It's just three weeks sin Carel fair,
This sixteenth o' September;
There the furst loff of a sweetheart I gat,
...
The witch weyfe begg'd in our backseyde,
But went unsarra'd away i'th' pet;
Our Ester kurn'd at e'er she kurn'd,
...
Our Ellek likes fat bacon weel,
And haver--bannock pleases Dick;
A cowd--lword meks lal Wully fain,
And cabbish aye turns Philip sick;
...
Of aw the lads I see or ken,
There's yen I like abuin the rest;
He's neycer in his war day duds,
Than others donn'd in aw their best.
...
Says our Squire, ``Hodge, tell me, young shepherd swain,
Wilt thou leave thy flock, thy cottage, and plain,
...
To thee what praises can I give,
Thou great Creator, Lord of all,
Whose goodness 'tis that man shall live,
Whose will it is that man shall fall.
...
Stop, gentle traveller, on this rude Seat,
Rest thee awhile; and ponder on mankind:
Turn nature's volume o'er, with prying eye,
...
Reader, if rocks, woods, waters, lawns, and meads,
Or aught of nature's captivating dress,--
...
O, lass! I've fearfu' news to tell!
What thinks te's come owre Jemmy?
The sowdgers hev e'en pick'd him up,
...
Come, Tom, let us jingle the glasses, lad,
And bumper the dear witchin' lasses, lad;
What tho' we baith be puir,
We'll kick care behind the duir,
...