Fy gar rub her o’er wi’ Strae, pp.80-81.

[Tea-Table Miscellany Contents]

GIN ye meet a bony lassie, 

Gi’e her a kiss, and let her gae; 

But if ye meet a dirty hussy, 

Fy gar rub her o’er wi’ strae. 

– 

Be sure ye dinna quat the grip 

Of ilka joy, when ye are young, 

Before auld age your vitals nip, 

And lay ye twafald o’er a rung. 

– 

Sweet youth’s a blyth and heartsome time; 

Then, lads and lasses, while ‘tis May

Gae pu’ the gowan in its prime, 

Before it wither and decay. 

– 

Watch the saft minutes of delyte, 

When Jenny speaks beneath her breath, 

And kisses, laying a’ the wyte 

On you, if she kepp ony fyaith. 

– 

Haith ye’re ill-bred, she’ll smiling say, 

Ye’ll worry me, ye greedy rook; 

Syne frae your arms she’ll rin away, 

And hide herself in some dark nook. 

– 

Her laugh will lead you to the place, 

Where lyes the happiness ye want, 

And plainly tell you to your face, 

Nineteen na-says are haff a grant. 

– 

Now to her heaving bosom cling, 

And sweetly toolie for a kiss: 

Frae her fair finger whoop a ring, 

As taiken of a future bliss. 

– 

These bennisons, I’m very sure, 

Are of the Gods indulgent grant: 

Then, surly carles, whisht, forbear 

To plauge us with your whinning cant. 

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