FOR A' THAT AND A' THAT. Is there, for honest poverty That hangs his head, and a' that? Our toils obscure, and a' that, What though on hamely fare we dine, Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, A man's a man for a' that; For a' that, and a' that, Their tinsel show, and a' that: The honest man, though e'er sae poor, Is king o' men for a' that. Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord, Wha struts, and stares, and a' that; Though hundreds worship at his word, He's but a coof for a' that: For a' that, and a' that, His riband, star, and a' that, The man of independent mind, He looks and laughs at a' that. A prince can mak a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and a' that; Their dignities, and a' that, The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that, That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, May bear the gree, and a' that. For a' that, and a' that, It's coming yet, for a' that, That man to man, the warld o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that. "A great critic (Aikin) on song says, that love and wine are the exclusive themes for song writing. The following is on neither subject, and consequently is no song; but will be allowed to be, I think, two or three pretty good prose thoughts inverted into rhyme."- In this manner Burns speaks of this pithy, sarcastic, and manly song. That it re-echoes the sentiments of his own heart there can be little doubt: he believed in the supremacy of genius, and was something of a leveller; and who can blame him? During one year he enjoyed the friendship of the northern nobility, and for seven years he felt their neglect. During his visit to Edin burgh, he was caressed as no poet was ever caressed: he expected this sunshine to last, and looked for fortune to follow; but he was not prepared for disappointment, and his fortitude was not equal to his other powers. Το go at once from the rich man's wine and a table covered with plate, to water from the well and the homely fare and rustic work of a farmer-to leave my lady's hand for the rough stilts of the plough--were descents beyond his expectation, and far too strong for his spirit:-he sank, and died of a broken heart. This song was preceded by many a "For a' that and a' that," both jacobitical and domestic; but none are worthy of remembrance. MARY MORISON. O Mary, at thy window be, It is the wish'd, the trysted hour! That make the miser's treasure poor : Α Of lovely Mary Morison. Yestreen, when to the trembling string I sat, but neither heard nor saw: O Mary, canst thou wreck his peace, The thought o' Mary Morison. Mary Morison" is one of the best and the earliest of Burns's songs. It is written much in the antique style, and the name of the heroine has a national look and sound which excite an interest worth ten thousand Chlorises and Phyllises, and all the fabulous tribe of Arcadian damsels.. That the poet did not think well of it himself, we have his own authority: "I do not think very remarkable either for its merits or demerits;-it is impossible to be always original, entertaining, and witty." it O MAY, THY MORN. O May, thy morn was ne'er sae sweet And here's to them, that, like oursel, And here's to them that wish us weel, The dearest o' the quorum; The dearest o' the quorum. This happy and original little lyric was one of many which flowed from the pen of Burns into the Musical Museum. The contrast of the first and last verses is very great, yet very natural. The poet imagines himself warmed with wine, and seated among his companions, to whom he announces, as the glass goes round, |