Part 11

The pyper said, “Now I begin To tyre for playing to, Bot yit I have gottin naething For all my pyping to you. Thre happenis for half ane day, And that will not undo you; And gif ye will gif me richt nocht[872] The meikill devill gang wi’ you!” Quod he, Of Peblis to the play.

Be that the daunsing wes all done, Thair leif tuik les and mair; Quhen the winklottis and the wawarris twynit[873] To se it was hart sair. Wat Atkin said to fair Ales[874], “My bird[875], now I will fayr.” The dewil a wourde that scho might speik, Bot swownit that sweit of swair[876] For kyndnes, Of Peblis to the play.

He sippilit[877] lyk ane faderles fole; “And be still, my sweit thing!” “Be the halyrud of Peblis I may nocht rest for greting[878].” He quhissillit and he pypit bayth To mak hir blyth that meiting: “My hony part, how sayis the sang, ‘Thair sall be mirth at our meting Yit,’ Of Peblis to the play.”

Be that the sone was settand schaftis, And neir done wes the day. Thair men micht heir schriken of chaftis[879] Quhen that thai went thair way. Had thair bein mair made of this sang Mair suld I to yow say. At Beltane ilka bodie bownd To Peblis to the play.

[755] Beltane, believed to be from the Gaelic Beal-tein, or Baal fire, was the great Druid festival of the first of May. The sports of Beltane, it appears, were celebrated at Peebles till a recent date, when a market was established, known as the Beltane Fair.

[756] when each person sets forth.

[757] By outland.

[758] went.

[759] clad.

[760] time, occasion.

[761] turmoil.

[762] For preparation and sport.

[763] kerchiefs.

[764] gloomy.

[765] Said she.

[766] collarette.

[767] permitted not.

[768] band, ribbon.

[769] so foolish and playful.

[770] knew

[771] weep not.

[772] lost.

[773] market.

[774] so badly sunburnt.

[775] carry my rags, _i.e._ woven cloth.

[776] shall once venture.

[777] look by stealth.

[778] Man, woman, and prentice-lad (Hob, caile, curdower).

[779] Gathered out thick-fold.

[780] thronged out.

[781] steadings unnumbered.

[782] over the plain.

[783] started in that place.

[784] lively.

[785] become not weary.

[786] clear, mild.

[787] raised a high rough song.

[788] fared.

[789] wood.

[790] way.

[791] conceit, opinion.

[792] that.

[793] dispose of.

[794] remainder.

[795] play the fool with.

[796] Swiftly.

[797] encountered.

[798] young woman.

[799] maukin, a little maid.

[800] to play the mate so.

[801] override.

[802] too good.

[803] go.

[804] Laughed.

[805] Was come.

[806] jollity.

[807] words wondrous brave.

[808] Have done (?).

[809] “Set up the board,” he calls soon.

[810] dance, party.

[811] napery be white.

[812] good woman, hostess.

[813] wall.

[814] Wait till we reckon our lawing (bill).

[815] that ye owe.

[816] laugh.

[817] scorn.

[818] twopence half-penny.

[819] over stupid.

[820] deserved a blow.

[821] pointed staff.

[822] Wincing as he were mad.

[823] uproar.

[824] earth.

[825] clearance, settlement.

[826] slid.

[827] Thirty-three lay there.

[828] Tumbling about.

[829] distiller’s waste.

[830] A hawker on the market street.

[831] debate, battle.

[832] overtake.

[833] Two lines of the stanza have here apparently been lost.

[834] glimpse.

[835] separate.

[836] leaped.

[837] girthing.

[838] At once.

[839] dirtied.

[840] became.

[841] low-born.

[842] counsel.

[843] Go home his ways.

[844] defiled.

[845] See how.

[846] treated.

[847] great.

[848] hinder.

[849] know.

[850] fatigued.

[851] then.

[852] By the time that.

[853] notches (of bows).

[854] broil.

[855] grovelling.

[856] Had rather given.

[857] Ere.

[858] favourite.

[859] a dance now unknown.

[860] jerked, rocked.

