The Kiplings and India: A Collection of Writings from British India, 1870-1900

The Raiyat at Home (Rudyard Kipling)

Notes
Hoots!  Toots!  ayont, ahint, afore, 
The blethrin' blast may blathe an' blaw
       An' shak' my dhoti
But I am cantie, crowse, and full, 
An' aiblins, at my pipe I pull, 
      Safe in my khoti .  

I bang the gude-wife wi' my loof,
And shak' the dungcakes fra' the roof
       To feed the low; 
An' gin my dinner crowds my pêt
My wee bit bairnies stamp it straight
      Wi' joyous crow.  

What mair, I ask, could man desire
Beyond the bit of bread an' fire,
       An' safe inves'ment,
O' bawbees in a silver chain,
To guard against a day of rain, 
      Or raised assessment?  

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