Folk Tales and Fairy Lore/Gobhainn Dubh nan Soc, The Swarthy Smith of the Socks,
Chuir Gobhainn Dubh nan Soc a stigh 'ùine ag ionnsachadh na goibhneachd; ach aig ceann na h-ùine, cha b' urrainn e ni a bhuineadh do dh' obair goibhne 'dheanamh, ach suic chrann-àraidh.
The Swarthy Smith of the Socks had served his time learning smith-craft, but at its close he could not
make anything connected with smith-work but socks for ploughs.
Dh' fhosgail e ceàrdach beagan mhìltean a mach o Dhùnéideann, agus thòisich e air deanamh shoc. Anns an àm sin bha faidhir a' seasamh uair 's a' mhìos anns a' bhaile, agus cho tric 's a thigeadh i mu 'n cuairt, rachadh an Gobhainn Dubh dh' a h-ionnsaidh le 'sheann each bàn féin agus cairt làn shoc. Agus an déidh dha na suic a reic, philleadh e dachaidh 'na shuain chadail anns a' chairt, a' fàgail an t-seann eich bhàin gu bhi deanamh an rathaid mar a b' fhearr a dh' fhaodadh e.
He opened a smithy a few miles out of Edinburgh, and began sock-making. At that time a fair was held once a month in the city, and as often as it would come round the Swarthy Smith used to go to it with his old white horse and a cart full of socks. And after selling the socks he would return home, sound asleep in his cart, leaving the old white horse to find his way as best he could.
Air latha àraid faidhreach chaidh e mar bu ghnàth
leis do 'n tigh-òsda; agus co a thachair air an sin ach Gobhainn-an-Rìgh. Chuir na feara eòlas air a chéile, agus shuidh iad sìos ag òl gus an deachaidh an deoch 'nan cinn.
On a certain market day he went as usual to the Inn, and who met him there but the King's Smith. The worthies soon made one another's acquaintance, and they sat down drinking till the liquor went to their heads.
An sin thòisich a' bhòilich, agus cha'n aidicheadh an dara fear nach b' e féin gobhainn a b' fhearr na 'm fear eile. A chur stad air a' chonnsachadh, dh' éirich Gobhainn-an-Rìgh, agus thubhairt e ris a' Ghobhainn Dubh: "Cuiridh mise tri cheud marg an geall gu 'n dean mi roimh 'n ath fhaidhir rud-eigin nach dean rud air bith a nì thusa roimh 'n àm sin a mach. "Dh'eirich an Gobhainn Dubh, agus fhreagair e: "Cuiridh mise tri cheud eile, nach dean thu ni d'a leithid; ach gu 'n dean mise rud a théid air thoiseach air an rud a nì thusa. "Dhealaich na laoich, a' gealltainn a chéile a choinneachadh an ath fhaidhir, leis na rudan a dheanadh iad.
Presently they began to boast, and neither of them would admit that he was not a better smith than the other. To put an end to the wrangle, the King's Smith stood up, and said to the Swarthy Smith: "I'll bet three hundred merks that before next fair I'll make something that nothing you can make within the same time will surpass." The Swarthy Smith then stood up and answered: "I'll lay another three hundred that you can do nothing of the kind, but that I'll make something to surpass the thing you will make." The heroes parted, promising to meet at next fair, having with them the thing they were to make.
Aig deireadh an là phill an Gobhainn Dubh dhachaidh 's a' chairt, mar b' àbhaist dha. Air an ath mhaduinn thionn' e mach do 'n cheàrdaich agus thòisich e air tuilleadh shoc a dheanamh. Chum e orra là an déidh là gus an d' thàinig an lá roimh 'n ath fhaidhir. Air feasgar an là sin, thàinig duin'-uasal a stigh do 'n cheàrdaich, agus thubhairt e ris a' Ghobhainn Dubh: "Am bheil guth idir agad air an rud sin a dheanamh leis am buidhinn thu 'n geall air Gobhainn-an-Rìgh? Mur tòisich thu gu h-ealamh, bi cinnteach gu 'n caill thu." Fhreagair an Gobhainn Dubh: "Cha'n 'eil fhios agam ciod a tha thu 'ciallachadh! Cha'n fhiosrach mi gu 'n do chuir mi geall air bith ri Gobhainn-an-Rìgh." "Chuir thu sin," ars an duin'-uasal: "Bha mi féin 'san éisdeachd, agus chuala mo chluasan féin thu 'cur tri cheud marg ris." "Ma-tà, caillidh mi; oir cha d' ionnsaich mi riamh ni saoghalta a dheanamh ach suic," ars an Gobhainn Dubh. "Cum a suas do mhisneach," ars an duin'-uasal. "Ma bheir thu dhomh-sa leth na bhuidhneas tu, nì mise dhuit rud a choisneas an geall." "Bheir mi dhuit sin le m' uile chridhe," ars an Gobhainn Dubh.
