Page:Monk and miller's wife.pdf/7

7

While Bessy huddl’d a’ things by,
That nought the cuckold might espy;
Syne loot him in,—but out of tune,
Spier’d why he left the mill sae soon?
“I come, said he, as manners claims,
“To crack and wait on Master James,
“Whilk I shou’d do, tho’ ne’er sae bissy:
“I sent him here, gudewife, where is he?”
“Ye sent him here! (quo’ Bessy, grumbling)
“Kend I this James? A chiel came rumbling;
“But how was I assur’d, when dark,
“That he had been nae thievish spark,
“Or some rude wencher, gotten a dose,
“That a weak wife coud ill oppose?”
“And what came of him? speak nae langer,”
Cries Halbert in a highland anger.
“I sent him to the barn,” quoth she.
“Gae quickly bring him in,” quoth he.

James was brought in—the wife was bawk’d,
The priest stood close—the miller crack’d—
Then ask’d his sunken gloomy spouse,
What supper had she in the house,
That might be suitable to gie
Ane of their lodger's quality!
Quoth she, “You may well ken, gudeman,
“Your feast comes frae the pottage pan:
“The stov’d or roasted we afford,
“Are aft great strangers on our board.”