J. J HALDANE BURGESS, M.A. P^42?j . B 32_ ON Cv/ cNQ \ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETIES PR4271 • B32 R3 1891 00004708169 This book is due at the WALTER R. DAVIS LIBRARY on the last date stamped under “Date Due.” If not on hold it may be renewed by bringing it to the library. DATE DUE RET. DATE DUE RET. . R ASM IE'S BUDDIE Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill https://archive.org/details/rasmiesbddiepoemOOburg 5 R >et UXk L P OEMS PR 4-211 , B3Z~ R3 I%91 IN TH E S H ET LA N D I C . YY' BY HALDANE BURGESS, M.A. Fancy, lack da mirr Lichts do sombre s LERWI T. & J. M A N 1891 PRINTED BY T. * J. MANSON “SHETLAND NEWS” OFFICE LERWICK PRKEFACI Ye’ll linn da bits o poiems larder ower. * (ENTERED STATIONERS’ HALL] CONTENTS Pagk Scran n a. J Nazarene. 14 Da Pairtin. 15 Da Wy o it. 18 Sensible ta da Last. 19 Da Peerie Tinnie. 21 Day an Nicht. 24 Stap. 2 6 Da Creetiks.4. 2 8 Youth. 3 2 Jubilee Ode. 33 Da Bridal o Hjaltland. 35 See Ye. 37 Hiss! Sigg Him. 39 Dat So . 41 Boocin Baabie. 44 Zeust So . 47 Da Plaesir Yaacht. 49 Da Rest it Fire. 53 Vlll CONTENTS Mamliss. Da Oobin Wind. Aye! Aye!. Night Waatches. T da Gorstie.... Spring. Coontin Kin. Dokkins...-. Laanshin. Blibes. Tangle Bells.... Draem-Elooers... Waaknin. Soe. Hedderehn-I )unk Da Pokkit. Da Blyde-Maet. Trok. Banks-Flooers.... Da Picter. Sorrow. Tunder. Winter. Gud’s Croft. Da Vaige. Da Deeps. Page 55 5 6 61 69 70 73 74 79 81 85 87 89 9 1 92 95 97 100 102 io 5 107 108 109 in 112 JI 5 118 ERRATUM Omit second “da” in line i, p. 36 SCRAN N A. Da Deil he cam doon ta da hill-daek o Scranna , 1 Bit grinnd , 2 or sma openeen, or slap dere he saa na ; An sae, wi a glumse,3 an a deevil’s ain glower, He spat on his ltifs, tin clamb tentily ower. I wis sittin mi laen hi da sheek o da fire, Wi mi een on da spunks as dey aye loupit higher, O Dan slokkit an fell—I tinkin, “ Aless ! Sae man an his glory, just aess,4 aye ta aess ' Rasmie’s Croft. 3 Gruff mouthing. 2 Gate. 4 Ashes. 1 v asmie ’j> 77 iidtiic. Whin “Seemun” gets oot wi da faersomist growl. It wis tnaistly anyoch 1 ta pairt boady an sowl. Dan I hears on da brig-staens da muvvin o cuts , 2 An da fitsteps o somean wi neesterin3 blits. An sae tae da door comes a aafll-laek bung, An somean spaeks up i da Engleeis tongue. Bit gtid feth ! da but-end wisna ill ta be seen, So I sings oot, “ Come in, an your cliv- viks4 be clean !” Next meenit I hears a grit scrapin an scrittin, Bit I never stirs oot o whar I wis sittin, An “ Seemun ’ I yoksS bi da slack o da “ Ch here and generally as in “ loch. : ’ , Ankles. 3 Creaking. 4 Hoofs. 5 Seizes. Rasmies Buddie. o An says, ‘ v Haddi tongue! Wheesht wi dee ! Doon wi dee. due !” O Dan I sees, wi his haand on da snek o da door A jantleman, braa-laek an weel cled afore Wi a lang taily cott an a black pair o b reeks, A sylk hat, an side-1 ichts on baid o his sheeks. "‘Well! Rasmus, good evenin !” he says, wi a smile, An he oot wi his haand i da haem best style. I kent no at first wha Ill-Helt 1 it could be. So I says, “ Feth ! ye hae da advantage o me.” He males me nae answer, bit smiles aa da mair. An sae withoot bicldin he draas in a shair, An up ta da tire he gies e fit a shiv. 1 The I )evil. 4 / vasmie ’,s Bacidic . Wi a soond jiist da saim as da scrit o da cliv. I looks at his fit, an he cliks it awa, An sticks oot his knee till da breeks hoids it aa, Bit he wis ower late, an tinks I ta misell, “ An I wret ta dee, Boy, da address wid he Hell” Bit he tinks I saa naethin, an sae he begood, \\ i a voice kind o plaesint, an no very lood, 41 1 observe you don’t know me, although we have met,” Wi dis on da creepie his sylk hat he set. “ \ ou are lookin much older and rather careworn.” “Yae!” I says, “It’s a Rasmie wis boarn, while noo sin An ye dunna grouw young-laek wi folio win da sea ; Bit what, tink ye, wid ye be wantin o me?" Rasnue s Buddie. 5 “ Oh,” he says, smilin saft, “ 1 have dropped in along. Just to say, as a friend, that I think you are wron cr O In some of your views about life and all that.” An he sleekit da croon o his lang sheenin hat, An hunkled 1 himsell, for his cott wis geen swint W i a wecht at he lied i da pokkit ahint. Dan he poo’s aff his glivs an his twa haands I saa, Wi da nails jtlst da saim as da neb o da craw ; So, ta hoid deni, he faaldit his airms at eence, An his een lookit at me as sharp laek as preens : Dan he says, “ Look at me, I’ve been years in the-Kirk, 1 Shrueved his shoulders. oo 6 Rasmie s /> iiddic. I admit you may think I got in by a quirk— I dispense the Communion, I preach, I baptise, You can manage it all (with a few handy lies, As some people call them in vulgar par¬ lance, Reservations zve term them, we men who advance).” “ Yae,” I says, “ Dir sma doot ye can shuffle da caerts, I warran ye’ll be, noo, a Mester o Aerts.” Dan he kickit a paet, wi his blit, inta flaem, An sed he felt caald whin he wisna at haem, An he tabs frae his pokkit a bit iv a flask, An says “Rasmus, are you t-t, may I ask?” “Yae,” I says, “ i da meantime I hae sma desire Ta swee 1 wi yun mixter o bltid an o fire.” T Burn. Rasmies Biiddie. / “Oh! it’s fine, have a wet.” “ Na,” says I, “ no a sipe,” Dan he pits it awa, an he draws oot his pipe ; An he shiirly foryat, for doon his haand gengs, An he lifts a haet coll withoot takin da tengs. “Ye’re at haem wi da fire,” dan 1 says wi a girn, An wi dis, heth ! he slips it and looks kind o tirn ; 1 Bit he smiles da neest meenit an nods troo da smok, An he says, “ You are rather a humorous block ; Don’t you think now that you are a little adrift ? Don’t you think now you’d like to succeed —get a lilt ? To be something decent—some big rever¬ end don ? 1 Angry. 8 Rasmies Buddie. To distinguish yourself, man, in fact, to get on ? You're as simple to-night as you were in your youth ; The thing that pays best is what / call the truth : That is the view which I wish to reveal.” Says I, “ Feth ! I cloot, honest man, ye’re da Deil.’ Dan he smirkit at me an he sleekit his hair, For his hoarn wis cockit a grain i da air, “Well, supposin’ I am, now,” says he, noddin trice, “ Tho’ it comes from the Devil, it’s still good advice ; I’ll tell you what, Rasmus, just listen, keep cool, You’re a great many different kinds of a fool.” “ \ e scoondril ! says I, an I raise ta mi fit, Rasm les Biiddie. 9 kk Oot o dis wi dee! Hent 1 disell!! Heckle 1 7ioo ! Flitt!” Dan I gies his sylk hat a grit rise wi mi dug, An slips noo mi grip ipo ptir “ Seemun’s ” iug, Wha, tinkin it time for ta gie him a seg,3 Sank his yackles4 fair inta da baa o his leg ; Sae he springs till his feet, an, makin a claw For mi gansey, he cloorsS baid da shooders aw a. Wi e haand I grips dan da breest o his cott, An I yoks wi da idder da slack o his trot : Dan his face comes as black as da very Ill-Helt, An he aims me a lick just anunder da belt. “ Wid du ! du villin !” I yals, gettin mad, 1 (lather up. 2 3 Hobble. 3 Grip. 4 Double-teeth. 5 Claws. IO Rasmie s Bitdihe. An sae bi da cuff o his neck taks da lad ; An dere on da fliir as we stlid i da micls, 1 shaks him da saim as da buggie 1 o sids, Till I feels mi aald airm beginnin ta tire, Dan awa he goes fair on his saet i da fire ; Bit he up, an sae oot o da pooch o his cott Cam da tail ’at he hed dere rouwed up in a knott, It lies on da flur for a meenit and smoks, Dan spoots ta da lent laek da jeck-i-da-box, An “ Seemun,” he yoks da sma end in his jaas, An scrits at it, faerce-laek, wi baid o his paas. Dan we wrassles agen, an gild trath ! I 11 be boond For a wharter-a-oor ye’d a no heard a soond Bit da crackin o shairs, an da clump o a dug, Da scrit o a cliv, an da yalp o da dug, As he strak noo an dan i da crook-an-da- 1 inks, 2 Pot suspenders. 