What's gar'd her turn an' tak' a road divairgint?
Ye think she's wae[4] because he wants a limb?
Ach! haud yer tongue, ye fule--_the man's a sairgint,_
An' there's nae argy-bargyin' wi' _him_!

[4] Sad.




THE BRIG


I whiles gang to the brig-side
That's past the briar tree,
Alang the road when the licht is wide
Owre Angus an' the sea.

In by the dyke yon briar grows
Wi' leaf an' thorn, it's lane
Whaur the spunk o' flame o' the briar rose
Burns saft agin the stane.

An' whiles a step treids on by me,
I mauna hear its fa';
And atween the brig an' the briar tree
Ther gangs na' ane, but twa.

Oot owre yon sea, through dule an' strife,
Ye tak' yer road nae mair,