The Five Carlins（2 / 2）

at strife thir carlins fell;

for some had gentlefolks to please,

and some wad please themsel'.

then out spak mim-mou'd meg o' nith,

and she spak up wi' pride,

and she wad send the soger youth,

whatever might betide.

for the auld gudeman o' london court

she didna care a pin;

but she wad send the soger youth,

to greet his eldest son.

then up sprang bess o' annandale,

and a deadly aith she's ta'en,

that she wad vote the border knight,

though she should vote her lane.

“for far-off fowls hae feathers fair,

and fools o' change are fain;

but i hae tried the border knight,

and i'll try him yet again.”

says black joan frae crichton peel,

a carlin stoor and grim.

“the auld gudeman or young gudeman,

for me may sink or swim;

for fools will prate o' right or wrang,

while knaves laugh them to scorn;

but the soger's friends hae blawn the best,

so he shall bear the horn.”

then whisky jean spak owre her drink,

“ye weel ken, kimmers a',

the auld gudeman o' london court,

his back's been at the wa';

“and mony a friend that kiss'd his caup

is now a fremit wight;

but it's ne'er be said o' whisky jean—

we'll send the border knight.”

then slow raise marjory o' the lochs,

and wrinkled was her brow,

her ancient weed was russet gray,

her auld scots bluid was true;

“there's some great folk set light by me,

i set as light by them;

but i will send to london town

wham i like best at hame.”

sae how this mighty plea may end,

nae mortal wight can tell;

god grant the king and ilka man

may look weel to himsel.