Scotish Comic Ballads XXXI

There dwalled a man in Aberdeen, And nowthir young nor auld was he, He never wanted wit at will, But wi't was ugly as can be.

Mony a lass that had the tocher, Wham the carl sought to join Wi him to draw the pleuch of wedlock, Did the hatefu task decline.

Tired at last wi sharp denyals, Straight he pass'd to sillie Meg; She had nowthir wit nor siller. Here, thocht he, I sall nae beg.

Save the gowd o her fair tresses, Bit o gowd neer had the quene; Nor ither jewels in possession, Than the jewels o her een.

Bot alike to her was missing All the gowd that crouns the mynde; Sense, that jewel o the bosom, She could nowthir buy nor fynde.

He came, he saw, he overcame; The sillie mayden blush'd consent. Hamewart as he bent his travel, Thus he thocht on his intent.

"Tho this laffie want a noddle, "I hae wit to make amends; "Tho I'm ugly, yet her bewtie "In our bairns will serve like ends.

"Our childer, I can never dout it, "Will comely as their mither be; "And in wit and prudence surelie "Thay will coppie after me.

"Sae our race will bear perfection "Baith in bodie and in saul; "Surelie a mair happie marriage "To man's lot docht never fall."

Sae the wicht fou fondlie dremit— Alack the issue was far ither! The bairns war ugly as thair daddie, And thay were foolish as thair mither.