Series 1 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Second volume)

A SCOTTISH JOURNIE
And would not stay to looke a man i’ the face.
Yet though these creatures would by no meanes stand,
We found wild calfes, and they were better mand,
A brace of them we kild, and then knockt downe
A milke white oxe, and carryed all to th’ towne
To Sara’s house, an hostesse full as deare
As Mr. Cooke is at our bridge foot faire.
The paunch, the puddings, and the white oxe feet
Are daintily prepard and made as sweete
As any rose, for each man undertooke
To shew himselfe a curious wellbred cooke.
A boyld boy and a dish of tripes we drest
So rare we wisht Nicke Stampe had bin our guest.
And then to season all our mirth and cheare
Wee sent for Paggie Whape who strait came there.
And with such action wee sang Bobbin Joe,
As some that were well natur’d let it goe.
Her voyce was sweet as nightingalls when they
In laurell trees salute the breake of day.
But as for daunceing O she did surpasse
In grace and footing ! Mountague’s an asse
Compard to her, were I a poet now
In five or sixe strong lines, I ’de tell you how
This countrey lasse deckt in her native hew.
With something of I know not what was new,
Did better please the fancy and delight
Then courtly ladyes did in redd and white.
But ’twas with her as ’tis in every thing.
Amongst the blinde the one ey’d man’s a king.
Some strive with language now to make her kind.
Others in motions doe translate their mind.
Adrian with smoothest words begins to flatter,
And melting lookes, as though he wold be at her.
In truth we all beleivd that yeild she must
Wherby she’s made love’s thorow fayre to lust.
Tell me not what Platonicke love is now
That’s onely fit for those that know not how
To mannage pleasure, vermine that disgrace
Natures best gift, the hypocrites of love
That geld their words and lookes the more to move
Some simple creatures, who like best to have