Classic Poem

In bowdoun, on blak monunday,
Quhen all was gadderit to the Play,
Bayth men and wemen semblit thair,
I hard ane sweit ane sich, and say
Wa worth maryage for evermair!

Madinis, ye may have grit plesance
For to do Venus observance,
Thoch I inclusit be with cair,
That I dar nother sing nor dance.
Wa worth maryage for evermair!

Quhen that I was ane madein ying,
Lichtlie wald I dance and sing,
And sport and play, bayth lait and air.
Now dar I nocht luik to sic thing.
Wa worth maryage for evermair!

Thus am I bunden out of blis,
Onto ane churle says I am his,
That I dar nocht luik our the stair,
Scantlie to gif Schir Johne ane kiss.
Wa worth maryage for evirmair!

Now war I ane madin, as I was, — —
To mak me lady of the Bas, — —
And thoch that I wer never so fayr,
To weddin suld I never pas.
Wa worth maryage for evirmair!

Thus am I thirlit onto ane schrew,
Quhilk dow nothing of chalmer glew;
Of boure-bourding bayth bask and bair.
God wayt gif I have caus to rew!
Wa worth maryage for evirmair!

All nicht I clatter upon my creid,
Prayand to God gif I wer deid:
Or ellis out of this world he wair;
Then suld I se for sum remeid.
Wa worth maryage for evirmair!

Ye suld heir tell, and he war gane,
That I suld be ane wantoun ane.
To leir the law of Lussis layr
In our toun lyk me suld be nane.
Wa worth maryage for evirmair!

I suld put on my russet gowne,
My reid kirtill, my hois of brown;
And lat thame se my yallow hair,
Unch my curche hingand down.
Wa worth maryage for evirmair!

Luffaris bayth suld heir and se
I suld luif thame that wald luif me.
Thair harts for me suld never be sair. —
Bot ay unweddit suld I be.
Wa worth maryage for evirmair!