XII.

THE EW-BUGHTS, MARION.

A SCOTTISH SONG.

This sonnet appears to be ancient: that and its simplicity of sentiment have recommended it to a place here.

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[This is marked in Ramsay's _Tea Table Miscellany_ as an old song with additions. It is not known who wrote the song or who composed the air belonging to it. They are both old.]

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Will ye gae to the ew-bughts,[229] Marion, And wear in[230] the sheip wi' mee? The sun shines sweit, my Marion, But nae half sae sweit as thee. O Marion's a bonnie lass; 5 And the blyth blinks[231] in her ee: And fain wad I marrie Marion, Gin Marion wad marrie mee.

Theire's gowd in your garters, Marion; And siller on your white hauss-bane[232]: 10 Fou faine wad I kisse my Marion At eene quhan I cum hame. Theire's braw lads in Earnslaw, Marion, Quha gape and glowr wi' their ee At kirk, quhan they see my Marion; 15 Bot nane of them lues[233] like mee.

Ive nine milk-ews, my Marion, A cow and a brawney quay;[234] Ise gie tham au to my Marion, Just on her bridal day. 20 And yees get a grein sey[235] apron, And waistcote o' London broun; And wow bot ye will be vaporing Quhaneir ye gang to the toun.

Ime yong and stout, my Marion, 25 None dance lik mee on the greine; And gin ye forsak me, Marion, Ise een gae draw up wi' Jeane. Sae put on your pearlins,[236] Marion, And kirtle oth' cramasie;[237] 30 And sune as my chin has nae haire on, I sall cum west, and see yee.

FOOTNOTES:

[229] [the pens in which the ewes are milked.]

[230] [gather in.]

[231] [joy sparkles.]

[232] _Hauss bane, i.e._ The neck-bone. Marion had probably a silver locket on, tied close to her neck with a ribband, an usual ornament in Scotland; where a sore throat is called "_a sair hause_," properly _halse_.

[233] [loves.]

[234] [young heifer.]

[235] [woollen cloth.]

[236] [a kind of lace made of thread or silk.]

[237] [crimson.]