1753 Poem, Anon. (William Starrat), ‘Tit for Tat; or the Rater rated’

I.

HE.

Ye’re welcome hame, my Marg’y,

Frae the grim craving clergy;

How deeply did they charge ye,

Wi’ sair oppressive tythe?

While some are chous’d, and cheated;

Some rattled are, and rated;

Ye hae been better treated,

I trow, ye luick sae blythe.

II.

SHE.

I hae been wi’ the rector;

His wife did scould and hector;

Instead o’ a guid lecture —

Quo’ she, ‘Ye go too fine,

With scarlet cloaks and bedgowns,

With velvet puggs and plaid-gowns,

With ruffled sleeves and headrounds,

More rich and gay than mine.’

III.

“Forbear, proud madam Persian,

Take back ye’r ain aspersion,

Wi’ tea, ye’r chief diversion,

Ye waste ye’r time awa:

While dressing ye’re and pinning,

I’ll spin, and bleach my linnen,

And wear my ain hands winning,

Ye rector’s lazy daw.”

IV.

“I rise e’er the cocks craw day;

My hands I spare not a’ day,

And wi’ my farmer laddie

At night I take my ease:

My husband plows and harrows,

He sows and reaps the farrows,

Shame fa’ them wad change marrows,

For rector’s gown and chaise.”

V.

“Sure some kind deel has brought us

Yon yellow[a] chiel, that taught us

To cleek the tythe potatoes

Frae ilk a greedy gown!

Nae bishop, dean, or rector,

Nae vicar, curate, proctor,

Dare ettle now to [b]doctor

Our skeedyines under ground.”

VI.

HE.

Dear Madgie, e’en fairfaw ye!

I’m blest that e’er I saw ye!

A braid-claith coat I aw ye,

Fac’d wi’ a velvet cape:

May milk and meal ne’er fail ye,

May loss of yews ne’er ail ye,

But geer grow on ye daily,

For birking madam Crape.