With whack and screech they stopped the same.
Sae loud the tongues o' randies[133] grew,
The flytin'[134] and the skirlin' grew,
At all the windows in the place,
Wi' spoons or knives, wi' needle or awl,
Was thrust out every hand and face.
And down each stair they thronged anon,
Gentle, semple, thronged anon;
Souter[135] and tailor, frowsy Nan,
The ancient widow young again,