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THE HARVARD CLASSICS 



The Five-Foot Shelf of Books 




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THE HARVARD CLASSICS 
EDITED BY CHARLES W. ELIOT, LL.D. 



The Poems and Songs 
of Robert Burns 

W/VA Introduction, 'Notes and Glossary 
Volume 6 




P, F. Collier & Son Corporation 

NEW YORK 



Copyright, 1 909 
Bt p. F. Collier & Son 

majjutacturbo in u. s. a. 



CONTENTS 

PACE 

Introductory Note '5 

I 773-1 779 

Song — Handsome Nell '9 

Song — O Tibbie, I hae seen the day 20 

Song — I dream 'd I lay 21 

Song — In the Character of a Ruined Farmer 21 

Tragic Fragment — All villain as I am 23 

The Tarbolton Lasses 23 

Ah, woe is me, my Mother dear 24 

Song — Montgomerie's Peggy 25 

The Ploughman's Life 25 

1780 

The Ronalds of the Bennals 25 

Song — Here's to thy health, my bonic lass 27 

Song — The Lass of Ccssnock Banks 28 

Song — Bonie Peggy Alison 30 

Song — Mary Morison 3* 

1781 

Winter: A Dirge 3' 

A Prayer, under the Pressure of Violent Anguish 32 

Paraphrase of the First Psalm 33 

The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm versified 33 

A Prayer, in the Prospect of Death 34 

Stanzas, on the same Occasion 35 

1782 

Fickle Fortune: A Fragment 30 

Song — Raging Fortune: A Fragment 3^ 

I'll go and be a Sodger 3° 

Song — No Churchman am I 37 

My Father was a Farmer: A Ballad 38 

John Barleycorn: A Ballad 39 

1783 

The Death and Dying Words of Poor Mailie 41 

Poor Mailie's Elegy 43 

I 



2 CONTENTS 

PMn 

Song — The Rigs o' Barley 44 

Song — Composed in August 45 

Song — My Nanie, Ol 46 

Song — Green Grow the Rashes 47 

Song — "Indeed will I," quo' Findlay 48 

1784 

Remorse: A Fragment 49 

Epitaph on William Hood, Senior 50 

Epitaph on James Grieve 50 

Epiuph on William Muir 50 

Epitaph on my Ever Honoured Father jo 

Ballad on the American War 51 

Reply to an Announcement by ]. Rankine 53 

Epbde to John Rankine 53 

A Poet's Welcome to his Love-Begotten Daughter 55 

Song — O Leave Novels! 57 

The Mauchline Lady: A Fragment 57 

My Girl she's Airy: A Fragment 58 

The Belles of Mauchline 58 

Epitaph on a Noisy Polemic 58 

Epitaph on a Henpecked Squire 58 

Epigram on the said Occasion 58 

Another on the said Occasion 59 

On Tam the Chapman 59 

Epitaph on John Rankine 59 

Lines on the Author's Death 60 

Man was made to Mourn: A Dirge 60 

The Twa Herds; or, The Holy Tulyie 63 

1785 

Epistle to Davie, a Brother Poet 66 

Holy Willie's Prayer 70 

Epitaph on Holy Willie 73 

Death and Dr. Hornbook 74 

Episde to J. Lapraik 79 

Second Episde to J. Lapraik 83 

Episde to William Simson 86 

One Night as I did Wander 91 

Fragment of Song — "My JeanI" 9a 

Song — Rantin', Rovin' Robin 9a 

Elegy on the E)eath of Robert Ruisseaux 93 

Episde to John Goldie, in Kilmarnock 94 

The Holy Fair 95 



CONTENTS 3 

PACE 

Third EpUtle to J. Lapraik 102 

Epistle to the Rev. John M'Matb 104 

Second Epistle to Davie 107 

Song — Young Peggy Blooms '08 

Song — Farewell to Ballochmyle 109 

Fragment — Her Flowing Locks no 

Halloween "o 

To a Mouse "9 

Epitaph on John Dove, Innkeeper 120 

Epitaph for James Smith 120 

Adam Armour's Prayer m 

The Jolly Beggars: A Cantata m 

Song — For a' that '33 

Song — Kissing my Katie '34 

The Cotter's Saturday Night 134 

Address to the Deil MO 

Scotch Drink 144 

1786 

The Auld Farmer's New-Year-Morning Salutation to his Auld Mare, Maggie . . 147 

TheTwa Dogs «5» 

The Author's Earnest Cry and Prayer 157 

The Ordination 163 

Epistle to James Smith 167 

The Vision '7^ 

Suppressed Stanzas of "The Vision" 1 80 

The Rantin' Dog, the Daddie o't >82 

Here's his Health in Water 183 

Address to the Unco Guid 183 

The Inventory 186 

To John Kennedy, Dumfries House 188 

To Mr. M'Adam, of Craigen-Gillan 189 

To a Louse 190 

Inscribed on a Work of Hannah More's 19* 

Song — Composed in Spring 19* 

To a Mountain Daisy I93 

To Rub 194 

The Lament '95 

Despondency: An Ode 197 

To Gavin Hamilton, Esq., Mauchline, recommending a Boy i99 

Versified Reply to an Invitation 201 

Song — Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary? 201 

oMy Highland Lassie, O ioa 



4 CONTENTS 

PACE 

Epistle to a Young Friend 203 

Address to Beelzebub 305 

A Dream 207 

A Dedication to Gavin Hamilton, Esq 3il 

Versified Note to Dr. Mackenzie, Mauchlinc 215 

The Farewell to the Brethren of St. James's Lodge, Tarbolton 215 

On a Scotch Bard, gone to the West Indies 316 

Song — Farewell to Eliza 218 

A Bard's Epitaph 218 

Epitaph for Robert Aiken, Esq 219 

Epitaph for Gavin Hamilton, Esq 219 

Epitaph on "Wee Johnnie" 219 

The Lass o' Ballochmyle 220 

Lines to an Old Sweetheart 321 

Motto prefixed to the Author's first Publication 331 

Lines to Mr. John Kennedy 221 

Lines written on a Bank-note 221 

Stanzas on Naething 322 

The Farewell 224 

The Calf 225 

Nature's Law: A Poem 335 

Song — Willie Chalmers 327 

Reply to a Trimming Episde, received from a Tailor 228 

The Brigs of Ayr 230 

Fragment of Song — The Night was Still 237 

Epigram on Rough Roads 337 

Prayer — O Thou Dread Power 338 

Song — Farewell to the Banks of Ayr 338 

Address to the Toothache 339 

Lines on Meeting with Lord Daer 340 

Masonic Song — Ye Sons of Old Killie 343 

Tarn Samson's Elegy 242 

Epistle to Major Logan 245 

Fragment on Sensibility 248 

A Winter Night 248 

Song — Yon Wild Mossy Mountains 251 

Address to Edinburgh 252 

Address to a Haggis 353 

1787 

To Miss Logan, with Beattie's Poems 355 

Mr. William Smellie: A Sketch 255 

Song — Rattlin', Roarin' Willie 256 



CONTENTS 5 

pjun 

Song — Bonic Dundee: A Fragment 256 

Extempore in the Court of Session 256 

Inscription for the Headstone of Fcrgusson the Poet 257 

Lines Inscribed under Fergusson's Portrait 257 

Epistle to Mrs. Scott of Wauchope House 258 

Verses inscribed under a Noble EarPs Picture 260 

Prologue, spoken by Mr. Woods at Edinburgh 260 

Song — The Bonie Moor-hen 261 

Song — My Lord a-Hunting he is gane 26a 

Epigram at Roslin Inn 263 

Epigram Addressed to an Artist 263 

The Bookworms 264 

On Elphinstone's Translation of Martial's Epigrams 264 

Song — A Bottle and Friend 264 

Lines Written under the Picture of Miss Burns 264 

Epitaph for William Nicol, High School, Edinburgh 265 

Epitaph for Mr. William Michie, Schoolmaster 26s 

Boat Song — Hey, Ca" Thro" 265 

Address to Wm. Tytler, Esq., of Woodhousclec 266 

Epigram to Miss Ainslie in Church 267 

Burlesque Lament for Wm. Creech's Absence 267 

Note to Mr. Renton of Lamerton 269 

Elegy on Stella 269 

The Bard at Inverary . , 272 

Epigram to Miss Jean Scott 272 

On the Death of John M'Leod, Esq 272 

Elegy on the Death of Sir James Hunter Blair 273 

Impromptu on Carron Iron Works 275 

To Miss Ferrier, enclosing Elegy on Sir J. H. Blair 275 

Written by Somebody on the Window of an Inn at Stirling 276 

Reply to the Threat of a Censorious Critic 276 

The Libeller's Self-reproof 276 

Verses Written with a Pencil at the Inn at Kenmore 276 

Song — The Birks of Aberfeldy 277 

The Humble Petition of Bruar Water 278 

Lines 00 the Fall of Fyers 281 

Epigram on Parting with a kind Host in the Highlands 281 

Song — Strathallan's Lament 281 

Verses on Castle Gordon 282 

Song — Lady Onlic, Honest Luckie 283 

Song — Theniel Menzies' Bonie Mary 283 

Soag — The Bonie Lass of Albany 284 

On Scaring some Water-Fowl in Loch Turit 285 



6 CONTENTS 

PACE 

Song — BIythe was She 386 

Song — A Rose-bud by my Early Walk J87 

Epitaph for Mr. W. Cruickshank 288 

Song — ^Thc Banks of the Devon 288 

Song — Braving Angry Winter's Storms 288 

Song — My Peggy's Charms 289 

Song — ^The Young Highland Rover 289 

Birthday Ode for 31st December, 1787 290 

On the Death of Robert Dundas, Esq., of Arniston 292 

Sylvander to Clarinda 293 

1788 

Song — Love in the Guise of Friendship 294 

Song — Go on, Sweet Bird, and Soothe my Care 295 

Song — Clarinda, Mistress of my Soul 395 

Song — I'm O'er Young to Marry yet 295 

Song — ^To the Weaver's gin ye go 296 

Song — M'Pherson's Farewell 297 

Song — Stay my Charmer 298 

Song — My Hoggie 298 

Song — Raving Winds Around her Blowing 299 

Song — Up in the Morning Early 299 

Song — How Long and Dreary is the Night 300 

Song — Hey, the Dusty Miller 300 

Song — Duncan Davison 301 

Song — ^The Lad they ca' Jumpin John 302 

Song — ^Talk of him that's Far Awa 302 

Song — To Daunton Me 303 

Song — The Winter it is Past 303 

Song — The Bonie Lad that's Far Awa 304 

Verses to Clarinda, with Drinking Glasses 304 

Song — The Chevalier's Lament 305 

Epistle to Hugh Parker 30; 

Song — Of a' the Airts the Wind can Blaw 306 

Song — I hae a Wife o' my Ain 307 

Lines Written in Friars' Carse Hermitage (First Version) 307 

To Alex. Cunningham, Esq., Writer, Edinburgh 308 

Song — Anna, thy Charms 309 

The Fete Champetre 309 

Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq., of Fintry 311 

Song — ^The Day Returns 314 

Song — O were I on Parnassus Hill 314 

A Mother's Lament for her Son's Death 315 

Song— The Fall of the Leaf 3J5 



CONTENTS 7 

PACE 

Song — I Reign in Jcanie's Bosom 3'6 

Song — It is na, Jean, thy Bonie Face 316 

Song — Auld Lang Syne 3'7 

Song — My Bonie Mary 3'8 

Verses on a Parting Kiss 3'8 

Written in Friars' Carsc Hermiuge (Second Vernon) 319 

The Poet's Progress 3^° 

Elegy on the Year 1788 3^3 

The Henpecked Husband 3^4 

Versides on Sign-Posu 3^5 

1789 

Song — Robin Shure in Hairst 314 

Ode, Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Oswald of Auchencruive 315 

Pegasus at Wanlockhcad 3^6 

Sappho Redivivus: A Fragment 327 

Song — She's Fair and Fause 3^8 

Impromptu Lines to Capuin Riddell 328 

Lines to John M'Murdo of Drumlanrig 319 

Rhyming Reply to a Note from Captain Riddell 319 

Caledonia: A Ballad 3^9 

Verses to Miss Cruickshank 33' 

Song — Beware o' Bonie Ann 33* 

Ode on the Departed Regency Bill 33* 

Episde to James Tennant of Glenconner 334 

A New Psalm for the Chapel of Kilmarnock 336 

Sketch in Verse, inscribed to the Right Hon. C. J. Fox 338 

The Wounded Hare 339 

Delia: An Ode 34° 

Song — The Gardener wi' his Paidle 340 

Song — On a Bank of Flowers 34' 

Song — Young Jockie was the Blythest Lad 34a 

Song— The Banks of Nith 34a 

Song — Jamie, Come Try Me 343 

Song — I Love my Love in Secret 343 

Song — Sweet Tibbie Dunbar 344 

Song — ^The Captain's Lady 344 

Song — John Anderson, My Jo 345 

Song — My Love she's but a Lassie yet 345 

Song — Tam Glen 346 

Song — Carle, an' the King come 347 

Song — ^The Laddie's dear sel" 347 

Song — Whistle o'er the lave o't 348 



8 CONTENTS 

PMIB 

Song — My Eppie Adair 348 

On the late Captain Grose's Peregrinations 349 

Epigram on Francis Grose the Antiquary 350 

The Kirk of Scotland's Alarm: A Ballad 351 

Sonnet to R. Graham, Esq., on Receiving a Favour 354 

Extemporaneous Effusion on being apfxiintcd to an Excise Division .... 355 

Song — Willie brew'd a Peck o' Maut 355 

Song — Ca' the Yowes to the Knowes {older set) 356 

Song — I Gaed a Wacfu' Gate Yestreen 356 

Song — Highland Harry back again 357 

Song — The Battle of Sherramuir 358 

Song — ^The Braes o' Killiecrankie 359 

Song — Awa', Whigs, Awa' 360 

Song — A Waukrifc Minnie 361 

Song — The Captive Ribband 3^' 

