Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. V. Browning to Rupert Brooke
Robert Louis Stevenson (18501894)A Mile an a Bittock
A
Abüne the burn, ayont the law,
Davie an’ Donal’ an’ Cherlie an’ a’,
An’ the müne was shinin’ clearly!
The ither went hame wi’ the ither twa men,
An’ baith wad return him the service again,
An’ the müne was shinin’ clearly!
Eleeven, twal an’ ane an’ twa;
An’ the guidman’s face was turnt to the wa’
An’ the müne was shinin’ clearly!
It blew the stars as clear’s could be,
It blew in the een of a’ o’ the three,
An’ the müne was shinin’ clearly!
“The best o’ frien’s maun twine,” he said;
“I’m weariet, an’ here I’m awa’ to my bed.”
An’ the müne was shinin’ clearly!
The mornin’ licht cam grey an’ plain,
An’ the birds they yammert on stick an’ stane,
An’ the müne was shinin’ clearly!
My lads, ye’ll mind whate’er befa’—
My lads, ye’ll mind on the bield o’ the law,
When the müne was shinin’ clearly.