I've heard my reverend grannie say,
In lanely glens ye like to stray;
Or, where auld ruin'd castles gray
Nod to the moon,
Ye fright the nightly wand'rer's way,
Wi' eldritch croon. [weird]
When twilight did my grannie summon
To say her pray'rs, douce, honest woman! [sedate]
Aft yont the dyke she's heard you bummin', [beyond]
Wi' eerie drone;
Or, rustlin', thro' the boortrees comin', [elders]
Wi' heavy groan.
Ae dreary windy winter night
The stars shot down wi' sklentin' light, [squinting]
Wi' you mysel I gat a fright
Ayont the lough; [pond]
Ye like a rash-buss stood in sight [clump of rushes]
Wi' waving sough. [moan]
The cudgel in my nieve did shake, [fist]
Each bristled hair stood like a stake,
When wi' an eldritch stoor 'quaick, quaick,' [weird, harsh]
Amang the springs,
Awa ye squatter'd like a drake
On whistlin' wings.
Let warlocks grim an' wither'd hags
Tell how wi' you on ragweed nags [ragwort]
They skim the muirs an' dizzy crags
Wi' wicked speed;
And in kirk-yards renew their leagues
Owre howkit dead.
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