[861] how.

[862] dwelling.

[863] performs wondrous long.

[864] laughed.

[865] hence your ways.

[866] enough.

[867] So fiercely fire-hot.

[868] Tibbie, Isabella.

[869] latch.

[870] encountered.

[871] all the men to cackle.

[872] quite nothing.

[873] the wenches and wooers parted.

[874] Alison.

[875] damsel.

[876] swooned that sweet one of the glen foot.

[877] sipped, uttered a sipping sound.

[878] weeping.

[879] shock of lips, _i.e._ osculation.

CHRYSTIS KIRK ON THE GRENE.[880]

Was nevir in Scotland hard nor sene Sic dansing nor deray[881], Nowthir at Falkland on the grene Nor Peblis at the play, As wes of wowaris[882], as I wene[883], At Chryst kirk on ane day. Thair come our kitteis[884] weschin clene In thair new kirtillis of gray, Full gay, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

To dans thir damysellis thame dicht[885], Thir lassis licht of laitis[886], Thair gluvis wes of the raffell[887] rycht, Thair schone wes of the straitis[888]; Thair kirtillis wer of lynkome[889] licht, Weill prest with mony plaitis. Thay wer so nyss[890] quhen men thame nicht[891] Thay squeilit lyk ony gaitis[892], So lowd, At Chrystis kirk of the grene that day.

Of all thir madynis myld as meid Wes nane so gympt[893] as Gillie; As ony ross hir rude[894] wes reid, Hir lyre[895] wes lyk the lillie; Fow[896] yellow yellow wes hir heid, Bot scho of lufe wes sillie[897]; Thocht all hir kin had sworn hir deid[898] Scho wald haif bot sweit Willie Allone, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Scho skornit Jok and skraipit[899] at him, And mvrionit him with mokkis[900]; He wald haif luvit, scho wald nocht lat him, For all his yallow loikkis: He chereist hir, scho bad ga chat him[901]; Scho compt[902] him nocht twa clokkis[903]; So schamefully his schort goun set him, His lymmis wes lyk twa rokkis[904], Scho said, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Thome Lular wes thair menstrall meit; O Lord! as he cowd lanss[905]; He playit so schill[906], and sang so sweit Quhill Towsy tuke a transs[907]. Auld Lychtfute thair he did forleit[908], And counterfutit Franss; He vse[909] him-self as man discreit And vp tuke moreiss danss, Full lowd, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Than Stevin come stoppand in with stendis[910]; No rynk[911] mycht him arreist. Platfute[912] he bobbit vp with bendis[913]; For Maid he maid requeist. His lap quhill he lay on his lendis[914]; Bot rysand he wes preist[915] Quhill that he oistit[916] at bath the endis For honour of the feist, That day, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Syne Robene Roy begowth[917] to revell, And Dwny till him druggit[918]; “Lat be,” quo Jok; and cawd him javell[919] And be the taill him tuggit. The kensy cleikit to the cavell[920], Bot Lord! than gif thay luggit[921], Thay pairtit hir manly with a nevell[922], God wait gif hair wes ruggit[923] Betuix thame, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Ane bent a bow, sic sturt cowd steir him[924]; Grit skayth wesd to haif skard[925] him; He chesit a flane[926] as did affeir[927] him, The toder[928] said “Dirdum Dardum.” Throwch baith the cheikis he thocht to cheir[929] him, Or throw the erss haif chard[930] him; Bot be ane akerbraid[931] it come nocht neir him, I can nocht tell quhat mard him, Thair, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

With that a freynd of his cryd “Fy!” And vp ane arrow drew; He forgit[932] so fowriously The bow in flenders[933] flew; Sa wes the will of God, trow I, For had the tre bene trew Men said that kend[934] his archery That he had slane anew[935], That day, At Chrystis kirk on the grene.