2 Rasm ics Biidd , ic . i i Whin da lad swanof his tail ita ean o his O jinks— For “ Seemun,” ptir trow, 1 wi his leg's in a bing, Geed hirslin aroond laek da staen i da sling. Dan I draas him wi forrce ubdee 2 by ta da J door. An wi dis he comes oot wi a undiimmus3 roar, An oot o mi hair, feth ! he claachters4 a goppen5— Noo, da door, sin he left her, wis still a grain open— Wi mi clug-tae I reesles 6 her clean ta da back, An a yok for da slack o his breeks dan I mak. An taks him a hyst wi a mention/ o strent, 1 Troll. 2 Out. 3 4 Extraordinary. 4 Clutches. 5 Handful. 6 Drives. 7 1 rifle. Rasmie s Buddie . i 2 An sae on da brig-staens I laands him his lent; An dads 1 tii da door, maistlins layin in coom 2 Da pairt o his end ’at wis still i da room, Dan he sprikkles3 laek sin, and he pliits,4 wi a wail, “Ah! look oot, min, Rasmie, ye’re brukkin5 mi tail!” So efter a meenit I aedges'da door, An he rives his tail furt troo da crack wi a snore, An “ Seemun,” ptir wirm, still rouwed in a knott, Striks da jamb o da door wi a dooce 6 laek a shot, Sae at he’s strypit aff, an he yikkas an growls, An dan whin he canna win oot sits an yowls. I' da meentime, da Black Boy he braeths him a bit, 2 Powder. 3 Wriggles. 3 Crushing. 6 Thud. 1 Bangs. Whines. Rc i sm ic' s Badd,it Dan he comes for da door wi a rip what he’s fit, An he hunches 1 wi pooer, wi his cliv till a staen, Bit da maist at he hairmed wis his ain shooder baen, For dere as I stud, heth ! 1 steekit her fast, Wi da tae o mi dug laek da step o da mast, Dan, efter a start, 2 wi his mooth at da holl, He says, wi a sooncl ’at wis maistlins half droll, As he twisted his face up an girned an shammed, 3 “Nee! Rass-moos! I’ll get dee! Doo’s sure ta be damned !” Na! feth I !” I says, “ Boy! aald Rasmie is feft,”4 Dan he hankit his tail ower his elbik and left. Shoulders. T 2 Little. 3 Made faces. 4 Bespoken. H Rasmie s Biiddie. NAZARENE! Calm, majestic, mid da ages, X azarene ! I see D ee staand, Graandist, aafullist o sages, Beckinin wi Dy pierced haand ; An I hear in music fallin Ower da dunder 1 o Life’s sea, Frae da heichts Dy sweet voice callin Ta da true hert,—“ Follow Me!” Thunder. i Rasmie s Biiddie. 15 DA PAIRTIN. Whin Jonie eence wi Jeanie met, I)ey toucht dey wid be mairried, An so ta Lerrik aff dey set, Nor hi da wy dey tairried; Aa for ta buy da weddin needs, For bridal haste wis on it A weddin croon o mony breids, Aj aakit, an a bonnit. An whin dey cam inta da toon, Dan dey wir baid designin ’At Jonie wis ta buy da goon, An leanie buy da linin. An sae da goon wis boucht and med, o An dey geed haem ta Whandal, 16 Rasm ie s Biirfdic , Bit jtist whin cley wir ta be wed Cam oot some clash an scandal. An heth ! cley pairted dan richt doon, Wi wraeth an sma repinin, An Jonie he got back his goon. An Jeanie got her linin. An stine dey baicl wir mairried fast As dey could be ta idders, Wi Jonie first, an Jeanie last Ta clishins o dir midders. An oot among da neebir folk o It med a spaekalation ; Dev wirna gotten sic a shock. j O Na, no sin da creation. Bit here comes in da mysterie () life an aa connekit, Dir pairtners dee’d, an dey wir free, J List whin dey laest expekit. My lamb! dey met. lpo dir croon I )a sun o love wis shi nin, Rasmie s Buddie. An j onie he broucht oot his goon, An Jeanie fann her limn. An clan cley mairried efter aa, So feth ! I’se end mi story, / An we’ll awa an lave da twa Alaen in aa dir glory. 18 Rasmies Biiddie. DA WY O IT. Half till hersell aye Nater nuns 1 her truth, Contentmint is da hansel o da sage, No sheenin roogs 2 o naar be-gaein age, No ferrie-laands o fiery-herted yotith. We seek ower muckle i dis fleein life, O ftid, o drink, o claes, amtismint, sleep ; Da rael necessity lies no sae deep As ean wid tink frae dis sowl-damnin strile. So haes he weak wha’s ootwird needs is few, Wha’s sowl within grips still eternities, An aa da radiant inmist beauty sees O e hert’s love, mid caesliss shanges, true ; Wha faerliss hears Death’s clock laek music shime, Whin Dayset hoids da lang hillside o HP * l ime. 1 Hums. 2 Heaps. Rasm is ’ s Badi iic , 19 SENSIBLE TA DA LAST. Da wife, eence trang 1 wi mony a shop, For want o breath wis shokkin— Aald Death wis come ta pit a stop Ta her an aa her trokkin . 2 An as shii lay an toucht an toucht Ower aa her bits o daelin, Her wanderin een noo Frankie soucht. An noo dey soucht da caelin. An dan shii spak, “ Dis I mann tell. Giid ta mi mind is broucht it. We paid no Sharlie for da mael, Du kens, yun day we boucht it.” “ Hear hoo shii raaves !”says Frankie dan, An poo’ed da mutch-string slacker, “ Shii’s been laek yun frae efter wan- Aye sin da fivver strak her.” 1 Busy. 2 Bartering. 20 Rasrnies Biiddie. Slili spak agen wi crex 1 an hurr , 2 “ I kno no wha’s cla faat is, Bit Robbie never peyd wis for Yun hinmist peck o taaties.” Dan Frankie says, an grips her haand, Da saat taers rinnin fast, “No sic a wife in aa da laand— Yiss ! sensible ta da last!” Rough-breathing. 1 Throat-clearing. 2 Rasmie s Buddie. 2 1 PEER IE TINNIE. O, weel I mind da happy day I got dee frae mi minnie, Ta hadd mi mylk or aer 1 o tay, Piir, peerie, 2 benkled3 tinnie !4 Da day whin first shii broucht dee haem, For I hed e sma sinnie— Wis kind o rackliss wi da laem,5 Bit couldna brak a tinnie. Shii gae dee ta me at da banks , 6 An sed, “ Ouat says du, hinnie ? M An sae I laached, an harkit7 “ Tanks," For sic a boanie tinnie. An dan, wi baid een staandin wide, Sae noucht could can ta pass me, I saa ipo dy pentit side A muckle “ E ” for Rasmie. 1 Small quantity. 2 Little, wee. 3 Dinted. 4 5 Tin-can. 5 Crockery. 6 Sea shore. 7 Whispered. 22 Rasmies Biiddic. An sae 1 aff an clembled 1 dee In burn, wal, an daffik, 2 Till maamie shii could harly see Da caal for siccan traffik. Whin shii cam oot an fann me dere Wi peenie fairlins eltit,3 Mi peerie cotts an tooskiD hair Wi weet an gutter feltit. An first shii took an woosh5 me aa, An dan shii peyd me smertly, Jiist pairtly caas da shance wis braa, An sae ta faer 6 me, pairtly. An dan wi forrce shii redd mi head, Till baid mi ends wis burnin, An took an dreeld me aff ta bed, Wi een jiist naar at murnin. Whin 1 wis ill an makkin maen, Shii gae, ta richt'me, “ sinnie,” An “saalts” at med me tak a staen An shap7 at dee, my tinnie. 1 Plunged. 2 Pail. 3 Begrimed. 4 Tufty, s Washed. 6 Frighten. ? Batter. Rasm ie s Biiddie. r > ^ - o Its mony a lang, lang day sin dan, Sin we wir young tagedder, Sin troo da girss an saand I ran An ower da bltim-rid hedder. An mony a dadd we’re hed sin dan, An mony a scart 1 an batter, Till dootless, noo, du’d harly can Ta hadd a aer o watter. Bit ben ipo da shimley-brace, Du’se go dis very Sundy, Pur ting! du’se hae a boanie place, For heth, I’m blyde 2 I’m funn dee. Aald Time he sits an tirds3 awa Ipo his hurrin spinnie,4 An siin ta stoor5 he’ll ding wis aa, Pur, peerie, benkled, tinnie ! 2 Glad. 4 Wheel. 1 Scratch. 3 Works energetically. 5 Dust. 24 Rasmie s Buddie . DAY AN NICHT. Time aboot ye shaste each idder, Roond an roond dis peerie baa ; Aft it paals me atagedder, Tinkin what ye mean ava. Noo a glink o gowlden splendir, Dan da blackniss o da nicht, Wi da daan an hum in 1 tender, Shadin inta darkniss, licht. Sae it is, ower aa da heeven, Wi da hosts o siller starns, Slokkin, lichtin, deein, leevin, Till da clock o Nater waarns. Sae it is wi wis, sma mudges, Whirlin twixt belief an doot, For da Laa it never budges, Licht an sheddow, time aboot. 1 Twilight, gloaming. Rasm ie' s Buddie. 