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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON SEEING MR. -- BAKING CAKES, by                    
First Line: As rab, who ever frugal was
Last Line: Her bread will ay be baken.
Alternate Author Name(s): Richmond, Janet; Little, Jennie
Subject(s): Bakeries & Bakers; Cakes


As Rab, who ever frugal was,
Some oat-meal cakes was baking,
In came a crazy scribbling lass,
Which set his heart a-quaking.

"I fear," says he, "she'll verses write,
An' to her neebors show it:
But troth I need na care a doit,
Though a' the country knew it.

My cakes are good, none can object;
The maids will ca' me thrifty;
To save a sixpence on the peck
Is just an honest shifty.

They're fair an' thin, an' crump, 'tis true;
You'll own sae when you see them;
But, what is better than the view,
Put out your han' an' pree them."

He spoke, an' han'd the cakes about,
Whilk ev'ry eater prized;
Until the basket was run out,
They did as he advised.

An' ilka ane that got a share,
Said that they were fu' dainty;
While Rab cri'd eat, an' dinna spare;
For I hae cakes in plenty.

And i' the corner stan's a cheese,
A glass an' bottle by me;
Baith ale and porter, when I please,
To treat the lasses slily.

Some ca' me wild an' roving youth;
But sure they are mistaken:
The maid wha gets me, of a truth,
Her bread will ay be baken.





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