TOY WI HEARTS NAE LANGER

Ah, I fear ye’ve wearie gotten’t,
Wearie o’ your Jeannie,
Though ye ken she lo’es ye dearly,
Lo’es ye mair than onie.
Was she twa years sin’ mair winsome
When ye ‘gan your wooin’?
Lang engagements! wasten moments
This is a’ your doin’!

Lang engagements! triflin’ ever!
Toy wi’ hearts nae langer;
Waes me! ye deserve a lassie
Wha wi’ years graws younger,
Wha can weel afford to cheat ye,
Makin’ lo’e a plaething –
Catch ye wi’a lang engagement
That sha’ end in nacthing!

Lang engagements! idle pastimes!
Cauld an’ calculatin’!
Is it to be wrang’d an’ slighted
Maidens shud be waitin’?
Dinna tell me true affection
Cou’d wi’ lo’e be sportin’;
If ye canna mak’ a weddin’,
Cease at ance your courtin’.

E. T. W.

Below - a translation from Scottish to Modern English.

TOY WITH HEARTS NO LONGER

Ah, I fear you’ve weary gotten,
Weary of your Jeannie,
Though you know she loves you dearly,
Loves you more than any.
Was she two years since more charming
When you done your wooing?
Long engagements! wasting moments
This is all your doing!

Long engagements! trifling ever!
Toy with hearts no longer;
Woe me! you deserve a girl
Who with years grows younger,
Who can well afford to cheat you,
Making love a plaything –
Catch you with a long engagement
That shall end in nothing!

Long engagements! idle pastimes!
Cold and calculating!
Is it to be wrong and slighted
Maidens should be waiting?
Do not tell me true affection
Could with love be sporting;
If you cannot make a wedding,
Cease at once your courting.