The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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A MAUCHLINE WEDDING |
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
A MAUCHLINE WEDDING
I
When Eighty-five was seven months auldAnd wearing thro' the aught,
When rolling rains and Boreas bauld
Gied farmer-folks a faught;
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Now Merchant Master Miller,
Gaed down to meet wi' Nansie B---
And her Jamaica siller
To wed, that day.
II
The rising sun o'er BlacksideenWas just appearing fairly,
When Nell and Bess got up to dress
Seven lang half-hours o'er early!
Now presses clink, and drawers jink,
For linens and for laces:
But modest Muses only think
What ladies' underdress is
On sic a day!
III
But we'll suppose the stays are lac'd,And bonie bosoms steekit,
Tho' thro' the lawn—but guess the rest!
An angel scarce durst keek it.
Then stockins fine o' silken twine
Wi' cannie care are drawn up;
An' garten'd tight whare mortal wight—
[OMITTED]
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IV
But now the gown wi' rustling soundIts silken pomp displays;
Sure there's nae sin in being vain
O' siccan bonie claes!
Sae jimp the waist, the tail sae vast—
Trouth, they were bonie birdies!
O Mither Eve, ye wad been grieve
To see their ample hurdies
Sae large that day!
V
Then Sandy, wi's red jacket braw,Comes whip-jee-woa! about,
And in he gets the bonie twa—
Lord, send them safely out!
And auld John Trot wi' sober phiz,
As braid and braw's a Bailie,
His shouthers and his Sunday's jiz
Wi' powther and wi' ulzie
Weel smear'd that day....
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |