Noted down from a female servant by Dr. Joseph Robertson, July
15, 1829; "Adversaria," p. 67.
| 1 |
De weel, de weel, my twa young sons,
An learn weel at the squeel;
Tak no up wi young women-kin,
An learn to act the feel.' |
| 2 |
But they had na been in Blomsbury
A twalmon and a day,
Till the twa pretty clerks o Owsenfoord
Wi the mayr's dauchters did lay. |
| 3 |
Word has gaen till the auld base mayr,
As he sat at his wine,
That the twa pretty clerks o Owsenford
Wi his daughters had lien. |
| 4 |
Then out bespak the auld base mayr,
An an angry man was he:
'Tomorrow, before I eat meat or drink,
I'll see them hanged hie.' |
| 5 |
But word has gaen to Owsenfoord
. . . . .
Before the letter was read,
She let the tears doun fa.
* * * * * |
| 6 |
'Your sons are weel, an verra weel,
An learnin at the squeel;
But I fear ye winna see your sons
At the holy days o Yeel.' |
| 7 |
Their father he went to Bloomsbury,
He turnit him roun about,
An there he saw his twa braw sons,
In the prison, leukin out. |
| 8 |
'O lie ye there for owsen, my sons,
Or lie ye there for kye?
Or lie ye there for dear fond love,
Si closs as ye de lie?' |
| 9 |
'We lie na here for owsen, father,
We lie na here for kye,
But we lie here for dear fond love,
An we're condemned to die.'
* * * * * |
| 10 |
Then out bespak the clerks' fader,
An a sorry man was he:
'Gae till you bowers, ye lillie-flowers,
For a' this winna dee.' |
| 11 |
Then out bespak the aul base mayr,
An an angry man was he:
'Gar to your bowers, ye vile base whores,
Ye'll see them hanged hie.'
* * * * * |
