University of Virginia Library

V.

[God and Sanct Petir was gangand be the way]

God and Sanct Petir was gangand be the way,
Heiche up in Ardgyle, quhair thair gait lay.
Sanct Petir said to God in a sport word,
“Can ȝe nocht mak a Heilandman of this horss tord?”
God turned owre the horss turd with his pykit staff,
And up start a Helandman blak as ony draff.
Quod God to the Helandman “Quhair wilt thow now?”
“I will down in the Lawland, Lord, and thair steill a kow.”
“And thow steill a cow, cairle, thair they will hang the.”
“Quattrack, Lord, of that? For anis mon I die.”
God than he leuch and owre the dyk lap,
And owt of his scheith his gowly owtgatt.
Sanct Petir socht this gowlly fast vp and doun,
Ȝit could not find it in all that braid rownn.
“Now,” quod God, “heir a mervell! how can this be
That I sowld want my gowly, and we heir bot thre?”

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“Humff!” quod the Helandman, and turned him abowt,
And at his plaid nuk the guly fell owt.
“Fy,” quod Sanct Petir, “thow will neuir do weill!
And thow bot new maid sa sone gais to steill.”
“Vmff!” quo the Helandman, and swere be yon Kirk,
“Sa lang as I may geir get will I nevir wirk.”