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George MacDonald - The Herd And The Mavis
Work rating: Low

"What gars ye sing," said the herd-laddie,
"What gars ye sing sae lood?"
"To tice them oot o` the yerd, laddie,
The worms for my daily food."

An` aye he sang, an` better he sang,
An` the worms creepit in an` oot;
An` ane he tuik, an` twa he loot gang,
An` still he carolled stoot.

"It`s no for the worms, sir," said the herd;
"They comena for your sang!"
"Think ye sae, sir?" answered the bird,
"Maybe ye`re no i` the wrang!"

But aye &c.

"Sing ye young Sorrow to beguile,
Or to gie auld Fear the flegs?"
"Na," quo` the mavis, "I sing to wile
My wee things oot o` her eggs."

An` aye &c.

"The mistress is plenty for that same gear
Though ye sangna air nor late!"
"I wud draw the deid frae the moul sae drear.
An` open the kirkyard-gate."

An` aye &c.

"Better ye sing nor a burn i` the mune,
Nor a wave ower san` that flows,
Nor a win` wi` the glintin stars abune,
An` aneth the roses in rows;

An` aye &c.

But a better sang it wud tak nor yer ain,
Though ye hae o` notes a feck,
To mak the auld Barebanes there sae fain
As to lift the muckle sneck!

An` aye &c.

An` ye wudna draw ae bairnie back
Frae the arms o` the bonny man
Though its minnie was greitin alas an` alack,
An` her cries to the bairnie wan!

An` aye &c.

An` I`ll speir ye nae mair, sir," said the herd,
"I fear what ye micht say neist!"
"I doobt ye wud won`er, sir," said the bird,
"To see the thouchts i` my breist!"

An` aye he sang, an` better he sang,
An` the worms creepit in an` oot;
An` ane he tuik, an` twa he loot gang,
An` still he carolled stoot.
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