2 5 Still we geng, in nicht an morrow, Spinnin troo da lift o Life, Smiles o joy an taers o sorrow, Raefflin 1 i da caesliss strife. Bit da siller starns is winnin 2 Nearer, nearer, till a sun, An da Pooer ’at set dem spinnin, Kepps dem whin dir coorse is run. As we cam at daan sae tender Furt frae Gild, we geng ta Him : Htimin dere is still a splendir Nicht is bit a simmer-dim.3 1 Tangling. 2 Getting. 3 The twilight that forms a Shetland summer night. O 26 Rasmie s Buddie . STAP. Lat idder laands ower Shetlan craa, Shii doesna care a rap, Wi e rare dish shii dings dem aa— Fresh liver-heads an stap. 1 O ! weel I mind a schild I sat Ipo mi midder’s lap, An weel I mind I yowled an grat, An skirled oot for stap. An noo I'm gaein twa-faald wi age, I'm gray aboot da tap, Worn weary wi life’s langsome vaige, 2 At times I’m laek ta drap. Bit aa da luxuries I’m seen, I still wid frae me wap,3 E single haepit plaet ta clean, O liver-heads an stap. A delicious dish made of the liver and the soft bits of the head of a fish. Jou rney. 3 Fling. 2 Rasm ie s Buddie. 2 7 On Isril, i da deesert pent, Da cloods did manna drap, Bit folk ita da Testament Hed fish, an mebbe stap. O aa ’at up man’s fabric bigs I stick it at da tap, It gies wir young sheelds soople rigs, 1 It gies wir lasses sap. Its iilie 2 soothes da troubled sowl, Sair daddit wd life’s jap,3 Its praise I’ll yowl frae powl ta powl, Till aa sail end in stap. 1 Spines. 2 Oil. 3 Surf. 28 Rasmies Biiddie. DA CREETIKS. TA EAN. Da man ’at wirds his letter braalv, J 7 T’o pooer ta him is gien bit smaaly, I scarce can wite, 1 A creetik’s pen is no a laaly, 2 Ptlr aamis3 mite. TA I)A IDDER SHEELD. Grid feth ! mi boy, an du wis tinkin, At du wid catch aald Rasmiq winkin, Du’s missed di mark : His glig4 aald een, baid black an blinkin, Sees i da dark. Toy. 1 Blame. 2 3 Pitiable. 4 Sharp. Rasm ids Biiddie. 29 An du wis wirt mi while ta dicht, 1 Giid traath ! I’d rip dee open richt Wi tullie 2 keen, O skimp,3 sarcastic, glancin bricht, Afore di een. Du canna see why I sood sing O stap, an lave aa idder thing Oot o mi rhyme, Du fiil ! a wice man heads his ling Ean at a time. Bit sense ta dee is been forbidden, An dy tick skult’s baid dufft an widden, Or du wid see Yun screed o dine is laek a midden Wi slott5 an gree. * 6 7 An whaar dey’re nedder rhyme or raeson, Dey can be nedder time or saeson Ta spaek or sherg.7 Giid feth ! I’d caa’t mi staff debasin, Ta steer da verg . 8 T Gut. 2 Big knife. 3 Raillery. 4 Impenetrable. 5 Mixture of fish-liver, roe, and flour. 0 Oil. 7 Argue. 8 Mess. 30 Rasmie s Biiddie. An sood du try da laek agen, Dis twartee lines ’ll lat dee ken Du sanna pass me, I’ll rin mi tullie ta da baen An spleet dee. — Rasmie. TA “ J. J. H. B.” O, less-a-less ! for siccan folk, Da bruks 1 o Adam’s sinfil stock, Frae Eden dreeld, An tryin Rasmie aft ta mock, An dee, pur sheeld. Dis boddy tried his haand on me, Bit fann himsel a bit at sea In makkin rhyme ; An noo he’s fastened on ta dee Anidder time. Du’s laek a whaal wi little faer For dis, or twice as mony mair O siccan hoes, 2 1 Refuse. 2 Dog-fish. Rasmies Biiddie . He’s nyiggin 1 at dee redder sair. But still du blows. V- __ Tak du nae toucht ta dive or doage, For straicht ahead’s da shortest voage So dadd him aff, He’ll mebbe need anidder proge , 2 Frae my aald staff. 1 Tugging. 3 Poke. Jvtismie s Biiddie. voiiT H. A FRAGMINT. He laekit her, an sae he hired A peerie mootie 1 “bot,” In quich tagedder dey might sit An ower da waaters dot. An whin da glorious simmer smiled On lovely Bressa Soond, He took her affi at eventide Ta paddle her aroond. An t’o da boat, as I hae sed, Wis very, very little, ’Twis fine ta pit dir bits o haands Inta da sea, an swittle . 2 T Minute. 2 Paddle. Rasmie s Biiddie . 00 JUBILEE ODE. Fifty voars 1 I’m dell’d an set da taaties, Noo mi aald rig complains ipo da wark ; Fifty simmers ower da Muckle Watter I’m sailed, an rouwed, an striven, an set on; Fifty hairsts I’m gaddered in da coarn,— Sic laek as wis,—an hirdit 2 mi sma crop ; Fifty winters peyd mi rent, an grudged it, For it wis dooble what it sood-a-been ; Fifty years I’m heard da wolf o hardship Jiist snuffin wi his nose alow da door ; Fifty times I’m clampit3 mi aald troosers Till no anidder clamp dey’ll hadd ava ; An du sat on dy tronn awa in Lundin, An never sae muckle as said, “ Rasmus, yun’s you,” Or raekit oot di haand ava ta help me, 1 Seedtime. 2 Gathered. 3 Patched. D 34 Rasniie s Biiddie. For aa ’at du hed roogs an roogs o siller, An laand oot in Ameriky, dey tell me, an idder pairts. O du, du, Wheen Victorey! I raelly widna- a-toucht it o dee ; I hae a picter o dee, whin du wis a lass— It’s hingin ben abtin da shimley-piece— A boanie face, gild feth, as e’er I’m seen, An fu o kindness ; but dat wis dan Whin du wis onnly laernin ta be Wheen ; An weel I mind da hoops I hed o dee, O aa da grit an nobble things du’cl dii, Whin du cam up ta be a wife ; hoo du’cl no bear Ta view da poor wi his aald rivlin 1 girnin at da tae : O less-a-less ! What is du dune troo aa da lang half-centiry o time ’At du’s been Wheen ? I kno no what. An dan,- Ach ! dis be blow’cl For a Jubilee Ode. T Cow-hide sandal. Rasime s Buddie. DA BRIDAL O HJALTLAND. Da Spring he cam wooin da Douchter o Ocean, Fair Hjaltland, da pride o da aald Nordern Sea ; He cam frae da Aest in his youth hi devo¬ tion, An aft wi a smile, aft a taer in his ee. An dan cam da Simmer, wi floo’rets an breezes, ’At blew frae da Sooth, wi a saft melody, Wi sang, an wi sunshine, an aa-thing ’at plaeses ; Bit shii laekit no sic a dandy as he. 3 6 Rasmie s Buddie. An neist cam da Hairst, he wis da last o tree bridders ; He flang her a mantle o rare hedder- bltim ; He cam frae da Wast, bit he geed laek da idders, As sad an as suddint he met wi his doom. At lent cam da Winter wi strent an wi fury, Frae oot da Far Nort—he wis strongist o aa ; He loupit da Ocean, sae daft wis his hurry, An cled her in white bridal garmints o snaa. Dan wild wi delight wis da waves o da Ocean ; Dey span her a veil o da bricht siller spray, An strong, aye, an true wis da Winter’s devotion, An dearly he lo’ed her for mony a day. Rasmies Buddie . 37 SEE YE Wi reverince I tink ipun Da Michty Pooer abtin, ’At hadds in place da louwin Sun, An lichts da waandrin mun ; ’At flings da stars laek siller sparks Oot ovver da sky at nicht, An cleds da hills in simmer-time Wi hedder-blum sae bricht ; ’At dadds wi forrce da winter sea Ipo da frichtened laand, ’At whummles sixerns 1 at da haaf Wi groff 2 an faerce-laek haand ; 1 Six-oared boat. 2 Rough. R a sm ic ’ jr B iiddie. An laves da weedow an her bairns Scarce oucht beside dir grief, Bit pits it i da fremd-man’s 1 hert Ta rin ta dir relief. Troo aa His wheer, mysterious deeds, / Ye’ll finn a wice decree, T’o i dis raeffled mortal life I kno it’s hard ta see. Dir folk ’at spaek o Nater’s Laa, An never can ta see At dir some grit intelligince Da Foont o Laa mann be. In Knowledge aye some idder step Ixplains da ean ye’re taen ; Da new ixperience revaels What nonn afore could ken. An sae, I'm affen toucht wi Death, ’At looks ta end da strife, It’s bit aniclcler step alang Da endliss gaet 2 o Life. 1 Stranger’s. 2 Road. Rasmie s Biiddie. 39 HISS! SIGG HIM. O ! wir cley ever fail’d aald man ’At hed sic ills ta dree, As Giid, in His rich providince, Is owsin 1 oot ta me ? Dere’s Kirstie ta da gutteen aff, An Baabie till a place, 2 An peerie Keetie’s aa ’at’s left At haem ta guide da baess.3 An noo aald Shurdie Tamsin’s oy4 J Is snuffin efter her— Giid feth ! it wid pirvok a sant, An set him in a birr. 1 Ladling. 