The Five Carlins. A Scots Ballad. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCDC CEBE BFAF GHIH JKLK DMNO NOAP QRDR JMSM BADA ATUT AJAJ BHBH SKBV AWMX CCYC JBQB EZQA2 B2ASP C2QD2Q JCD2C B2FD2F TJD2J

Tune Chevy ChaseA
-
-
There were five carlins in the southB
They fell upon a schemeC
To send a lad to London townD
To bring them tidings hameC
-
Not only bring them tidings hameC
But do their errands thereE
And aiblins gowd and honour baithB
Might be that laddie's shareE
-
There was Maggy by the banks o' NithB
A dame wi' pride eneughF
And Marjory o' the mony lochsA
A carlin auld and teughF
-
And blinkin' Bess of AnnandaleG
That dwelt near Solway sideH
And whiskey Jean that took her gillI
In Galloway sae wideH
-
And black Joan frae Crighton peelJ
O' gipsey kith an' kinK
Five wighter carlins were na foundL
The south countrie withinK
-
To send a lad to London townD
They met upon a dayM
And mony a knight and mony a lairdN
This errand fain wad gaeO
-
O mony a knight and mony a lairdN
This errand fain wad gaeO
But nae ane could their fancy pleaseA
O ne'er a ane but twaeP
-
The first ane was a belted knightQ
Bred of a border bandR
And he wad gae to London townD
Might nae man him withstandR
-
And he wad do their errands weelJ
And meikle he wad sayM
And ilka ane about the courtS
Wad bid to him gude dayM
-
The neist cam in a sodger youthB
And spak wi' modest graceA
And he wad gae to London townD
If sae their pleasure wasA
-
He wad na hecht them courtly giftsA
Nor meikle speech pretendT
But he wad hecht an honest heartU
Wad ne'er desert his friendT
-
Then wham to chuse and wham refuseA
At strife thir carlins fellJ
For some had gentlefolks to pleaseA
And some wad please themsel'J
-
Then out spak mim mou'd Meg o' NithB
And she spak up wi' prideH
And she wad send the sodger youthB
Whatever might betideH
-
For the auld gudeman o' London courtS
She didna care a pinK
But she wad send the sodger youthB
To greet his eldest sonV
-
Then slow raise Marjory o' the LochsA
And wrinkled was her browW
Her ancient weed was russet grayM
Her auld Scotch heart was trueX
-
The London court set light by meC
I set as light by themC
And I wilt send the sodger ladY
To shaw that court the sameC
-
Then up sprang Bess of AnnandaleJ
And swore a deadly aithB
Says I will send the border knightQ
Spite o' you carlins baithB
-
For far off fowls hae feathers fairE
And fools o' change are fainZ
But I hae try'd this border knightQ
I'll try him yet againA2
-
Then whiskey Jean spak o'er her drinkB2
Ye weel ken kimmersa'A
The auld gudeman o' London courtS
His back's been at the wa'P
-
And mony a friend that kiss'd his caupC2
Is now a fremit wightQ
But it's ne'er be sae wi' whiskey JeanD2
We'll send the border knightQ
-
Says black Joan o' Crighton peelJ
A carlin stoor and grimC
The auld gudeman or the young gudemanD2
For me may sink or swimC
-
For fools will prate o' right and wrangB2
While knaves laugh in their sleeveF
But wha blaws best the horn shall winD2
I'll spier nae courtier's leaveF
-
So how this mighty plea may endT
There's naebody can tellJ
God grant the king and ilka manD2
May look weel to himsel'J

Robert Burns



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