(by F.W. Morrman)

O! What do ye Wesh i' the Beck

George H. Cowling

"O! What do ye wesh i' the beck, awd wench?

Is it watter ye lack at heame?"

It's nobbut a murderer's shrood, young man,

A shrood for to cover his weam.(1)

"O! what do ye cut i' the slack, awd hag?

Is it fencin' ye lack for your beas'(2)?"

It's nobbut a murderer's coffin, sir,

A coffin to felt(3) his feace."

"O! what do ye greaye(4) at the crossroads, witch?

Is it roots ye lack for your swine?"

"It's nobbut a murderer's grave, fair sir,

A grave for to bury him fine."

"An' whea be-owes(5) coffin an' shrood, foul witch?

An' wheas is the grave i' the grass?"

"This spell I hae woven for thee, dear hairt,

Coom, kill me, an' bring it to pass."

1. Belly. 2. Beasts, cattle.. 3. Hide.

4. Dig 5. Owns,