At the close of the day the Swarthy Smith returned home in the cart as usual. Next morning he turned out to the smithy, and began to make more socks. He kept at them day after day until the day before the market arrived. In the evening a gentleman came to the smithy and said to the Swarthy Smith: "Have you no word at all of making something with which you are going to win the bet from the King's Smith? If you do not begin quickly, be sure you will lose." The Swarthy Smith replied: "I do not know what you mean; I am not aware that I laid any bet with the King's Smith." "You did," said the gentleman; "I was within hearing, and mine own ears heard you lay three hundred merks against him." "Well, then, I will lose, for I never learned to make anything in the world with the exception of socks," said the Swarthy Smith. "Keep up your courage," said the gentleman, "if you will give me half of what you win I'll make something for you which will win the bet." "I will give you that with all my heart," said the Swarthy Smith.
Gun tuilleadh dàil chaidh an duin'-uasal an greim. Rinn e 'n toiseach cnap math bocsa. An déidh sin chuir e pìos mór iaruinn air an teallach, agus an ùine ghoirid thug e mach e 'na mhialchu. Agus an uair a bha gach ni deas, chuir e 'm mialchu anns a' bhocsa, agus dhruid e 'm brod air.
Without further delay the gentleman set to work. First he made a good lump of a box. After that he placed a large piece of iron in the forge, and in a short time drew it out a deer-hound. And when everything was finished, he put the deer-hound into the box, and closed the lid over him.
"A nis," ars an duin'-uasal, agus e 'tionndadh ris a' Ghobhainn Dubh, "an uair a dh' fhalbhas tu am màireach leis na suic, bheir thu leat am bosca so; agus an uair a ruigeas tu an fhaidhir bithidh Gobhainn-an-Rìgh romhad, agus thig e ad' choinneamh. Ma dh' iarras e ort do bhocsa fhosgladh, agus an rud a th' ann a leigeil fhaicinn da, their thu ris gur ann da-san is còir sin a dheanamh an toiseach, a chionn gu 'm b' e a chuir an geall an toiseach. An sin fosglaidh e a bhocsa, agus leumaidh fiadh mach as. Cho luath 's a chi thu am fiadh, bi cinnteach gu 'm fosgail thu do bhocsa féin, agus gu 'n leig thu mach an cù; agus tha mise air mo mhealladh mur coisinn e 'n geall dhuit." An sin dh' fhàg an duin'-uasal feasgar math aig a' Ghobhainn Dubh, agus dh' fhalbh e.
"Now," said the gentleman, turning to the smith, "when you go away to-morrow with the socks, you will take this box with you, and when you arrive at the fair, the King's Smith will be there before you, and will come to meet you. If he then asks you to open your box and show him what is in it, you will tell him that he ought to open his first; because it was he who first laid the bet. Then he will open his box, and a stag will spring out. As soon as you see the stag, open your box and let out the dog; and I am mistaken if he do not win for you the bet." Then the gentleman bade good evening to the Swarthy Smith and departed.
Air maduinn an ath latha dh' fhalbh an Gobhainn Dubh le 'shuic agus le 'bhocsa anns a' chairt. Ràinig e 'n fhaidhir ann an deagh àm, agus choinnich Gobhainn-an-Rìgh e le bocsa fo 'achlais. An sin thachair gach ni eatorra mar bha dùil aig an duin'-uasal. Mu dheireadh dh' fhosgail Gobhainn-an-Rìgh a bhocsa, agus leum fiadh brèagh mach as, agus air falbh ghabh e 'na dheannaibh. An sin dh' fhosgail an Gobhainn Dubh a bhocsa féin, agus leum mialchu gasda a mach, agus shin e an déidh an fhéidh, agus stad cha d' rinn e gus an do ghlac e 'm fiadh, agus an d' fhàg e aig casan a' Ghobhainn Duibh e. "M' fhianuis ort féin, a nis," ghlaodh an Gobhainn Dubh ri Gobhainn-an-Rìgh, "gu 'n do chaill thu do gheall." "Chaill mi an geall so, gu dearbh; ach theagamh gu'm buidhinn mi an ath aon," fhreagair Gobhainn-an-Rìgh, agus e a' sìneadh do 'n Ghobhainn Dubh gach peighinne do 'n airgiod gill.
