The Genius of Scotland Part 8

This tidings created the liveliest sensations of joy among Sir William's tenantry, as he was much beloved for his kindness and generosity of disposition. Old Symon Scott and Glaude Anderson were especially delighted, and resolved, each of them, to celebrate the event with a feast. Symon however had already begun to make preparations for a banquet, to which he invited Glaude and all the old and young people of the neighborhood:

"It's Symon's house, please to step in, And vissy't[31] round and round, There's nought superfluous to gie pain, Or costly to be found.

Yet a' is clean--a clear peat ingle[32]

Glances amidst the floor[33]; The green horn spoons, beech luggies[34] mingle On skelfs[35] foregainst the door.

While the young brood sport on the green, The auld anes think it best, Wi' the brown cow[36] to clear their een Snuff, crack and tak their rest."

[Footnote 31: Examine it.]

[Footnote 32: A fire of peats.]

[Footnote 33: In Scotland the old peasant houses have the fire in their centre.]

[Footnote 34: Cups of beech wood.]

[Footnote 35: Shelves opposite the door.]

[Footnote 36: Brown ale.]

While they are engaged Sir William appears among the young people on the green, in the garb of a fortune teller. Jenny runs into the house and tells her father, who, particularly good-natured and hospitable at such an hour, replies:--

"Gae bring him in; we'll hear what he can say, Nane shall gae hungry by my house the day. [_Exit Jenny._ But for his telling fortunes, troth I fear He kens nae mair o' that than my grey mare.

_Glaud._--Spae men![37] the truth o' a' their saws I doubt, For greater lears never ran thereout.

[_Jenny returns bringing in Sir William;--with them Patie._

_Symon._--Ye're welcome honest carle, here take a seat.

_Sir W._--I gie ye thanks, gudeman, I'se be no blate.[38]

_Glaud._--Come, t'ye[39] frien. How far came ye the day?

_Sir W._--I pledge ye, neibour, e'en but little way.

_Symon._--Ye're welcome here to stay a' night wi' me.

And tak sic bed and board as we can gie.

_Sir W._--That's kind unsought.--Weel gin[40] ye hae a bairn.

That ye like weel, an wad his fortune learn, I shall employ the farthest o' my skill, To spae it faithfully, be't good or ill.

_Symon_ (_pointing to Patie_).--Only that lad: alake! I hae nae mae Either to mak me joyfu' now or wae.

_Sir W._--Young man, let's see your hand; what gars[41] ye sneer?

_Patie._--Because your skill's but little worth, I fear.

_Sir W._--Ye cut before the point: but, Billy, bide, I'll wager there's a mouse-mark on your side.

[Footnote 37: Fortune-tellers.]

[Footnote 38: Bashful.]

[Footnote 39: Your health.]

[Footnote 40: If.]

[Footnote 41: Makes.]

This being the case, all are astonished at the old man's knowledge, who goes on to predict that Patie, one of these days, will be a rich laird.

_Elspa._--Hear, ye gudeman, what think ye now?

_Symon._--I dinna ken! Strange auld man, what art thou?

Fair fa[42] your heart, it's guid to bode o' wealth Come, turn the timmer to laird Patie's health.

(_Patie's health goes round._)

[Footnote 42: Good befall.]

Old Symon, by the request of the spaeman, goes out to meet him, and they have much conversation together. At length--

"Sir William drops his masking beard, Symon transported sees The welcome knight, wi' fond regard, An' grasps him round the knees."

They converse concerning Patie, who is actually Sir William's son and heir, and agree to make known his true position. This is accordingly done, and produces great excitement among the parties. Patie is glad and sorrowful at the same time, and Peggy sees nothing in it but disappointment and grief. A gulf has intervened between her and Patie, and she feels that she must give him up for ever. But Patie a.s.sures her of his constant affection, and the "puir thing" absolutely "greets for joy to hear his words sae kind."

Next morning--

"While Peggy laces up her bosom fair Wi' a blue snood, Jenny binds up her hair; Glaud by his morning ingle, taks a beek,[43]

The rising sun s.h.i.+nes motty[44] thro' the reek,[45]

A pipe his mouth, the la.s.ses please his een, An' now and then his joke must intervene."

[Footnote 43: A gla.s.s of beer.]

[Footnote 44: Mottled.]

[Footnote 45: Smoke.]

But all parties are sent for to Symon's house--

"To hear and help to redd[46] some odd debate 'Tween Mause and Bauldy, 'bout some witchcraft spell, At Symon's house: the knight sits judge himsell."

[Footnote 46: Clear up, unravel.]

All then are a.s.sembled--

"Sir William fills the twa armed chair, While Symon, Roger, Glaud, and Mause, Attend, and wi' loud laughter hear Daft Bauldy bluntly plead his cause: For now it's tell'd him that the taz[47]

Was handled by revengeful Madge, Because he brak guid breeding's laws, And wi' his nonsense raised their rage.

[Footnote 47: _Birch_ or strap.]