Eangtre

SCOTS	ENGLISH (prose)
	tr. J.D.McClure
Thare jist three things in life that maks me fain, Three things o whilk I’ll never get eneuch: It’s lassies, howffs an dice; an thaim alane Can set my lichtsome hert tae reel an heuch. But seenil can I gang an hae a rant, For tuim an licht’s my purse: I whiles maun lee Sae’s nane sall ken’t an lichtlie aa my want: Wi feint the siller, feint the ploys for me. An syne I say, "Deil prog him wi a lance!" - My moolie Faither, sen he keeps me yaup, An sae ill-aff I bude crowl hame frae France. As suin ye’d wile a bodle frae his grup, Tho it war Yuil, when cadgers get their chance, As see an aigle dung doun by a whaup.	There are only three things in life that please me, Three things of which I’ll never have enough: They are girls, taverns and dice: and only those Can set my cheerful heart to dance and whoop. But seldom can I go and have a carry-on, For empty and light is my purse: I sometimes have to lie So that nobody will know it and mock all my poverty: With devil the money, devil the fun for me. And then I say, "The devil stab him with a lance!" - My miserly Father, since he keeps me hungry And so impoverished that I had to crawl home from France. You could as soon coax a farthing from his grip, Even if it were Christmas, when beggars get their hand-out, As see an eagle beaten down by a curlew.