Ane hasty hensure[936] callit Hary, Quha wes ane archer heynd[937], Tilt[938] vp a taikle withowttin tary[939], That torment so him teynd[940]. I wait nocht quhidder his hand cowd wary[941], Or the man wes his freynd, For he eschaipit[942] throw michtis of Mary As man that no ill meynd[943], Bot gud, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Than Lowry as ane lyon lap, And sone a flane cowd fedder[944]; He hecht[945] to perss him at the pap, Thair-on to wed a weddir[946]. He hit him on the wame a wap[947], It buft[948] lyk ony bledder; Bot swa his fortoun wes and hap His dowblet wes maid of ledder, And saift him, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

A yaip[949] yung man that stude him neist Lowsd[950] of a schot with yre; He ettlit the bern[951] in at the breist, The bolt flew our the byre[952]. Ane cryit Fy! he had slane a preist A myll beyond ane myre; Than bow and bag[953] fra him he keist And fled as ferss as fyre Of flynt, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

With forkis and flailis thay lait[954] grit flappis, And flang[955] togiddir lyk friggis[956]; With bowgaris[957] of barnis thay beft[958] blew kappis Quhill thay of bernis maid briggis[959]. The reird[960] raiss rudly with the rappis, Quhen rungis[961] wes layd on riggis[962]; The wyffis come furth with cryis and clappis, “Lo quhair my lyking liggis[963]!” Quo thay At Chryst kirk of the grene.

Thay girnit and lait gird with granis[964] Ilk gossep vder grevit[965]; Sum straik with stingis[966], sum gadderit stanis, Sum fled and evill mischevit; The menstrall wan within twa wanis[967], That day full weill he previt[968], For he come hame with vnbirsed banis[969] Quhair fechtaris wer mischevit[970] For evir, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Heich[971] Hucheoun, with a hissill ryss[972], To red[973] can throw thame rummill[974]; He mudlet[975] thame doun lyk ony myss[976], He wes no barty-bummill[977]. Thocht he wes wicht[978] he wes nocht wyss With sic jangleris to jummill[979], For fra his thowme thay dang a sklyss[980], Quhill he cryd “Barla-fummyll[981]! I am slane,” At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Quhen that he saw his blude so reid, To fle micht no man lat[982] him; He wend[983] it bene for auld done feid[984], The far sarar it set[985] him. He gart his feit defend his heid, He thocht ane cryd haif at him, Quhill he wes past out of all pleid[986] He suld bene swift that gat him Throw speid, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

The toun sowtar[987] in greif wes bowdin[988], His wyfe hang in his waist; His body wes with blud all browdin[989], He granit lyk ony gaist. Hir glitterand hair that wes full goldin So hard in lufe him lest[990] That for hir saik he wes nocht yoldin, Sevin myll quhill he wes chest[991], And mair, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

The millar wes of manly mak; To meit him wes na mowis[992]; Thair durst nocht ten cum him to tak, So nowit he thair nowis[993]. The buschment haill[994] about him brak And bikkerit[995] him with bowis[996], Syne tratourly behind his bak Thay hewit him on the howiss[997] Behind, At Chrystis kirk of the grene.

Twa that wes heidmen of the heird Ran vpoun vtheris lyk rammis; Than followit feymen[998] rycht on affeird[999], Bet on with barrow trammis. Bot quhair thair gobbis wes vngeird[1000] Thay gat vpoun the gammis[1001], Quhill bludy berkit[1002] wes thair beird; As thay had wirreit[1003] lammis, Maist lyk, At Chryst kirk of the grene.

The wyvis kest vp ane hiddouss yell Quhen all thir yunkeris yokkit[1004]; Als ferss as ony fyr-flaught[1005] fell Freikis[1006] to the feild thay flokkit: Tha cairlis[1007] with clubbis cowd vder quell[1008], Quhill blud at breistis out bokkit[1009]. So rudly rang the commoun bell, Quhill all the stepill rokkit For reird, At Christis kirk of the grene.

Quhen thay had berit[1010] lyk baitit bulis, And branewod brynt in bailis[1011], Thay wer als meik as ony mvlis That mangit wer with mailis[1012]. For fantness tha forfochin fulis[1013] Fell doun lyk flawchtir-failis[1014], And freschmen come in and held thair dulis[1015], And dang[1016] thame doun in dailis[1017] Be-dene[1018], At Chryst kirk on the grene.

