Me

  had i the wyte? she bade me
  had i the wyte, had i the wyte,
  had i the wyte? she bade me;
  she watch'd me by the hie-gate side,
  and up the loan she shaw'd me.
  and when i wadna venture in,
  a coward loon she ca'd me:
  had kirk an' state been in the gate,
  i'd lighted when she bade me.
  sae craftilie she took me ben,
  and bade me mak nae clatter;
  “for our ramgunshoch, glum gudeman
  is o'er ayont the water.”
  whae'er shall say i wanted grace,
  when i did kiss and dawte her,
  let him be planted in my place,
  syne say, i was the fautor.
  could i for shame, could i for shame,
  could i for shame refus'd her;
  and wadna manhood been to blame,
  had i unkindly used her!
  he claw'd her wi' the ripplin-kame,
  and blae and bluidy bruis'd her;
  when sic a husband was frae hame,
  what wife but wad excus'd her!
  i dighted aye her e'en sae blue,
  an' bann'd the cruel randy,
  and weel i wat, her willin' mou
  was sweet as sugar-candie.
  at gloamin-shot, it was i wot,
  i lighted on the monday;
  but i cam thro' the tyseday's dew,
  to wanton willie's brandy.