Auchtertool

From the village of Lesly with a heart full of glee,

And my pack on my shoulders, I rambled out free,

Resolved that same evening, as Luna was full,

To lodge ten miles distant, in old Auchtertool.

Through many a lone cottage and farm-house I steer'd,

Took their money,and off with my budget I sheer'd;

The road I explored out, without form or rule,

Still asking the nearest to old Auchtertool.

A clown I accosted, inquiring the road,

He stared like an idiot, then roar'd out, "Gude G-d!

Gin ye're ga'n there for quarters, ye're surely a fool,

For there's nought but starvation in auld Auchtertool!"

Unminding his nonsense, my march I pursued,

Till I came to a hill top, where joyful I viev'd,

Surrounded with mountains, and many a white pool,

The small smoky village of old Auchtertool.

At length I arrived at the edge of the town,

As Phœbus behind a high mountain went down;

The clouds gather'd dreary, and weather blew foul,

And I hugg'd myself safe now in old Auchtertool.

An inn I inquired out, a lodging desired,

But the Landlady's pertness seem'd instantly fired;

For she saucy replied, as she sat carding wool,

"I ne'er kept sic lodgers in auld Auchtertool."

With scorn I soon left her to live on her pride;

But, asking, was told, there was none else beside,

Except an old Weaver, who now kept a school,

And these were the whole that were in Auchtertool.

To his mansion I scamper'd, and rapt at the door,

He op'd, but as soon as I dared to implore,

He shut it like thunder, and utter'd a howl,

That rung thro' each corner of old Auchtertool.

Provoked now to fury, the Dominie I curst,

And offer'd to cudgel the wretch, if he durst;

But the door he fast bolted, tho' Boreas blew cool,

And left me all friendless in old Auchtertool.

Deprived of all shelter, through darkness I trod,

Till I came to a ruin'd old house by the road;

Here the night I will spend, and, inspired by the owl,

I'll send up some prayers for old Auchtertool.