Christ's Kirk on the Green. Composed (as is supposed) by King James V. Newly Corrected according to the Original Copy.  
WAs never in Scotland heatd nor seen  
such dancing and decay;  
Neither at Faulkland on the Green,  
nor Pebbles at the play,  
As was of Wooers as I ween  
at Christ's Kirk on a day:  
For there came Kittie washen clean  
with her new Gown of Grace.  
Full gay that day.  
To dance these Damosels them ●ight,  
these Lasses light of laits,  
Their Gloves were of the Raffal right,  
their Shoes were of the Straits;  
Their Kirtles were of Lincoln light  
well dressed with many plaits,  
They were so nice when men them neighed  
they squieled like any Gaits  
Full loud that day  
Of all these Maidens mild as meed,  
was none so gimp as Gillie:  
As any Rose her rude was red,  
her Lyre was like the Lily,  
But yellow, yellow was her Head,  
and she of Love so silly  
Though all her Kin had sworn her dead  
she would have none but Willie  
Alone that day  
She scorned Jack, and scripped at him,  
and dungeoned him with mocks:  
He would have love her, she would not let him  
for all his yellow locks▪  
He che●sh● her, she bade go chat him,  
she counted him not two clocks:  
So shamefully his short Ja●k let him,  
his Legs were like ●w● Rocks,  
O▪ Rung● that day.  
Tom Lutter was their Minstrel meet,  
good Lord, how he could ●ance:  
He played so shrill, and sang so sweet  
while Tousie took a Trance,  
Old Lightfoot there he could foreleet  
and counterfitted France:  
He held him like a Man discreet,  
and up the Morris dance.  
He took that day.  
Then Stephen came stepping in with stends,  
no ri●k might him arrest,  
Splay-foot did bob with many bends,  
for Masie he made request.  
He lap while he lay on his lends;  
and rising was so pressed,  
While he did host at both the ends  
for honour of the Feast,  
and danced that day.  
Then Robin Roy began to revel,  
and Tousie to him drugged:  
Let be quoth Jack, and called him jevel,  
and by the tail him rugged.  
Then Kensie clicked to a Kevel,  
God wots as they two lugged,  
They parted there upon a Nevel,  
men say their Hair was rugged  
Between them two  
With that a friend of his cried fie,  
and forth an Arrow drew.  
He forged it so forcefully,  
the Bow in slenders flew,  
Such was the Grace of God, trow I,  
for had the Tree been true:  
Men said, who knaw his Archery,  
that he had slain anew,  
Belyve that day.  
A yap young man that stood him neist,  
soon bend his Bow in ire.  
And etled the Bairn in at the Breast:  
the Bolt flew o'er the Bire:  
And cried fie, he hath slain a Priest  
a Mile beyond the Mire:  
Both Bow and Bag from him he keist  
and fled as fast as Fire  
From Flint that day  
An hasty Kinsman called Harry  
that was an Archer keen,  
Tied up a Tackle without tarry,  
I trow the man was teen:  
I wot not whether his hand did vary  
or his Foe was his Friend:  
But he espayr by the mights of Mary  
as one that nothing meant  
But good that day,  
Then Lawrie like a Lion lap.  
and soon a flain could fedder,  
He height to pierce him at the Pape,  
thereon to wed a Wedder  
He hit him on the wamb a wap,  
it butt like any Bladder.  
He scaped so, such was his hap;  
his Doublet was of Leather,  
Full fine that day.  
The buff so boisteriously abaist him.  
that he to th' Earth dusht down.  
The other Man for dead he left him,  
and fled out of the Town  
The Wives came forth, and up they reft him  
and found life in the Lown.  
Then with three rou●s there they raised him  
and cured him out of swoon,  
Frae hand that day  
The Miller was of a manly make.  
to meet with him it was no mows:  
There durst not ten some there him take  
so cowed he their powes:  
The ambushment whole about him broke,  
and bickered him with bows.  
Then traitorously behind his back.  
they hoched him on the howes  
Behind that day.  
Then Hutchen with a Hazel rice  
to red 'gan through them rummil:  
He muddled them down like any Mice,  
he was no betty bummil.  
Though he was wight he was not wise,  
with such jutors to jummil.  
For from his Thumb there flew a slice  
while he cried barlafummil.  
I'm slain this day.  
When that he saw his Blood was red  
to flee might no man let him:  
He troued it had been for old feed;  
he thought and bade have at him.  
He made his Feet defend his Head,  
the far fairer it set him:  
While he was passed out of their plead:  
they must be swift that got him.  
Through speed that day.  