Next morning the Swarthy Smith went away with his socks and his box in the cart. He reached the fair in good time, and there met the King's Smith with a box under his arm. Then everything passed between them as the gentleman had expected. At length the King's Smith opened his box and a fine stag sprang out, and away he went at full speed. The Swarthy Smith then opened his box, and a handsome deer-hound sprang out and stretched away after the stag and stopped not until he caught the stag and left it at the Swarthy Smith's feet. "Now, I call you to witness," said the Swarthy Smith to the King's Smith, "that you have lost your bet." "I have lost this one, indeed; but perhaps I may win the next," replied the King's Smith, while he handed the other every penny of the money wagered.
Chaidh iad an sin do 'n tigh-òsda agus cha robh iad fad' ann gus an do chuir iad leithid eile a' ghill mu dheireadh. 'Na dhéidh sin dhealaich iad, a' gealltain a chéile choinneachadh aig an ath fhaidhir, agus na h-innil a dheanadh iad aca maille riu. An sin chaidh an Gobhainn Dubh 's a' chairt, agus thug an t-each bàn dachaidh e.
Then they went to the Inn, and were not long there until they laid another such wager as the last. After that they parted, promising to meet at the next fair, having the machines they would make with them. Then the Swarthy Smith went into the cart, and the white horse took him home.
Air an ath mhaduinn b' e 'cheud ni a rinn e dol do 'n cheàrdaich agus an tri cheud marg fhalach ann an toll a rinn e fo 'n stairsneach. Cha robh guth aige air a' gheall, ach chum e air suic a dheanamh gus an d' thàinig am feasgar mu dheireadh roimh 'n fhaidhir.
The first thing he did next morning was to go to the smithy and hide the three hundred merks in a hole he dug under the door-step. He had no word of the bet, but he continued making socks until the last evening before the fair.
Goirid mu 'n d' thàinig àm sguir, co a thionn' a stigh do 'n cheàrdaich ach an duin'-uasal a rinn am mialchu. Chuir e fàilt' air a' Ghobhainn Dubh, agus dh' fheòraich e dheth an d' rinn e fhathast an t-inneal sin leis an robh e 'dol a bhuidhinn an ath ghill o Ghobhainn-an-Rìgh. Ach cha robh cuimhne aig a Ghobhainn Dubh, aon chuid gu'n do chuir e geall, no ciod uime 'bha e. "Ma-tà," ars an duin'-uasal "ma gheallas tu dhomh-sa leth na bhuidhneas tu, agus nach téid thu tuilleadh do 'n tigh-òsda, nì mise dhuit inneal leis an toir thu mach an geall." "Geallaidh mi sin, agus comh-gheallaidh mi e cuideachd cho fad 's a dh' fhaodas mi," fhreagair an Gobhainn Dubh.
Shortly before the time to stop work came, who turned into the smithy but the gentleman who made the deer-hound. He greeted the Swarthy Smith, and asked him whether he had yet made that machine with which he was going to win the next bet from the King's Smith. But the Swarthy Smith remembered neither that he laid a bet, nor what it was about. "Well," said the gentleman, "if you promise me half of what you win, and that you will go no more to the Inn, I will make you a machine with which you will carry off the bet." "I promise that, and also will fulfil my promise as far as I can," replied the Swarthy Smith.
An sin chaidh an duin'-uasal an greim. Rinn e 'n toiseach bocsa. 'Na dhéidh sin rinn e béisd-dubh mhór làidir mar a rinn e 'm mialchu. Agus an uair a bha i deas, chuir e i anns a' bhocsa, agus dhruid, agus ghlais e 'm brod oirre. "A nis," ars e ris a' Ghobhainn Dubh, "bheir thu leat am bocsa so dh' ionnsaidh na fhaidhreach, agus cha 'n fhosgail thu e gus am fosgail Gobhainn-an-Rìgh 'fhear féin an toiseach. Buidhnidh thu 'n geall an uair so fhathast. Ach feuch nach téid thu do 'n tigh-òsda, agus nach cuir thu geall eile, air eagal gu 'n caill thu na bhuidhinn thu. An ceann beagan là tadhailidh mise rithist anns a' cheàrdaich, agus bheir thu dhomh leth an airgid a choisneas thu." Gheall an Gobhainn Dubh gu 'n deanadh e mar dh' iarradh air, agus dhealaich iad.
