Think, wicked sinner, wha ye 're skaithing," It's just the blue-gown badge an' claithing O' saunts, tak that, ye la'et them naething To ken them by, Frae onie unregenerate heathen Like you or I. I've sent you here some rhyming ware, Yon sang," ye 'll sen 't wi' canniew care, Tho' faith, sma' heart hae I to sing! I'd better gaen an' sair'd2 the king 'Twas ae night, lately, in my fun, An' brought a paitrick to the grun', An' as the twilight was begun, Thought nane wad ken. The poor wee thing was little hurt; I straikete it a wee for sport, Ne'er thinkin' they wad fashd me for't; But deil-ma-care ! Somebody tells the poacher-court The halee affair Some auld-us'd hands had taen a note, r injuring. s Saints. A song he had promised the Author. Can, or dare. ? Leave. w Dexterous. A Scottish reel. z Served. a A partridge. c Stroked. d Trouble. e Whole. I was suspected for the plot; I scorn'd to lie, So gat the whissle o' my grot,e An' pay't the fee. But, by my gun, o' guns the wale,' I vow an' swear! The game shall pay o'er moor an' dale, As soon 's the clocking-time is by Tho' I should herd the buckskin kyel Trowth, they had muckle for to blame! Scarce thro' the feathers; It pits me ay as mad 's a hare; When time 's expedient: Meanwhile I am, respected sir, Your most obedient. TO THE SAME, On his writing to the author that a girl was with child by him. I AM a keeper of the law In some sma' points, altho' not a'; I played a lozing game. ƒThe choice. h Hatching-time. g Shot. i Be transportea to America, and made a cow-herd. Belly. Some people tell me ginm I fa' The breaking of ae point, tho' sma', I hae been in for 't ance or twice, But now a rumour 's like to rise, A whaupn 's i' the nest. TO DR. BLACKLOCK. Ellisland, Oct. 21, 1789. Wow, but your letter made me vauntie ! Lord send you ay as weel 's I want ye, The ill-thief blaw the Heron" south! I lippen'ds to the chielt in trouth And bade nae better. But aiblins" honest Master Heron And holy study; An' tir'd o' sauls to waste his learw on, But what d' ye think, my trusty fier ?* Parnassian queens, I fear, I fear, Ye 'll now disdain me, And then my fifty pounds a year Ye glaiket, gleesome, dainty damies, That strang necessity supreme is ’Mang sons o’ men. I hae a wife and twa weea laddies, They maun hae brose and brats o' duddies;b But I'll snede besoms-thraw saugh woodies, Lord help me thro' this warld o' care! I'm weary sick o't late and air !e Not but I hae a richer share Than monie ithers; But why should ae man better fare, Come, Firm Resolve, take thou the van, Wha does the utmost that he can, Will whyles' do mair. But to conclude my silly rhyme, (I'm scant o' verse, and scant o' time,) To make a happy fire-side clime To weans and wife, That's the true pathos and sublime y Inattentive. Of human life. z Meandering. b Food and raiment. a Little. c Lop, or cut. d Twist willow ropes. e Late and early. 'Sometimes. d My compliments to sister Beckie; As e'er tread clay! An' gratefully, my guid auld cockie, ROBERT BURNS. TO COLONEL DE PEYSTER, Dumfries, 1796. My honour'd Colonel, deep I feel And potion glasses. O what a cantie1 warl were it, Would pain, and care, and sickness spare it; (And ay a rowthk roast-beef and claret, Dame Life, tho' fiction out may trick her, I've found her still, Ay wavering like the willow-wicker, 'Tween good and ill. Then that curst carmagnole, auld Satan, Wi' felon ire; Syne, whip! his tail ye 'll ne'er cast saut on, He's aff like fire. h To climb. i Cheerful. A Plenty. m Unsteady. To get hold of. Then. o A rac. |