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O Reekie's Callants, mourn wi' me!
Your waes, alake! are sair to dree!
O mourn the days—the days o' glee—
Now fled awa'!
I see the tear start i' ilk e'e,
An' sadly fa'!
Ech! mony time, ance on a day,
In cheerie bangs we've ta'en our way,
Ilk birkie keenly bent on play,
Wi' hearts fu' light,
An' for a wee set Care astray,
Far out o' sight!
And whan we reach'd her little dwallin',
Whare toolied birds wi' bloodie talon*,[1]
How kind she met us at the hallin
Led to the ha',
"Gude e'en, gude e'en!" ay loudly bawlin',
An' baikin' law!
Syne what a fyke, an' what a phraisin'!
"The puddin's, bairns, are just in season—
"They're newly made—the kettle's bizzin'—
"Sae dinna fret—
"Mair sappy anes ne'er cross'd your wizzen,
"Altho' I say't!”
- ↑ •Lizzie had a sign-board above her door, on which was painted two cocks fighting, with this inscription—"The thickest skin stand langest out."