Song — Farewell to the Highlands 362 

The Whistle: A Ballad 362 

Song — ^To Mary in Heaven 365 

Epistle to Dr. Blacklock 366 

The Five Carlins: An Election Ballad 367 

Election Ballad for Westerha' 370 

Prologue spoken at the Theatre of Dumfries 371 

1790 

Sketch — New Year's Day, 1790 372 

Scots Prologue for Mr. Sutherland 374 

Lines to a Gendcman who sent a Newspaper 375 

Elegy on Willie Nicol's Marc 376 

Song — ^The Gowdcn Locks of Anna 377 

Song — I Murder hate 378 

Song — Gudewife, count the lawin 378 

Election Ballad at close of Contest for representing the Dumfries Burghs, 1790 . 379 

Elegy on Captain Matthew Henderson 383 

The Epitaph on Captain Matthew Henderson 386 

Verses on Captain Grose 387 

Tam o' Shanter: A Tale 388 

On the Birth of a Posthumous Child 394 

Elegy on the late Miss Burnet of Monboddo 395 

1791 

Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots 39^ 

Song — There'll never be Peace till Jamie comes hame 398 

Song — Out over the Forth 398 



CONTENTS 9 

PACE 

Song— The Banks o" Doon (First Version) 398 

Song — The Banks o' Doon {Second Version) 399 

Song— The Banks o' Doon (T/iird Version) 40° 

Lament for James, Earl of Glcncairn 4°° 

Lines Sent to Sir John Whiteford, Bart 403 

Song — Craigieburn Wood 4°i 

Song — ^The Bonie Wee Thing 404 

Epigram on Miss Davies 404 

Song — The Charms of Lovely Davies 405 

Song — What can a Young Lassie do wi" an Auld Man? 406 

Song — ^The Posie 406 

On Glenriddell's Fox breaking his chain: A Fragment 407 

Poem on Pastoral Poetry 409 

Verses on the destruction of the Woods near Drumlanrig 411 

Song — The Gallant Weaver 412 

Epigram at Brownhill Inn 413 

Song — You're welcome, Willie Stewart 413 

Song — Lovely Polly Stewart 413 

Song — Fragment — Damon and Sylvia 4'4 

Song — Fragment — Johnie lad. Cock up your Beaver 414 

Song — ^My Eppie Macnab 4^4 

Song — Fragment — Altho' he has left me 415 

Song — My Tocher's the Jewel 4'5 

Song — O for ane an' twenty, Tam 4' 5 

Song — ^Thou Fair Eliza 4'6 

Song— My Bonie Bell 417 

Song — Sweet Afton 4'7 

Address to the shade of Thomson 4'8 

Song — Nithdale's Welcome Hame 4'9 

Song — Frae the friends and land I love 419 

Song — Such a parcel of Rogues in a Nation 420 

Song — Ye Jacobites by Name 420 

Song — I hae been at Crookicden 421 

Song — Kenmure's on and awa, Willie 422 

Epistle to John Maxwell, Esq., of Terraughty 422 

Second Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq., of Fintry 423 

The Song of Death 426 

Poem on Sensibility 426 

Epigram — The Toad-cater 427 

Epigram — Divine Service at Lamington 427 

Epigram — The Kcekin'-Glass 427 

A Grace before Dinner 427 

A Grace after Dinner 428 



10 CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Song — O May, thy Morn 428 

Song — Ae fond Kiss 428 

Song — Behold the Hour, the Boat, arrive 429 

Song — Thou Gloomy December 430 

Song — My Native Land sae far awa 430 

1792 

Song — I do confess thou art sae fair 431 

Lines on Fergusson, the Poet 431 

Song — The weary Fund o' Tow 431 

Song — When she cam ben she bobbed 432 

Song — Scroggam, my dearie 433 

Song — My Collier Laddie 433 

Song — Sic a Wife as Willie bad 434 

Song — Lady Mary Ann 435 

Song — Kellyburn Braes 436 

Song — The Slave's Lament 437 

Song — O can ye Labour Lea? 438 

Song — The E>euks dang o'er my Daddie 439 

Song — The Deil's awa wi" the Exciseman 439 

Song — The Country Lass 440 

Song — Bessy and her Spinnin Wheel 441 

Song — Fragment — Love for love 442 

Song — Saw ye Bonie Lesley 442 

Song — Fragment — No cold approach 443 

Song — I'll meet thee on the Lea Rig 443 

Song — My Wife's a winsome wee thing 444 

Song — Highland Mary 444 

Song — Auld Rob Morris 445 

The Rights of Women — Spoken by Miss Fontenelle 446 

Epigram on Miss Fontenelle 447 

Extempore on some commemorations of Thomson 447 

Song — Duncan Gray 448 

Song — A Health to them that's awa 449 

A Tippling Ballad — When Princes and Prelates, etc 450 

1793 

Song — Poortith cauld and restless love 451 

Epigram on Politics 452 

Song — Braw Lads o" Gala Water 452 

Sonnet on the Author's Birthday 45^ 

Song — Wandering Willie 453 



CONTENTS 1 1 

PACE 

Song — Wandering Willie {Revised Vernon) 454 

Lord Gregory: A Ballad 454 

Song — Open the door to me, oh 455 

Song — Lovely young Jessie 455 

Song — Meg o' the Mill 456 

Song — ^Meg o' the Mill {Another Version) 456 

The Soldier's Return: A Ballad 457 

Epigram — The True Loyal Natives 459 

Epigram — Commissary Goldie's Brains 459 

Lines Inscribed in a Lady's Pocket Almanack 459 

Epigram — ^Thanks for a National Victory 459 

Commemoration of Rodney's Victory 459 

Epigram — The Raptures of Folly 460 

Epigram — Kirk and State Excisemen 460 

Extempore Reply to an Invitation 460 

A Grace after Meat 460 

Grace before and after Meat -, 461 

Impromptu on Dumourier's Desertion of the French Republican Army . . . 461 

Song — The last time I cam o'er the Moor 461 

Song — Logan Braes 462 

Song — Blythe hae I been on yon hill 463 

Song — O were my love yon lilac fair 464 

Ronie Jean: A Ballad 464 

Lines on John M'Murdo, Esq 466 

Epiuph on a Lap-dog 466 

Epigrams against the Earl of Galloway 466 

Epigram on the Laird of Laggan 467 

Song — Phillis the Fair 467 

Song — Had I a cave 467 

Song — By Allan Stream 468 

Song — Whistle and I'll come to you 469 

Song — Phillis the Queen o' the fair 469 

Song — Come let me take thee to my breast 470 

Song — Dainty Davie 471 

Song — Robert Bruce's March to Bannockburn 47J 

Song — Behold the hour, etc. {Second Version) 472 

Song — Down the Burn, Davie love 473 

Song — ^Thou hast left me ever, Jamie 473 

Song — Where are the Joys I have met i|74 

Song — Deluded swain, the pleasure 474 

Song — Thine am I, my faithful Fair 475 

Impromptu on Mrs. Riddell's Birthday 475 

Song — My Spou*e Nancy 476 



12 CONTENTS 

PACE 

Address spoken by Miss Fontenelle ^77 

Complimeotary Epigram to Mrs. Riddell 478 

1794 

Remorseful Apology ^yg 

Song — Wilt thou be my Dearie 479 

Song — A Fiddler in the North 479 

The Minstrel at Lincludea 480 

A Vision 481 

Song — A red, red Rose 482 

Song — Young Jamie, pride of a' the plain 483 

Song — The Flowery banks of Cree 483 

Monody on a Lady, famed for her Caprice 484 

Epitaph on the same 485 

Epigram pinned to Mrs. Riddell's carriage 485 

Epitaph for Mr. Walter Riddell 485 

Epistle from Esopus to Maria 485 

Epitaph on a noted coxcomb 487 

Epitaph on Captain Lascelles 487 

Epitaph on Wm. Graham, Esq., of Mossknowe 487 

Epitaph on John Busby, Esq., Tinwald Downs 488 

Sonnet on the Death of Robert Riddell 488 

Song — ^The Lovely Lass o' Inverness 488 

Song — Charlie, he's my Darling 489 

Song — The Bannocks o' Bear Meal 490 

Song — The Highland Balou 490 

The Highland Widow's Lament 490 

Song — It was a' for our rightfu" King 491 

Ode for General Washington's Birthday 492 

Inscription to Miss Graham of Fintry 494 

Song — On the Seas and far away 494 

Song — Ca' the Yowes to the Knowes 496 

Song — She says she Iocs me best of a' 497 

Epigram on Jessy Staig's recovery 498 

To the beautiful Miss Eliza J n, on her principles of Liberty and Equality . 498 

On Chloris requesting a sprig of blossom 'd thorn 498 

On seeing Mrs. Kemble in Yarico 498 

Epigram on a Country Laird (Cardoness) 40" 

Epigram on the same Laird's Country Seat 499 

Epigram on Dr. Babington's looks 499 

Epigram on a Suicide 499 

Epigram on a Swearing Coxcomb 499 

Epigram on an Innkeeper ('The Marquis") 499 



CONTENTS 13 

PACE 

Epigram on Andrew Turner 500 

Song — Pretty Peg, my dearie 500 

Esteem for Chloris 5°° 

Song — Saw you my dear, my Philly 501 

Song — How lang and dreary is the night 501 

Song — Inconstancy in love 5"* 

The Lover's Morning Salute to his Mistress ;oi 

Song — ^The Winter of Life 503 

Song — Behold, my love, how green the groves 503 

Song — The charming month of May 504 

Song — Lassie wi" the Lint-white Locks 505 

Dialogue Song — Philly and Willy 506 

Song — Contented wi' litde, and cantie wi" mair 507 

Song — Farewell thou stream that winding flows 508 

Song — Canst thou leave me thus, my Katie 509 

Song — My Nanie's awa 509 

Song — ^The Tear-drop— "Wae is my heart" 510 

Song — For the sake o' Somebody 510 

1795 

Song — A Man's a Man for a' that 51 1 

Song— Craigieburn Wood (^Second Verrion) 51a 

The Solemn League and Covenant 512 

Lines to John Symc, Esq., with a dozen of Porter 513 

Inscription on Mr. Symc's crystal goblet 513 

Apology to Mr. Syme for not dining with him 513 

Epitaph for Mr. Gabriel Richardson, Brewer 513 

Epigram on Mr. James Gracie 513 

Song — Bonie Pcg-a-Ramsay 514 

Inscription at Friars' Carse Hermitage 514 

Song — Fragment — ^There was a Bonie Lass 514 

Song — Fragment — Wee Willie Gray 514 

Song — O aye my wife she dang me 515 

Song — Guid ale keeps the heart aboon 515 

Song — Steer her up and baud her gaun 516 

Song — ^Thc Lass o' Ecdefechan 516 

Song — O let me in this ae night 517 

"'ng — I'll aye ca' in by yon town 518 

ibng — O wat ye wha's in yon town 518 

Ballad on Mr. Heron's Election — No. i 520 

Ballad on Mr. Heron's Election — ^No. 1 521 

Ballad on Mr. Heron's Election — No. 3 524 

Inscription for an Altar of Independence 526 



14 CONTENTS 

PACE 

Song — The Cardin o't, the Spinning o't 526 

Song — ^The Cooper o' Cuddy 5^7 

Song — The las» that made the bed to me 5^7 

Song — Had I the wytc, she bade me 5*9 

Song — The Dumfries Volunteers 53° 

Song — Address to the WoodUrk 53« 

Song — On Chloris being ill 53* 

Song — How cruel are the parents 53* 

Song — Yonder pomp of costly fashion 533 

Song — Twas na her bonie blue e'e 534 

Song — ^Their groves o' sweet myrtle 53* 

Song — Forlorn, my love, no comfort here 535 

Song — Fragment — Why tell the lover 536 

Song— The Braw Wooer 536 

Song — This is no my ain lassie 537 

Song — O bonie was yon rosy Brier 538 

Song — Now Spring has clad the grove in green 538 

Song — O that'i the lassie o" my heart 540 

Inscription to Chloris 54* 

Song — Fragment — Leezie Lindsay 54* 

Song — Fragment — the Wren's Nest 54* 

Song — News, lassies, news 54* 

Song — Crowdie ever mair 543 

Song — Mally's meek, Mally's sweet 543 

Song — Jockie's taen the parting Kiss 544 

Verses to Collector Mitchell 544 

1796 

The Dean of Faculty: A new Ballad 545 

Epistle to Colonel de Peyster 546 

Song — A Lass wi' a Tocher 548 

Ballad on Mr. Heron's Election — No. 4 548 

Complimentary versicles to Jessie Lewars 550 

No I. The Toast 550 

No. 2. The Menagerie 550 

No. 3. Jessie's Illness 550 

No. 4. On her Recovery 55" 

Song — O lay thy loof in mine, lass 55*> 

Song — A Health to ane I loe dear 55' 

Song — O wert thou in the cauld blast 55* 

Inscription to Jessie Lewars 55* 

Song — Fairest Maid on Devon's Banks 553 

Glossary 555 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE 

Robert Burns was born near Ayr, Scotland, 25th of January, 1759. 
He was the son of William Burnes, or Burness, at the time of the poet's 
birth a nurseryman on the banks of the Doon in Ayrshire. His father, 
though always extremely poor, attempted to give his children a fair 
education, and Robert, who was the eldest, went to school for three 
years in a neighboring village, and later, for shorter jjeriods, to three other 
schools in the vicinity. But it was to his father and to his own reading that 
he owed the more impwrtant part of his education; and by the time that 
he had reached manhood he had a good knowledge of English, a reading 
knowledge of French, and a fairly wide acquaintance with the master- 
pieces of English literature from the time of Shakespeare to his own day. 
In 1766 William Burness rented on borrowed money the farm of Mount 
Oliphant, and in taking his share in the effort to make this undertaking 
succeed, the future poet seems to have seriously overstrained his physique. 
In 1771 the family moved to Lochlea, and Burns went to the neighboring 
town of Irvine to learn flax-dressing. The only result of this experiment, 
however, was the formation of an acquaintance with a dissipated sailor, 
whom he afterward blamed as the prompter of his first licentious adven- 
tures. His father died in 1784, and with his brother Gilbert the poet 
rented the farm of Mossgiel; but this venture was as unsuccessful as the 
others. He had meantime formed an irregular intimacy with Jean 
Armour, for which he was censured by the Kirk-session. As a result 
of his farming misfortunes, and the attempts of his father-in-law to over- 
throw his irregular marriage with Jean, he resolved to emigrate; and in 
order to raise money for the passage he published (Kilmarnock, 1786) 
a volume of the poems which he had been composing from time to time 
for some years. This volume was unexpectedly successful, so that, instead 
of sailing for the West Indies, he went up to Edinburgh, and during 
that winter he was the chief literary celebrity of the season. An enlarged 
edition of his poems was published there in 1787, and the money 
derived from this enabled him to aid his brother in Mossgiel, and to take 
and stock for himself the farm of Ellisland in Dumfriesshire. His fame 
as a f)oet had reconciled the Armours to the connection, and having now 
regularly married Jean, he brought her to Ellisland, and once more tried 
farming for three years. Continued ill-success, however, led him, in 1791, 
to abandon Ellisland, and he moved to Dumfries, where he had obtained 
a position in the Excise. But he was now thoroughly discouraged; his 

15 



lO INTRODUCTORY NOTE 

work was mere drudgery; his tendency to take his relaxation in debauch- 
ery increased the weakness of a constitution early undermined; and he 
died at Dumfries in his thirty-eighth year. 

