Scottish Poetry Selection
- Tit for Tat
It never pays to take your wife for granted - as Jock finds to his cost in this poem by William Lyle.
Tit for Tat
"Maggie my lass, I'm gaun awa'
To hae a wee bit trip -
Just doon the Clyde, a mile or twa,
I couldna let it slip.
Some ither day ye'll hae yer spell,
I'm sure ye'll no complain;
Ye ken the minister himsel'
Said you and I are ane."Awa' he gaed, syne Maggie thocht,
"That's kind o' queer o' Jock,
Weel, wit's the best, when dearly bocht -
Just wait till sax o'clock.
I'll wind ye sic a pirn, my lad,
Ye'll wish ye had na gane,
The gamest cock that ever crawed
May meet a master ane."When Jock come hame, the fire was oot,
Nae supper could he see,
Maggie ne'er put hersel' aboot,
"Whaur's my supper?" quo' he.
"Supper," quo' Meg, "I've just had mine,
I wonder ye complain,
The thocht o' that should do ye fine
Sin' you an' I are ane."Meaning of unusual words:
ken=know
syne=since
sic a pirn=such a reel
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
