wi' pinch i put a sunday's face on,

an' snoov'd awa before the session:

i made an open, fair confession—

i scorn't to lee,

an' syne mess john, beyond expression,

fell foul o' me.

a fornicator-loun he call'd me,

an' said my faut frae bliss expell'd me;

i own'd the tale was true he tell'd me,

“but, what the matter?

(quo' i) i fear unless ye geld me,

i'll ne'er be better!”

“geld you! (quo' he) an' what for no?

if that your right hand, leg or toe

should ever prove your sp'ritual foe,

you should remember

to cut it aff—an' what for no

your dearest member?”

“na, na, (quo' i,) i'm no for that,

gelding's nae better than 'tis ca't;

i'd rather suffer for my faut

a hearty flewit,

as sair owre hip as ye can draw't,

tho' i should rue it.

“or, gin ye like to end the bother,

to please us a'—i've just ae ither—

when next wi' yon lass i forgather,

whate'er betide it,

i'll frankly gie her 't a' thegither,

an' let her guide it.”

but, sir, this pleas'd them warst of a',

an' therefore, tam, when that i saw,

i said “gude night,” an' cam' awa',

an' left the session;

i saw they were resolved a'

on my oppression.