On Tam The Chapman

    on tam the chapman

    as tam the chapman on a day,

    wi'death forgather'd by the way,

    weel pleas'd, he greets a wight so famous,

    and death was nae less pleas'd wi' thomas,

    wha cheerfully lays down his pack,

    and there blaws up a hearty crack:

    his social, friendly, honest heart

    sae tickled death, they could na part;

    sae, after viewing knives and garters,

    death taks him hame to gie him quarters.