Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Scotland: Vols. VI–VIII. 1876–79. | | | | Fife | | Maggie Lauder | | Charles Gray (1782–1851) |
| | | | These stanzas are an appropriate addition to the well-known song of “Maggie Lauder,” composed by Francis Semple, about 1660. |
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THE CANTIE Spring scarce reared her head, | |
| And Winter yet did blaud her, | |
| When the Ranter came to Anster Fair, | |
| And speired for Maggie Lauder; | |
| A snug wee house in the East Green | 5 |
| Its shelter kindly lent her; | |
| Wi’ canty ingle, clean hearthstane, | |
| Meg welcomed Rob the Ranter! | |
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| Then Rob made bonnie Meg his bride, | |
| And to the kirk they ranted; | 10 |
| He played the auld “East Nook o’ Fife,” | |
| And merry Maggie vaunted | |
| That Hab himsel’ ne’er played a spring, | |
| Nor blew sae weel his chanter, | |
| For he made Anster town to ring,— | 15 |
| And wha ’s like Rob the Ranter? | |
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| For a’ the talk and loud reports | |
| That ever gaed against her, | |
| Meg proves a true and carefu’ wife, | |
| As ever was in Anster; | 20 |
| And since the marriage-knot was tied, | |
| Rob swears he couldna want her; | |
| For he loves Maggie as his life, | |
| And Meg loves Rob the Ranter. | | | |
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