Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, tales, and songs > Volume 2

55
Twice a week to Maggie's cot-hoiise,
Switli ! by post the papers fled !
Thoughts spring up like plants in hot-house^
Every time the news are read.
Ilk ane's wiser than anither,—
" Things are no ga'en right," quo* Tam ;
" Let us aftener meet thegither ;
Twice a week's no worth a d — n."
See them now in grave Convention,
To mak a' things " square and even f
Or at least wi' firm intention,
To drink sax nights out o' seven.
Mid tliis sitting up and drinking.
Gathering a' the news that fell;
Will, wha was nae yet past thinking,
Had some battles wi' himsell.
On ae hand, drink's deadly poison
Bare ilk firm resolve awa' ;
On the ither, Jean's condition
Rave his very heart in twa.
Weel he saw her smothered sorrow !'
Weel he saw her bleaching cheek !
Marked the smile she strave to borrow,
When, poor thing, she could nae speak \
Jean, at first, took little heed o'
Weekly clubs 'mang three or four.
Thought, kind soul \ that Will had need o'
Heartsome hours whan wark w*s awre.