Quhen all wes done, Dik with ane aix Come furth to fell a fidder[1019]. Quod he, “Quhair ar yone hangit smaix[1020] Rycht now wald slane my bruder?” His wyfe bade him ga hame gub-glaikis[1021], And sa did Meg his muder. He turnd and gaif thaim bayth thair paikis[1022], For he durst ding nane vdir[1023], For feir, At Chryst kirk of the grene that day.

[880] The Christ’s Kirk of the poem, in Tytler’s opinion, was that near Dunideer in Aberdeenshire. About the burial ground of the ancient kirk was a green where, so late as the end of last century, a yearly fair was still held on the 1st of May. “In former times,” says Tytler, “this fair was continued during the night, from which circumstance it was called by the country people Sleepy Market. On such occasions it was natural that such disorders as are so humorously described by the royal author should have taken place.”

[881] merriment, disorder.

[882] wooers.

[883] think.

[884] Kittie, now the common abbreviation of Catherine, was in James’s time the general name for a playful girl.

[885] prepared.

[886] gay of manners.

[887] doeskin.

[888] coarse woollen.

[889] Lincoln-green.

[890] simple, foolish.

[891] approached.

[892] goats, kids.

[893] slim, dainty.

[894] the ruddy part of the face.

[895] skin.

[896] Full.

[897] frail, _i.e._, she was love-sick.

[898] death.

[899] girded.

[900] mocked him by making mouths.

[901] go hang himself.

[902] counted.

[903] clucks.

[904] distaffs.

[905] how he did launch (the fiddle bow).

[906] shrill.

[907] an ancient dance.

[908] forsake.

[909] behaved.

[910] stepping in with long strides.

[911] course.

[912] Flat-footed.

[913] bounds.

[914] He leaped till he lay on his buttocks.

[915] exerted.

[916] coughed.

[917] began.

[918] dragged.

[919] drove him side-wise (gable-wards).

[920] The angry man clutched the stave.

[921] did not they have by the ears.

[922] blow of the fist.

[923] pulled.

[924] such wrath did move him.

[925] Great hurt was it to have frightened.

[926] chose an arrow.

[927] become.

[928] other.

[929] pierce.

[930] pierced.

[931] acre’s breadth.

[932] let fly.

[933] splinters.

[934] knew.

[935] enough.

[936] giddy fellow.

[937] skilful.

[938] Snatched.

[939] delay.

[940] enraged.

[941] did vary.

[942] escaped.

[943] designed.

[944] arrow did feather.

[945] offered, promised.

[946] to wager a wether.

[947] on the belly a knock.

[948] sounded.

[949] conceited.

[950] Loosed.

[951] aimed at the man.

[952] cowhouse.

[953] quiver.

[954] let (drive).

[955] kicked.

[956] stout fellows.

[957] roof beams.

[958] buffeted.

[959] Till they of men made bridges.

[960] uproar.

[961] spars.

[962] ridges, backs.

[963] my love lies.

[964] snarled and let drive with groans.

[965] vexed the other.

[966] pikes.

[967] dwellings.

[968] proved.

[969] unbruised bones.

[970] Where fighters were hurt.

[971] Tall.

[972] a hazel twig.

[973] separate.

[974] rumble.

[975] mowed.

[976] mice.

[977] inactive fellow.

[978] stout.

[979] With such wranglers to jumble.

[980] struck a slice.

[981] “A truce.”

[982] prevent.

[983] deemed.

[984] feud.

[985] distressed.

[986] debate, broil.

[987] shoemaker.

[988] swollen with rage.

[989] clotted, _lit._ broidered.

[990] delayed.

[991] till he was chased.

[992] jest.

[993] knocked he their crowns.

[994] The whole ambush.

[995] fought, rattled upon.

[996] ox-collars of bent willow.

[997] hams.

[998] crofters, country men.

[999] in warlike array.