2 Situation. 3 Cattle. 4 Grandchild. 40 Rasmie s Buddie . Even noo he’s creepin troo da yard— He tinks I’m geen ta bed ; Sae help me! as I’se lay mi staff In splinters ower his head. t. Hiss! “Starrie!” “Seemun!” Takahadd! Hiss ! Sigg him ! nobble dugs ! Till I win oot an sort da lad- Hoy ! Synnie ! Whaar’s mi clugs ? Rasmies Buddie. 4i DAT SO. As Shakkspere sings, Dir wheerer things Aboot wis din we ken ; A a rooncl I see Bit mystery In watter, mold, an staen. Yet I’m content, An aye feed bent Ta worship, no ta faer ; Ta bide an wirk In Nater’s kirk : For wark’s da truest prayer. I lift mi voice Ta say “ Rejoice !” An dat wi richt grid will ; For i dis life, Wi aa its strife, Dir far mair gild din ill. 4 2 Rasmie s Biiddie. Bit aa we ken Frae clever men 'S a clrap itill a fuddik ; l Da wisest shiel ’S da first ta feel ’At life is still a guddik. 2 We wirna med Sic Deeps ta wedd Wi wir smaa human ploots ;3 Du laves ta me My Deity— I lave ta dee dy doots. Bit we’ll agree If dat may be— An weel I tink it can— Ta hae e faith For life or death— Da Bridderhood o Man. An here I see Mair mystery ; 1 Bucket. 2 Riddle. 3 Feet. Rasmie s Biiddie. For aa alang da rodd Da men at wan Maist closs ta Man Aye spak da maist o God. Confucius, An Socrates, An Buddha in atween ; An Plato wise Wi his deep eyes, An Christ, da Best ’at’s been An nearer haem Dir name on name, Aa thinkers o e style— Melancthon brave, An Luther grave, Kant, Goethe, an Carlyle. Wi ony creed Dir little need Or shance for dee ta class me ; In aa gtid will, Well differ still, An yet be bridders.—R asmie. 44 Rasmie s Buddie. / BOOCIN BAABIE. But an ben, But an ben, Boocin 1 Baabie ; Up an doon, Roon an roon, Screecghin laek a swaabie. 2 For sic a lass as Baabie is, Dey never wir her match ; Shu’s werr dan ony secind-mate ’At ever called a watch. It’s “ faider dis,” an “faider dat,” Wi oarders sharp, precise, “ Geng ta da stack,” “ Geng ta da wal,” “ Set dis afore da grice.”3 Black-blacked gull. 3 Pig. 1 Energetic. 2 Rasmie s Buddie. 45 Da sam wi Synnie, her aald mam, Shii hunds 1 her here an dere, “ Bring in twa paets,” “ Stick on da pot,” “ Rub up da restin-shair.” Shii yokks a spade, comes buxin 2 in, An scrits da earten fliir, An says shii wants ta hae it richt, Whin its ower wee.l, I’m shiir. Shii taks a tub o soapy blots, 3 An swabs da ben-room oot, An cleans da peerie window peens Wi muckle wirsit cloot. Noo ! here shii comes wi biisim4 faerce Ta sweep aboot da fire, Ill-trift5 sit in her restliss haands, I tink shii’ll never tire. Hoots! haddee, lass! lat be mi clugs, Ta dee aa-thing is bruk, So ! proge no in aboot mi feet, Du’ll sw r eep awa da luck. 1 Drives. 2 Banging. 3 4 Wash-water. 4 Broom. 5 Ill-thrift. 46 Rasmie s Buddie . Phew ! sees du dis ? Jtist view da aess, Da tae-pot!! feth du’ll brak her, O sic a jadd as Baabie is— I wiss some man wid tak her. But an ben, But an ben, Boocin Baabie ; Up an doon, Roon an roon, Screecghin laek a swaabie. Rasm ie s B ilddie. 47 ZEUST SO. E day as I wis gaein by Wi twa Boeotian lasses, Aald Zeus cam slidin rapidly Richt doon frae aff Parnassus. An heth ! he shaestit 1 ’is at wance, Da lasses says, “ Yun’s laek him,” An as he med a which advance, Dey says, “ Ye’ll hae ta spaek him.” “Hoy! Hoy!’’ I roars, wi richt gtid will, Roond ta da lad dan turnin, “ Noo, whaar I ’ll-Helt’s du makkin till Dis aerly i da moarnin ? 1 Pursued. 4 8 Rasmies Biiddie. Du’s med, I hae na faer, a nicht Up rivin 1 wi da Muses, An du slides aft frae sic a hicht, Dull ruin di bits o troosis.” Wi dis he gae a muckle gaff , 2 An med a yok for Baabie, Bit feth ! at wance I lifts mi staff, An taks da lad a knaabie.3 An sae he turned an aff he set ; He come agen ? Nae faer o him, Na, na! we claandered on wir gaet, Bit lamb! we saa nae mair o him. Laugh. T Tussling. 2 3 Whack. Rasmies Buddie. 49 DA PLAESIR YAACHT. Da streen I saw ipo da voe , 1 Ita da go widen, dayset glow, A bit o yaacht ; Whaar shii wis frae I never kno— Shu wis a aacht . 2 Shii med, wi every sklender sper, I’ da black-calm, a gowlden ber O trimlin licht : Bit aft a passin toucht ’ll mer A boanie sicht. For as shii lay afore me dere, Her bits o dook as white an fair As dey could be, l inks I, “ Giid feth ! du ill could bear A winter sea.’’ ]•: 1 Arm of the sea. 2 Possession. 50 Rasmies Biiddie. Aa rooncl ita da voes o life, In neuks, black-calm, oot o da strife, Dir plaesir craft. Da lass, da boy, da man, da wife. Ye see dem aft. At times it's dem ’at’s up da stair. An haena muckle toucht or care For daily bread ; An dootliss ken dir deil a faer Bit dey’ll be cled. Noo, dem ’at haes da time an means For tennis coorts an crokit greens, I canna wite ; Wice wirkin-folk at siccan eans Need hae nae spite. Bit tings o lasses tlinks 1 aboot Wi aa clis ciireis bits o cloot Dey caa dir claes ; Aa dis, dir bits o stockins oot At baid da taes. T Flit. Rasmies Buddie. 5i An noo an dan ye can ta hear O boys wi twartree pound a-year— Pur bits o darks— Wi clubs, an billiards, an beer, An Oxford sarks. Dey aa mann hae dir maet an drink, An twartree pound ye’ll hariy tink Can dii it aa ; Ipo dir folk, an dey sood sink. Da wecht mann faa. An sood Aald Death, sae touchtliss aft, Strik rouwin 1 faider frae his taft 2 — As weel micht be— What wid come o da plaesir craft, Wi winter sea ? Piir tings ! dey mebbe never ken ’At lasses but, far mair as ben, Hae pooer immense ; At boys can tink as weel as men, An ack wi sense, 1 Rowing. o 2 Boat-seat. 52 Rasmies Biiddie. • Or dey’d no geng an try ta aep Da jantiry, an mak a shaep At sunteen grit ; An sae—for heth ! dey need a haep— Giid gie dem wit ! An dan in time dey’ll mebbe laern Ta guide wi care da mite dey aern— Sae micht it be! An dan sma need dey’ll hae o faerin Da winter sea. Bit tidy craft, baid lass an boy, Dey’ll raach 1 ta winwird laek a joy, Wi dooble reef, Till life’s hael crew sail hae dir foy 2 Whaar dir nae grief. 1 Forge. 2 Jollification at end of fishing season, feast. Rasrnie s Biiddie . 53 DA REST IT FIRE. Da Day slips aff his gowlden sark, An smoots 1 him till his bed, An draws da coortan o da dark Aroond his yallow head. An Nicht shii wheests da briilin 2 baess, Da pleeps3 alang da shore, Till aa da soonds o Nater caese, An dan shii steeks da door ; An taks da braands o human haet, O duty, o desire, An wi saft slumber for a paet Shii rests4 dem laek da fire. ********* 2 Lowing. 3 Plaintive cry of sea-fowl. 4 Covers up. 1 Steals. 54 /vasm le $ Biiddie. Sae, whin were heckled aa da rodd. An every limb sail tire, Aald Death he’ll sit wi aessy-brod 1 An rest wir grain o fire. \ ********* Da bits o poopits noo, it’s droll, Say noucht o vengeance dire ; I mak, Aald Nick, for want o coll. Ill hae ta rest his fire. ********* Yiss, heth ! inta da louwin sun Da whirlin starns ’ill buch, 2 I ’o we’re no dere ta see da fun, I kno dey’ll be a steuch.3 Da Pooer 'at sun an starns hurls Da haand ’at canna tire— In aess o hael-an-hadden4 worls ’111 rest Aald Nater’s fire. 1 Buard for ashes ; rough shovel. 3 Dust raised. 4 Entire. 2 Dash. Rasmies Bliddie . MAMLISS. Jlist at da door, ipo da bass , 1 I fann a peerie mootie lass ; Her bits o stervin ploots wis bare, An shti, piir ting ! wis greetin sair. “ Noo, noo! what ails dee, jewl ?” I said, An straekit dan da boanie head ’At muckle needit saep an kaem, “Is it no time ’at du wis haem ? Will maamie no be tinkin lang, An winderin an oucht be wrang ?” “ Na, na, nae faer o dat,” shti said, “ A mam is what I never hed.” “ Hedno a mam, joy ! Foo is dat ?” Da answer cam baid plain an plat, As t’o frae dis ye couldna budge her, “ Mi antie hed me till a ludger.” 