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The works of Allan Ramsay

edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law]

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The Daft Bargain.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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The Daft Bargain.

A Tale.

At Market anes, I watna how,
Twa Herds between them coft a Cow:
Driving her hame, the needfu' Hacky
But Ceremony chanc'd to k---.
Quoth Rab right ravingly to Raff,
Gin ye'll eat that digested Draff
Of Crummy, I shall quat my Part.—
A Bargain be't, with a' my Heart,
Raff soon reply'd, and lick'd his Thumb,
To gorble't up without a Gloom:
Syne till't he fell, and seem'd right yap
His Mealtith quickly up to gawp;
Haff done, his Heart began to scunner,
But lootna on till Rab strak under;
Wha fearing Skair of Cow to tine,
At his daft Bargain did repine.
Well, well, quoth Raff, tho' ye was rash,
I'll scorn to wrang ye, senseless Hash;
Come fa' to Wark, as I ha'e done,
And eat the ither haff as soon,
Ye's save ye'r Part.—Content, quoth Rab.—
And slerg'd the rest o't in his Gab:

55

Now what was tint, or what was won,
Is eithly seen.—My Story's done.—
Yet frae this Tale confed'rate States may learn
To save their Cow, and yet no eat her Sharn.