Then the gentleman set to work. He made first a box, and then a large strong otter in the same way as he had made the deer-hound. And when it was ready he put it in the box, and shut and locked the lid over it. "Now," said he to the Swarthy Smith, "you will take this box with you to the fair, and you will not open it until the King's Smith will first open his. You will win the bet this time yet. But see that you go not to the Inn, and that you lay not another bet for fear you lose all you have won. In a few days I will call again at the smithy, and you will give me half the money you will win." The smith said he would do as he was told, and they parted.
Air an ath latha dh' fhalbh an Gobhainn Dubh leis a' bhocsa chum na faidhreach. An uair a ràinig e, choinnich e Gobhainn-an-Rìgh; ach dhiùlt e 'bhocsa 'fhosgladh an toiseach. An sin chaidh Gobhainn-an-Rìgh gu taobh an uisge, agus cho luath 's a dh' fhosgail e 'bhocsa, leum bradan a mach as do 'n uisge, agus shnàmh e air falbh uapa. An sin dh' fhosgail an Gobhainn Dubh a bhocsa féin, agus leum a' bhéist-dubh a mach an déidh a' bhradain, agus an ùine ghoirid rug i air, agus phill i leis 'na beul, agus dh' fhàg i e aig casaibh a maighstir." "M' fhianuis ort féin," ars an Gobhainn Dubh, "gu 'n do chaill thu do gheall." "Chaill mi, gun teagamh," fhreagair Gobhainn-an-Rìgh, "agus, ma thig thu leam do 'n tigh-òsda, paidhidh mi dhuit a h-uile peighinn deth." "Cha téid mi; oir chuir mi romham nach cuirinn geall tuilleadh," ars an Gobhainn Dubh. "Uile-cheart," arsa Gobhainn-an-Rìgh; agus phaidh e 'm fear eile air ball.
Next day the Swarthy Smith went away with the box to the fair. When he arrived he met the King's Smith, but on being asked refused to open his box first. Then the King's Smith went to the water side and as soon as he opened his box a salmon leapt out into the water, and away he swam. Then the Swarthy Smith opened his own, and the otter sprang out after the salmon, and in a short time seized the salmon and returned with it in his mouth and left it at his master's feet. "I call you to witness," said the Swarthy Smith, "that you have lost your bet." "I have undoubtedly," replied the King's Smith, "and if you come with me to the Inn I'll pay you every penny of it." "No, I will not, for I have resolved that I will not lay a bet again," said the Swarthy Smith. "All right," said the King's Smith, and he paid the other smith on the spot.
An ceann beagan làithean co bhuail a stigh do 'n cheàrdaich ach an duin'-uasal. Dh' fheith e greis an dùil gu'm paidheadh an Gobhainn Dubh dha na choisinn e gun iarraidh; ach ged dh' fheitheadh e gu là 'bhràth' cha tigeadh an Gobhainn Dubh air ni d'a leithid. Mu dheireadh thubhairt e ris: "Thàinig mi air-son mo dhuais': is fhearr dhuit a thabhairt domh, agus mo leigeil air falbh." Ach duais no buidheachas cha tugadh an Gobhainn Dubh dha. An uair a chunnaic e so, thug e 'n rathad air; ach mu 'n d' fhalbh e dh' fhàg e rud-eigin anns a' cheàrdaich.
At the end of a few days who entered the smithy but the gentleman. He waited a while, expecting that the Swarthy Smith would pay unasked what he had earned, but though he should wait to the crack of doom the Swarthy Smith would not allude to anything of the kind. At last he said to him: "I have come for my reward; you had better give it me and let me go." But reward or thanks the Swarthy Smith would not give. When he saw this he went away, but before going he left something in the smithy.
