Miller, miller, mooter-poke,
Teak a laid an' stale a stroke.(2)
2. Took a load of corn and stole a half-bushel; mooter, or multure,
is the toll of meal taken by the miller for grinding the corn:
mooter-poke, or multure-pocket, is accordingly a nickname for a miller.
Down i' yon lum(1) we have a mill,
If they send more grist we'll grind more still.
With her broad arm an' mighty fist
Shoo rams it into t' mooter-chist.(2)
1. Wood. 2. The chest in which the toll of meal was kept.
Hob-Trush Hob
"Hob-Trush Hob, wheer is thoo?"
"I's tryin' on my left-foot shoe,
An' I'll be wi' thee—noo!"
Gin Hob mun hae nowt but a hardin' hamp,
He'll co om nae mair nowther to berry nor stamp.(1)
1. The meaning seems to be, If Hob is allowed nothing more than a
smock-frock of coarse hemp, he will not come again either to thresh
corn or to beat flax.
Nanny Button-Cap
T' moon shines breet,
T' stars give leet,
An' little Nanny Button-cap
Will coom to-morra neet.