An the tod cam again t' the door at even, an said, "Deukie, deukie, will ye lat me in?" "Ay," said the deukie, an leet 'im in, an gyaa (gave) 'im a seat o' the lid o' the sone-bowie. An the tod fell into the bowie, an the deukie took the bielin kettlie, an poort in the water, an droont the tod.
The Lady and her Lovers.
The following riddle story was communicated to me by Alexander Thurburn, Esq. solicitor, Keith, who learned it from an aged grand-aunt. Halliwell gives a version of it.[1]
I had six lovers over the sea,
Para mara dicitur a dominie.
An every ane o' them sent a compliment to me,
Hatrum scatrum' paradise temple,
Para mara dicitur a dominie.
The first was a bible no man could read,
Para mara dicitur a dominie.
The next was a mantle withoot a threed,
Hatrum scatrum paradise temple,
Para mara dicitur a dominie.
The third was a chicken withoot a bone,
Para, &c.
The fourth was a cherry withoot a stone,
Hatrum, &c.
Para, &c.
The fifth was a ring withoot a rim.
Para, &c.
The sixth was a baby withoot a name,
Hatrum, &c.
Para, &c.
How could there be a bible which no man could read?
Para, &c.
How could there be a mantle withoot a threed?
Hatrum, &c.
Para, &c.
