18
Out o'their flocks some twa, some three
Till a handsonie drove colleekit,
And to the south his way direekit.
He mounted was upon a pony,
A dog his servant was, and crony;
And by his side, like ony lord,
There hung a braid sheep-headed sword-
No as a weaqon o' offence;
But, in case o' need, for se'f-defence;
For they wha liket, rich or poor,
Might wear a sword in days o'yore.
Baith ear' and late--baith wat and dry-
The dog and Donald drave the kye ;
And, after muckle toil and care
A' safe and sound they reached the fair.
The kye were sald—the price was paid-
'Twas down in yellow guineas laid ;
The guineas in his purse was sneckit-
The price was mare than he expeckit.
Whilk raised his heart-and I wat weel
He thought himsel' a elever chiel.
Instead o' Donald longin' careless
About the fair, to keek at fairlies,
Or bouze wi limmers, or to gamble,
Or spend his cash in ony ramble,
Till a handsonie drove colleekit,
And to the south his way direekit.
He mounted was upon a pony,
A dog his servant was, and crony;
And by his side, like ony lord,
There hung a braid sheep-headed sword-
No as a weaqon o' offence;
But, in case o' need, for se'f-defence;
For they wha liket, rich or poor,
Might wear a sword in days o'yore.
Baith ear' and late--baith wat and dry-
The dog and Donald drave the kye ;
And, after muckle toil and care
A' safe and sound they reached the fair.
The kye were sald—the price was paid-
'Twas down in yellow guineas laid ;
The guineas in his purse was sneckit-
The price was mare than he expeckit.
Whilk raised his heart-and I wat weel
He thought himsel' a elever chiel.
Instead o' Donald longin' careless
About the fair, to keek at fairlies,
Or bouze wi limmers, or to gamble,
Or spend his cash in ony ramble,
