"When First I Went Courting."

When first I went courting to bonnie Bell Towers,
She used me, I think, most unkindly;
Yet over my heart she still held the sole power,
For I fear I lo'ed her most blindly.

She told me right off that her heart and her hand
Were plighted to somebody ither;
Then she bade me good night, and put-to the door,
And left me alane wi' her mither.

Says minnie—"A spruce-looking chap like yersel'
Might get twenty wives for the speering;
And never ye mind yon daft lassie Bell—
Ye're naething the waur o' her jeering.

She's only just noo in the end o' her teens;
But ance on the wrang side o' twenty,
Her luck will be then but a'e chance to ten,
And her lovers will no be so plenty.

She has five strapping sisters as gude as hersel',
Smart hizzies as e'er had a mither;
And my counsel is, gin ye canna get ane,
Just gang ye and try at anither."

"'Deed, minnie, I think I'll just tak your advice,
And screw up my courage for trial;
Should anither be first I shall soon ken the worst—
It will be but anither denial!"