We’ll up and gie them a blaw, a blaw,
Wi’ a hundred pipers an’ a’, an’ a’.”
Then, in the way of humorous character-sketching, what can surpass the Laird o’ Cockpen, or the immortal John Tod? So well known are these throughout Scotland that it would be absurd to quote them if only Scottish readers were concerned; but, for the convenience of other readers, here they are, each entire:—
THE LAIRD O’ COCKPEN.
“The Laird o’ Cockpen, he’s proud and he’s great:
His mind is ta’en up wi’ the things o’ the state:
He wanted a wife his braw house to keep:
But favour wi’ wooin’ was fashious to seek.
Doun by the dyke-side a lady did dwell;
At his table-head he thocht she’d look well: