7
Wha near-hand swarf'd, and scarce could those
the fright.
At leugth the ghaist the awfn’ silence brake;
"Sax towmonds syne, benighted here like thee,
Fremit far frae hame, (my hame to see nae mair!)
Wi'gear weel laden, a my ain, dear won;
O'er dear, alack! The best craft's honesty,
I wanted to be rich, let knave's tak tent:
For when I bless't mysel', and had it snug,
Mark how it ended. In that very bed
I laid my weary limbs, when my base host
In dead o' night cam' on me, nae ill dreadin,
Reav't me of a' and that nane e'er, might ken'd;
He wi' a muckle rung dang out my harns.
D'ye see that ugly gash!———But be na fear'd;
The skybald by his ain ill conscience chased,
Did flee the kintra———and ne'er kent the gude o't,
'I will mak' you rich———rise up and come awa',
I'll shew ye whare 'tis hidden. But, now mind me,
Under that hearth ye'll find my bains,———
Them tak',
And see safe yirded into haly ground,
Sac sall my wandering spirit be at rest,
Aud may'st thou never meet a fate like miue."
Up Gibby raise, nac daffin' in his head,
And followed his grim guide, dreary and dreigh,
He pass'd the muckle yett. The cauld north win',
That blew sae loud short syne, was now fa'n low:
The moon shone clear upon the new fa'n snaw,
