"The pearl may be pure, Tib, though Sae come doon the stair, Tib, an' e'en rough be the shell Sae I'm determined to wed ye mysel❜ An' a' that a lovin' an' leal heart can grant O' this warld's wealth, lass, troth nought shall ye want; Sae a kiss to the bargain ye maun gi'e to me." "Very weel, sir," quo' Tibby, "sae let it be." The weddin'-day come, wi' its bride-cake an' bans, Fand Tib i' the kitchen 'mang tubs, pats, an' pans. "Bless me," quo' the laird, "what on earth hauds you here? Our frien's a' are met, in their braw bridal gear; Ye maun busk in your best, lass, an' that Gin reft frae friends, or crost in love, as whiles, nae doubt, ye've been, speedilie." 'Very weel, sir," quo' Tibby, "sae let Grief lies deep hidden in your heart, or it be." or tears flow frae your een, Believe it for the best, and trow there's good in store for you, For ilka blade o' grass keps ain drap o' dew. An' that ye should be here, haith, I think An' in our pride forget to wipe the fear is na richt. frae poorith's ee, It canna be richt; for, when women and Some wee dark cluds o' sorrow come, we men Are wedded, they ought to be bedded, ye ken. ken na whence or hoo, Bnt ilka blade o' grass keps its ain drap o' dew. The robin flew hie ower the gowden But gane was the glance o' her bonnie broom, An' he warbl'd fu' cheerilie. black e'e, An' the robin sang nae mair. "Oh tell me-oh tell me, thou bonnie For an angel cam' doun at the fa' o' the wee bird, Will I ever my true luve see?" Then saftly an' sweetly the robin sang nicht, As she murmur'd her true luve's name, An' took her awa frae a broken heart, An' the ship that wad ne'er come hame! Commercial Printing Company, Edinburgh. |
