Sic a Wife as Willie's Wife
written in 1792
Sic a Wife as Willie's Wife - context Summary
Written in 1792
Composed in 1792, this comic, satirical poem depicts Willie Wastle and his notoriously unattractive wife in a rural Scottish setting. Using blunt, exaggerated descriptions of her appearance and movements, the speaker repeatedly dismisses her worth with a refrain that undercuts any romantic ideal. The poem relies on local names and dialect to root the scene in the Borders and to heighten its earthy humor. Rather than exploring interior life, it presents a stock domestic tableau that trades on caricature and community gossip to amuse and provoke a reaction about marriage and social perception.
Read Complete AnalysesWillie Wastle dwalls on Tweed, The spot they ca' it Linkumdoddie; A creeshie wabster till his trade, Can steal a clue wi' ony body: He has a wife that's dour and din, Tinkler Madgie was her mither; Sic a wife as Willie's wife, I wadna gie a button for her. She has an e'e, she has but ane, Our 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's wife, I wad na gie a button for her. She's bow-hough'd, she's hem-shin'd, Ae limpin leg a hand-bread shorter; She's twisted right, she's twisted left, To balance fair in ilka quarter: She has a hump upon her breast, The twin o' that upon her shouther; Sic a wife as Willie's wife, I wad na gie a button for her. Auld baudrans 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 hushian: Her waly nieves like midden-creels, Her feet wad fyle the Logan-water; Sic a wife as Willie's wife, I wad na gie a button for her.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.