Two that were headsmen of the herd,  
they rushed on other like Rams;  
The other four which were unteared  
beat on with Barrow Trams,  
And where their Gobs were ungeared,  
they got upon the G●ms,  
While that all bloody was their Beards.  
as they had worried Lambs,  
Most like that day;  
They girned and glowred all at anes,  
each gossip other grieved:  
Some striked stings, some gathered stanes,  
some fled, and some relieved,  
The Minstrel used quiet means,  
that day he wisely prieved,  
For he came hame with unbruised Banes  
where fighters were mischieved,  
Full ill that day.  
With Forks and Flails they lent them steps,  
and flew together like frigs:  
With bougers of Barns they pierced blue caps  
and of their bairns made Brig●  
The rare rose rudely with their raps,  
than Rungs were laid on Rigs:  
The Wives came forth with cries and claps,  
see where my liking ligs,  
Full low this day.  
The black Souter of Braith was bowden,  
his Wife hang at his Waist:  
His Body was in black all browden;  
he girned like a Ghaist,  
Her glittering hair was so bowden,  
her love fast from him layst,  
That for his sake she was unyawden  
while he a mile was chaste,  
And mair that day.  
When they had beired like baited Bulls,  
the bone fires burnt like bails,  
Then they grew as meek as Mules  
that wearied were with mails,  
For those forfoughten tired fools  
fell down like slaughtered Frails,  
Fresh men came in and hailed the Dools,  
and dang them down in dails,  
Bedeen that da●  
The Wives than gave a hideous yell,  
when all these yonkiers yoked,  
At fierce as flags of Fire flaughts fell,  
fricks to the field they flocked,  
The Carls with Clubs did others quel  
on breast while blood out boaked,  
So rudely rang the common Bell,  
that all the Steeple rocked,  
For dread that day.  
By this Tom Tailor was in his gear,  
when he heard the common Bell,  
He said he should make all on star,  
when he came there himsel,  
He went to fight with such a fear,  
while to the Ground he fell,  
A Wife that hit him on the Ear  
with a great knocking Mell,  
Felled him that day.  
The Bridegroom brought a Pint of Ale,  
and bad the Piper drink it,  
Drink it, quoth he, and it so stail,  
ashrew me if I think it.  
The Bride her Maidens stood near by,  
and said it was not blinked,  
And Bartagesie the Bride so gay,  
upon him fast she winked,  
Full soon that day:  
When all was done, Dick with an Axe  
came forth to fell a Father,  
Quoth he, where are you whoreson smaiks;  
right now that hurt my Brother,  
His Wife bade him, go hame, Gib-Glaiks,  
and so did Meg his Mother,  
He turned and gave them both their palks  
for he durst ding no other,  
But them that day  
FINIS.   

The Banishment of Poverty by J.D. of Albany:  
To the Tune of the Last Good Night.  
POx fa that pultran Poverty,  
Wae worth the time that I him saw  
Since first he laid his Fang on me  
Myself from him I dow ne'er draw:  
his wink to me has been a Law,  
He haunts me like a penny dog,  
Of him I stand far greater awe  
Than Pupil does of Pedagogue.  
The first time that he met with me,  
Was at a Cl●chan in the West,  
Its name I trow Kilbareban be;  
Where Habies Drons gave many a blast.  
There we shook hands, called be his cast,  
An ill dead may that Custron die:  
For there he gripped me right fast  
When first I fell in cautionary.  
But yet in hopes to be relieved,  
And freed from that foul Ladlie Lown,  
Fernȝier when Whigs were ill mischived  
And forced to fling their Weapons down  
When we chased them from Glasgew Town,  
I with that Swinger thought to grapple,  
But when Indemnity came down,  
The Laydron caught me by the Thr●ple.  
But yet in hopes of more relief,  
A race I made to Arinfrew.  
Where they did bravely buff my Beef,  
And made my Body Black and Blue.  
At Justice Court I them pursued,  
Expecting help for their Reproof,  
Indemnity thought nothing due,  
The Deevil a farthing for my Loof.  
But wishing that I might ride East,  
To troth on Foot I soon would tire,  
My Page allowed me not a Beast,  
I wanted Gi●t to pay the Hire:  
He and I lap o'er many a Sire,  
I heuked him at Calder cult.  
But long ere I came to Clypes-myre  
The ragged Rogue caught me a while.  
By ●oland Bush and Bridge of Bonny  
We bickered down towards Bankier,  
We feared u● Revers for our Money,  
Nor whirly whaes to grip our Gear▪  
My tattered Tutor took no Fear,  
(Though he did travel in the Murky)  
But thought it fit when he drew near  
To filsh a Forage at Falkirk.  
