Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.
William Miller 181072Willie Winkie
W
Up stairs and doon stairs, in his nicht-gown,
Tirlin’ at the window, cryin’ at the lock,
“Are the weans in their bed?—for it ’s now ten o’clock.”
The cat ’s singin’ gay thrums to the sleepin’ hen,
The doug ’s spelder’d on the floor, and disna gie a cheep;
But here ’s a waukrife laddie, that winna fa’ asleep.
Rattlin’ in an airn jug wi’ an airn spoon,
Rumblin’, tumblin’ roun’ about, crawin’ like a cock,
Skirlin’ like a kenna-what—wauknin’ sleep-in’ folk!
Waumblin’ aff a bodie’s knee like a vera eel,
Ruggin’ at the cat’s lug, and ravellin’ a’ her thrums:
Hey, Willie Winkie!—See, there he comes!