( 10 )
Saw him tyne his manly ſpirit,
Healthy bloom; and ſprightly ee
And o'luve and hame grown wearit,
Nightly frae his family flee;
Wha could blame her heart's complaining ?
Wha condemn her ſorrows meek?
Or the tears that now ilk e'ening
Bleach'd her lately crimſon'd cheek.
Will, wha lang had rued and ſwitherd,
(Aye aſham'd o' paſt diſgrace)
Mark'd the roſes as they wither'd
ſaft on Jeanies lovely face!
Mark'd—and felt wi' inward racking
A' the wyte lay wi himſell,—
Swore neiſt night he'd mak a breaking—
D———n'd the club and news to hell!
But alas! whan habit's rooted,
Few hae pith the root to pu';
Will's reſolves, war aye nonſuited,
Promis'd aye, but aye gat fou.
Aye at firſt at the convening
Moraliz'd on what was right—
Yet on clavers entertaining
Doz'd and drank till broad day light,
Things at length draw near an ending,
Caſh rins out; Jean quite unhappy
Sees that will is now paſt mending,
Tynes a' heart, and tak's a—drappy.
