FROWNED the Laird on the Lord: "So, redhanded I catch thee? Death-doomed by our Law of the Border! We've a gallows outside and a chiel to dispatch thee: Who trespasses -- hangs: all's in order." He met frown with smile, did the young English gallant: Then the Laird's dame: "Nay, Husband, I beg! He's comely: be merciful! Grace for the callant -- If he marries our Muckle-mouth Meg! "No mile-wide-mouthed monster of yours do I marry: Grant rather the gallows!" laughed he. "Foul fare kith and kin of you -- why do you tarry?" "To tame your fierce temper!" quoth she. "Shove him quick in the Hole, shut him fast for a week: Cold, darkness, and hunger work wonders: Who lion-like roars now, mouse-fashion will squeak, And 'it rains' soon succeed to 'it thunders.'" A week did he bide in the cold and the dark -- Not hunger: for duly at morning In flitted a lass, and a voice like a lark Chirped, "Muckle-mouth Meg still ye're scorning? "Go hand, but here's parritch to hearten ye first!" "Did Meg's muckle-mouth boast within some Such music as yours, mine should match it or burst: No frog-jaws! So tell folk, my Winsome!" Soon week came to end, and, from Hole's door set wide, Out he marched, and there waited the lassie: "You gallows, or Muckle-mouth Meg for a bride! Consider! Sky's blue and turf's grassy: "Life's sweet: shall I say ye wed Muckle-mouth Meg?" "Not I," quoth the stout heart: "too eerie The mouth that can swallow a bubblyjock's egg; Shall I let it munch mine? Never, Dearie! "Not Muckle-mouth Meg? Wow, the obstinate man! Perhaps he would rather wed me!" "Ay, would he -- with just for a dowry your can!" "I'm Muckle-mouth Meg," chirruped she. "Then so -- so -- so -- so --" as he kissed her apace -- "Will I widen thee out till thou turnest From Margaret Minnikin - mou', by God's grace, To Muckle-mouth Meg in good earnest!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FOR CHARLIE'S SAKE by JOHN WILLIAMSON PALMER A PRAIRIE SUNSET by WALT WHITMAN PSALM 132 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE THE DANCE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE RIDE TO CHEROKEE by AMELIA WALSTIEN JOLLS CARPENTER LET US LIE CLOSE by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES |