Alake, alake, the meikle deil Wi' a' his witches Are at it, skelpin'!" jig and reel, In my poor pouches. I modestly fu' fain" wad hint it, It would be kind; And while my heart wi' life-blood dunted, So may the auld year gang out moaning To thee and thine; Domestic peace and comforts crowning POSTSCRIPT. Ye've heard this while how I've been licket, And sair me sheuk; But by guid luck I lape a wicket, And turn'd a neuk.d But by that health, I've got a share o't, Then farewell folly, hide and hair o't, u Tripping. The girl. Whole. b A jacket. e Health and welfare. w Very desirous. The place of milking. c Leaped. d Corner. More cautious. TO A GENTLEMAN WHOM HE HAD OFFENDED. THE friend whom wild from wisdom's way TO AN OLD SWEETHEART, After her marriage, with a Present of a copy of his Poems. ONCE fondly lov'd, and still remember'd dear, TO MISS LOGAN, With Beattie's Poems, as a New-year's Gitt. AGAIN the silent wheels of time Jan. 1, 1787. Their annual round have driv'n, No gifts have I from Indian coasts I send you more than India boasts, L Our sex with guile and faithless love TO A YOUNG LADY, Miss Jessy Lewars, Dumfries; with a Present of Books. TO A YOUNG LADY, With a Present of Songs. HERE, where the Scottish Muse immortal lives, So may no ruffian-feeling in thy breast, Or pity's notes, in luxury of tears, As modest want the tale of woe reveals; While conscious virtue all the strain endears, And heav'n-born piety her sanction seals. TO A LADY, With a Present of a Pair of Drinking-Glasses. FAIR empress of the Poet's soul, This humble pair of glasses.— And pledge me in the generous toastThe whole of human kind!' To those who love us!'-second fill ; But not to those whom we love ; Lest we love those who love not us! A third-To thee and me, love!' TO MISS CRUICKSHANKS, Never Boreas' hoary path, Never Eurus' pois'nous breath, Taint thee with untimely blights! Riot on thy virgin leaf! Nor even Sol too fiercely view Thy bosom blushing still with dew! May'st thou long, sweet crimson gem, Richly deck thy native stem; Thou amid the dirgeful sound, Shed thy dying honours round, And resign to parent earth The loveliest form she e'er gave birth ! TO A LADY, Whom the Author had often celebrated under the name of Chloris, with a Present of a Copy of his Poems. 'Tis Friendship's pledge, my young fair friend, Nor thou the gift refuse, Nor with unwilling ear'attend The moralizing musė. Since thou, in all thy youth and charms, Must bid the world adieu, (A world 'gainst peace in constant arms) Since, thy gay morn of life o'ercast, Since life's gay scenes must charm no more, Still nobler wealth hast thou in store, Thine is the self-approving glow, The joys refin'd of sense and taste, |