It is not necessary here to attempt to disentangle or explain away the 
numerous amours in which he was engaged through the greater part of 
his life. It is evident that Burns was a man of extremely passionate 
nature and fond of conviviality; and the misfortunes of his lot combined 
with his natural tendencies to drive him to frequent excesses of self- 
indulgence. He was often remorseful, and he strove painfully, if inter- 
mittendy, after better things. But the story of his life must be admitted 
to be in its externals a painful and somewhat sordid chronicle. That it 
contained, however, many moments of joy and exaltation is proved by 
the poems here printed. 

Burns's poetry falls into two main groups: English and Scottish. His 
English poems are, for the most part, inferior specimens of conventional 
eighteenth-century verse. But in Scottish poetry he achieved triumphs 
of a quite extraordinary kind. Since the time of the Reformation and the 
union of the crowns of England and Scotland, the Scots dialect had largely 
fallen into disuse as a medium for dignified writing. Shordy before 
Burns's time, however, Allan Ramsay and Robert Fergusson had been 
the leading figures in a revival of the vernacular, and Burns received 
from them a national tradition which he succeeded in carrying to its 
highest pitch, becoming thereby, to an almost unique degree, the poet 
of his people. 

He first showed complete mastery of verse in the field of satire. In 
"The Twa Herds," "Holy Willie's Prayer," "Address to the Unco Guid," 
"The Holy Fair," and others, he manifested sympathy with the protest 
of the so-called "New Light" party, which had sprung up in opposition 
to the extreme Calvinism and intolerance of the dominant "Auld Lichts." 
The fact that Burns had personally suffered from the discipline of the 
Kirk probably added fire to his attacks, but the satires show more than 
personal animus. The force of the invective, the keenness of the wit, and 
the fervor of the imagination which they displayed, rendered them an 
important force in the theological liberation of Scotland. 

The Kilmarnock volume contained, besides satire, a number of poems 
like "The Twa Dogs" and "The Cotter's Saturday Night," which are 
vividly descriptive of the Scots peasant life with which he was most 
familiar; and a group like "Puir Mailie" and "To a Mouse," which, in 
the tenderness of their treatment of animals, revealed one of the most 
attractive sides of Burns's jjersonality. Many of his poems were never 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE 1 7 

printed during his lifetime, the most remarkable of these being "The 
Jolly Beggars," a piece in which, by the intensity of his imaginative sym- 
pathy and the brilliance of his technique, he renders a picture of the 
lowest dregs of society in such a way as to raise it into the realm of great 
poetry. 

But the real national importance of Burns is due chiefly to his songs. 
The Puritan austerity of the centuries following the Reformation had 
discouraged secular music, like other forms of art, in Scotland; and as a 
result Scottish song had become hopelessly degraded in f>oint both of 
decency and literary quality. From youth Burns had been interested in 
collecting the fragments he had heard sung or found printed, and he 
came to regard the rescuing of this almost lost national inheritance in 
the light of a vocation. About his song-making, two points are especially 
noteworthy: first, that the greater number of his lyrics sprang from actual 
emotional experiences; second, that almost all were composed to old 
melodies. While in Edinburgh he undertook to supply material for 
Johnson's "Musical Museum," and as few of the traditional songs could 
appear in a respectable collection, Burns found it necessary to make them 
over. Sometimes he kept a stanza or two; sometimes only a line or 
chorus; sometimes merely the name of the air; the rest was his own. His 
method, as he has told us himself, was to become familiar with the tradi- 
tional melody, to catch a suggestion from some fragment of the old song, 
to fix upon an idea or situation for the new poem; then, humming or 
whistling the tune as he went about his work, he wrought out the new 
verses, going into the house to write them down when the inspiration 
began to flag. In this process is to be found the explanation of much 
of the (leculiar quality of the songs of Burns. Scarcely any known author 
has succeeded so brilliantly in combining his work with folk material, 
or in carrying on with such continuity of spirit the tradition of popular 
song. For George Thomson's collection of Scottish airs he performed a 
function similar to that which he had had in the "Museum"; and his 
poetical activity during the last eight or nine years of his life was chiefly 
devoted to these two publications. In spite of the fact that he was con- 
stantly in severe financial straits, he refused to accept any recompense 
for this work, preferring to regard it as a patriotic service. And it was, 
indeed, a patriotic service of no small magnitude. By birth and temf)era- 
ment he was singularly fitted for the task, and this fitness is proved by 
the unique extent to which his productions were accepted by his country- 
men, and have passed into the life and feeling of his race. 



POEMS AND SONGS 

SONG— HANDSOME NELL> 

Tune — ^"I am a man unmarried." 

OONCE I lov'd a bonie lass, 
Ay, and I love her still; 
And whilst that virtue warms my breast, 
I'll love my handsome Nell. 

As bonie lasses I hae seen, 

And mony full as braw; 
But, for a modest gracefu' mein. 

The like I never saw. 

A bonie lass, I will confess. 

Is pleasant to the e'e; 
But, without some better qualities. 

She's no a lass for me. 

But Nelly's looks are blythe and sweet, 

And what is best of a'. 
Her reputation is complete, 

And fair without a flaw. 

She dresses aye sae clean and neat. 

Both decent and genteel; 
And then there's something in her gait 

Gars ony dress look weel. 

A gaudy dress and gentle air 

May slightly touch the heart; 
But it's innocence and modesty 

That polishes the dart. 

■ The first of my performances. — R. B. 
19 



20 ROBERT BURNS 

Tis this in Nelly pleases me, 
'Tis this enchants my soul; 

For absolutely in my breast 
She reigns without control. 

SONG-O TIBBIE, I HAE SEEN THE DAY 

Tune — "Invercauld's Reel, or Strathspey." 

Chor. — O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, 
Ye wadna been sae shy; 
For laik o' gear ye lightly me. 
But, trowth, I care na by. 

Yestreen I met you on the moor. 
Ye spak na, but gaed by like stour; 
Ye geek at me because I'm poor. 
But Hent a hair care I. 

O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c. 

When coming hame on Sunday last. 
Upon the road as I cam past. 
Ye snufft and ga'e your head a cast — 
But trowth I care't na by. 

O Tibbie, I hae seen the day. Sec 

I doubt na, lass, but ye may think. 
Because ye hae the name o' clink. 
That ye can please me at a wink. 
Whene'er ye like to try. 

O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, 8cc. 

But sorrow tak' him that's sae mean, 
Altho* his pouch o' coin were dean, 
Wha follows ony saucy quean. 
That looks sae proud and high. 

O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c. 

Altho' a lad were e'er sae smart. 

If that he want the yellow dirt, 

Ye'U cast your head anithcr airt. 

And answer him fu' dry. 

O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 21 

But, if he hae the name o' gear, 
Ye'U fasten to him like a brier, 
Tho' hardly he, for sense or lear. 
Be better than the kye. 

O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c. 

But, Tibbie, lass, tak' my advice: 
Your daddie's gear maks you sae nice; 
The deil a ane wad speir your price. 
Were ye as poor as I. 

O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c. 

There lives a lass beside yon park, 
I'd rather hae her in her sark. 
Than you wi' a' your thousand mark; 
That gars you look sae high. 

O Tibbie, I hae seen the day, &c. 



SONG— I DREAM'D I LAY 

I dream'd I lay where flowers were springing 

Gaily in the sunny beam; 
List'ning to the wild birds singing. 

By a falling crystal stream: 
Straight the sky grew black and daring; 

Thro' the woods the whirlwinds rave; 
Trees with aged arms were warring. 

O'er the swelling drumlie wave. 

Such was my life's deceitful morning, 

Such the pleasures I enjoyed: 
But lang or noon, loud tempests storming 

A' my flowery bliss destroy 'd. 
Tho' fickle fortune has deceiv'd me — 

She promis'd fair, and jjerform'd but ill. 
Of mony a joy and hope bcreav'd me — 

I bear a heart shall support me still. 



22 ROBERT BURNS 

SONG— IN THE CHARACTER OF A 
RUINED FARMER 

Tune — "Go from my window, Love, do." 

The sun he is sunk in the west, 
All creatures retired to rest, 
While here I sit, all sore beset, 

With sorrow, grief, and woe: 
And it's O, fickle Fortune, O! 

The prosperous man is asleep, 

Nor hears how the whirlwinds sweep; 

But Misery and I must watch 

The surly tempest blow: 
And it's O, fickle Fortune, O! 

There lies the dear partner of my breast; 
Her cares for a moment at rest: 
Must I see thee, my youthful pride. 

Thus brought so very low! 
And it's O, fickle Fortune, Ol 

There lie my sweet babies in her arms; 
No anxious fear their little hearts alarms; 
But for their sake my heart does ache. 

With many a bitter throe: 
And it's O, fickle Fortune, O! 

I once was by Fortune carest: 

I once could relieve the distrest: 

Now life's poor support, hardly earn'd. 

My fate will scarce bestow: 
And it's O, fickle Fortune, O! 

No comfort, no comfort I have! 
How welcome to me were the grave! 
But then my wife and children dear — 

O, whither would they go! 
And it's O, fickle Fortune, O! 



POEMS AND SONGS 23 

O whither, O whither shall I turn! 
All friendless, forsaken, forlorn! 
For, in this world. Rest or Peace 
I never more shall know! 
And it's O, fickle Fortune, O! 

TRAGIC FRAGMENT 

All devil as I am — a damned wretch, 

A hardened, stubborn, unrepenting villain. 

Still my heart melts at human wretchedness; 

And with sincere but unavailing sighs 

I view the helpless children of distress: 

With tears indignant I behold the oppressor 

Rejoicing in the honest man's destruction. 

Whose unsubmitting heart was all his crime. — 

Ev'n you, ye hapless crew! I pity you; 

Ye, whom the seeming good think sin to pity; 

Ye poor, despised, abandoned vagabonds. 

Whom Vice, as usual, has turn'd o'er to ruin. 

Oh! but for friends and interposing Heaven, 

I had been driven forth like you forlorn. 

The most detested, worthless wretch among you! 

O injured God! Thy goodness has endow 'd me 

With talents passing most of my compeers, 

Which I in just proportion have abused — 

As far surpassing other common villains 

As Thou in natural parts has given me more. 

THE TARBOLTON LASSES 

If ye gae up to yon hill-tap, 

Ye'll there see bonie Peggy; 
She kens her father is a laird. 

And she forsooth's a leddy. 

There Sophy tight, a lassie bright. 

Besides a handsome fortune: 
Wha canna win her in a night. 

Has litde art in courtin'. 



24 ROBERT BURNS 

Gae down by Faile, and taste the ale, 
And tak a look o' Mysie; 

She's dour and din, a dcil within, 
But aiblins she may please ye. 

If she be shy, her sister try, 
Ye'll maybe fancy Jenny; 

If ye'll dispense wi' want o' sense — 
She kens hersel she's bonie. 

As ye gae up by yon hillside, 
Speir in for bonie Bessy; 

She'll gie ye a beck, and bid ye light, 
And handsomely address ye. 

There's few sae bonie, nane sae guid. 
In a' King George' dominion; 

If ye should doubt the truth o' this — 
It's Bessy's ain opinion! 

AH, WOE IS ME, MY MOTHER DEAR 

Paraphrase of Jeremiah, \^th Chap., loth verse. 

Ah, woe is me, my mother dear! 

A man of strife ye've born me: 
For sair contention I maun bear; 

They hate, revile, and scorn me. 

I ne'er could lend on bill or band. 
That five per cent, might blest me; 

And borrowing, on the tither hand. 
The deil a ane wad trust me. 

Yet I, a coin-denied wight. 
By Fortune quite discarded; 

Ye see how I am, day and night. 
By lad and lass blackguarded! 



POEMS AND SONGS 25 

MONTGOMERIE'S PEGGY 

Tune — "Galla Water." 

Altho' my bed were in yon muir, 

Amang the heather, in my plaidie; 
Yet happy, happy would I be. 

Had I my dear Montgomerie's Peggy. 

When o'er the hill beat surly storms, 
And winter nights were dark and rainy; 

I'd seek some dell, and in my arms 
I'd shelter dear Montgomerie's Peggy. 

Were I a baron proud and high, 

And horse and servants waiting ready; 

Then a' 'twad gie o' joy to me, — 

The sharin't with Montgomerie's Peggy. 

THE PLOUGHMAN'S LIFE 

As I was a-wand'ring ae morning in spring, 
I heard a young ploughman sae sweetly to sing; 
And as he was singin', thir words he did say, — 
There's nae life like the ploughman's in the month o' 
sweet May. 

TTie lav'rock in the morning she'll rise frae her nest. 
And mount i' the air wi' the dew on her breast. 
And wi' the merry ploughman she'll whisde and sing. 
And at night she'll return to her nest back again. 

THE RONALDS OF THE BENNALS 

In Tarbolton, ye ken, there are proper young men. 

And proper young lasses and a', man; 
But ken ye the Ronalds that live in the Bennals, 

They carry the gree frae them a', man. 

Their father's a laird, and weel he can spare't. 

Braid money to tocher them a', man; 
To proper young men, he'll clink in the hand 

Gowd guineas a hunder or twa, man. 



26 ROBERT BURNS 

There's ane they ca' Jean, I'll warrant ye've seen 

As bonie a lass or as braw, man; 
But for sense and guid taste she'll vie wi' the best, 

And a conduct that beautifies a', man. 

