Robert Anderson

1770-1833 / Scotland

The Beggar And Keatie

KEATIE.
Whee's rap rappin at the duir,
Now when our aul fwok are sleepin?
Thou'll git nowt here if thou's puir--
Owre the hills thou'd best be creepin!
When sec flaysome fuils we see,
Decent fwok may start and shudder;
I'll nit move the duir to thee--
Vagrant--leyke, thou's nowt but bodder!

BEGGAR.
Oh! guid lassie, let me in!
I've nae money, meat, or cleedin--
Starv't wi' this caul angry win;
Aul an helpless--deeth ay dreedin!
Let me lig in barn or byre;
Ae brown crust will pruive a dainty;--
Dui, sweet lass! what I desire,
If thou whop'st for peace and plenty!

KEATIE.
Beggars yen may weel despise--
To the sweyne--hull hie an swat thee,
Rap nae mair if thou be wise--
Here's a dog wad fain be at thee:
Sec leyke hawf--wits, far and weyde,
Beggin breed, and meal, and money,
Some may help to shew their preyde--
I'll ne'er lift mey han to onie!

BEGGAR.
Move the duir to sec as me;
Lift thy han to fwok when starvin;
Meynd, er lang, thou peer may be;
Pity beggars, when desarvin.
Nobbet lissen to the storm,
Think how monie now mun suffer i
Let me in thur limbs to warm,
And wi' preyde, due thanks I'll offer!

KEATIE.
I've a sweetheart; sud he caw,
Monstrous vex'd I'd be to see him;
He helps beggars, yen and aw,
Leyke a fuil; nae guid 'twill dee him!
He hes gear; I'll ne'er be peer--
Say nowt mair, or Snap sal beyte thee;
Noisy sumph! what, our fwok hear
Thy crazy voice--Be off! od wheyte thee!

BEGGAR.
Keate, It's teyme to change mey voice--
Heartless wretch, they weel may caw thee;
Fain I meade thee ay mey choice,
Sin the hour when furst I saw thee:
Lang thy sweetheart I ha'e been;
Thowt thee gude, an lish, an cliver--
Ne'er will I wi' thee be seen,
Come what will!--Fareweel for ever!
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