Beagan làithean 'na dhéidh sin thàinig duin'-uasal eile air muin eich a dh' ionnsaidh na ceàrdaich, 's an t-each aige ro chrùbach a chion chrùidhean. Air dha fàilte an latha 'chur air a' ghobhainn, thubhairt e: "B' fhearr leam gu 'n cuireadh tu crùidhean air an each agam, oir tha e cho deireasach 's nach 'eil comas ceum aige." "An e mise?" ars an Gobhainn Dubh, "cha d' rinn mise ball riamh de dh' obair goibhneachd ach suic chrann-treabhaidh." Fhreagair an duin'-uasal: "Is iomadh rud a dheanadh duine na'm bitheadh de mhisnich aige gu 'm feuchadh e ris. Feuch thusa, agus cuidichidh mi fhéin leat." "Seadh, seadh, ma-tà! ni mise cho math 's is urrainn mi," fhreagair an Gobhainn Dubh.
A few days after this another gentleman came on horseback to the smithy, and his horse very lame for want of shoes. After greeting the smith he said: "I wish you would shoe my horse, for he is so much in need that he cannot go a step." "Is it I!" said the Swarthy Smith. "I never made an article of smith-work except socks for ploughs." The gentleman replied: "Many a thing a man could make if he had courage enough to try. Try you, and I will assist you." "Very well, then, I will do as well as I can."
Chaidh an duin'-uasal a mach, agus gheàrr e ceithir chasan an eich dheth o na glùinean. Thug e stigh iad, agus chàraich e iad 'san teine. Chaidh e féin air làimh a' bhuilg, agus bha 'n Gobhainn 'a cumail an teine dùinte mu na casan. An déidh dhaibh a bhi tacain maith 'san teine, ghlaodh e ris a' Ghobhainn Dubh: "Mach leis an teas." Rug an Gobhainn air an teanchair, agus shlaod e mach a' cheud chas a dh' ionnsaidh an innein. Ghlac e 'n sin an t-òrd-làimh, agus leum an duin'-uasal a dh' ionnsaidh an uird-mhóir, agus le beagan bhuillean chrùidh iad a' chas cho glan 's a rinn gobhainn riamh. An uair a bha iad réidh dhith, ghabh iad na casan eile, agus chrùidh iad té mu seach dhiùbh air an dòigh cheudna. An sin ghlaodh an duin'-uasal ris a' Ghobhainn Dubh: "Bi mach leis an dà chois thoisich, agus buail iad 'nan àite féin air an each." Rinn an Gobhainn Dubh sin, agus rinn an duin'-uasal féin an ni ceudna air an dà chois dheiridh. Ann an tiota dh' éirich an t-each cho slàn 's bha e riamh, agus crùidhte, deas, air-son an rathaid. An sin leum an duin'-uasal 'san dìollaid, agus dh' fhalbh e.
The gentleman went out and cut the horse's four feet off below the knees. He took them in to the smith and laid them in the fire. He himself went to the bellows-handle, and the smith was keeping the fire banked up about the feet. After they were a good while in the fire he cried to the Swarthy Smith: "Out with the heat!" The smith took hold of the tongs, and with them pulled the first foot out of the fire on to the anvil. He then seized the hand hammer and the gentleman took the sledge hammer, and with a few strokes they shod the foot as neatly as ever smith did. When they were done with it they took the other feet and shod them one by one in the same manner. Then the gentleman cried again to the Swarthy Smith: "Get you out with the two fore feet and strike them in their place on the horse." The Swarthy Smith did that, and the gentleman himself did the same with the two hind feet. In an instant the horse stood up as sound as ever he was, shod and ready for the road. Then the gentleman sprang into the saddle and departed.
Cho luath 's a dh' fhalbh an duin'-uasal, chaidh an Gobhainn Dubh a stigh do 'n tigh, agus thubhairt e r' a mhnaoi: "Cha bhi mi na 's fhaide 'paidheadh tuarasdail do shlaoightearan ghoibhnean; oir théid agam fhéin a nis air crùidheadh as an eugmhais. Tiugainn a mach, agus cuidich leam an t-each bàn a chrùidheadh, oir tha agam ri dol leis do 'n bhaile an ùine ghoirid." An uair a chrìochnaich e na bh'aige ri ràdh, dh' fhalbh e do 'n stàbull, agus gheàrr e casan an eich bhàin dheth, agus an sin thug e stigh do 'n cheàrdaich iad, agus chàraich e iad anns an teine. Chuir e a bhean a shéideadh a' bhuilg, agus chaidh e féin a chumail guail air na casan. An uair a shaoil e gu'n robh iad deas, shlaod e té dhiùbh mach a dh' ionnsaidh an innein, agus bhuail e buille oirre leis an òrd. Ach bha 'chas 'na cnàimh guailte suas g' a leth, agus uime sin chuir am buille i 'na sgealban air feadh na ceàrdaich. Bha 'n còrr de na casan air a' cheart chor, agus le sin cha robh aig a' Ghobhainn Dubh ach an t-each bàn, bochd a chur á cràdh gun dàil, agus a chlosach a chur fo 'n talamh cho sàmhach 's a b' urrainn e.