The charms o' the min', the langer they shine, 
The mair admiration they draw, man; 

While peaches and cherries, and roses and lilies, 
They fade and they wither awa, man, 

If ye be for Miss Jean, tak this frae a frien', 

A hint o' a rival or twa, man; 
The Laird o' Blackbyre wad gang through the fire. 

If that wad entice her awa, man. 

The Laird o' Braehead has been on his speed. 
For mair than a towmond or twa, man; 

The Laird o' the Ford will straught on a board. 
If he canna get her at a', man. 

Then Anna comes in, the pride o' her kin, 
The boast of our bachelors a', man: 

Sae sonsy and sweet, sae fully complete. 
She steals our affections awa, man. 

If I should detail the pick and the wale 
O' lasses that live here awa, man. 

The fau't wad be mine if they didna shine 
The sweetest and best o' them a', man. 

I lo'e her mysel, but darena weel tell. 
My pwverty keeps me in awe, man; 

For making o' rhymes, and working at times. 
Does little or naething at a', man. 

Yet I wadna choose to let her refuse. 
Nor hae't in her power to say na, man: 

For though I be poor, unnoticed, obscure. 
My stomach's as proud as them a', man. 



POEMS AND SONGS T] 

Though I canna ride in weel-booted pride, 

And flee o'er the hills like a craw, man, 
I can haud up my head wi' the best o' the breed, 

Though fluttering ever so braw, man. 

My coat and my vest, they are Scotch o' the best, 

O* pairs o' guid breeks I hae twa, man; 
And stockings and pumps to put on my stumps, 

And ne'er a wrang steek in them a', man. 

My sarks they are few, but five o' them new, 
Twal' hundred, as white as the snaw, man, 

A ten-shillings hat, a Holland cravat; 
There are no mony poets sae braw, man. 

I never had (rien's weel stockit in means. 

To leave me a hundred or twa, man; 
Nae weel-tocher'd aunts, to wait on their drants. 

And wish them in hell for it a', man. 

I never was cannie for hoarding o' money. 

Or claughtin't together at a', man; 
I've little to spend, and naething to lend. 

But deevii a shilling I awe, man. 

SONG— HERE'S TO THY HEALTH 

Tune — "Laggan Burn." 

Here's to thy health, my bonie lass, 

Gude nicht and joy be wi' thee; 
I'll come nae mair to thy bower-door. 

To tell thee that I lo'e thee. 

dinna think, my pretty pink. 
But I can live without thee: 

1 vow and swear I dinna care. 

How lang ye look about ye. 

Thou'rt aye sae free informing me, 

Thou hast nae mind to marry; 
I'll be as free informing thee, 

Nae time hae I to tarry: 



28 ROBERT BURNS 

I ken thy frien's try ilka means 

Frae wedlock to delay thee; 
Dejjending on some higher chance, 

But fortune may betray thee. 

I ken they scorn my low estate, 

But that does never grieve me; 
For I'm as free as any he; 

Sma' siller will relieve me. 
I'll count my health my greatest wealth, 

Sae lang as I'll enjoy it; 
I'll fear nae scant, I'll bode nae want, 

As lang's I get employment. 

But far off fowls hae feathers fair. 

And, aye until ye try them, 
Tho' they seem fair, still have a care; 

They may prove waur than I am. 
But at twal' at night, when the moon shines bright, 

Nfy dear, I'll come and see thee; 
For the man that loves his mistress weel, 

Nae travel makes him weary. 

THE LASS OF CESSNOCK BANKS' 

A Song of Similes 

Tune — "If he be a Butcher neat and trim." 

On Cessnock banks a lassie dwells; 

Could I describe her shape and mein; 
Our lasses a' she far excels. 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

She's sweeter than the morning dawn. 

When rising Phoebus first is seen. 
And dew-drops twinkle o'er the lawn; 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

She's stately like yon youthful ash. 
That grows the cowslip braes between. 

And drinks the stream with vigour fresh; 
An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

' The lass is identified as Ellison Begbie, a servant wench, daughter of a fanner 
— Lang. 



POEMS AND SONGS 29 

She's spotless like the flow'ring thorn, 
With flow'rs so white and leaves so green, 

When purest in the dewy morn; 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

Her looks are like the vernal May, 

When ev'ning Phoebus shines serene, 
While birds rejoice on every spray; 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

Her hair is like the curling mist, 
That climbs the mountain-sides at e'en, 

When flpw'r-reviving rains are past; 
An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

Her forehead's like the show'ry bow. 

When gleaming sunbeams intervene 
And gild the distant mountain's brow; 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

Her cheeks are like yon crimson gem, 

The pride of all the flowery scene. 
Just opening on its thorny stem; 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

Her bosom's like the nightly snow, 

When pale the morning rises keen. 
While hid the murm'ring streamlets flow; 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

Her lips are like yon cherries ripe. 

That sunny walls from Boreas screen; 
They tempt the taste and charm the sight; 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

Her teeth are like a flock of sheep. 

With fleeces newly washen clean. 
That slowly mount the rising steep; 

An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 



30 ROBERT BURNS 

Her breath is like the fragrant breeze, 
That gently stirs the blossom 'd bean, 

When Phcebus sinks behind the seas; 
An' she has twa sparkling roguish eea. 

Her voice is like the ev'ning thrush. 
That sings on Cessnock banks unseen. 

While his mate sits nestling in the bush; 
An' she has twa sparkling roguish een. 

But it's not her air, her form, her face, 
Tho' matching beauty's fabled queen; 

"Tis the mind that shines in ev'ry grace, 
An' chiefly in her roguish een. 

SONG— BONIE PEGGY ALISON 

Tune — ^"The Braes o' Balqubidder." 

CMor. — And I'll kiss thee yet, yet, 

And I'll kiss thee o'ei again: 
And I'll kiss thee yet, yet. 
My bonie Peggy Alison. 

Ilk care and fear, when thou art near 

I evermair defy them, O! 
Young kings upon their hansel throne 

Are no sae blest as I am, O! 

And I'll kiss thee yet, yet, 8cc. 

When in my arms, wi' a' thy charms, 
I clasp my countless treasure, OI 

I seek nae mair o' Heaven to share 
Than sic a moment's pleasure, O! 

And I'll kiss thee yet, yet, &c. 

And by thy een sae bonie blue, 
I swear I'm thine for ever, O! 

And on thy lips I seal my vow, 
And break it shall I never, O! 

And I'll kiss thee yet, yet, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 3 1 

SONG— MARY MORISON 

Tunr — "Bide ye yet." 

Marv, at thy window be, 

It is the wish'd, the trysted hour! 
Those smiles and glances let me see, 

That make the miser's treasure poor: 
How blythely wad I bide the stour, 

A weary slave frae sun to sun. 
Could I the rich reward secure, 

The lovely Mary Morison. 

Yestreen, when to the trembling string 

The dance gaed thro' the lighted ha'. 
To thee my fancy took its wing, 

I sat, but neither heard nor saw: 
Tho' this was fair, and that was braw, 

And yon the toast of a' the town, 

1 sigh'd, and said among them a', 

"Ye are na Mary Morison." 

Oh, Mary, canst thou wreck his peace, 

Wha for thy sake wad gladly die.' 
Or canst thou break that heart of his, 

Whase only faut is loving thee? 
If love for love thou wilt na gie, 

At least be pity to me shown; 
A thought ungentle canna be 

The thought o' Mary Morison. 

WINTER: A DIRGE 

The wintry west extends his blast. 

And hail and rain does blaw; 
Or the stormy north sends driving forth 

The blinding sleet and snaw: 
While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down. 

And roars frae bank to brae; 
And bird and beast in covert rest, 

And pass the heartless day. 



32 ROBERT BURNS 

"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast," 

The joyless winter day 
Let others fear, to me more dear 

Than all the pride of May: 
The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul, 

My griefs it seems to join; 
The leafless trees my fancy please, 

Their fate resembles mine! 

Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme 

These woes of mine fulfil. 
Here firm I rest; they must be best. 

Because they are Thy will! 
Then all I want — C) do Thou grant 

This one request of mine! — 
Since to enjoy Thou dost deny. 

Assist me to resign. 



A PRAYER, UNDER THE PRESSURE OF VIOLENT 
ANGUISH 

O Thou Great Being! what Thou art. 

Surpasses me to know; 
Yet sure I am, that known to Thee 

Are all Thy works below. 

Thy creature here before Thee stands. 

All wretched and distrest; 
Yet sure those ills that wring my soul 

Obey Thy high behest. 

Sure, Thou, Almighty, canst not act 

From cruelty or wrath ! 
O, free my weary eyes from tears. 

Or close them fast in death ! 

But, if I must afflicted be. 

To suit some wise design. 
Then man my soul with firm resolves. 

To bear and not repine! 



POEMS AND SONGS 33 

PARAPHRASE OF THE FIRST PSALM 

The man, in life wherever plac'd, 

Hath happiness in store, 
Who walks not in the wicked's way, 

Nor learns their guilty lore! 

Nor from the seat of scornful pride 

Casts forth his eyes abroad. 
But with humility and awe 

Still walks before his God. 

That man shall flourish like the trees. 

Which by the streamlets grow; 
The fruitful top is spread on high. 

And firm the root below. 

But he whose blossom buds in guilt 

Shall to the ground be cast. 
And, like the rootless stubble, tost 

Before the sweeping blast. 

For why? that God the good adore, 

Hath giv'n them peace and rest. 
But hath decreed that wicked men 

Shall ne'er be truly blest. 

THE FIRST SIX VERSES OF THE NINETIETH 
PSALM VERSIFIED 

O Thou, the first, the greatest friend 

Of all the human race! 
Whose strong right hand has ever been 

Their stay and dwelling place! 

Before the mountains heav'd their heads 

Beneath Thy forming hand. 
Before this pxjnderous globe itself 

Arose at Thy command; 



34 ROBERT BURNS 

That Pow'r which rais'd and still upholds 

This universal frame, 
From countless, unbeginning time 

Was ever still the same. 

Those mighty periods of years 
Which seem to us so vast, 

Apf)ear no more before Thy sight 
Than yesterday that's past. 

Thou giv'st the word: Thy creature, man, 

Is to existence brought; 
Again Thou say'st, "Ye sons of men. 

Return ye into nought!" 

Thou layest them, with all their cares. 

In everlasting sleep; 
As with a flood Thou tak'st them off 

With overwhelming sweep. 

They flourish like the morning flow'r, 

In beauty's pride array 'd; 
But long ere night cut down it lies 

All wither'd and decay'd. 

A PRAYER, IN THE PROSPECT OF DEATH 

O Thou unknown, Almighty Cause 

Of all my hojje and fear! 
In whose dread presence, ere an hour. 

Perhaps I must appear I 

If I have wander'd in those paths 

Of life I ought to shun. 
As something, loudly, in my breast. 

Remonstrates I have done; 

Thou know'st that Thou hast formed me 
With passions wild and strong; 

And list'ning to their witching voice 
Has often led me wrong. 



POEMS AND SONGS 35 

Where human weakness has come short, 

Or frailty slept aside, 
Do Thou, All-Good — for such Thou art — 

In shades of darkness hide. 

Where with intention I have err'd, 

No other plea I have, 
But, Thou art good; and Goodness still 

Delighteth to forgive. 

STANZAS, ON THE SAME OCCASION 

Why am I loth to leave this earthly scene ? 

Have I so found it full of pleasing charms? 
Some drops of joy with draughts of ill between — 

Some gleams of sunshine 'mid ienewing storms. 

Is it departing pangs my soul alarms? 
Or death's unlovely, dreary, dark abode? 

For guilt, for guilt, my terrors are in arms: 

I tremble to approach an angry God, 
And justly smart beneath His sin-avenging rod. 

Fain would I say, "Forgive my foul offence," 

Fain promise never more to disobey; 
But, should my Author health again dispense, 

Again I might desert fair virtue's way; 

Again in folly's path might go astray; 
Again exalt the brute and sink the man; 

Then how should I for heavenly mercy pray 
Who act so counter heavenly mercy's plan? 
Who sin so oft have mourn'd, yet to temptation ran? 

O Thou, great Governor of all below I 

If I may dare a lifted eye to Thee, 
Thy nod can make the tempest cease to blow. 

Or still the tumult of the raging sea: 

With that controlling pow'r assist ev'n me. 
Those headlong furious passions to confine. 

For all unfit I feel my pow'rs to be. 
To rule their torrent in th' allowed line; 
O, aid me with Thy help. Omnipotence Divine! 



36 ROBERT BURNS 



FICKLE FORTUNE 

A FRAGMENT 

Though fickle Fortune has deceived me, 
She promis'd fair and perform'd but ill; 

Of mistress, friends, and wealth bereav'd me, 
Yet I bear a heart shall support me still. 

I'll act with prudence as far 's I'm able. 

But if success I must never find, 
Then come misfortune, I bid thee welcome, 

I'll meet thee with an undaunted mind. 

RAGING FORTUNE— FRAGMENT OF SONG 

O RAGING Fortune's withering blast 

Has laid my leaf full low, O! 
O raging Fortune's withering blast 

Has laid my leaf full low, Ol 

My stem was fair, my bud was green. 
My blossom sweet did blow, O! 

The dew fell fresh, the sun rose mild. 
And made my branches grow, Ol 

But luckless Fortune's northern storms 
Laid a' my blossoms low, O! 

But luckless Fortune's northern storms 
Laid a' my blossoms low, O! 

IMPROMPTU— "I'LL GO AND BE A SODGER" 

WHY the deuce should I repine. 
And be an ill foreboder? 

I'm twenty-three, and five feet nine, 
I'll go and be a sodger! 

1 gat some gear wi' mickle care, 
I held it wecl thegither; 

But now it's gane, and something mair — 
I'll go and be a sodger! 



POEMS AND SONGS 37 

SONG— "NO CHURCHMAN AM I" 

Tunc — "Prepare, my dear Brethren, to the tavern let's fly." 

No churchman am I for to rail and to write, 
No statesman nor soldier to plot or to fight, 
No sly man of business contriving a snare. 
For a big-belly'd bottle's the whole of my care. 

The peer I don't envy, I give him his bow; 
I scorn not the peasant, though ever so low; 
But a club of good fellows, like those that are here, 
And a bottle like this, are my glory and care. 

