A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1500-1513, 1590
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Warbillis, Werblis, Verbillis, Verblis, Wrablis, Wriblis, Wryblis, n. pl.1 [ME and e.m.E. werbles (14th c.), werbul (Chaucer), werbeles (Trevisa), varblys (Lydgate), warbell (c1500), warble (a1547), OF werble.] Warbling, sweet singing, esp. birdsong. —1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 521.
Na mair heiron my labour will I tine. Na mair I will thir verbillis sweit define c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 107.
The mery foulis … Thair hony throtis, opnyt fro the splene, With werblis [M., B. warbillis] suete did perse the hevinly skyes 1513 Doug. vii i 18.
The byrdis … Wyth wryblis [Sm. wriblis] sweit and myrthfull sangis gay Gan meys and glaid the hevynnys and the ayr 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 245.
In wrablis dulce of hevynly armonyis The larkis … Lovys thar lege with tonys curyus c1590 J. Stewart 76/116.
Sueit vas the sesone … vods vas growand greine, Quhair birds outbirstit doulcest verblis rair
