Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BARLEY BROTH, by SUSANNA BLAMIRE



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BARLEY BROTH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If tempers were put up to seale
Last Line: A wretched or a happy weyfe!
Alternate Author Name(s): Muse Of Cumberland; Sukey, Miss
Subject(s): Cooking & Cooks; Marriage; Cookery; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


Air—Crowdy

If tempers were put up to seale,
Our Jwohn's wad bear a duced preyce;
He vow'd 'twas barley i' the broth,—
Upon my word, says I, it's reyce.

"I mek nea faut," our Jwohnny says,
"The broth is guid and varra neyce;
I only say—it's barley broth."
Tou says what's wrang, says I, it's reyce.

"Did ever mortal hear the leyke!
As if I hadn't sense to tell!
Tou may think reyce the better thing,
But barley broth dis just as well."

"And sae it mud, if it was there;
The deil a grain is i' the pot;
But tou mun ayways threep yen down,—
I've drawn the deevil of a lot!"

"And what's the lot that I have drawn?
Pervarsion is a woman's neame!
Sae fares-te-weel! I'll sarve my king,
And never, never mair come heame."

Now Jenny frets frae mworn to neet;
The Sunday cap's nae langer neyce;
She aye puts barley i' the broth,
And hates the varra neame o' reyce.

Thus treyfles vex, and treyfles please,
And treyfles mek the sum o' leyfe;
And treyfles mek a bonny lass
A wretched or a happy weyfe!





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