Here passes the squire on his brother — his horse; 
There centum f)er centum, the cit with his purse; 
But see you the Crown how it waves in the air? 
There a big-bclly'd bottle still eases my caie. 

The wife of my bosom, alas! she did die; 
For sweet consolation to church I did fly; 
I found that old Solomon proved it fair. 
That a big-belly'd bottle's a cure for all care. 

I once was persuaded a venture to make; 
A letter inform 'd me that all was to wreck; 
But the pursy old landlord just waddl'd upstairs. 
With a glorious botde that ended my cares. 

"Life's cares they are comforts" — a maxim laid down 
By the Bard, what d'ye call him, that wore the black 

gown; 
And faith I agree with th' old prig to a hair. 
For a big-belly'd bottle's a heav'n of a care. 

A STANZA ADDED IN A MASON LODGE 

Then fill up a bumper and make it o'erflow. 
And honours masonic prepare for to throw; 
May ev'ry true Brother of the Compass and Square 
Have a big-belly'd bottle when harass'd with care. 



38 ROBERT BURNS 

MY FATHER WAS A FARMER 

Tune — "The weaver and his shuttle, O." 

My father was a farmer upon the Carrick border, O, 

And carefully he bred me in decency and order, O; 

He bade me act a manly part, though I had ne'er a farthing, O; 

For without an honest manly heart, no man was worth regarding, O. 

Then out into the world my course I did determine, O; 
Tho' to be rich was not my wish, yet to be great was charming, O; 
My talents they were not the worst, nor yet my education, O: 
Resolv'd was I at least to try to mend my situation, O. 

In many a way, and vain essay, I courted Fortune's favour, O; 
Some cause unseen still stept between, to frustrate each endeavour, O; 
Sometimes by foes I was o'erpower'd, sometimes by friends forsaken, O; 
And when my hope was at the top, I still was worst mistaken, O. 

Then sore harass'd and tir'd at last, with Fortune's vain delusion, O, 
I dropt my schemes, like idle dreams, and came to this conclusion, O; 
The past was bad, and the future hid, its good or ill untried, O; 
But the present hour was in my pow'r, and so I would enjoy it, O. 

No help, nor hope, nor view had I, nor f)erson to befriend me, O; 
So I must toil, and sweat, and moil, and labour to sustain me, O; 
To plough and sow, to reap and mow, my father bred me early, O; 
For one, he said, to labour bred, was a match for Fortune fairly, O. 

Thus all obscure, unknown, and poor, thro' life I'm doom'd to wander, O, 
Till down my weary bones I lay in everlasting slumber, O: 
No view nor care, but shun whate'er might breed me pain or sorrow, O; 
I live to-day as well's I may, regardless of to-morrow, O. 

But cheerful still, I am as well as a monarch in his palace, O, 

Tho' Fortune's frown still hunts me down, with all her wonted malice, O: 

I make indeed my daily bread, but ne'er can make it farther, O: 

But as daily bread is all I need, I do not much regard her, O. 

When sometimes by my labour, I earn a litde money, O, 
Some unforeseen misfortune comes gen'rally upon me, O; 
Mischance, mistake, or by neglect, or my goodnatur'd folly, O: 
But come what will, I've sworn it still, I'll ne'er be melancholy, O. 



POEMS AND SONGS 39 

All you who follow wealth and power with unremitting ardour, O, 
The more in this you look for bliss, you leave your view the farther, O; 
Had you the wealth Potosi boasts, or nations to adore you, O, 
A cheerful honest-hearted clown I will prefer before you, O. 

JOHN BARLEYCORN: A BALLAD 

There was three kings into the east, 

Three kings both great and high, 
And they hae sworn a solemn oath 

John Barleycorn should die. 

They took a plough and plough'd him down, 

Put clods upon his head. 
And they hae sworn a solemn oath 

John Barleycorn was dead. 

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on, 

And show'rs began to fall; 
John Barleycorn got up again. 

And sore surpris'd them all. 

The sultry suns of Summer came, 

And he grew thick and strong; 
His head weel arm'd wi' pointed spears, 

That no one should him wrong. 

The sober Autumn enter'd mild. 

When he grew wan and pale; 
His bending joints and drooping head 

Show'd he began to fail. 

His colour sicken'd more and more. 

He faded into age; 
And then his enemies began 

To show their deadly rage. 

They've taen a weapon, long and sharp. 

And cut him by the knee; 
Then tied him fast upon a cart. 

Like a rogue for forgerie. 



40 ROBERT BURNS 

They laid him down up>on his back, 
And cudgell'd him full sore; 

They hung him up before the storm. 
And turned him o'er and o'er. 

They filled up a darksome pit 
With water to the brim; 

They heaved in John Barleycorn, 
There let him sink or swim. 

They laid him out uf>on the floor, 
To work him farther woe; 

And still, as signs of life appear'd, 
They toss'd him to and fro. 

They wasted, o'er a scorching flame, 
The marrow of his bones; 

But a miller us'd him worst of all, 

For he crush'd him between two stones. 

And they hae taen his very heart's blood, 
And drank it round and round; 

And still the more and more they drank, 
Their joy did more abound. 

John Barleycorn was a hero bold. 

Of noble enterprise; 
For if you do but taste his blood, 

'Twill make your courage rise. 

Twill make a man forget his woe; 

'Twill heighten all his joy; 
'Twill make the widow's heart to sing, 

Tho' the tear were in her eye. 

Then let us toast John Barleycorn, 
Each man a glass in hand; 

And may his great posterity 
Ne'er fail in old Scotland! 



POEMS AND SONGS 4 1 

THE DEATH AND DYING WORDS OF POOR MAILIE, 
THE AUTHOR'S ONLY PET YOWE. 

AN UNCO MOURNFU' TALE 

As Mailie, an' her lambs thegither, 
Was ae day nibbling on the tether, 
Upon her cloot she coost a hitch, 
An' owre she warsl'd in the ditch: 
There, groaning, dying, she did lie. 
When Hughoc he cam doytin by. 

Wi' glowrin een, and lifted ban's 
Poor Hughoc like a statue Stan's; 
He saw her days were near-hand ended, 
But, wae's my heart! he could na mend iti 
He gaped wide, but naething spak. 
At langth poor Mailie silence brak. 

"O thou, whase lamentable face 
Appears to mourn my woefu' case! 
My dying words attentive hear. 
An' bear them to my Master dear. 

"Tell him, if e'er again he keep 
As muckle gear as buy a sheep — 
O, bid him never tie them mair, 
Wi' wicked strings o' hemp or hair! 
But ca' them out to park or hill. 
An' let them wander at their will: 
So may his flock increase, an' grow 
To scores o' lambs, an' packs o' woo'l 

"Tell him, he was a Master kin', 
An' aye was guid to me an' mine; 
An' now my dying charge I gie him. 
My helpless lambs, I trust them wi' him. 

"O, bid him save their harmless lives, 
Frae dogs, an' tods, an' butcher's knives! 
But gie them guid cow-milk their fill. 



42 ROBERT BURNS 

Till they be fit to fend themsel'; 
An' tent them duly, e'en an' morn, 
Wi' taets o' hay an' ripps o' corn. 

"An* may they never learn the gaets. 
Of ither vile, wanrestfu' ptets — 
To slink thro' slaps, an' reave an' steal 
At stacks o' pease, or stocks o' kail! 
So may they, like their great forbears, 
For mony a year come thro the shears: 
So wives will gie them bits o' bread. 
An' bairns greet for them when they're dead. 

"My poor toof>-lamb, my son an' heir, 
O, bid him breed him up wi' care! 
An' if he live to be a beast. 
To pit some bavins in his breast! 

"An* warn him — what I winna name — 
To stay content wi' yowes at hame; 
An' no to rin an' wear his cloots, 
Like ither menseless, graceless brutes. 

"An' neist, my yowie, silly thing, 
Gude keep thee frae a tether string! 
O, may thou ne'er forgather up, 
Wi' ony blastit, moorland toop; 
But aye keep mind to moop an' mell, 
Wi* sheep o' credit like thysel'! 

"And now, my bairns, wi' my last breath, 
I lea'e my blessin wi' you baith: 
An' when you think upo' your mither. 
Mind to be kind to anc anither. 

"Now, honest Hughoc, dinna fail. 
To tell my master a' my tale; 
An' bid him burn this cursed tether. 
An' for thy pains thou'se get my blather." 

This said, poor Mailie turn'd her head. 
And clos'd her een amang the dead! 



POEMS AND SONGS 

POOR MAILIE'S ELEGY 

Lament in rhyme, lament in prose, 
Wi' saut tears trickling down your nose; 
Our bardie's fate is at a close. 

Past a' remead! 
The last, sad cape-stane o' his woes; 

Poor Mailie's dead! 

It's no the loss o' warl's gear, 
That could sae bitter draw the tear, 
Or mak our bardie, dowie, wear 

TTie mourning weed: 
He's lost a friend an' neebor dear 

In Matlie dead. 

Thro' a' the town she trotted by him; 
A lang half-mile she could descry him; 
Wi' kindly bleat, when she did spy him, 

She ran wi' speed: 
A friend mair faithfu' ne'er cam nigh him. 

Than Mailie dead. 

I wat she was a sheep o' sense. 
An' could behave hersel' wi' mense: 
I'll say't, she never brak a fence. 

Thro' thievish greed. 
Our bardie, lanely, keeps the spence 

Sin' Mailie's dead. 

Or, if he wanders up the howe. 

Her living image in her yowe 

Comes bleating till him, owre the knowe. 

For bits o' bread; 
An' down the briny pearls rowe 

For Mailie dead. 

She was nae get o' moorland tips, 
Wi' tauted ket, an' hairy hips; 
For her forbears were brought in ships. 



43 



44 ROBERT BURNS 

Frae 'yont the Tweed. 
A bonier fleesh ne'er cross'd the clips 
Than Mailie's dead. 

Wae worth the man wha first did shape 
That vile, wanchancic thing — a raip! 
It maks guid fellows girn an' gape, 

Wi' chokin dread; 
An' Robin's bonnet wave wi' crape 

For Mailie dead. 

O, a' ye bards on bonie Doon! 
An' wha on Ayr your chanters tune! 
Come, join the melancholious croon 

O' Robin's reed! 
His heart will never get aboon — 
His Mailie's dead! 

SONG— THE RIGS O' BARLEY 

Tune — "Corn Rigs are bonic." 
It was upon a Lammas night, 

When corn rigs are bonie, 
Beneath the moon's unclouded light, 

I held awa to Annie; 
The time flew by, wi' tentless heed. 

Till, 'tween the late and early, 
Wi' sma' persuasion she agreed 

To see me thro' the barley. 

Corn rigs, an' barley rigs. 

An' corn rigs are bonie: 
I'll ne'er forget that happy night, 

Amang the rigs wi' Annie. 

The sky was blue, the wind was still. 
The moon was shining clearly; 

I set her down, wi' right good will, 
Amang the rigs o' barley: 

I ken't her heart was a' my ain; 
I lov'd her most sincerely; 



POEMS AND SONGS 45 

I kiss'd her owre and owre again, 
Amang the rigs o' barley. 

Corn rigs, an' barley rigs, &c, 

I lock'd her in my fond embrace; 

Her heart was beating rarely: 
My blessings on that happy place, 

Amang the rigs o' barley! 
But by the moon and stars so bright, 

That shone that hour so clearly! 
She aye shall bless that happy night 

Amang the rigs o' barley. 

Corn rigs, an' barley rigs, &c. 

I hae been blythe wi' comrades dear; 

I hae been merry drinking; 
I hae been joyfu' gath'rin gear; 

I hae been happy thinking: 
But a' the pleasures e'er I saw, 

Tho' three times doubl'd fairly, 
That happy night was worth them a', 

Amang the rigs o' barley. 

Corn rigs, an' barley rigs, &c. 

SONG COMPOSED IN AUGUST 

Tune — "I had a horse, I had nae mair." 
Now wesdin winds and slaught'ring guns 

Bring Autumn's pleasant weather; 
The moorcock springs on whirring wings 

Amang the blooming heather: 
Now waving grain, wide o'er the plain. 

Delights the weary farmer; 
And the moon shines bright, when I rove at night. 

To muse upon my charmer. 

The partridge loves the fruitful fells. 

The plover loves the mountains; 
The woodcock haunts the lonely dells, 

The soaring hern the fountains: 



46 ROBERT BURNS 

Thro' lofty groves the cushat roves, 
The path of man to shun it; 

The hazel bush o'erhangs the thrush, 
The spreading thorn the linnet. 

Thus ev'ry kind their pleasure find, 

The savage and the tender; 
Some social join, and leagues combine. 

Some solitary wander: 
Avaunt, away! the cruel sway, 

Tyrannic man's dominion; 
The sportsman's joy, the murd'ring cry. 

The flutt'ring, gory pinion! 

But, Peggy dear, the ev'ning's clear, 

Thick flies the skimming swallow. 
The sky is blue, the fields in view. 

All fading-green and yellow: 
Come let us stray our gladsome way, 

And view the charms of Nature; 
The rusding corn, the fruited thorn. 

And ev'ry happy creature. 

We'll gently walk, and sweedy talk, 

Till the silent moon shine clearly; 
I'll grasp thy waist, and, fondly prest. 

Swear how I love thee dearly: 
Not vernal show'rs to budding flow'rs. 

Not Autumn to the farmer, 
So dear can be as thou to me. 

My fair, my lovely charmer! 

SONG 

Tune — "My Nanic, O." 

Behind yon hills where Lugar flows, 
'Mang moors an' mosses many, O, 

The wintry sun the day has clos'd, 
And I'll awa to Nanie, O. 

The westlin wind blaws loud an' shill; 
The night's baith mirk and rainy, O; 



POEMS AND SONGS \] 

But I'll get my plaid an' out I'll steal. 
An' owre the hill to Nanie, O. 

My Nanie's charming, sweet, an' young; 

Nae artfu' wiles to win ye, O: 
May ill befa' the flattering tongue 

That wad beguile my Nanie, O. 

Her face is fair, her heart is true; 

As spotless as she's bonie, O: 
The op'ning gowan, wat wi' dew, 

Nae purer is than Nanie, O. 

A country lad is my degree. 

An' few there be that ken me, O; 
But what care I how few they be, 

I'm welcome aye to Nanie, O. 

