Now butt an' benR the change-house' fills 'Twad be owre lang a tale to tell 155 Wi' yill-caups commentators: Here's cryin out for bakes9 an gills, An' there the pint-stowp1o clatters; While thick an' thrang, an' loud an' lang, Wi' logic an' wi' Scripture, They raise a din, that in the end Is like to breed a rupture O' wrath that day. Leeze me11 on drink! it gies us mair It never fails, on drinkin deep, The lads an' lasses, blythely bent To mind baith saul an' body, 160 165 170 190 195 200 How monie stories past, In comes a gawsie,26 gash27 guidwife Syne28 draws her kebbuck 29 an' her knife; The lasses they are shyer: The auld guidmen about the grace Frae side to side they bother, Till some ane by his bonnet lays, Waesucks!31 for him that gets nae lass, Now Clinkumbell, wi' rattlin tow,3 Begins to jow35 an' croon; 211 215 220 225 Some swagger hame the best they dow,36 Some wait the afternoon. At slaps the billies38 halt a blink, 230 Till lasses strip their shoon: the new; What makes the youth sae bashfu' an' sae grave, The father mixes a' wi' admonition due. 45 Weel-pleased to think her bairn's re spected like the lave.17 O happy love! where love like this is found! O heart-felt raptures! bliss beyond compare! I've paced much this weary, mortal round, 75 And sage experience bids me this de |