As soon as the gentleman went away the smith entered the house, and said to his wife: "I'll no longer pay wages to rascally smiths, for I can now shoe without them. Come out and help me to shoe the white horse, because I have to go with him to the town soon." When he had finished what he had to say, he went to the stable, and cut the white horse's feet off, and then he took them to the smithy, and put them in the fire. He sent his wife to blow the bellows, while he kept coals over the feet. When he thought they were ready he drew one out to the anvil, and struck it with the hammer. But the foot up to its middle was nothing but charred bone, and therefore the stroke sent it flying in splinters over the smithy. The rest of the feet were in the same condition, and so the smith had no alternative but to put the poor white horse out of pain at once, and lay his carcass under ground as quietly as possible.
Ùine mhath an déidh do 'n dara duin'-uasal falbh, thàinig an treas duin'-uasal do 'n cheàrdaich, agus dà chailleach maille ris. Thubhairt e ris a' Ghobhainn Dubh: "An dean thu dhomh-sa nighean òg de 'n dà chaillich so, agus bheir mi dhuit duais mhath air-son do shaothrach?" Fhreagair an Gobhainn Dubh: "An e mise? Cha d' rinn mise riamh ach suic." "An toir thu dhomh fhéin, ma-tà, tacan de 'n cheàrdaich, agus de d' chuideachd? ars an duin'-uasal. "Gheibh thu sin," fhreagair an Gobhainn Dubh. "So, ma-tà! bi 'n greim. Is iomadh ni a dheanadh fear, na 'm bitheadh aige de mhisneach gu 'm feuchadh e ris." Chuir iad na cailleachan anns an teine, agus chaidh an duin'-uasal a shéideadh a' bhuilg, agus an Gobhainn Dubh a chumail guail air an teine. An uair a thug iad garadh math do na cailleachan, tharraing iad a mach iad a dh' ionnsaidh an innein; agus an sin thòisich an duin'-uasal air bualadh leis an òrd-mhòr, agus an Gobhainn Dubh leis an òrd-làimh, agus le aon gharadh tàthaidh rinn iad an aon nighean bu bhrèagh 'chunnaic duine riamh. An uair a bha iad deas, thug an duin'-uasal duais mhath do 'n Ghobhainn Dubh, agus dh' fhalbh e, agus an nighean òg aige 'na chuideachd.
A good while after the second gentleman departed, a third gentleman came to the smithy with two old women in his company. He said to the Swarthy Smith: "Will you make for me a young maiden of these old women, and I will give you a good reward for your labour?" The Swarthy Smith answered: "Is it I? I never made anything but socks." "Will you then give me a while of the smithy and of your assistance?" said the gentleman. "Yes, you will get that." "Come, then, begin work. Many a thing a man could do if he had courage enough to try." They put the old women in the fire, and the gentleman went to blow the bellows, and the Swarthy Smith to keep coals on the fire. When they had given the old women a good heating they drew them out to the anvil, and then the gentleman began to strike with the sledge hammer and the smith with the hand hammer, and with one welding heat they made the very handsomest maiden man ever beheld. When they had done, the gentleman gave the Swarthy Smith a good reward, and departed with the young maiden in his company.
Cho luath 's a dhealaich e riu, ghabh an Gobhainn Dubh a stigh do 'n tigh, agus thubhairt e r' a mhnaoi: "Nach 'eil naigheachd agam dhuit? Tha mi 'n déidh nighean òg cho brèagh 's a chunnaic thu riamh a dheanamh de dhà shean chaillich. Falbh agus ni sinn té eile de d' mhàthair fhéin agus de m' mhàthair-sa, agus an sin bithidh againn ni nach robh againn gus an so, nighean leinn fhéin." Thubhairt a bhean: "Thoir an aire nach e leithid eile ri goibhneachd an eich bhàin a bhitheas agad." "Cha'n eagal da sin," ars an Gobhainn Dubh, aguschaidh e 'n greim.Dh' fheuch e gach ni a dheanamh mar chunnaic e an duin'-uasal a' deanamh; ach, mur b' e leithid eile ri goibhneachd an eich bhàin a bh' aige mu dheireadh, b' e ni-eigin a sheachd miosa.