My riches a's my penny-fee. 

An' I maun guide it cannie, O; 
But warl's gear ne'er troubles me. 

My thoughts are a' my Nanie, O. 

Our auld guidman delights to view 

His sheep an' Icye thrive bonie, O; 
But I'm as biythe that hands his pleugh, 

An' has nae care but Nanie, O. 

Come weel, come woe, I care na by; 

I'll tak what Heav'n will sen' me, O: 
Nae ither care in life have I, 

But live, an' love my Nanie, O. 



SONG-GREEN GROW THE RASHES 

A FRAGMENT 

Chor. — Green grow the rashes, O; 
Green grow the rashes, O; 
The sweetest hours that e'er I spend, 
Are sf)ent amang the lasses, O. 



48 ROBERT BURNS 

Thehe's nought but care on ev'ry han'. 

In ev'ry hour that passes, O: 
What signifies the Hfe o' man, 

An' 'twere na for the lasses, O. 
Green grow, 8cc. 

The war'ly race may riches chase. 
An' riches still may fly them, O; 

An' tho' at last they catch them fast. 
Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, O. 
Green grow, &c. 

But gie me a cannie hour at e'en. 

My arms about my dearie, O; 
An' war'ly cares, an' war'ly men, 

May a' gae tapsalteerie, OI 

Green grow, 8cc. 

For you sae douce, ye sneer at this; 

Ye're nought but senseless asses, O: 
The wisest man the warl' e'er saw, 

He dearly lov'd the lasses, O. 
Green grow, &c. 

Auld Nature swears, the lovely dears 
Her noblest work she classes, O: 

Her prentice han' she try'd on man. 
An' then she made the lasses, O. 
Green grow, &c. 

SONG— WHA IS THAT AT MY BOWER-DOOR 

Tune — "Lass, an I come near thee." 

"Wha is that at my bower-door?" 

"O wha is it but Findlay!" 
"Then gae your gate, ye'se nae be here:" 

"Indeed maun I," quo' Findlay; 
"What male' ye, sae like a thief?" 

"O come and see," quo' Findlay; 
"Before the morn ye'll work mischief:" 

"Indeed will I," quo* Findlay. 



POEMS AND SONGS 49 

"Gif I rise and let you in" — 

"Let me in," quo' Findlay; 
"Ye'll keep me waukin wi' your din;** 

"Indeed will I," quo' Findlay; 
"In my bower if ye should stay" — 

"Let me stay," quo' Findlay; 
"I fear ye'll bide till break o' day;" 

"Indeed will I," quo' Findlay. 

"Here this night if ye remain" — 

"I'll remain," quo' Findlay; 
"I dread ye'll learn the gate again;" 

"Indeed will I," quo' Findlay. 
"What may pass within this bower" — 

"Let it pass," quo' Findlay; 
"Ye maun conceal till your last hour:" 

"Indeed will I," quo' Findlay. 

REMORSE 

A FRAGMENT 

Of ail the numerous ills that hurt our peace. 

That press the soul, or wring the mind with anguish 

Beyond comparison the worst are those 

By our own folly, or our guilt brought on: 

In ev'ry other circumstance, the mind 

Has this to say, "It was no deed of mine:" 

But, when to all the evil of misfortune 

This sting is added, "Blame thy foolish self!" 

Or worser far, the pangs of keen remorse. 

The torturing, gnawing consciousness of guilt — 

Of guilt, perhaps, when we've involved others. 

The young, the innocent, who fondly lov'd us; 

Nay more, that very love their cause of ruin! 

O burning hell! in all thy store of torments 

There's not a keener lash! 

Lives there a man so firm, who, while his heart 

Feels all the bitter horrors of his crime. 

Can reason down its agonizing throbs; 

And, after proper purpose of amendment. 
Can firmly force his jarring thoughts to peace? 



50 ROBERT BURNS 

O happy, happy, enviable man! 
O glorious magnanimity of soul! 

EPITAPH ON WM. HOOD, SENR, IN TARBOLTON 

Here Souter Hood in death does sleep; 

To hell if he's gane thither, 
Satan, gie him thy gear to keep; 

He'll haud it weel thegither. 

EPITAPH ON JAMES GRIEVE, LAIRD OF 
BOGHEAD, TARBOLTON 

Here lies Boghead amang the dead 

In hopes to get salvation; 
But if such as he in Heav'n may be. 

Then welcome, hail! damnation. 

EPITAPH ON MY OWN FRIEND AND MY FATHER'S 
FRIEND, WM. MUIR IN TARBOLTON MILL 

An honest man here lies at rest 
As e'er God with his image blest; 
The friend of man, the friend of truth, 
TTie friend of age, and guide of youth: 
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd. 
Few heads with knowledge so informed: 
If there's another world, he lives in bliss; 
If there is none, he made the best of this. 

EPITAPH ON MY EVER HONOURED FATHER 

O YE whose cheek the tear of pity stains, 

Draw near with pious rev'rence, and attend! 
Here lie the loving husband's dear remains. 

The tender father, and the gen'rous friend; 
The pitying heart that felt for human woe. 

The dauntless heart that fear'd no human pride; 
The friend of man — to vice alone a foe; 

For "ev'n his failings lean'd to virtue's side." ' 

' Goldsmith.— «. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 5 1 

BALLAD ON THE AMERICAN WAR 

Tune — "Kill iccrankie." 

When Guilford good our pilot stood 

An' did our hellim thraw, man, 
Ae night, at tea, began a plea. 

Within America, man: 
Then up they gat the maskin-pat. 

And in the sea did jaw, man; 
An' did nae less, in full congress. 

Than quite refuse our law, man. 

Then thro' the lakes Montgomery takes, 

I wat he was na slaw, man; 
Down Lowrie's Burn he took a turn, 

And Carleton did ca', man: 
But yet, whatreck, he, at Quebec, 

Montgomery-like did fa', man, 
Wi' sword in hand, before his band, 

Amang his en'mies a', man. 

Poor Tammy Gage within a cage 

Was kept at Boston-ha', man; 
Till Willie Howe took o'er the knowe 

For Philadelphia, man; 
Wi' sword an' gun he thought a sin 

Guid Christian bluid to draw, man; 
But at New- York, wi' knife an' fork, 

Sir-Loin he hacked sma', man. 

Burgoyne gaed up, like spur an' whip, 

Till Fraser brave did fa', man; 
Then lost his way, ae misty day. 

In Saratoga shaw, man. 
Ckirnwallis fought as lang's he dought. 

An' did the Buckskins claw, man; 
But Clinton's glaive frae rust to save, 

He hung it to the wa', man. 

Then Montague, an' Guilford too. 
Began to fear a fa*, man; 



52 ROBERT BURNS 

And Sackvillc dour, wha stood the stour, 
The German chief to thraw, man: 

For Paddy Burke, like ony Turk, 
Nae mercy had at a*, man; 

An' Charlie Fox threw by the box, 
An' lows'd his tinkler jaw, man. 

Then Rockingham took up the game, 

Till death did on him ca', man; 
When Shelburne meek held up his cheek. 

Conform to gospel law, man: 
Saint Stephen's boys, wi' jarring noise. 

They did his measures thraw, man; 
For North an' Fox united stocks. 

An' bore him to the wa', man. 

Then clubs an' hearts were Charlie's cartes, 

He swept the stakes awa', man. 
Till the diamond's ace, of Indian race, 

Led him a sair faux pas, man: 
The Saxon lads, wi' loud placads. 

On Chatham's boy did ca', man; 
An' Scotland drew her pipe an' blew, 

"Up, Willie, waur them a', man!" 

Behind the throne then Granville's gone, 

A secret word or twa, man; 
While slee Dundas arous'd the class 

Be-north the Roman wa', man: 
An' Chatham's wraith, in heav'nly graith, 

(Inspired bardies saw, man), 
Wi' kindling eyes, cry'd, "Willie, rise! 

Would I hae fear'd them a', man?" 

But, word an' blow, North, Fox, and Co. 

Gowff'd Willie like a ba', man; 
Till Suthron raise, an' coost their claise 

Behind him in a raw, man: 
An' Caledon threw by the drone. 

An' did her whittle draw, man; 
An' swoor fu' rude, thro' dirt an' bluid. 

To mak it guid in law, man. 



POEMS AND SONGS 53 

REPLY TO AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY j. RANKINE 

ON HIS WRITING TO THE POET, THAT A GIRL IN THAT PART OF THE 
COUNTRY WAS WITH CHILD TO HIM. 

I AM a keeper of the law 

In some sma' points, altho' not a'; 

Some people tell me gin I fa', 

Ae way or ither. 
The breaking of ae point, tho' sma', 

Breaks a' thegither. 

I hae been in for't ance or twice. 
And vvinna say o'er far for thrice; 
Yet never met wi' that surprise 

That broke my rest; 
But now a rumour's like to rise — 

A whaup 's i' the nest! 

EPISTLE TO JOHN RANKINE 

ENCLOSING SOME POEMS 

O ROUGH, rude, ready-witted Rankine, 
The wale o' cocks for fun an' drinkin! 
There's mony godly folks are thinkin, 

Your dreams and tricks 
Will send you, Korah-like, a-sinkin 

Straught to auld Nick's. 

Ye hae sae mony cracks an' cants. 
And in your wicked, drucken rants, 
Ye mak a devil o' the saunts. 

An' fill them fou; 
And then their failings, flaws, an' wants, 

Are a' seen thro'. 

Hypocrisy, in mercy spare it! 

That holy robe, O dinna tear it! 

Sf)are't for their sakes, wha aften wear it — 

The lads in black; 
But your curst wit, when it comes near it, 

Rives't aff their back. 



54 ROBERT BURNS 

Think, wicked Sinner, wha ye're skaithing: 
It's just the Blue-gown badge an' claithing 
O' saunts; tak that, ye lea'e them naething 

To ken them by 
Frae ony unregenerate heathen, 

Like you or I. 

I've sent you here some rhyming ware, 
A' that I bargain'd for, an' mair; 
Sae, when ye hae an hour to spare, 

I will expect, 
Yon sang ye'll sen't, wi' cannie care. 

And no neglect. 

Tho' faith, sma' heart hr.e I to sing! 
My muse dow scarcely spread her wing; 
I've play'd mysel a bonie spring. 

An' danc'd my fill! 
I'd better gaen an' sair't the king. 

At Bunker's Hill. 

'Twas ae night lately, in my fim, 

I gaed a rovin' wi' the gun. 

An' brought a paitrick to the grun' — 

A bonie hen; 
And, as the twilight was begun. 

Thought nane wad ken. 

The poor, wee thing was little hurt; 

I straikit it a wee for sjxjrt. 

Ne'er thinkin they wad fash me for't; 

But, Deil-ma-care! 
Somebody tells the {xiacher-court 

The hale affair. 

Some auld, us'd hands had taen a note. 
That sic a hen had got a shot; 
I was suspected for the plot; 

I scorn 'd to lie; 
So gat the whissle o' my groat. 

An* pay't the fee. 



POEMS AND SONGS 55 

But by my gun, o' guns the wale, 
An' by my pouthcr an' my hail, 
An* by my hen, an' by her tail, 

I vow an' swear! 
The game shall pay, o'er muir an' dale. 

For this, niest year. 

As soon's the clockin-time is by. 
An' the wee pouts begun to cry. 
Lord, I'se hae sporting by an' by 

For my gowd guinea, 
Tho' I should herd the buckskin kye 

For't in Virginia. 

Trowth, they had muckle for to blame! 
'Twas neither broken wing nor limb. 
But twa-three draps about the wame, 

Scarce thro' the feathers; 
An' baith a yellow George to claim. 

An' thole their blethers! 

It pits me aye as mad's a hare; 
So I can rhyme nor write nae mair; 
But pennyworths again is fair, 

When time's expedient: 
Meanwhile I am, respected Sir, 

Your most obedient. 

A POET'S WELCOME TO HIS LOVE-BEGOTTEN 
DAUGHTER' 

THE FIRST INSTANCE THAT ENTITLED HIM TO THE VENERABLE 
APPELLATION OF FATHER 

Thou's welcome, wean; mishanter fa' me, 
If thoughts o* thee, or yet thy mamie, 
Shall ever daunton me or awe me, 

My bonie lady. 
Or if I blush when thou shall ca* me 

Tyta or daddie. 
' Burns never published this poem. 



56 ROBERT BURNS 

Tho' now they ca' me fornicator, 
An' tease my name in kintry clatter. 
The mair they talk, I'm kcnt the better. 

E'en let them clash; 
An auld wife's tongue's a feckless matter 

To gie ane fash. 

Welcome! my bonie, sweet, wee dochter, 
Tho' ye come here a wee unsought for. 
And tho' your comin' I hae fought for, 

Baith kirk and queir; 
Yet, by my faith, ye're no unwrought for. 

That I shall swear! 

Wee image o' my bonie Betty, 
As fatherly I kiss and daut thee. 
As dear, and near my heart I set thee 

Wi' as gude will 
As a' the priests had seen me get thee 

That's out o' hell. 

Sweet fruit o' mony a merry dint. 
My funny toil is now a' tint. 
Sin' thou came to the warl' asklent, 

Which fools may scoff at; 
In my last plack thy part's be in't 

The better ha'f o't. 

Tho' I should be the waur bestead, 
Thou's be as braw and bienly clad. 
And thy young years as nicely bred 

Wi' education. 
As ony brat o' wedlock's bed, 

In a' thy station. 

Lord grant that thou may aye inherit 
Thy mither's person, grace, an' merit. 
An' thy f)oor, worthless daddy's spirit. 

Without his failins. 
Twill please me mair to see thee heir it, 

Than stockit mailens. 



POEMS AND SONGS 57 

For if thou be what I wad hae thee, 
And tak the counsel I shall gie thee, 
I'll never rue my trouble wi' thee. 

The cost nor shame o't, 
But be a loving father to thee, 

And brag the name o't. 

SONG— O LEAVE NOVELS ' 

O LEAVE novels, ye Mauchline belles, 

Ye're safer at your spinning-wheel; 
Such witching books are baited hooks 

For rakish rooks, like Rob Mossgiel; 
Your fine Tom Jones and Grandisons, 

Tliey make your youthful fancies reel; 
They heat your brains, and fire your veins, 

And then you're prey for Rob Mossgiel. 

