A New Garland/The Highlandman's Lament

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The Highlandman's Lament.

I Being once in Edinburgh, I ne'er was there before,I could not make my quarters amongst so many doors.I being wet and weary, and going up and down,I met a meikle madam, with a bra gown:
 She ask'd for my quarters, where I had beenAnd where is your lodging-house,I came from Aberdeen.This being a meikle town,I ne'er was there before,I cou'd na find my quarter-houseAmang sae many doors.
 She bow'd and becked to me,I made bows and scrapes,Myself being us'd with gentle folks,Hersel I'se no be blate.Gin you come with meTo yon bra muckle house,There you'll get your quarters,Your supper bra and douse.
 I followed my madam behind and beforeUntil I came to yon meikle houseThat had the bra door.When I came to yon meikle house ​There was ladies there,They made beck and shake to me,And fetched to me a chair.
 I sat down upon the chairCracking with my madam,A bra Highland gentlemanVow gin I had him.They fetch to me my dinnerOf langkail and beef,When I saw the bra mutton,Me thought she was a thief.
There was no man about the house,which griev’d my heart full sore,She gard me tak my bonnet aff,And seek for her golore.She led me by the handTo the wi’ houfe without,There was a bra bed hanging in a clout,Hanging in a clout and gingling wi’ rings.
When I saw the bra bed I began to sing,I took off my purse, my durk,And stuck it in the lumb:No thief cou’d come at itIf they had chance to come;I laid me down on my bed,For to fleep and to snore,And in comes my madamSinking on the floor.
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 Sinking on the floor,And she lay down by my side:I thought I was no married yet,Nor gotten yet a bride,When she put her handWhere I us’d to put my coat,When she catched me by the beard,Me fear’d she cut my throat.
 This being a meikle house;I ne’er was there before;There was so many windocksI could not find the door.This being a meikle house,I ne’er was there before.There was so many windocks,I cou’d not find the door.

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