T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
“O Mither Dear, I ’Gin to Fear”
Anonymous(Words from Thomson’s Orpheus Caledonius, 1733) |
O MITHER dear, I ’gin to fear, | |
| Tho’ I’m baith good, and bonny, | |
| I winna keep; for in my Sleep | |
| I start and dream of Johnny. | |
| When Johnny then comes down the Glen, | 5 |
| To woo me dinna hinder; | |
| But with Content gi’ your Consent; | |
| For we twa ne’er can sinder. | |
| Better to marry, than miscarry; | |
| For Shame and Skaith’s the Clink o’t, | 10 |
| To thole the Dool, to mount the Stool | |
| I downa’ bide to think o’t: | |
| Sae while ’tis time, I’ll shun the Crime, | |
| That gars poor Epps gae whinging, | |
| With Hainches fow, and Een sae blew, | 15 |
| To a’ the Bedrals bindging. | |
| Had Eppy’s Apron bidden down, | |
| The Kirk had ne’er a kend it; | |
| But when the Word’s gane thro’ the town | |
| Alake! how can she mend it? | 20 |
| Now Tam maun face the Minister, | |
| And she maun mount the Pillar; | |
| And that’s the way that they maun gae | |
| For poor Folk has na Siller. | |
| Now ha’d ye’r Tongue, my Daughter young, | 25 |
| Reply’d the kindly Mither, | |
| Get Johnny’s Hand in holy Band, | |
| Syne wap ye’r Wealth together. | |
| I’m o’ the mind, if he be kind, | |
| Ye’ll do your part discreetly; | 30 |
| And prove a Wife, will gar his Life, | |
| And Barrel run right sweetly. | |