sic a wife as willie had

    willie wastle dwalt on tweed,

    the spot they ca'd it linkumdoddie;

    willie was a wabster gude,

    could stown a clue wi' ony body:

    he had a wife was dour and din,

    o tinkler maidgie was her mither;

    sic a wife as willie had,

    i wad na gie a button for her!

    she has an e'e, she has but ane,

    the cat has twa the very colour;

    five rusty teeth, forbye a stump,

    a clapper tongue wad deave a miller:

    a whiskin beard about her mou',

    her nose and chin they threaten ither;

    sic a wife as willie had,

    i wadna gie a button for her!

    she's bow-hough'd, she's hein-shin'd,

    ae limpin leg a hand-breed shorter;

    she's twisted right, she's twisted left,

    to balance fair in ilka quarter:

    she has a lump upon her breast,

    the twin o' that upon her shouther;

    sic a wife as willie had,

    i wadna gie a button for her!

    auld baudrons by the ingle sits,

    an' wi' her loof her face a-washin;

    but willie's wife is nae sae trig,

    she dights her grunzie wi' a hushion;

    her walie nieves like midden-creels,

    her face wad fyle the logan water;

    sic a wife as willie had,

    i wadna gie a button for her!