Beware a tongue that's smoothly hung, 

A heart that warmly seems to feel; 
That feeling heart but acts a part — 

'Tis rakish art in Rob Mossgiel. 
The frank address, the soft caress, 

Are worse than poisoned darts of steel; 
The frank address, and politesse, 

Are all finesse in Rob Mossgiel. 

FRAGMENT— THE MAUCHLINE LADY 

Tune — "\ had a horse, I had nac mair." 

When first I came to Stewart Kyle, 

My mind it was na steady; 
Where'er I gaed, where'er I rade, 

A mistress still I had aye. 

But when I came roun' by Mauchline toun, 

Not dreadin anybody, 
My heart was caught, before I thought. 

And by a Mauchline lady. 

' Burns never published this poem. 



58 ROBERT BURNS 

FRAGMENT— MY GIRL SHE'S AIRY 

^«n<^— "Black Jock." 

My girl she's airy, she's buxom and gay; 
Her breath is as sweet as the blossoms in May; 

A touch of her lips it ravishes quite: 
She's always good natur'd, good humour'd, and free; 
She dances, she glances, she smiles upon me; 

I never am happy when out of her sight. 

THE BELLES OF MAUCHLINE 

In Mauchline there dwells six proper young belles. 
The pride of the place and its neighbourhood a'; 

Their carriage and dress, a stranger would guess. 
In Lon'on or Paris, they'd gotten it a'. 

Miss Miller is fine, Miss Markland's divine. 

Miss Smith she has wit, and Miss Betty is braw: 

TTiere's beauty and fortune to get wi' Miss Morton, 
But Armour's the jewel for me o' them a*. 

EPITAPH ON A NOISY POLEMIC 

Below thir stanes lie Jamie's banes; 

O Death, it's my opinion. 
Thou ne'er took such a bleth'rin bitch 

Into thy dark dominion! 

EPITAPH ON A HENPECKED COUNTRY SQUIRE 

As father Adam first was fool'd, 
(A case that's still too common,) 

Here lies a man a woman ruled. 
The devil ruled the woman. 

EPIGRAM ON THE SAID OCCASION 

O Death, had'st thou but spar'd his life, 

Whom we this day lament. 
We freely wad exchanged the wife, 

And a' been weel content. 



POEMS AND SONGS 59 

Ev'n as he is, cauld in his graft, 

The swap we yet will do't; 
Tak thou the carlin's carcase aH, 

Thou'se get the saul o' boot. 

ANOTHER 

One Queen Artemisia, as old stories tell. 
When deprived of her husband she loved so well, 
In respect for the love and affection he show'd her. 
She reduc'd him to dust and she drank up the pwwder. 
But Queen Netherplace, of a diff'rent complexion, 
When called on to order the fun'ral direction, 
Would have eat her dead lord, on a slender pretence. 
Not to show her rcsfx:ct, but — to save the expense! 

ON TAM THE CHAPMAN 

As Tarn the chapman on a day, 

Wi' Death forgather'd by the way, 

Wecl pleas'd, he greets a wight so famous, 

And Death was nae less pleas'd wi' Thomas, 

Wha cheerfully lays down his pack. 

And there blaws up a hearty crack: 

His social, friendly, honest heart 

Sae tickled Death, they could na part; 

Sac, after viewing knives and garters, 

Death taks him hame to gic him quarters. 

EPITAPH ON JOHN RANKINE 

Ae day, as Death, that gruesome carl. 
Was driving to the tither warl' 
A mixtie-maxtie motley squad. 
And mony a guilt-bespotted lad — 
Black gowns of each denomination. 
And thieves of every rank and station, 
From him that wears the star and garter, 
To him that wintles in a halter: 
Ashamed himself to see the wretches. 
He mutters, glowrin at the bitches. 



60 ROBERT BURNS 

"By God I'll not be seen behint them, 
Nor 'mang the sp'ritual core present them, 
Without, at least, ae honest man, 
To grace this damn'd infernal clan!" 
By Adamhill a glance he threw, 
"Lord (jod!" quoth he, "I have it now; 
There's just the man I want, i* faith!" 
And quickly stoppit Rankine's breath. 

LINES ON THE AUTHOR'S DEATH 

WRITTEN WITH THE SUPPOSED VIEW OF BEING HANDED TO 
R.\NKINE AFTER THE POEt's INTERMENT 

He who of Rankine sang, lies stifT and dead, 
And a green grassy hillock hides his head; 
Alas! alas! a devilish change indeed. 

MAN WAS MADE TO MOURN 

A DIRGE 

When chill November's surly blast 

Made fields and forests bare. 
One cv'ning, as I wander'd forth 

Along the banks of Ayr, 
I spied a man, whose aged step 

Seem'd weary, worn with care; 
His face was furrow'd o'er with years. 

And hoary was his hair. 

"Young stranger, whither wand'rest thou.'" 

Began the rev'rend sage; 
"Docs thirst of wealth thy step constrain, 

Or youthful pleasure's rage.' 
Or haply, prest with cares and woes. 

Too soon thou hast began 
To wander forth, with me to mourn 

TTie miseries of man. 

"The sun that overhangs yon moors, 
Out-spreading far and wide. 

Where hundreds labour to support 
A haughty lordling's pride; — 



POEMS AND SONGS 

I've seen yon weary winter-sun 

Twice forty times return; 
And ev'ry time has added proofs, 

That man was made to mourn. 

"O man! while in thy early years, 

How prodigal of time! 
Mis-spending all thy precious hours — 

Thy glorious, youthful prime! 
Alternate follies take the sway. 

Licentious passions burn; 
Which tenfold force gives Nature's law. 

That man was made to mourn. 

"Look not alone on youthful prime, 
Or manhood's active might; 

Man then is useful to his kind, 
SupfKjrted in his right: 

But see him on the edge of life, 
With cares and sorrows worn; 

Then Age and Want — oh! ill-match'd pair- 
Shew man was made to mourn. 

"A few seem favourites of fate, 

In pleasure's lap carest; 
Yet, think not all the rich and great 

Are likewise truly blest: 
But oh! what crowds in ev'ry land, 

All wretched and forlorn, 
Thro' weary life this lesson learn. 

That man was made to mourn. 

"Many and sharp the num'rous ills 

Inwoven with our frame! 
More pointed still we make ourselves, 

Regret, remorse, and shame! 
And man, whose heav'n-crected face 

TTie smiles of love adorn, — 
Man's inhumanity to man 

Makes countless thousands mourni 



6i 



62 ROBERT BURNS 

"See yonder jxxjr, o'erlabour'd wight, 

So abject, mean, and vile. 
Who begs a brother of the earth 

To give him leave to toil; 
And see his lordly fellow-worm 

The poor petition spurn, 
Unmindful, tho' a weeping wife 

And helpless offspring mourn. 

"If I'm design'd yon lordling's slave. 

By Nature's law design'd. 
Why was an independent wish 

E'er planted in my mind? 
If not, why am I subject to 

His cruelty, or scorn? 
Or why has man the will and pww'r 

To make his fellow mourn? 

"Yet, let not this too much, my son. 

Disturb thy youthful breast: 
This partial view of human-kind 

Is surely not the last! 
The jxxjr, oppressed, honest man 

Had never, sure, been born. 
Had there not been some recompense 

To comfort those that mourn! 

"O Death! the poor man's dearest friend. 

The kindest and the best! 
Welcome the hour my aged limbs 

Are laid with thee at rest! 
The great, the wealthy fear thy blow 

From pomp and pleasure torn; 
But, oh! a blest relief for those 

That weary-laden mourn!" 



POEMS AND SONGS 63 



THE TWA HERDS; OR, THE HOLY TULYIE 

AN UNCO MOURNFU' TALE 

"Blockheads with reason wicked wits abhor, 
But (ool with fool is barbarous civil war." — Pope. 

O a' ye pious godly flocks, 
Weel fed on pastures orthodox, 
Wha now will keep you frae the fox, 

Or worrying tykes? 
Or wha will tent the waifs an' crocks. 

About the dykes.' 

The twa best herds in a' the wast. 
That e'er ga'e gospel horn a blast 
These five an' twenty simmers past — 

Oh, dool to tell! 
Hae had a bitter black out-cast 

Atween themsel'. 

O, Moodie,' man, an' wordy Russell,* 
How could you raise so vile a busde; 
Ye'll see how New-Light herds will whistle. 

An' think it fine! 
The Lord's cause ne'er gat sic a twistle, 

Sin' I hae min*. 

O, sirs! whae'er wad hae expeckit 

Your duty ye wad sac negleckit. 

Ye wha were ne'er by lairds respeckit 

To wear the plaid; 
But by the brutes themselves eleckit, 

To be their guide. 

What flock wi' Moodie's flock could rank.' — 
Sac hale and hearty every shank ! 
Nae poison'd soor Arminian stank 

He let them taste; 
Frae Calvin's well, aye clear, they drank, — 

O, sic a feast! 
' Rev. Mr. Moodie of Rjccarton. ' Rev. John Russell of Kilmarnock. 



64 ROBERT BURNS 

The thummart, willcat, brock, an' tod, 
Wecl kend his voice thro' a' the wood, 
He smell'd their ilka hole an' road, 

Baith out an in; 
An* weel he lik'd to shed their bluid. 

An' sell their skin. 

What herd hke Russell tell'd his tale; 
His voice was heard thro' muir and dale, 
He kenn'd the Lord's sheep, ilka tail, 

Owre a' the height; 
An' saw gin they were sick or hale. 

At the first sight. 

He fine a mangy sheep could scrub. 

Or nobly fling the gospel club. 

And New-Light herds could nicely drub 

Or pay their skin; 
Could shake them o'er the burning dub. 

Or heave them in. 

Sic twa — O! do I live to see't? — 
Sic famous twa should disagree't. 
And names, like "villain," "hypocrite," 

Ilk ither gi'en. 
While New-Light herds, wi' laughin spite. 

Say neither's liein! 

A' ye wha tent the gospel fauld, 
There's Duncan' deep, an' Peebles* shaul. 
But chiefly thou, apostle Auld,' 

We trust in thee. 
That thou wilt work them, het an' cauld. 

Till they agree. 

Consider, sirs, how we're beset; 
There's scarce a new herd that we get, 
But comes frae 'mang that cursed set, 

I winna name; 
I hope frae heav'n to see them yet 

In fiery flame. 

* Dr. Robert Duncan of Dundonald. * Rev. Wm. Peebles of Newton-on-Ayr. 
' Rev. Wm. Auld of Mauchline. 



POEMS AND SONGS 65 

Dalrymple' has been lang our fae, 
M'Gill' has wrought us meikle wae, 
An' that curs'd rascal ca'd M'Quhae,' 

And baith the Shaws,' 
That aft hae made us black an' blae, 

Wi' vengefu' paws. 

Auld Wodrow" lang has hatch'd mischief; 
We thought aye death wad bring relief; 
But he has gotten, to our grief, 

Ane to succeed him," 
A chield wha'U soundly buff our beef; 

I meikle dread him. 

And mony a ane that I could tell, 
Wha fain wad openly rebel, 
Forby turn-coats amang oursel', 

There's Smith" for ane; 
I doubt he's but a grey nick quill. 

An' that ye'll fin*. 

O! a' ye flocks o'er a' the hills, 

By mosses, meadows, moors, and fells, 

Come, join your counsel and your skills 

To cowe the lairds, 
An' get the brutes the power themsel's 

To choose their herds. 

Then Orthodoxy yet may prance, 
An' Learning in a woody dance, 
An' that fell cur ca'd Common Sense, 

That bites sac sair, 
Be banished o'er the sea to France: 

Let him bark there. 

Then Shaw's an' D'rymple's eloquence, 
M'Gill's close nervous excellence 

• Rev. Dr. Dalr>'mple of Ayr. ' Rev. Wm. M'Gill, colleaKUC of Dr. Dalrymple. 

'Minister of St. Quivox. 'Dr. Andrew Shaw of Craipe, and Dr. David Shaw of 
Coylton. '"Dr. Peter Wodrow of T.irbolton. "Rev. John M"Math, a youni; 
assistant and successor to Wodrow. " Rev. Gcorcc Smith of Galston. 



66 ROBERT BURNS 

M'Quhae's pathetic manly sense, 
An' guid M'Math, 

Wi' Smith, wha thro' the heart can glance, 
May a' pack afl. 

EPISTLE TO DAVIE, A BROTHER POET 

January 

While winds frae afl Ben-Lomond blaw. 
An' bar the doors wi' driving snaw. 

An' hing us owre the ingle, 
I set me down to pass the time. 
An' spin a verse or twa o' rhyme. 

In hamely, westlin jingle. 
While frosty winds blaw in the drift, 

Ben to the chimla lug, 
I grudge a wee the great-folk's gift. 
That live sae bien an' snug: 
I tent less, and want less 
Their roomy fire-side; 
But hanker, and canker, 
To see their cursed pride. 

It's hardly in a body's pow'r 

To keep, at times, frae being sour. 

To see how things are shar'd; 
How best o' chiels are whiles in want. 
While coofs on countless thousands rant, 

And ken na how to wair't; 
But, Davie, lad, ne'er fash your head, 

Tho' we hae little gear; 
We're fit to win our daily bread. 
As lang's we're hale and fier: 
"Mair spier na, nor fear na,"' 
Auld age ne'er mind a feg; 
The last o't, the warst o't 
Is only but to beg. 

To lie in kilns and barns at e'en. 
When banes are craz'd, and bluid is thin, 
Is, doubtless, great distress! 
'Ramsay.— R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 67 

Yet then content could make us blest; 
Ev'n then, sometimes, we'd snatch a taste 

Of truest happiness. 
The honest heart that's free frae a' 

Intended fraud or guile, 
However Fortune kick the ba', 
Has aye some cause to smile; 
An' mind still, you'll find still, 

A comfort this nae sma'; 
Nae mair then we'll care then, 
Nae farther can we fa'. 

What tho', like conmioners of air. 
We wander out, we know not where, 

But either house or hal'. 
Yet nature's charms, the hills and woods, 
The sweeping vales, and foaming floods. 

Are free alike to all. 
In days when daisies deck the ground, 

And blackbirds whisde clear. 
With honest joy our hearts will bound, 
To sec the coming year: 

On braes when we please, then. 

