The Gentle Shepherd: A Pastoral Comedy Part 24

_Pat._ Be lang our guardian, still our Master be; } We'll only crave what you shall please to gi'e: } The estate be your's, my Peggy's ane to me. }

_Glaud._ I hope your Honour now will take amends Of them that sought her life for wicked ends.

_Sir Will._ The base unnatural villain soon shall know, That eyes above watch the affairs below.

I'll strip him soon of all to her pertains, And make him reimburse his ill got gains.

_Peg._ To me the views of wealth and an estate, Seem light when put in ballance with my Pate: For his sake only, I'll ay thankful bow For such a kindness, _best of men_, to you.

_Sym._ What double blythness wakens up this day!

I hope now, Sir, you'll no soon haste away.

Sall I unsadle your horse, and gar prepare A dinner for ye of hale country fare?

See how much joy unwrinkles every brow; Our looks hing on the twa, and doat on you: Even Bauldy the bewitch'd has quite forgot Fell Madge's taz, and pawky Mause's plot.

_Sir Will._ Kindly old man, remain with you this day!

I never from these fields again will stray: Masons and wrights shall soon my house repair, And bussy gardners shall new planting rear: My father's hearty table you soon shall see Restor'd, and my best friends rejoice with me.

_Sym._ That's the best news I heard this twenty year; New day breaks up, rough times begin to clear.

_Glaud._ G.o.d save the King, and save Sir William lang, To enjoy their ain, and raise the shepherd's sang.

_Rog._ Wha winna dance? wha will refuse to sing?

What shepherd's whistle winna lilt the spring?

_Baul._ I'm friends with Mause,--with very Madge I'm 'greed, Altho' they skelpit me when woodly fleid: I'm now fu' blyth, and frankly can forgive, To join and sing, "Lang may Sir William live."

_Mad._ Lang may he live:--And, Bauldy, learn to steek Your gab a wee, and think before ye speak; And never ca' her auld that wants a man, Else ye may yet some witches' fingers ban.

This day I'll wi' the youngest of ye rant, And brag for ay, that I was ca'd the aunt Of our young lady,--my dear bonny bairn!

_Peg._ No other name I'll ever for you learn.-- And, my good nurse, how shall I gratefu' be, For a' thy matchless kindness done for me?

_Mause._ The flowing pleasures of this happy day Does fully all I can require repay.

_Sir Will._ To faithful Symon, and, kind Glaud, to you, } And to your heirs I give in endless feu, } The mailens ye possess, as justly due, } For acting like kind fathers to the pair, Who have enough besides, and these can spare.

Mause, in my house in calmness close your days, With nought to do, but sing your Maker's praise.

_Omnes._ The Lord of Heaven return your Honour's love, Confirm your joys, and a' your blessings roove.

_Patie_, [_presenting Roger to Sir William._] Sir, here's my trusty friend, that always shar'd My bosom-secrets, ere I was a laird; Glaud's daughter Janet (Jenny, thinkna shame) Rais'd, and maintains in him a lover's flame: Lang was he dumb, at last he spake, and won, And hopes to be our honest uncle's son: Be pleas'd to speak to Glaud for his consent, That nane may wear a face of discontent.

_Sir Will._ My son's demand is fair,-- Glaud, let me crave, That trusty Roger may your daughter have, With frank consent; and while he does remain Upon these fields, I make him chamberlain.

_Glaud._ You crowd your bounties, Sir, what can we say, } But that we're dyvours that can ne'er repay? } Whate'er your Honour wills, I shall obey. } Roger, my daughter, with my blessing, take, And still our master's right your business make.

Please him, be faithful, and this auld gray head Shall nod with quietness down amang the dead.

_Rog._ I ne'er was good a speaking a' my days, Or ever loo'd to make o'er great a fraise: But for my master, father and my wife, I will employ the cares of all my life.

_Sir Will._ My friends, I'm satisfied you'll all behave, Each in his station, as I'd wish or crave.

Be ever vertuous, soon or late you'll find Reward, and satisfaction to your mind.

The maze of life sometimes looks dark and wild; And oft when hopes are highest, we're beguil'd: Aft, when we stand on brinks of dark despair, } Some happy turn with joy dispells our care. } Now all's at rights, who sings best let me hear. }

_Peg._ When you demand, I readiest should obey: I'll sing you ane, the newest that I ha'e.

SANG XXI.--_Tune_, Corn-riggs are bonny.

_My_ Patie _is a lover gay, His mind is never muddy; His breath is sweeter than new hay, His face is fair and ruddy: His shape is handsome, middle size; He's comely in his wauking: The shining of his een surprise; 'Tis Heaven to hear him tawking._

_Last night I met him on a bawk, Where yellow corn was growing, There mony a kindly word he spake, That set my heart a glowing.

He kiss'd, and vow'd he wad be mine, And loo'd me best of ony, That gars me like to sing since syne, O corn-riggs are bonny._

_Let la.s.ses of a silly mind Refuse what maist they're wanting; Since we for yielding were design'd, We chastly should be granting.

Then I'll comply, and marry_ Pate, _And syne my c.o.c.kernonny He's free to touzel air or late, Where corn-riggs are bonny._

[_Exeunt omnes._

NOTES.

Page 5, line 11 from top; the reading in the text is:--

"She fled as frae a sh.e.l.lycoat or kow."

This is the reading in the 8vo and 4to editions of 1721; (and also in the 12mo edition of 1761;) where was published the _first scene_ of the Pastoral, as a separate poem, under the t.i.tle of "Patie and Roger." But, in all the editions of the _Gentle Shepherd_ that we have seen, the reading stands thus:--

"She fled as frae a sh.e.l.lycoated kow."

We think the first reading is the true one; and that the second is, probably, a typographical error. We have come to this conclusion after an inquiry into the meaning of the words "Sh.e.l.lycoat" and "Kow." The definitions of these words, from the best authorities we know of, are subjoined; which will enable such of our readers as have any curiosity in the matter to judge for themselves.

"_Sh.e.l.lycoat_, a spirit, who resides in the waters, and has given his name to many a rock and stone upon the Scottish coast, belongs also to the cla.s.s of bogles. When he appeared, he seemed to be decked with marine productions, and in particular with _sh.e.l.ls_, whose clattering announced his approach. From this circ.u.mstance he derived his name.--_Sh.e.l.lycoat_ must not be confounded with _Kelpy_, a water spirit also, but of a much more powerful and malignant nature."

[_Scott's Minstrelsy_, vol. i., Introd. civ. cv.

"_Sh.e.l.lycoat._ One of those frightful spectres the ignorant people are terrified at, and tell us strange stories of; that they are clothed with a coat of sh.e.l.ls, which make a horrid rattling; that they'll be sure to destroy one, if he gets not a running water between him and it: it dares not meddle with a woman with child, &c."

[_Ramsay's Poems._ vol. i., 4to edition, 1721.

"_Kow_ or _Cow_" a hobgoblin; also, a scarecrow, a bugbear.

_Cow-man_, the devil."

[_Jamieson's Scottish Dictionary._

"_Wirrikow_," the devil.

[_Hogg's Mountain Bard._