Page:Murdered minstrel.pdf/19

19

John marvelled sair, but didna speir
Again where did he get the beer,
For it was stronger than the first,
Syne they baith drank till like to burst,
Syne did compose themsels to rest,
To sleep a while they thought it best.
One hour in bed they hadna been,
They scarceley weel had closed their een,
When just into the neighbouring cham'er
They heard a dreadfu' din and clamour.
Beneath the bed claes John did cow'r,
But Thrummy jump'd upon the floor,
Him by the sark tail John did haud;
Lye still, quoth he, far, are ye mad?
Thrummy then gaed a hasty jump,
Syne took John on the ribs a thump,
That made him quickly to lie down,
In little better than a swoon,
While Thrummy fast as he could rin,
Sets aff to see what made the din.
The chamber seem'd to him as light,
Gif as the sun was shining bright,
The Ghaist was stanen at the door,
In the same dress he had afore;
And o'er anent it, at the wa',
Were ither apparitions twa.
Thrummy beheld them for a-wee
But deil a word as yet spake he
The spirits seemed to kick a ba',
The Ghaist against the other twa;
Whilk close they drave baith back and fore,
Atween the chimney and the door.
He stops a while and sees the play,
Syne, rinnin up, he this did say,