By: James Aitchison

(Scottish Mcdada attributed to the Gude Wallace, circa 1527)

And thus Lord Scroope the young the fair
saw ships cleave the brine to where
glows the larch’s vivid green
and Bogles when first seen
through the cordage sang
the hoar frost round Ben Nevis rang
but mulberry, but mulberry in lidded sleep
high-horned cattle, shaggy sheep,
saith Duncan will be one!
and Thunder Hag her web has spun
and nay by my troth
hast cast thee into witch’s broth
man of the black cap tripped the twain
the Brownie of Blednock came again
while the Blue Men breast-high like salmon
wail upon the wind and mammon
so dark, oho! so dark, ohee!
in the mire the cold ah me!