WATTY AND MEG, OR THE WIFE REFORMED.

A TALE.

Watty, wha 'midst this oration,
Ey'd her whiles, but durstna speak,
Sat like patient Resignation,
Trem'ling by the ingle cheek.

Sad his wee drap brose he sippet,
Maggy's tongue gaed like a bell;
Quietly to his bed he slippet,
Sighing aften to himsel';

“Nane are free frae some vexation,
“Ilk ane has his ills to dree;
“But thro' a' the hale creation
“Is a mortal vexed like me!”

A' night lang he rowt and gaunted,
Sleep or rest he cou'dna' tak;
Maggy, aft wi' horror haunted,
Mum'ling, started at his back.

Soon as e'er the morning peepit,
Up raise Watty, waefu' chiel;
Kist his weanies, while they sleepet,
Wauken'd Meg, and sought fareweel.

“Farewell, Meg !—and, O, may Heaven
“Keep you aye within His care;
“Watty's heart ye've lang been grievin',
“Now he'll never fash you mair.”

“Happy cou'd I been beside you,
“Happy, baith at morn and e'en;
“A' the ills that e'er betide you,
“Watty aye turn'd out your frien';

“But ye ever like to see me
“Vext and sighing, late and air;
“Farewell, Meg! I've sworn to lea' thee,
“So thou'll never see me mair.”

Meg, a' sabbing sae to lose him,
Sic a change had never wist;
Held his hand close to her bosom,
While her heart was like to burst.

“O, my Watty, will ye lea' me,
“Frien'less, helpless, to despair?
“O! for this ae time forgi'e me:
“Never will I vex you mair.”

“Ay! ye've aft said that, and broken
“A' your vows ten times a week;
“No, no, Meg! See, there's a token
“Glittering on my bonnet cheek.”

“Owre the seas I march this morning,
“Listed, tested, sworn and a';
“Forced by you confounded girning
“Farewell, Meg! for I'm awa:”

Then poor Maggy's tears and clamour
Gush afresh, and louder grew;
While the weans, wi' mournfu' yaumour,
Round their sabbing mother flew.

“Thro' the yirth I'll waunner wi' you
“Stay, O Watty! stay at hame;
“Here upo' my knees I'll gi'e you
“Ony vow ye like to name;”