WATTY AND MEG, OR THE WIFE REFORMED.

A TALE.

“See your poor young lamies pleadin',
“Will ye gang and break our heart?”
No a house to put our head in!
“No a friend to take our part!“

Ilka word came like a bullet,
Watty's heart begoud to shake;
On a kist he laid his wallet,
Dighted baith his een and spake,—

“If ance mair I cou'd, by writing,
“Lea' the sogers, and stay still;
“Wad you swear to drop your flyting?”
“Yes, O Watty! yes, I will.”

“Then,” quo Watty, “mind, be honest;
“Aye to keep your temper strive;
“Gin you break this dreadfu' promise,
“Never mair expect to thrive;”

“Marget Howe! this hour ye solemn
“Swear by everything that's gude,
Ne'er again your spouse to seal' him,
“While life warms your heart and blood;”

“That you'll ne'er in Mungo's seek me;
“Ne'er put drucken to my name:
“Never out at e'ening steek me;
“Never gloom when I come hame;”

That ye'll ne'er like Bessy Miller,
“Kick my shins, or rug my hair;
“Lastly, I'm to keep the siller;
“This upo' your saul you swear?”

“O—h!” quo' Meg; “aweel”, quo' Watty,
“Farewell ! faith, I'll try the seas:”
“O stand still,” quo Meg, and grat aye;
“Ony, ony way ye please.”

Maggy syne, because he prest her,
Swore to a' thing owre again;
Watty lap, and danc'd, and kist her;
Wow ! but he was won'rous fain.

Down he threw his staff, victorious;
Aff gaed bonnet, clams, and shoon;
Syne below the blankets, glorious,
Held anither Hinnymoon!