370. Song—Sic a Wife as Willie had
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ILLIE WASTLE dwalt on Tweed, The spot they ca’d it Linkumdoddie;Willie was a wabster gude, Could stown a clue wi’ ony body:He had a wife was dour and din, O Tinkler Maidgie was her mither;Sic a wife as Willie had, I wad na gie a button for her! She has an e’e, she has but ane, The cat has twa the very colour;Five rusty teeth, forbye a stump, A clapper tongue wad deave a miller:A whiskin beard about her mou’, Her nose and chin they threaten ither;Sic a wife as Willie had, I wadna gie a button for her! She’s bow-hough’d, she’s hein-shin’d, Ae limpin leg a hand-breed shorter;She’s twisted right, she’s twisted left, To balance fair in ilka quarter:She has a lump upon her breast, The twin o’ that upon her shouther;Sic a wife as Willie had, I wadna gie a button for her! Auld baudrons by the ingle sits, An’ wi’ her loof her face a-washin;But Willie’s wife is nae sae trig, She dights her grunzie wi’ a hushion;Her walie nieves like midden-creels, Her face wad fyle the Logan Water;Sic a wife as Willie had, I wadna gie a button for her!
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