1 Mat. Oi Cn 6 Rasmies Biiddie. DA OOBIN WIND. Here da nicht I’m sittin laenly, Aa da hoose is still as death, An da doitin year is deein, Yae ! I hear his fetchin breath ; Aa aboot da hoose I hear it, Noo lie’s geen, aald, freendliss, blinnd, O ! dat soond o dul an sorrow ! O ! da oobin, 1 winter wind ! Ower da black, black heavin ocean, Weary wind, du blaas da nicht, Taks du toucht o dem ’at never Comes agen ta mortal sicht ? Caald dey lie ita da waaters, An dir limbs ta tangles 2 binnd ; Bring dem back ta herts ’at’s brakkin, O ! du oobin, winter wind ! 1 Moaning. 2 Sea-weed. Rasm ie s Bii ddie . 57 Strong an ticht we bigg wir hooses, Taek 1 dem weel fornenst da blast, Bit du dadds, at lum an riggin, 2 Snitters3 frae da nort an wast, Till da strae is blaaen in akker,4 An da wa, sae smoodly pinnd, Lats dee sook troo side an gaevil,5 Oobin, oobin, winter wind ! Aa aroond I hear da oobin O a wind o Discontent, Troo aa-thing ’at man is biggit 1’ da glory o his strent : Troo his Laas, his Creeds, his Gospel, Aa whaaron his hoop he linnd ; 6 Frae da rtif da strae is flee in 1’ da oobin, winter wind. Ev’ry sowl his cross is bearin, Aa da Eart’s a Calvary ; Why sood ony type or symbol Hoid reality frae me ? Rodd ta paece troo fields o fancy ? 1 Thatch. 2 Roof. 3 Biting blasts. 4 Fragments, s Gable. 6 Leaned. /i asmies Biiddie. I riith himsell ill steek da grinnd ; Aa da gaet, blaas faddit floorets, I’ da oobin, winter wind. Sit 1 dan bit laek da corbie 1 Wi a kurrup 2 for a sang, Caase da richt, whaare’er ye finn it, Aye is raeffled wi da wrang ? Na, giid feth ! I mak it’s idder ; Shaefs, alt’o dir sma, ye binnd ; Toucht, shu harks ta me da aerrind O da oobin, winter wind. Year bi year da wild nor waster Rives da riggin an da lum ; Aft an aft troo side an gaevil Sail da sook o winter come ; Bit da wice man winnds his simmind3 Poan4 an gloy5 ta tichtly binnd ; boretoucht fillsAaldWisdom’s biiddie^ Sings da oobin, winter wind, 1 Raven. 4 Thin turf. 2 Croak. 3 Straw or heather rope. 5 i hatch straw. 6 Basket ; creel. Rasmies Buddie. 59 He’s a fill ’at maks a biggin, Be it hoose, or law, or creed, Tinkin it can staand for ever, Ticht anyoch for human need. Na, my feth ! da need is grouwin, Gtid’s grit universe, ye’ll finnd Gengs no inta ony buggie, Sings da oobin, winter wind. Woe ta him at haesna Patience ! Woe ta him ’at flees frae Pain ! Joy is bit da schild o Sorrow, Loss, a midder big wi Gain ; Ta da hert ’at reads da lesson, Ye can trivil 1 an ye’re blinnd, Laek a freend in aafil aernist, Spaeks da oobin, winter wind. Faith is mair din poopits wat o, Wark is mair din ony faith ; Life is boarn whin in laabir Faa’s da fleein form o Death. Taek ye aye wi grit endaevir, T Fed. 6o Rasmie s Buddie, Wi da need lat waa be pinnd ; So dan, sin du’s taald di aerrind, Haddee ! oobin, winter wind ! Rasmie s Buddie. 61 AYE ! AYE ! Da streen I meets da Deil agen, Just up aside da staandin-staen, Ita da hill ; Pur boddy ! he wis gaen him laen, Sae we stiid still. “ Weel Boy!” I says, “ Foo feels du noo ?” Wi dis he linns him on a broo, An rubs his rig ; “No weel ava,” he says. “ I view Yun wis a jig. It’s mirksim daanderin da nicht, An ye can tak time bi da bicht , 1 Come in a start, Jlist till da miin her colly 2 bricht Hings ower da Wart.” 1 Slack. 2 Native lamp. 62 Rasmies Buddie. “ Aa richt, I says. Dan wi his fit Ipo da grund he gies a scrit, Ta gaase 1 it pairt ; An sae, itil a blink, we flit Inta da eart. At first I Anns it kind o dark, Bit hi da neckbind o his sark I taks a hadd, An sae doon till I hears a bark, Gengs wi da lad. An dan a door flees ta da back, An oot ipo wis in a crack, Jimps a grit dug ; Bit heth ! I draas da briit a smack Ahint da lug. " Doon wi dee, ‘ Cerby!’ ” yals da Deil, Or, bi mi feth ! I’se gaase dee feel Da wecht o cliv.” ' An at a gritter door, wi heel He gies a shiv, 1 Cause. Rasmie s Biiddie. 6 j An says, “ It’s aye a grain a-jee.” “ Yae, Boy ! ”1 says ; “ noo, dat’ll be Sae reek wins oot, Till Man, piir craeter, canna see What he’s aboot.” Bit heth ! aald “ Cerby ” widna wheesht, His tail frae side ta side he leeshed An shook his lugs, He wis a honist kind o baest, Laek idder dugs. Da same as tunder wis his growl, He widna faase aboot a sowl An mak-a-du, Laek man or deil, wi smirkin jowl Aye lyin tii. An noo da door half oapen wis, Da stink o brimstin in a bizz ' Cam steuchin but : I in, wi whiskers in a fizz, An dan shti shut. 64 Rasmies Buddie. “ Noo, mind da step, lamb !” yals da Deil, His voice maist droondit i da sweal Frae aff da loch ; “ Dir onnly ean, bit heth ! ye feel He’s deep anyoch.” “ Weel, Boy ! I haena time for sichts, Dy loch is fu o boanie bichts An gios 1 sae rare, Whaar pits du Shetlan folk ta richts ? I maun be dere.” “ Ye see yun gltide 2 o ferries-kaerds,3 Weel, dere’s da neuk ’at tichtly gairds A sweein smush4 O laawirs, ministers, an lairds, An siccan drush.”5 Wi dis he draas da kaerds awa, An dere alangst cla side I saa Aald- An mony anidder boddy braa ’At’s noo away. 1 Deep shore-fissure. 2 4 Glow. 3 Ferns, floral symbol for Shetland. 4 Fluid mass. 5 Debris. Rasm ic ’ a Bii ddic . Da fiends ’at drave da tenant furt (Da sookin bairn i da skurt), 1 Lay cursin deep, Tinks I, “Ye finn ’at folk is wirt As muckle’s sheep.” An-wha’s deevil’s crang 2 Wis deaf as staen ta wail o wrang, Aald Nick, wi cug, Poor’d meltit lead, frae stroopie3 lang, I till his lug. o “An what is dis aa ower wi sharf,4 An brunt as black as ony scarf ?5 It males ta bite!” “ A peerie-frae- Piir aamis mite !” “ Noo, here’s a place at smertly burns, An folk gengs oot an in bi turns, Wha here maim lie ?” “ Aa dem at gae da faase returns O sheep an kye.” 1 Bosom. 2 Carcass. 3 Spout. 4 Crust. 5 Cormorant. 66 Rasmies Buddie. “ Weel, Boy,” I says, “ I weary no, Bit noo, I cloot, I’ll hae ta go, It's com in laet, An aa da baess, an lambs, du’ll kno I hae ta maet.” “ So, joy!” says Nick, “ ye canna stey I’m soarry da aald wife’s awey, Da streen shti geed, Or we'd ’a hed a aer o tey.” “ Weel! dat indeed !” An noo I tinks mi pipe I'se licht, An so ita mi kash 1 sae ticht For twist I hunt, Bit soar-a-peel 2 dere cam ta sicht, For it wis brunt. An sae we daander’d ta da step, An up agen wi forrce I lepp, Da Deil ahint; Aald “ Cerby ” for me med a yepp As he wis wint. 1 Pouch. 2 Devil-a-scrap. Rasmies Buddie. \\ hin we warm oot, an dat wis sun, A muckle clood wis taen da mlin I till his skurt; Da wind wis just begun ta nun, Twis culler furt. An sae a start we stud an spak ; Says Nick, “Ye see, da pains I tak Jta mi skill." yae !” I says, “ Grit pains, I male O ! less an diil ! Bit what comes o it efter aa ? It laeds nae single sowl awa Frae wrang ta richt ; I a Giid, I tink, boy, it maim shaa A faerfil sicht.” Lamb, it’s mi caaleen, ill or weel; Ye shtirly tink no ’at da Deil J list med himsell ? An ’at 1 haena hert ta feel For so wis in hell ?” Rasmie s Biiddic. 68 “ I kno no, Boy, bit heth I tink Dy pot hings bi a feckliss 1 link Ta vengeance dire ; Daylicht wid mak da deevils blink As weel as fire." 1 Inefficient. R asm ie s Biiddie . 