Wit & humour > Gentle shepherd

4+
The GENTLE SHEPHERD.
His prefence be about us I cur ft were he
That were condemn’d for life to live wP thee.
Exit. Bauldy.
Madge laughing.
I think I’ve tow’d his harigalds a wee ;
He’ll no foon grein to tell his love to me.
He’s but a rafcal that would mint to ferve
A laflie fae, he does but ill deferve.
Mau. Ye tow’d him tightly,—I commend ye for't;
His blooding fnout gae me nae little fport :
For this forenoon he had that fcant of grace,
And breeding baith,—to tell me to my face
He hop’d I was a witch, and wadna ftand
To lend him in this cafe my helping hand.
Mad. A witch !—How had ye patience thisto bear
And leave him een to fee, or lugs to hear ?
Mau. Auld wither'd hands and feeble joints like
mine,
Obliges fowk refentment to decline ;
Till aft it’s feen, when vigour fails, then we
With cunning can the lack of pith fupply.
Thus I pat aff revenge till it was dark,
Syne bade him come, and we wad gang to wark :
I’m fure he’ll keep his trifle ; and i came here.
To feek your help, that we the fool may fear.
Mad. and fpecial fport we’ll ha’e, as I protcft ;
Ye’ll be the witch, and I (hall play the ghaift ;
A linen flieet wond round me like ane dead,
I’ll cawk my face, and grane, and fhake my head;
We’ll fleg him fae, he’ll mint nae mair to gang
A-conjuring to do a laflie wrang. (ft
Mau. Then let us gae ; for fee, it’s hard on nignt,
The weftlin clouds fhine red wi’ fettin light.
Exeunt.
SCENE II.
When birds begin to nod upon the bough ;
slnd the green fwaird grows damp w? falling dewj