As soon as he parted with them, the Swarthy Smith made his way to the house, and said to his wife: "Have I not news for you? I have just made as handsome a young maiden as you ever saw of two old wives. Come and we will make another of your mother and mine, and then we shall have what we never had before, a daughter of our own." But his wife said: "Take care that you will not have the smithing of the white horse over again" "There is no fear of that," said he; and he set to work. He tried to do everything as he saw the gentleman do, but if the result was not the smithing of the white horse over again, it was something seven times worse.
Chaidh ùine seachad, agus an sin co 'thadhail anns a' cheàrdaich ach an ceud dhuin'-uasal. An déidh dha fàilte chur air a' Ghobhainn Dubh, thubhairt e ris: "Am bheil saod idir ort leth an airgid a choisinn mi dhuit a thoirt domh, mar gheall thu?" Cha robh sin air a' Ghobhainn Dubh: cha d' thugadh e uibhir agus buidheachas. An sin thòisich an duin'-uasal air fàs cho mór 's gu 'n robh an Gobhainn Dubh an cunnart a bhi air a leudachadh eadar e agus oisinn an teallaich. An uair a chunnaic an Gobhainn Dubh an cunnart mór 'san robh e, thug e mach as a phòca sporan leathraich a bha druidte le iallan, agus an sin thubhairt e ris an duin'-uasal: "Tha mi 'faicinn gu 'n téid agad air thu féin a dheanamh mór gu leòir; ach, ma ni thu nis cho beag thu féin 's gu 'n téid thu 'san sporan so, bheir mi dhuit na th' agad orm a dh' airgiod." Ann an tiota thòisich an duin'-uasal air fàs na bu lugha agus na bu lugha gus an robh e mu dheireadh cho beag 's gu 'n do leum e 'na dhùradan crìon, dubh a stigh do 'n sporan. Cho luath 's a chunnaic an Gobhainn Dubh so, tharraing e na h-iallan, agus cheangail e iad gu teann cruaidh mu 'n bheul. Leag e 'n sin an sporan air an innein agus bhuail e tri buillean de 'n òrd-mhòr cho math 's a b' urrainn e. Sgàin an sporan agus rinn e braigheadh cho mór 's gu 'n do shaoil bean a' Ghobhainn gu 'n do shéideadh a' cheàrdach agus na bh' innte anns na speuran àrd. Ruith i mach le uamhas, agus dh' fheòraich i gu dé thachair. Fhreagair an duine aice: "Fhalbh! ma thug esan an car asam-sa mu 'n each bhàn agus mu na cailleachan, thug mise 'n car as-san le 'bheatha thoirt dheth."
Time passed, and then who called in at the smithy but the first gentleman. After saluting the Swarthy Smith, he said: "Are you at all disposed to give me, as you promised, half of the money I earned for you?" No, the smith was not. He would not as much as thank the gentleman. Then the gentleman began to grow so big that the smith was in danger of being flattened between him and the side of the forge. When the Swarthy Smith saw the danger he was in, he took from his pocket a purse which was fastened with thongs, and then he said: "I see that you can make yourself big enough, but if you will now make yourself so small that you can enter this purse, I will give you all the money I owe you." In an instant the gentleman began to grow smaller and smaller until at last he was so small that he leaped, a little black mote, into the purse. As soon as the smith saw this, he drew the thongs and tied them hard and fast about the mouth. He then laid the purse on the anvil and gave it three strokes of the sledge hammer as hard as he could. The purse burst with so loud a report that the smith's wife thought the smithy and all that it contained were blown into the skies. She ran out in terror and asked what had happened. "Never mind, if he cheated me over the white horse and the old wives, I have cheated him of his life."
Lean e air na suic a dheanamh, agus air dol leò, uair 's a' mhìos, chum na faidhreach; ach, dh' fhàs e 'na dhuine glic, agus uair air bith a thigeadh éiginn airgid air, bheireadh e beagan as an ionmhas a dh' fhalaich e fo stairsneach na ceàrdaich.
He continued to make socks and to go with them once a month to the fair; but he became a wise man, and, any time he had need of money, he would take a little from the hoard he had hidden under the threshold of the smithy.