Had I The Wyte.

Tune - "Had I the wyte she bade me." I.         Had I the wyte, had I the wyte,             Had I the wyte she bade me;         She watch'd me by the hie-gate side.             And up the loan she shaw'd me;         And when I wadna venture in,             A coward loon she ca'd me;         Had kirk and state been in the gate,             I lighted when she bade me. II.         Sae craftilie she took me ben,             And bade me make nae clatter;         "For our ramgunshoch glum gudeman             Is out and owre the water:"         Whae'er shall say I wanted grace             When I did kiss and dawte her,         Let him be planted in my place,             Syne say I was the fautor. III.         Could I for shame, could I for shame,             Could I for shame refused her?         And wadna manhood been to blame,             Had I unkindly used her?         He claw'd her wi' the ripplin-kame,             And blue and bluidy bruised her;         When sic a husband was frae hame,             What wife but had excused her? IV.         I dighted ay her een sae blue,             And bann'd the cruel randy;         And weel I wat her willing mou',             Was e'en like sugar-candy.         A gloamin-shot it was I wot,             I lighted on the Monday;         But I cam through the Tysday's dew,             To wanton Willie's brandy.