[1000] their mouths were unclad, _i.e._ unguarded.

[1001] gums.

[1002] barked, clotted.

[1003] worried.

[1004] youngsters (perhaps Dutch _jonker_) engaged.

[1005] lightning.

[1006] stout fellows.

[1007] carls, men.

[1008] did each other quell.

[1009] belched.

[1010] bellowed.

[1011] firewood burnt in flames.

[1012] overpowered were with burdens.

[1013] these fatigued fools.

[1014] turfs cut for burning.

[1015] goals, stations.

[1016] struck.

[1017] numbers.

[1018] forthwith.

[1019] multitude, _lit._ waggon-load.

[1020] mean fellows, sneaks.

[1021] folly-mouth.

[1022] drubbing.

[1023] strike no other.

THE GABERLUNZIEMAN.[1024]

The pauky[1025] auld carle came ovir the lee, Wi’ mony good-e’ens and days to mee, Saying, “Goodwife, for zour courtesie, Will ze lodge a silly[1026] poor man?” The night was cauld, the carle was wat, And down azont[1027] the ingle he sat; My dochter’s shoulders he gan to clap, And cadgily[1028] ranted and sang.

“O wow!” quo he, “were I as free As first when I saw this countrie, How blyth and merry wad I bee! And I wad nevir think lang[1029].” He grew canty[1030] and she grew fain, But little did her auld minny ken[1031] What thir slee twa togither were sayn When wooing they were sa thrang[1032].

“And O!” quo he, “ann[1033] ze were as black As evir the crown o’ your dadye’s hat ’Tis I wad lay thee by my back, And awa wi’ me thou sould gang[1034]!” “And O!” quoth she, “ann I were as whyte As evir the snaw lay on the dike Ild clead me braw[1035] and lady-like, And awa wi’ thee Ild gang!”

Between the twa was made a plot, They raise a wee[1036] before the cock, And wyliely they shot the lock, And fast to the bent[1037] are they gane. Up the morn the auld wife raise, And at her leisure put on her claiths, Syne to the servants’ bed she gaes To speir[1038] for the silly poor man.

She gaed[1039] to the bed whair the beggar lay; The strae was cauld, he was away; Scho clapt her hands, cry’d “Dulefu’ day! For some of our geir[1040] will be gane.” Some ran to coffer and some to kist[1041], But nought was stown[1042] that could be mist. She danced her lane[1043], cry’d “Praise be blest! I have lodg’d a leal[1044] poor man.”

“Since naithing’s awa, as we can learn, The kirn’s to kirn[1045] and milk to earn; Gae butt[1046] the house, lass, and waken my bairn, And bid her come quickly ben[1047].” The servant gaed where the dochter lay-- The sheets was cauld, she was away; And fast to her goodwife can say[1048], “She’s aff with the gaberlunzieman.”

“O fy gar ride[1049], and fy gar rin, And haste ze, find these traiters agen! For shee’s be burnt, and hee’s be slein, The wearifou[1050] gaberlunzieman!” Some rade upo’ horse, some ran a-fit[1051]; The wife was wood[1052], and out o’ her wit; She could na gang, not yet could she sit But ay did curse and did ban.

Mean-time far hind, out owre[1053] the lee, Fu’ snug in a glen where nane could see, The twa, with kindlie sport and glee, Cut frae a new cheese a whang[1054]. The prieving[1055] was gude, it pleas’d them baith; To lo’e her for ay he gae her his aith. Quo she, “To leave thee I will be laith, My winsome gaberlunzieman.

“O kend my minny I were wi’ zou, Ill-fardly[1056] wald she crook her mou’. Sic a poor man sheld nevir trow[1057] Aftir the gaberlunzieman.” “My dear,” quo he, “zee’re zet owre zonge, And hae na learnt the beggar’s tonge, To follow me frae toun to toun, And carrie the gaberlunzie on:

“Wi’ kauk and keel[1058] I’ll win zour bread, And spindles and whorles[1059] for them wha need-- Whilk is a gentil trade indeed, The gaberlunzie to carrie O! I’ll bow[1060] my leg and crook my knee, And draw a black clout[1061] owre my e’e; A criple or blind they will cau me, While we sall sing and be merry O!”

