4
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.
