Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Alexander Laing 1787–1857

My Ain Wife

I WADNA gi’e my ain wife

For ony wife I see;

I wadna gi’e my ain wife

For ony wife I see;

A bonnier yet I ’ve never seen,

A better canna be—

I wadna gi’e my ain wife

For ony wife I see!

O couthie is my ingle-cheek,

An’ cheerie is my Jean;

I never see her angry look,

Nor hear her word on ane.

She ’s gude wi’ a’ the neebours roun’,

An’ aye gude wi’ me—

I wadna gi’e my ain wife

For ony wife I see.

An’ O her looks sae kindlie,

They melt my heart outright,

When o’er the baby at her breast

She hangs wi’ fond delight;

She looks intill its bonnie face,

An’ syne looks to me—

I wadna gi’e my ain wife

For ony wife I see.