Answer to the blue bonnet, &c/I Had a Horse

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I HAD A HORSE.

I had a horse, and I had nae mair,
⁠I gat it frae my daddie;
My purse was light, and my heart was sair,
⁠But my wit it was fu' ready.

So I bethought me on a time,
⁠Outwittens o’ my daddie,
To fee mysel to a Lawland laird,
⁠Wha had a bonnie lady.

I wrote a letter, and thus began:
⁠Madam, be not offended:
I'm owre the lugs in love wi' you,
⁠And I carena though ye kend it:
For I get little frae the laird,
⁠And far less frae my daddie;
Yet I wad blythely be the man
⁠Wad strive to please my lady.

She read my letter, and she leugh;
⁠Ye needna been sae blate, man,
Ye might hae come to me yoursel,
⁠And tald me o' your state, man:
Ye might hae come to me yoursel,
⁠Outwittens o' onie body,
And made John Goukston o' the laird,
⁠And kiss'd his bonny lady.

Then she pat siller in my purse;
⁠We drank wine in a cogie;
She fee'd a man for to rub my horse,
⁠And vow but I was vogie!
But I ne'er gat sae sair a fleg
⁠Since I cam frae my daddie;
The laird cam, rap, rap! to the yett,
⁠When I was wi' his lady.

Then she pat me behint a chair,
⁠And hap'd me wi' a plaidie;
Where I was like to swarf wi' fear,
⁠And wish'd me wi' my daddie.
The laird gaed out, he saw na me,
⁠I staid till I was ready;
I promis'd, but I ne'er gaed back
⁠To see his bonny lady.