69 NICHT-WAATCHES. Dey shine—da starbaems troo da Nicht o Ages, Dir sweet licht faain ower da sea o Life In trimlin silver mid da caeseliss strife- Da michty touchts o owldtime bards an sages. Confucius an Buddha, sowls sublime, Glaem oot, afar, wi mystic holy licht, An mark da weary waatches o da Nicht, Ere da Eternal Sunsheen daaned on I ime: An i da last waatch, whin Day cam apace, I see da son o Sophroniscus staand Amid da fleein darkness, seelint, graand, Da gowlden glink o Daan ipun his face : Dan glory straems across da waitin Eart, An angel whires proclaim a Saviour’s Birt. 70 Rasmie s Biidrfic. I’ DA GORSTIE. I pun a simmer efterntin We played wis dere, twa peerie moots, An broon an bare wir bits o ploots, We fann no muckle need o shun. Jtist come frae Erty’s weary skill, An taerin daft ower bank an broo Ita da stank 1 wi watter loo , 2 Wir rostin tings o soles ta clil. An sae we played, nae toucht o oors— Ta bairns Time’s Eternity— Dan peerie Synnie sed ta me, “ I’se male a boanie shain o flooers.” 1 Ditch. 2 Tepid. R asmie's Buddie . An siin her peerie winkie haands O cockaloories 1 bricht wis fu, An buttercups an violets blue, \\ i staaks laek sheenin ferries’ waands. An dan wi baid een fu o glee, Wh in shii her boanie shain wis med, Shii bang da blossims ower mi head, An laachin sed, “ I’m gotten dee.” Shii poo d me dan ower staen an fael , 2 I backit aff, an poo’d her tti, Bit t’o we med a grit adii, We aye gae heed ta keep it hael. ********* Pit days an years for minits, oors, Pit shiin ipo wir bits o ploots, Pit lass an lad for peerie moots, Mak Love da boanie shain o dooers ; Ye hae a pickter ta da life, For Love’s mair sklenderer din Truth, An Foally, pitiliss in Youth, Aft nips it wi a feckliss strife. i I)aisies. 2 Turf. 7 2 Rasmies Buddie. Noo, man an wife, we gie an tak In love da pain o honist wirds, An to aald Discoard faercely tirds, Wir shain o flooers he canna brak. Sae sail it hadd, whin grouwin laet Da nicht sail faa frae htimin grey, Ta laed wis troo ta better Day, An Life hae Gorsties 1 aa da gaet. 1 Grassy space between “rigs.” Rasmies Buddie. 73 SPRING. Sweet laachter ripples ower da laand, Frae Simmer’s pairtin lips ; Shti touches Winter’s icy haand, \\ r i lily finger tips. 74 Rasm ics Biiddie COONTIN KIN. We gadder’d ower in Paetie’s hoose Da streen aboot da hiirnin, An aa ithin wis trig an croose, Bit furt da rain wis tiimin ; l An Paetie sat itill his shair, ’At stiid alangst da gaevil ; Ta finn anidder wi his lair, Ye’d hae a gaet ta traevil. 1 mean no what ye get frae beuks, An skills, an edication, Bit aa ye finn in antrin 2 neuks, An denkies3 o Creation. T Pouring. O 2 Odd. 3 Hallows. Rasmie s Buddie. 75 He kent no ’at wir bit o glob Gengs tirlin rooncl da sun, an He toucht, whin taald o sic a job, ’At ye wir onnly funnin. Bit aa aboot his nip o croft. An aa aboot da caaleen, 1 He kent, for sense wi laabir koft 2 3 Kens aye da touw for haaleen. Ita aald wves he hed a feth, y 7 ’At wid a muvv’d a moontin, Bit at his best ye saa him, heth, Whin kin he set ta coontin. An sae he sat, his pipe o twist Atween his gooms wis steekit. Just kind o loomin troo a mist, For aye da but-fire reekit. He spak o herrin signs, da twa ’At tells ye sood be at her, Da dudd3 o tunder far awa, Da maas4 ipo da watter : 1 Occupation ; here fishing. 2 Purchased. 3 Thud. 4 Sea-gulls. 7 6 Rasmies Buddie. An dan I says, just maist in fun, “ Ye’ll mind aald Yunsin’s bridder ; Did he no hae a weedow son ’At mairried somean idder ?” “ Aald Yunsin’s bridder’s weedow son ? Yae feth, I mind him braaly : Da lass ’at he wis mairried on, Wis oy-in-law ta Maaly. Noo, I’m been mairried mair or twice, My fyft wife wis a Yunsin ; Ta redd oot kin ye mann be wice ; It taks a pooer o hunsin. 1 Weel, shii ’at last belanged ta me, Wis been a weedow wummin, O douchters shii hed twa or tree ; Ye see, noo, foo its comin : A ctishin ta da eldist ean Wis mairried on mi bridder, Aald Yunsin, noo, whin left him laen, He cam an took wir midder : 1 Hunting. Rasm ie s Biidclie. h-* h— // An dan my Maaly’s oy, ye see, Wis Tammy Twatt’s glid-bridder, So Kirsty Twatt, I mak ill be, Steb-aant ta Annie’s midder : An Tammy, he wis mairried, joy, On muckle Aeppie Lowrie, A ctishin ta aald Yunsin’s oy— A lang tongue wis her dowry ; So, feth, it’s plain anyoch ta see—- An foo could it be iclder ? An what yun boy mann be ta me, I’se lave you ta consider ” He spat wi care ita da aess, An gae himsell a hunkle, An said, “Aald Robbie o da Ness Wis Maaly’s midder’s uncle. An sae”—Bit feth, we wantid no Ta hear aboot dem farder, An so I says, “ I hear da voe, I mak he’s blaain harder.” 78 Rasmies Buddie. An frae da lum a heavy drap Ita da fire fell sweein, “ Boys, dis’ll lay da crop in stap, Or feth, da wind is leein.” “ An sae,” says Paetie, haddin back, For Yunsin an his bridder, “ So, boy,’' I says, “ It’s time we spak A while at sunteen idder." Rasm ic’s Biiddie. 79 DOKKINS. Noo, oorie 1 ower da stubbly rig, Da waandrin breezes ntin ; Ita da yard da shaefs we bigg Anaeth da hairst rniin, ’At flings ipo da sleepin Soond A streetch o siller licht, An faas sae saft ower aa aroond, Ita da whiet nicht. An sae I sit, an tink, an tink, Wh in aa da laabir’s troo— Da trang o voar, da simmer’s blink, Da hairst ’at brings da scroo. 2 O 1 Eerie. 2 Corn stack. Rasmie s Biiddie. Yae ! oot ita wir ceevil croft— Da muckle yard o State, Da scroo mann be wi Jaabir koft, Bit what comes o da maet ? Dir iisliss deevils here an dere, Ipo Gild’s frutfil laand, ’At for da pur hae deil-a-care, Dey muv no fit or haand. Bit Laabir, feth ! ’ill conquer yet In spite o aa, I view— Dis aristocracies is bit Da dokkin 1 on da scroo. 1 Dock-weed. Rasmie s Riiddie. Whin we wir rinnin ta da sea Da streen, Jeck Yunsin says ta me, “ Noo, Rasmie, joy, I’m aye been gaein ta spaek ta dee, A boot mi boy. Neist simmer he comes frae da ski'd, An heth ! I tink he’s no a fiil, 1 o he’s mi ain ; He’s nedder monimint or sniil, Bit haes da brain. Noo, min ! I hae a pound or twa, An sae I tink ’at, efter aa, Pie mebbe micht Shaep no sae very ill ava At sun teen rich t. 82 Rasmies Buddie . As I wis sayin, ere-da-streen, Whin I fell in wi Erty Green An Robbie Moad, Anyoch o daddiry I’m seen—- Dis haaf r be blow’d 1 At first I lied a kind o hopp ’At he wid win itill a shop, Or sic as dat ; Bit Kirsty till it pat a stop Baicl plain an plat. Laek dis, ‘He’s med for sunteen clean, An no ta gurr 2 in parafeen, Black-saep an trash.’ ‘ My lamb, Ike get him inta ean.’ ‘ Du needna fash.’ An noo shu s tinkin o da Laa, Shii says ’at it’s da best ava For rippin pey ; Shus shaaen sae muckle sense troo aa, I tink shii’s fey. 3 1 Deep-sea fishing. 2 To do dirty work. 3 Possessed. Rasmies Buddie. Bit still, boy, I wid laek ta kno If du tinks tii, ’at dat is so, For sood du, heth, Ta Lerrick peerie Jeck sail go, Yae ! hi mi feth !” Says I, 11 Boy ! Kirsty is a fiil An du’s, gtid traath, a harnliss 1 sni.il Ta be sae led ; He’d better, boy, wi pick an shtil, Hok for his bread. Na, na, feth ! fu anyoch is he O sin an every deeviltrie J Noo as he is ; Wi Laa what laek tinks du wid be Yun sowl o his? I ruth peys no jiist ower week I view. Da honist laawirs, feth ! is few I ken bit ean ; An Jeck ye’d pit, dy wife an du, Ta sunteen clean ! i Brainless. 84 Rasmies Buddie. Send him no head-stoop ta da deil, Ta dance da Laa’s lang, gudliss reel For daily bread ; Mak ye him read his Bible weel, An laern a traed !” R asmies Buddie. BLIBES. Too aft da sail ye set sae fair in votith, Wi fleein flans 1 o age ipo you jibes, 2 An, aa aboot, da sea is faem an blibes3 Ipo da skrlif4 o some grit tide o Truth. Da babe blaas blibes ipo da midder’s breest At s bit a blibe itsell o Love new-blaan, An sae, whin moarnin talcs da place o daan, He blaas da boanie rainbouw saep-blibe neist. Bit less ! for dem an aa his bits o joys, Smaa blibes ipo dis muckle blibe o Time ; Yae, less ! ’at spunks sae bricht sood faa ta ime !S \ ae, less! ’at men sood no for aye be boys! His blibe da maerchant an da curer blaas. Da politeecian wi da things o state, j 1 Gusts. 