O' stature short, but genius bright, And wow!' he has an unco slight' By some auld houlet-haunted biggin'," Wi' deils they say, L-d safe's! colleaguin' Ilk ghaist' that haunts auld ha' or cham'er," And you deep-read in hell's black grammar, It's tauld he was a sodger" bred, And taen the-Antiquarian trade, He has a fouth" o' auld nick-nackets: An' parritch-pats," and auld saut-backets, Of Eve's first fire he has a cinder; O' Balaam's ass; 1 An exclamation of pleasure, or wonder.-2 Great sleight, or dexterity.Chalk and red clay.-4 An owl.-5 Building. See his Antiquities of Scotland.- Frightful, ghastly.-7 Each ghost.-8 Old hall, or chamber.- For tune-telling, pretending to a knowledge of future events by magic, &c.— 10 Wizards.-11 Soldier.-12 Did quit.—13 A sort of nickname for a sword. -14 A plenty.-15 Iron helmets.-16 Coats of mail, &c. See his Treatise on Ancient Armor.-17 Small nails.-18 Would furnish tacks enough to supply the three counties of Lothian for a twelvemonth.-19 Porridge-pots. A broom-stick o' the Witch of Endor, Forbye,' he 'll shape you aff, fu' gleg,' The knife that nicket Abel's craig,* He'll prove you fully It was a faulding jocteleg," Or long-kail gullie.® But wad ye see him in his glee, And port, O port! shine thou a wee, Now, by the powers o' verse and prose! They sair misca' thee; I'd take the rascal by the nose, Wad say, Shame fa' thee! VERSES WRITTEN AT SELKIRK.® AULD chuckie Reekie''s sair distrest, Can yield ava," Her darling bird that she lo'es best, O Willie was a witty wight," And trig an' braw:14 1 Besides.-2 Quite readily.-3 The short petticoat, part of the Highland dress.4 Throat.- A folding or clasp knife.- A large knife used for cutting kail.-7 Fellow. 8 To William Creech, Esq., Edin urgh, author of "Fugitivo Pieces," &c., and the Poet's worthy publisher. 9 Edinburgh.-10 Dressed.-1 great.-14 Spruce and fine. At all.-12 A superior genius.-13 Very But now they'll busk' her like a fright, The stiffest o' them a' he bow'd, We've lost a birkie3 weel worth gowd, Now gawkies, tawpies, gowks and fools,* He who could brush them down to mools," The brethren o' the Commerce-chaumers Amang them a'; I fear they'll now mak mony a stammer, Nae mair we see his levee door The adjutant o' a' the score, Willie's awa! Now worthy Gregory's Latin face, Ás Rome ne'er saw; They a' maun meet some ither place, Poor Burns-e'en Scotch drink canna quicken, 1 Dress.-2 Frightened.-3 Clever fellow.-4 Foolish, thoughtless young persons.-5 Mushrooms.-6 A small wood in a hollow.-7 Dust. 8 The Chamber of Commerce of Edinburgh, of which Mr. C. was secretary. Many literary gentlemen were accustomed to meet at Mr. C.'s house at breakfast. 10 Must.-11 Chirps. Scared frae its minnie1 and the clecken Grief's gien his heart an unco kickin', Now every sour-mou'd, girnin" blellum," His quill may draw; He wha could brawlie' ward their bellum," Up wimpling," stately Tweed I've sped, But every joy and pleasure 's fled, May I be slander's common speech; When I forget thee! Willie Creech, May never wicked fortune touzle him! Then to the blesséd, new Jerusalem, LIBERTY.-A FRAGMENT. THEE, Caledonia, thy wild heaths among- 1 Mother.-2 Brood.-3 The pewit-gull.- Given.-5 Grinning.—6 A talkmg fellow.-7 People.-8 A worthless fellow.-9 Finely.-10 Their ill-nature. -11 Meandering.-12 Stretched.-13 Head.-14 Old.-15 Cheerfully scratch. Immingled with the mighty dead! Beneath that hallow'd turf where Wallace lies! Hear it not, Wallace, in thy bed of death! Ye babbling winds, in silence sweep; One quenched in darkness like the sinking star, THE VOWELS.-A TALE. 'Twas where the birch and sounding thong are plied, The noisy domicile of pedant pride; Where Ignorance her darkening vapor throws, In all his pedagogic powers elate, His awful chair of state resolves to mount, |