[1024] An ancient Scots name for a hawker, from gaber, a wallet, and lunyie, the loin. Literally, “The man who carries a wallet on the loin.” Throughout this poem, it will be observed, the consonant sound of “y” is represented by the letter “z.” This peculiarity is preserved to the present day in several Scottish proper names, such as Dalziel, Zair, Culzean.

[1025] sly, artful.

[1026] frail.

[1027] beyond.

[1028] cheerfully.

[1029] become weary.

[1030] lively.

[1031] her old mother know.

[1032] busy.

[1033] if.

[1034] go.

[1035] I’d clothe me gay.

[1036] a little.

[1037] open field.

[1038] enquire.

[1039] went.

[1040] goods.

[1041] chest.

[1042] stolen.

[1043] alone.

[1044] loyal, true.

[1045] churn.

[1046] Go to the outer apartment.

[1047] to the inner apartment.

[1048] did say.

[1049] O haste, cause to ride.

[1050] troublesome.

[1051] afoot.

[1052] mad, furious.

[1053] far hence, out over.

[1054] slice.

[1055] proving, tasting.

[1056] Ill-favouredly.

[1057] she’d never trust.

[1058] chalk and ruddle (for marking sheep).

[1059] small perforated stones used in spinning.

[1060] bend.

[1061] cloth, rag.

THE JOLLY BEGGAR.

There was a jolly beggar, and a-begging he was boun[1062], And he took up his quarters in-to a land’art town[1063], And we’ll gang nae mair a roving Sae late in-to the night; And we’ll gang nae mair a roving, boys, Let the moon shine ne’er so bright.

He wad neither ly in barn, nor yet wad he in byre; But in ahint[1064] the ha’ door, or else afore the fire. And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

The beggar’s bed was made at e’en wi’ good clean straw and hay, And in ahint the ha’ door, and there the beggar lay. And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

Up raise the goodman’s dochter and for to bar the door, And there she saw the beggar standin’ i’ the floor. And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

He took the lassie in his arms, and to the bed he ran, O hooly[1065], hooly wi’ me, sir, ye’ll waken our goodman. And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

The beggar was a cunnin’ loon, and ne’er a word he spake Until he got his turn done, syne he began to crack[1066]. And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

“Is there ony dogs into this toun? maiden, tell me true.” “And what wad ye do wi’ them, my hinny and my dow[1067]?” And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

“They’ll rive a’ my meal pocks, and do me meikle wrang.”[1068] “O dool[1069] for the doing o’t! are ye the poor man?” And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

Then she took up the meal pocks, and flang them o’er the wa’; “The deil gae wi’ the meal pocks, my maidenhead, and a’!” And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

“I took ye for some gentleman, at least the laird of Brodie; O dool for the doing o’t! are ye the poor bodie?” And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

He took the lassie in his arms, and gae her kisses three, And four and twenty hunder merk[1070] to pay the nurice-fee[1071]. And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

He took a horn frae his side, and blew baith loud and shrill, And four and twenty belted knights came skipping o’er the hill. And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

And he took out his little knife, loot a’ his duddies[1072] fa’; And he was the brawest gentleman that was amang them a’. And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

The beggar was a cliver loon, and he lap shoulder height: “O, ay for sicken[1073] quarters as I gat yesternight!” And we’ll gang nae mair, &c.

[1062] set forth.

[1063] country farm-steading.

[1064] behind.

[1065] cautiously.

[1066] talk.

[1067] my honey and my dove.

[1068] “They’ll tear all my meal bags, and do me great harm.” In rural districts of Scotland as late as a century ago beggars carried under each arm a wallet in which they collected the doles of the farmers’ wives. The expected gratuity, which was rarely withheld, was a “gowpen,” or double handful of oatmeal.

[1069] sorrow.

[1070] a silver coin worth 13-1/3 d. Stg.

[1071] wet-nurse wage.