2 Wears. Bubbles. ■* Surface. 5 Soot. 86 Rasmies Buddie . Da praecher wi da world’s faersim fate, An aa wir shanjin teeories an laas. Dir noucht bit blibes ower aa dis blibe o Eart, Whare’er yere weary, weary, een ye shift ; Dir blibes o licht ower aa da blibe o lift ; An Time is bit a blibe ipo da sea, Da sea, da Ocean o Eternity ; Bit O ! dat bursen blibe—da brokken hert ! Wheesht! wheesht ! e symbol furt anidder shivs, Da Beauty flees no, bit for ever lives. Rasmie s Buddie. 87 TANGLE BELLS. I da mermaids’ booer hingin, Doon ita da crystal sea, Aft an aft I hear ye ringin, An da soond is sad ta me. Ringin, ringin, saftly ringin, Bells ’at bit da sowl can hear, I da deeps ye’re swingin, swingin Ower da faces lost an dear. See I no da simmer ocean Wi its tinldin tings o waves, Bit a winter sea in motion Brakkin ower da nameliss graves. 88 Rasmie s Buddie. Bells ’at ring wi tangled cadence, Raeffled notes o love an pain ; Ta da greetin wives an maidens Ring da lost eans back again. Nazarene ! ’at stilled da billows O da Galilean lake, Wi new faith an hopp ta fill ’is, Is Dy michty haand sae waek ? Na, I hear da sweet bells ringin, An da soond is which an gled, Back agen da lost eans bringin. An da Sea gies up her dead ; No da pur, caald, lifeless metter Frae da black an cruel tide, Bit ita dat Laand ’at’s Better, Leevin speerits, glorified. Rasmie's Buddie. 89 DRAEM-FLOOERS. E winter day I waandered oot An doon alang da burn, Da snaa lay, here an dere, aboot Da year wis at da turn. J Da air wis clear, da cloods in baas Da frosty-pillars hang, An peerie, plinkin watter-faas Ta ean anidder sanof. An as I daandered ower da braes, An troo da fan ns 1 o snaa, I toucht ipo da simmer days Foo dey wir far awa : j 1 )rifts. 90 Rasrnie s Biiddie, An dan I windered ta misell, If da aald Eart wid mind, Or if shli did an shli wid tell ’At simmer eence wis kind. Jlist dan I finns a peerie flooer I till a whiet neuk, Da snaa-draps ower it in a shooer I hed ta staand an look. A peerie flooer sae bricht an fair, Among da meltin snaa! Sae help me ! as I couldna bear Ta pluck da ting awa. “ Aald Eart,” I says, “ shli minds, shti’se keep Da boanie peerie ting, Shii’s smilin , noo, itill her sleep, An draemin o da Spring, Rasmie s Buddie. 9 1 WAAKNIN. Lang dead in dreary, sunliss, winter oors, Has lain fair Hjaltland in her stormy deep, Noo waakens shii frae oot her restliss sleep, I pun her face a sudd in flush o flooers. F'oo comes clis, life returnin frae da dead? An foo dis taers o joy—da sparklin shooers ? An dis new stirrin o debaetliss pooers, Lang held ita da Seelince deep an dread ? Da Spring, her lover, comes frae ower da sea, Wi balmy breath at aa aroond him faas, Ta look for her anaeth da shroodin snaas, Wi sunny, laachin een, an set her lree ; An noo he Anns her efter weary strife, An wi sweet kisses waakens her ta Life. 92 Rasmies Biiddie . SOE. Wi waand an biiddie ta da craigs, 1 Aboot da nichts I go, Bit feth ! sma redd 2 wid fleein3 mak Withoot da aer o soe.4 O ! boanie glinks da hairst mtin Ipo da mirlin5 voe, Da loodist soond ower aa aroond Da wheesh o flee an soe. An dere ipun a staen I sit, I sit, an fish, an tink, As skills o sillik 6 * gadder up, An piltiks,7 siller, blink, An noo an dan a lyrie 8 comes An booces troo da steid,9 Bit ean an aa baid grit an sma Ipo da soe lays leid . 10 1 Crags. 2 Progress. 3 Fishing with fly 4 Crushed shells, &c., for luring fish. 5 Trem 6 Small coal-fish. 7 Larger coal-fish. 8 Red coal-fish. 9 Mass. 10 Emphasis. Rasmies Buddie Dey tak nae toucht o widdered 1 heuks, An o da fytal rik , 2 Sae i me bulmint3 biiddie siin, Piir tings, dey sprikkle tik ; Pur tings ! sae laek da human steid, Ita da sea o Life, ’At booH an jimp for noucht bit soe, Wi daft an caeseliss strife. Da Radical he yals wi forree “ Tree acres an a coo ! ” Da Tory gabs o anshint richts, An bltid ’at’s aald an blue ; Ta shoardS aald rooklin 6 govirmints, He maks his bit o blow ; Bit ean an aa, baicl grit an sma, Giid feth ! is htivin soe. Aboot da Helly,7 Synnie reads, P'rae what dey caa da “ press,” Sang adverteesmints noo an dan O fiid, an drink, an dress ; T Barbed. 2 Strike. 3 Dock-weed. 5 Play on the surface. * 5 Prop. 6 Wobblin 7 Holy time, Sunday. 94 Rasmies Biiddie. An smokkin bi da fire I laach, An say, “ Yae lamb ! I kno ! Yun maerchant body’s at da craigs, An heth ! he’s hlivin soe.” ******** Troo aa Life’s sea da silliks bools Piir peerie moots, sae tik, Da fisher lifts dem twas an trees An fowrs at ivry rik : Dir plaesirs here an plaesirs dere ’At glinks wi gowlden glow, Bit, bi mi feth ! da sheenin shams Is bit da Deevil's soe. Rasmie s Buddie. 95 HEDDERK IN-DUNK. Whin I wis young, an at da skill, We hed wis mony a play, Noo age is come, o less an dill ! An yet what daar I say ? We’d finn a aald plank noo an dan, An hyst him wi a hunk, Ipo da nearist staen we fann An rig a hedderkin-dunk . 1 An dan for oors we’d rise an faa Till schildish cares wis tint , 2 Week no, I widna say jlist aa For we wir sore ahint. 1 See-saw. 2 Lost. 96 Rasmie s Biiddic. Wi mony a dunt ipo da gress, An mony a rackliss lunk, 1 Ye harly weel could lippen 2 less Wi sic a hedderkin-dunk. An ean wid staand ipo da plank, Atween da twa ’at sat, Ta send wis as we raese an sank As dis, an dan as dat. Sae. on we’d geng till i da mirk, Dan haemwird wid we slunk Wir bits o breeks in mony a lirk,3 Wi sic a hedderkin-dunk. It’s sae wi aa, da mair ye see Da clearer comes it oot An twartree year anyoch’ll be Ta pit it by a doot. Dan tak ye comfirt, bridders, aye, As up Life’s brae ye stunk,4 Da laichist an da heichist day, Is jlist a hedderkin-dunk. 1 Heave. 2 Expect. 3 Crease. Groan with exertion. Rasmtes Biiddic . 97 DA POKKIT. Da streen just efter supper-time, Dan Synnie taks a kyochin, 1 An tinks, my lamb, at shti wicl need l a mak hersel a brochin. 2 Says I, “ Hoots ! mak a aer o tay, It’s naethin bit a kyitlin,3 Trot-caald oot o dy wish in-say,4 Whaar du’s for ever swittlin.” “ l ay! tay!” shti says, “Giicl help dee, boy, Kens du he’s naar ileeven ?” “An why for no ?” says I, “ my joy, Dus no hed oucht frae seeven.” 1 Coughing. 2 Gruel. 3 Tickling. 4 Wash-tub. o o o II 98 Rasm ie s Biidcii e. ■“ Na, na, my lamb. I’d mebbe dii An I bit hed a sweetie, Or scaar 1 o clouw, or dat,” says shii, Says I, “ It wis a peety.” “ Noo, noo,” shii says, “ I sunteen hed Ita mi pooch i Sundy, A caandy-drap, a mootie nip O peerie Jessie’s gundy ; Mi frock is ben ipo da door,” Wi dis shii taks ta kyochin, “ An du wid feetch da caandy-drap, I tink I’d need nae brochin.” “ Yae, lamb,” I says, an aff I sets Laek Willie wi da pooder, An haes da frock doon frae da nail, An aa itill a tooder ; An hunsed, an hunsed, wi baid mi haands Troo boady, skirt, an linin, Yae, till I toucht ’at frae da job, I’d hae ta be resign in. 1 Small bit. Has m ie ’ s Buddie . 99 Dan Synnie cries “Heest, heest dee! min! Or clan I’ll slin be shokkit.” Deil shok dis frock o dine!” I roars, “ I canna finn da pokkit.” IOO 1\asm ie s llilddie. DA BLYDE-MAET. Whin Aedie 1 tit 2 da blyde-maet3 for himsell An her, pur lass, ’at dan belanged ta him, Whin nicht in Aeden wis a simmer dim Afore he wis dreeld oot ta hok an dell, Hed he a knolidge o da truth o things, Afore da knolidge koft wi what’s caa’d sin ? Afore da world raised dis deevil’s din, Heard he da music ’at da starrins sings ? Some says ’at Time is craalin laek a wirm Troo da tik glaar4 dey caa Eternity, A treed o woe an pain it aye mann be ’At Fate reels aff frae ever fleein pirm.5 1 Adam. 2 Ate. 3 Glad-food, eaten when a woman first rises from child-bed. 4 Slime. 