No Man would open me the Door,  
Because my Comrade stood by,  
They dread full ill I was right poor  
By my forsaken Company.  
But Cunninghame soon me espied,  
By how and hair he hailed me in.  
And swore we should not part so dry,  
Though I were stripped to the Skin.  
I baid all night but long ere day,  
My cursed companion bade me rise,  
I start up soon and took the way,  
He needed not to bid me twice.  
But what to do I did advise,  
In Lithg●w I might not sit down,  
On a Scots Groat we ba●●ed thrice;  
And in at night to Edinburgh Town.  
We held the Long gate to Leith Wind,  
Where poorest Purses use to be,  
And in the Caltoun judged sign,  
Fit Quarters for such Company.  
Yet ● the High-Town fain would see,  
But that my Comrad did me discharge,  
He would me Blak●●ns Ale to p●i●,  
And must my ●eard that was right large,  
The morn I ventured up the Wind,  
And slouged in at the Neather-Bow,  
Thinking that Trooker for to tyne,  
Who does me Damnage what he dow:  
His company he does bestow  
On me to my great grief and Pain,  
Ere I the Throng could wrestle throw  
The Lown was at my Heels again.  
I greened to gang on the Plain-stanes,  
To see if Comrades would me ken;  
We twa ga●d pacing there our laines  
The hungry Howr●●wixt twelve and One,  
Then I knew no way how to ●en,  
My Guts rumled like a Hurle-borrow,  
I dined with Saints and Noble Men,  
Even sweet St. Giels and Earl of Murray;  
Tykes Testment take them for their Treat,  
For I needed not my Teeth to pick,  
Though I was in a cruel Sweat,  
He set not by say what I like.  
I called him Turk and traked Tike;  
And wearied him with many a Curse,  
My Banes were hard like a Stane-Dyke  
No Rig Maria was in my Purse:  
Kind Widow Caddel sent for me  
To dine, as she did oft forsooth,  
But oh alas that might not be!  
For her House was too near the Tolbooth;  
Yet God reward her for her Love,  
And kindness which I feckful sound,  
Most ready still for my behoof  
E'er that Hell's Hound took her in Hand.  
I slipped my Page and stoured to Leith  
To try my Credit at the Wine  
But foul a drible filled my Teeth,  
He catched me at the Coffee Sign  
I staw down through the Neather-Wyne,  
My Lady Semples House was near,  
To enter there was my design  
Where Poverty durst ne'er appear.  
I dined there, but I baid not long,  
My Lady fain would shelter me,  
But oh alas! I needs must gang  
And leave that comely Company.  
Her Lad convoyed me with her Key  
Out through the Garden to the Fields,  
Ere I the Links could graithly see  
My Governor was at my Heels.  
I dow not dance to Pipe nor Marry  
I had no stock for Cards nor Dice,  
But I sure to Sir William Sharp  
Who never made his counsel nice▪  
That little man he is right wise  
And sharp as any Brier can be;  
He bravely gave me his advice  
How I might Poison Poverty.  
Quoth he there grows hard by the Dial  
In Hattons' Garden bright and sheen  
a sovereign Herb, called Penny Royal  
Which all the year grows fresh and green.  
Could you but gather it fair and clean,  
Your Business would not go backward,  
But let account of it be seen  
To the Physicians of Exchequer.  
Or if their Ticket ye bring with you  
Come unto me, ye need not fear  
For I some of that Herb can give you  
Which I have planted this same Year.  
It will cause your Page disappear  
Who wait, on you against your will;  
To gather it I shall you lear  
In my own Yards of Stony-hill,  
But when I dread that would not work  
I over thought me of a Wile  
How I might at my leisure lurk  
My Graceless Guardian to beguile.  
'Tis but my galloping a Mile  
Through Cannongate with little loss,  
Till I have Sanctuary a while  
Within the Girth of Abbey Closs.  
There I wan in and blithe was I  
When to the Inner-Court I drawn,  
My Governor I did defy,  
For joy I clapped my Wings and crew▪  
There Messenger dare not pursue,  
Nor with their Wands Mens Shoulders flee●▪  
There dwells distressed Lairds anew  
In peace though they have little Gear:  
I had not tarried an Hour or two,  
When my blessed Fortune was to see  
A sight sure by the mights of Mary  
Of that brave Duke of Albany.  
Where one blink of his Princely Eye  
Put that son▪ Foundering to the flight,  
Frae me he banished Poverty  
And made him take his last Goodnight▪  
FINIS.