three of the numerous Highland loungers
who always graced the gates of the castle with their presence, and was
capering and dancing full merrily in the doubles and full career of a
Scotch foursome reel, to the music of his own whistling. In this double
capacity of dancer and musician he continued, until an idle piper, who
observed his zeal, obeyed the unanimous call of seid suas (i.e. blow
up), and relieved him from the latter part of his trouble. Young and
old then mingled in the dance as they could find partners. The
appearance of Waverley did not interrupt David's exercise, though he
contrived, by grinning, nodding, and throwing one or two inclinations
of the body into the graces with which he performed the Highland fling,
to convey to our hero symptoms of recognition. Then, while busily
employed in setting, whooping all the while, and snapping his fingers
over his head, he of a sudden prolonged his side-step until it brought
him to the place where Edward was standing, and, still keeping time to
the music like Harlequin in a pantomime, he thrust a letter into our
hero's hand, and continued his saltation without pause or intermission.
Edward, who perceived that the address was in Rose's hand-writing,
retired to peruse it, leaving the faithful bearer to continue his
exercise until the piper or he should be tired out.
The contents of the letter greatly surprised him. It had originally
commenced with 'Dear Sir'; but these words had been carefully erased,
and the monosyllable 'Sir' substituted in their place. The rest of the
contents shall be given in Rose's own language.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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