5 Pirn. 1las in ids Bit ddie. ioi Hit Joy an Hopp in aa clis life- I see, It’s plain anyoch ta see ta him at’s carin, To Time is spraechin , 1 laek a fraeksit 2 bairn, Ipo da bosim o Eternity. We’se aet da blyde-maet yet, an it sail be O mony anidder, deeper, graander life, An T ime sail laern troo aa dis weary strife Ja sook da fu breests o Eternity. J ' Screaming. O 2 Fractious. 102 Rasmie s Biiddie. TROK. Whin I wis biggin Paetie’s stack, Dan he an I, we heel a crack (3n men o State, An foo ta pass dis Trokkin 1 Ack Dey wirna blaet. An feth ! he toucht da sarn as me, At little wisdom could we see, An little redd; Dey’d better wi dir Acks lat be Da naetril trade : P or what sood Sharlie Bredlaa ken ? He’s run da tulli’e ta da baen Ita wir Isle, Giid send wis twartree idder men Laek aald Argyle ! 1 Truck. Rasm ic $ Riiddic . 103 It’s jiist a centiry ahint: Da maerchant-evil ’at wis wint Ta help da lairds, \Yi coamon kempin 1 noo is tint ; Shli wirks da kaerds. Tink ye is maerchant folk sae tik, Lack kye ta staand an claw, an lick ? Na, bi mi sang! It’s evry sowl swing his ain pick, For richt or wrang. O An folk can sell ta wha dey laek Aald Jeck, or Maaly o da Daek, Or wha gies maist : Ye need dry wadder strikkin taek , 2 I tink, at laest. An sae yun screeblin boddy Saands, He’d better stey’d in idder laands An held his sheeks, \\ T hin folk can get ipo dir haands Mael, sark, an breeks : Competition. I 2 Cutting heather. 1 c>4 Rasmies Buddie. For peerie slip an bit o shaal A a-thing frae fiicl doon ta da ac Da ellishin : On sic a Ack, noo mony a saal J Prays mellishin l 1 T Malediction. Rasmies Buddie. 10 BANKS-FLOOERS. Troo da mists o toil an passion, Look I back alangst da years, As da pirr 1 o memry, blaain, Frae mi een da skub 2 aa clears ; An I see, as in a veesion O a lang-forgotten day, Toorin clifts ’at strik da heevens Shalder Gio an Aakra Bay ; xA.ii abun da deeps at’s gaepin, Wh ar da clifts ta heeven tooers, Peerie Rasmie, faerliss climmin Noo for nests, an noo for flooers. Yoiith is lied, aless! for ever Frae da weary haancl an limb, T Breeze. 2 Drizzle. 106 Rasrnie s Biiddie. Bit mi sowl is young, an never Sail his ee in death grouw dim ; Climmin, whar da Deeps is gaepin Naeth da toorin clifts o Life, Deepist twa, o Love, Religion- Gtid an Man, an Man an Wife ; Finnin, i da banks o Nater, Whar da clifts ta heeven tooers, An da blackist Deeps is gaepin, O’ true Toucht, da sweetist flooers. Rasmie s Buddie . 107 DA PICTER. Look ye ! dis deevil’s dance o life, O Christian society, Half-naekit leddies ? lass an wife, Gtid feth ! in aa propriety. Wi maet an drink anyoch ta feed Da pilr itill a thoosan haems ; Bit dat’s Giid’s wark! ye never need Blaem oucht bit what da deevil blaems. Still gengs da damned dance tik an closs, Wi sang an shoot o revelry, An i da mids staands up a Cross, An on it ean in agony. io8 Rasmies Biiddie. SORROW. Ipo da eve o some sublime event, At pregnint I ime is bringin nigh ta birt, Wha’s fame sail efterwirds inwrap da Eart, Da michty sowl, in deepist darkniss pent, Is ta da dust in wirdliss Sorrow bent, ' naeth da fit o iron-shod Despair ; Life’s music dees ipo da lifeliss air, An prickin nerves ant 1 no da will’s intent, Da naithingniss o every fleetin day, I H or dis is Nater’s sorrow deepist aye, Da meltin winter snaas foregeng da fliid, Da storms o war da smilin calm o paece, Sweet restfilniss is ever toil’s surcaese, An “ Victiry !” is written bit in bltid. R asmie s Buddie. 109 TUNDER. Dis scienteefic boddies says, Dey ken what maks da tunder, An heth da very lichtnin tti, Noo, doesna knollidge spunder? 1 Dey. say it’s electreecity, Noo, what is dat, I winder? Some pooerfil kind o blast, I mak, For rivin things insinder. Lichtnin ? Is it no jilst aald Thor, I pun a clood up sittin, ’At’s makkin for ta licht his pipe. An sae a match is scrittin. 1 Rush. I IO Rasmies Buddie. An whin ye hear oondiimis noise, Froo aa cla heevens soon din, It’s him among da Giant-boys, An geein dem a poondin. Wi cl an 1 dm clugs ower Asgard’s fl At times he taks a spunder, An draas his Hammer bi da heft,- Noo, isna dat da tunder ? /?asm ie ' .v B iidi lie. i i i WINTER. Noo froons da sun-god on da Nortlaand dark, An turns awa da brichtniss o his face, brae hiii, an shore, an sea, a dreary space, An stills da gledsim singin o da lark ; Noo lies da Nortlaand aa, snaa-sheetit, stark, An steel-cowld skies is steepit aye in Nicht, Save whaar da mtin-elves dance in siller licht, An glaemin stars da rapt ee’s limit mark. Sae comes it ’at da fiery Nortlaand hert, Is touched wi Sorrow an da tale o doom, An sings da Winter’s deep encirclin gloom, In livin wirds whence sowl-fires, louwin, dart, ’At michty touchts laek wild aaroras sweep, An fling dir splendirs ower da Nordern I )eep. I I 2 Rasm ie’s Baddic . CUD’S CROFT. Dis U niverse is Gtid’s grit croft. It’s H is bi richt, wis never koft Frae gritter laird ; An ne’er sail be, laek laand o Toft, Wi idder shared. Heeven is da hoose, an Eart da laand, An Hell da midden, whar frae haand He flings da bruk, An troo it sticks a louwin taand, 1 Ta swee da suk. 2 Noo, i mi ain sma croft I finn, Da bruk it yoks an gadders in, Ta mak for grouwth, Till crops staands tik ’at eence wis tinn, Wi rain an drouwth. 1 Brand. 2 Mass. / \trsmic's BiicLtic . Da oruk it rots an rots awa, I ill it comes cloon ta what we caa Da elemints ; An dan in Beauty springs it aa, O’ thoosan tints. Sae sail da glid just wirk an wirk, I ill it sail smood da h in mist lirk Oot o da sowl, An straems o glory Hud da mirk F rae powl ta powl! Some tinks da Deil taks maistlins aa. An smoots himsell wi dem awa, Ta endliss hell : I could-a-med a better Laa, I tink, misell. An Gtid is bit da Pooer we tink, Da Licht sail e’en troo Hades blink, An flee da Nicht ; Piir Dives yet sail hae his drink, An aa be richt. i 4 Ra smies Bilddic. Sae boys ! we’se kemp noo, ean an aa, Ta staand, in strent, a leevin waa Fornenst da w ran of ; o 7 An spend dis life, as best ava, fn Duty trang. Rasm ie' s Biiddie. i r 5 DA VAIGE. A angel stud at Heeven’s yatt, 1 An gazed inta da nicht ; Afore him aa da wy wis dark, Ahint him aa wis bricht. An far awa da starry hosts, Ita da aether span, An, as he stud, his ee it soucht Da minkie 2 haem o Man. Aa ower his wings an garmints fell Da licht, in siller shooers, An in his sheen in nev he hed A bunch o boanie Boors, ( jlltC. 1 2 Minute. /w? smie's Buddie, 1 6 New-pluckit frae da fadliss fields, Whar winter never blaas, Bit aye oot o da cloodliss lift Da braeth o simmer faas. An sae he took his tieein wy, Alang da boondliss dim, An mony herts, in mony worlds, Dat nicht, wis blyde for him. He cam inta dis spinnin mot, An mony herts he fann At saa ita Creation noucht Bit meesiry for Man ; Bit, wi da fragrince o his flooers, He sheered dem inta joy, J ill life wis laek a simmer sea, An death wis bit a foy. Da angel’s idder name is Truth, His wings is Love an Hopp, His flooers a shooer o gowlden deed ’At never mair sail stop ; Rasrmc's Biiddic . Yae, ev’ry sowl ’at spaeks a wire! For Giicl, an Truth, an Richt, Flees cloon, laek him, frae Heeven’s yatt Ta scatter flooers o Licht. 11 8 Rasm ie s Biidrfie. DA DEEPS. Ita cla starry Deeps o Nicht, I set mi line o Toucht, An mony a traesir, siller bricht, Oot o da deeps is broucht. Da Day is bit da shore o Life, Wi shaalds 1 an baas 2 it’s bund ; An Hiimintime, t’o freed o strife, Is bit da Inner-Grund.3 Dan, i da starry Deeps o Nicht, Set ye yere line o Toucht ; An mony a traesir, siller bricht, Sail frae da Deeps be broucht. 1 Shoals. 2 Sunken rocks. 3 Middle fishing ground. * V. t 1