We'll sit an* sowth a tune; 
Syne rhyme till't we'll time till't. 
An' sing't when we hae done. 

It's no in tides nor in rank; 

It's no in wealth like Lon'on bank. 

To purchase peace and rest: 
It's no in makin' muckle, mair; 
It's no in books, it's no in lear, 

To make us truly blest: 
If happiness hac not her seat 

An' centre in the breast. 
We may be wise, or rich, or great. 
But never can be blest; 
Nae treasures, nor pleasures 

Could make us happy lang; 
The heart aye's the part aye 
That makes us right or wrang. 



68 ROBERT BURNS 

Think ye, that sic as you and I, 

Wha drudge an' drive thro' wet and dry, 

Wi' never-ceasing toil; 
Think ye, are we less blest than they, 
Wha scarcely tent us in their way. 

As hardly worth their while? 
Alas! how aft in haughty mood, 

God's creatures they oppress! 
Or else, neglecting a' that's guid. 
They riot in excess! 

Baith careless and fearless 

Of either heaven or hell; 
Esteeming and deeming 
It's a' an idle tale! 

Then let us cheerfu* acquiesce. 
Nor make our scanty pleasures less. 

By pining at our state: 
And, even should misfortunes come, 
I, here wha sit, hae met wi' some — 

An's thankfu' for them yet. 
They gie the wit of age to youth; 

They let us ken ourscl'; 
They make us see the naked truth. 
The real guid and ill: 
Tho' losses an' crosses 

Be lessons right severe. 
There's wit there, yc'U get there, 
Ye'll find nae other where. 

But tent me, Davie, ace o' hearts! 

(To say aught less wad wrang the cartes, 

And flatt'ry I detest) 
This life has joys for you and I; 
An' joys that riches ne'er could buy, 

An' joys the very best. 
There's a' the pleasures o' the heart, 

The lover an' the frien'; 
Ye hae your Meg, your dearest part, 

And I my darling Jean! 



POEMS AND SONGS 69 

It warms me, it charms me, 

To mention but her name: 
It heats me, it beets me, 

An' sets me a' on flame! 

O all ye Pow'rs who rule above! 
O Thou whose very self art lovel 

Thou know'st my words sincere! 
The life-blood streaming thro' my heart, 
Or my more dear immortal part, 

Is not more fondly dear! 
When heart-corroding care and grief 

Deprive my soul of rest, 
Her dear idea brings relief. 
And solace to my breast. 
Thou Being, All-seeing, 

O hear my fervent pray'r; 
Still take her, and make her 
Thy most peculiar care! 

All hail! ye tender feelings dear! 
The smile of love, the friendly tear. 

The sympathetic glow! 
Long since, this world's thorny ways 
Had number'd out my weary days. 

Had it not been for you! 
Fate still has blest me with a friend. 

In ev'ry care and ill; 
And oft a more endearing band — 
A tie more tender still. 
It lightens, it brightens 
The tenebrific scene. 
To meet with, and greet with 
My Davie, or my Jean! 

O, how that name inspires my style! 
The words come skelpin, rank an' file, 

Amaist before I ken! 
The ready measure rins as fine. 
As Phoebus an' the famous Nine 

Were glowrin owre my pen. 



yO ROBERT BURNS 

My sfaviet Pegasus will limp, 

Till ance he's fairly net; 
And then he'll hilch, and stilt, an' jimp, 
And rin an unco fit: 

But least then the beast then 
Should rue this hasty ride, 
111 light now, and dight now 
His sweaty, wizen'd hide. 

HOLY WILLIE'S PRAYER 

"And send the godly in a pet to pray." — Pope. 

Akcument. — Holy Willie was a ratlier oldish bachelor elder, in the parish of 
Mauchlinc, and much and justly famed for that polemical chaltcrinK. which ends in 
tippling orthodoxy, and for that spirituali/xKl bawdry which rctincs to liquorish 
devotion. In a sessional process with a gentleman in Mauchline — a Mr. Gavin 
Hamilton — Holy Willie and his priest. Father Auld, after full hearing in the presbytery 
of Ayr, came off but second best; owing partly to the oratorical powers of Mr. 
Robert Aiken, Mr. Hamilton's counsel; but chiefly to Mr. Hamilton's being one of 
the most irreproachable and truly respectable characters in the county. On losing the 
process, the muse overheard him [Holy Willie] at his devotions, as follows; — 

Thou, who in the heavens does dwell, 
Who, as it pleases best Thysel', 

Sends ane to heaven an' ten to hell, 

A' for Thy glory. 
And no for ony gude or ill 

They've done afore Thee! 

1 bless and praise Thy matchless might. 
When thousands Thou hast left in night. 
That I am here afore Thy sight. 

For gifts an' grace 
A burning and a shining light 

To a' this place. 

What was I, or my generation. 
That I should get sic exaltation, 
I wha deserve most just damnation 

For broken laws. 
Five thousand years ere my creation. 

Thro' Adam's cause? 



POEMS AND SONGS 7 1 

When frae my mither's womb I fell, 
Thou might hae plunged me in hell, 
To gnash my gums, to weep and wail, 

In burnin lakes, 
Where damned devils roar and yell, 

Chain'd to their stakes. 

Yet I am here a chosen sample. 

To show thy grace is great and ample; 

I'm here a pillar o' Thy temple, 

Strong as a rock, 
A guide, a buckler, and example. 

To a' Thy flock. 

O Lord, Thou kens what zeal I bear, 
When drinkers drink, an' swearers swear. 
An' singin there, an' dancin here, 

Wi' great and sma'; 
For I am keepit by Thy fear 

Free frae them a'. 

But yet, O Lord! confess I must. 
At times I'm fash'd wi' fleshly lust: 
An' sometimes, too, in warldly trust. 

Vile self gets in; 
But Thou remembers we are dust, 

Defil'd wi' sin. 

O Lord! yestreen, Thou kens, wi' Meg^ 
Thy pardon I sincerely beg, 
O! may't ne'er be a livin plague 

To my dishonour. 
An' I'll ne'er lift a lawless leg 

Again upon her. 

Besides, I farther maun allow, 

Wi' Leezie's lass, three times I trow — 

But Lord, that Friday I was fou. 

When I cam near her; 
Or else. Thou kens. Thy servant true 

Wad never steer her. 



72 ROBERT BURNS 

Maybe Thou lets this fleshly thorn 

Buffet Thy servant e'en and morn. 

Lest he owre proud and high shou'd turn, 

That he's sae gifted: 
If sae, Thy han' maun e'en be borne. 

Until Thou lift it. 

Lord, bless Thy chosen in this place. 
For here Thou hast a chosen race: 
But God confound their stubborn face. 

An' blast their name, 
Wha bring Thy elders to disgrace 

An' public shame. 

Lord, mind Gaw'n Hamilton's deserts; 
He drinks, an' swears, an' plays at cartes, 
Yet has sae mony takin arts, 

Wi' great and sma', 
Frae God's ain priest the {people's hearts 

He steals awa. 

An* when we chasten'd him therefor. 
Thou kens how he bred sic a splore, 
An' set the warld in a roar 

O' laughing at us; — 
Curse Thou his basket and his store. 

Kail an' potatoes. 

Lord, hear my earnest cry and pray'r. 

Against that Presbyt'ry o' Ayr; 

Thy strong right hand. Lord, make it bare 

Ujx)' their heads; 
Lord visit them, an' dinna spare. 

For their misdeeds. 

O Lord, my God! that glib-tongu'd Aiken, 

My vera heart and flesh are quakin, 

To think how we stood sweatin', shakin, 

An' p — 'd wi' dread, 
While he, wi' hingin lip an* snakin. 

Held up his head. 



POEMS AND SONGS 73 

Lord, in Thy day o' vengeance try him. 
Lord, visit them wha did employ him, 
And pass not in Thy mercy by 'em. 

Nor hear their pray'r, 
But for Thy people's sake, destroy 'em. 

An' dinna spare. 

But, Lord, remember me an' mine 
Wi' mercies temp'ral an' divine. 
That I for grace an' gear may shine, 

Excell'd by nane, 
And a' the glory shall be thine, 

Amen, Amen! 



EPITAPH ON HOLY WILLIE 



Here Holy Willie's sair worn clay 

Tales up its last abode; 
His saul has ta'en some other way, 

I fear, the left-hand road. 

Stop! there he is, as sure's a gun. 

Poor, silly body, see him; 
Nae wonder he's as black's the grun. 

Observe wha's standing wi' him. 

Your brunstane devilship, 1 see. 
Has got him there before ye; 

But baud your nine-tail cat a wee, 
Till ance you've heard my story. 

Your pity I will not implore. 

For pity ye have nane; 
Justice, alas! has gi'en him o'er. 

And mercy's day is gane. 

But hear me. Sir, deil as ye are. 
Look something to your credit; 

A coof like him wad stain your name, 
If it were kent ye did it. 



74 ROBERT BURNS 

DEATH AND DOCTOR HORNBOOK 

A TRUE STORY 

Some books are lies frae end to end, 
And some great lies were never penn'd: 
Ev'n ministers they hae been kenn'd, 

In holy rapture, 
A rousing whid at times to vend. 

And nail't wi' Scripture. 

But this that I am gaun to tell, 
Which lately on a night befell, 
Is just as true's the Deil's in hell 

Or Dublin city: 
That e'er he nearer comes oursel' 

'S a muckle pity. 

The clachan yill had made me canty, 

I was na fou, but just had plenty; 

I stacher'd whiles, but yet took tent aye 

To free the ditches; 
An' hillocks, stanes, an' bushes, kenn'd aye 

Frae ghaists an' witches. 

The rising moon began to glowre 
The distant Cumnock hills out-owre: 
To count her horns, wi* a' my pow'r, 

I set mysel'; 
But whether she had three or four, 

I cou'd na tell. 

I was come round about the hill. 
An' todlin down on Willie's mill. 
Setting my staff wi' a' my skill. 

To keep me sicker; 
The' leeward whiles, against my will, 

I took a bicker. 

I there wi' Something did forgather, 
That pat me in an eerie swither; 



POEMS AND SONGS 75 

An' awfu' scythe, out-owre ae shouther, 

Clear-dangling, hang; 
A three-tae'd leister on the ither 

Lay, large an' lang. 

Its stature seem'd lang Scotch ells twa, 
The queerest shape that e'er I saw, 
For fient a wame it had ava; 

And then its shanks. 
They were as thin, as sharp an' sma' 

As cheeks o' branks. 

"Guid-een," quo' I; "Friend! hae ye been mawin, 
When ither folk are busy sawin!" ' 
It seem'd to make a kind o' stan'. 

But naething spak; 
At length, says I, "Friend! whare yc gaun? 

Will ye go back?" 

It spak right howe, — "My name is Death, 
But be na fley'd." — Quoth I, "Guid faith, 
Ye're maybe come to stap my breath; 

But tent me, billie; 
I red ye weel, tak care o' skaith. 

See, there's a gully!" 

"Gudeman," quo' he, "put up your whittle, 
I'm no designed to try its mettle; 
But if I did, I wad be kittle 

To be mislear'd; 
I wad na mind it, no that spitde 

Out-owre my beard." 

"Weel, weell" says I, "a bargain be't; 
Come, gie's your hand, an' sae we're gree't; 
We'll ease our shanks an tak a seat — 

Come, gie's your news; 
This while ye hae been mony a gate, 

At mony a house." ' 

'This rencontre happened in seed-time, 1785. — R. B. 
' An epidemical fever was then raging in that countr>'. — R. B. 



76 ROBERT BURNS 

"Ay, ay !" quo' he, an' shook his head, 
"It's e'en a lang, lang time indeed 
Sin' I began to nick the thread, 

An' choke the breath: 
Folk maun do something for their bread, 
An' sae maun Death. 

"Sax thousand years are near-hand fled 
Sin' I was to the hutching bred, 
An' mony a scheme in vain's been laid, 

To stap or scar me; 
Till ane Hornbook's' ta'en up the trade. 

And faith! he'll waur me. 

"Ye ken Jock Hornbook i' the dachan, 
Deil mak his king's-hood in a splcuchan! 
He's grown sae weel acquaint wi' Buchan* 

And ither chaps, 
The weans haud out their fingers laughin, 

An' pouk my hips. 

"See, here's a scythe, an' there's a dart. 
They hae pierc'd mony a gallant heart; 
But Doctor Hornbook, wi' his art 

An' cursed skill. 
Has made them baith no worth a f — t, 

Damn'd haet they'll kill! 

" "Twas but yestreen, nae farther gane, 
I threw a noble throw at ane; 
Wi' less, I'm sure, I've hundreds slain; 

But deil-ma-care. 
It just play'd dirl on the bane. 

But did nae mair. 

"Hornbook was by, wi' ready art. 
An' had sae fortify 'd the part, 

' This gentleman, Dr. Hornbook, is professionally a brother of the sovereign Order 
of the Ferula; but, by intuition and inspiration, is at once an apothecary, surgeon, 
and physician. — R. B. * Buchan's Domestic Medicine. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 77 

That when I looked to my dart, 

It was sae blunt, 
Fient haet o't wad hae pierc'd the heart 

Of a kail-runt. 

"I drew my scythe in sic a fury, 
I near-hand cowpit wi' my hurry, 
But yet the bauld Apothecary 

Withstood the shock; 
I might as weel hae tried a quarry 

O' hard whin rock. 

"Ev'n them he canna get attended, 
Altho' their face he ne'er had kend it, 
Just in a kail-blade, an' send it. 

As soon's he smells 't, 
Baith their disease, and what will mend it. 

At once he tells *t. 

"And then, a' doctor's saws an' whitdes. 
Of a' dimensions, shaf>es, an' metdes, 
A' kind o' boxes, mugs, an' botdes. 

He's sure to hae; 
Their Latin names as fast he ratdes 

As A B C. 

"Calces o* fossils, earths, and trees; 
True sal-marinum o' the seas; 
The farina of beans an' pease. 

He has't in plenty; 
Aqua-fontis, what you please. 

He can content ye. 

"Forbye some new, uncommon weapons, 
Urinus spiritus of capons; 
Or mite-horn shavings, filings, scrapings, 

Distill'd per se; 
Sal-alkali o' midge-tail clippings. 

And mony mae." 



78 ROBERT BURNS 

"Waes me for Johnie Ged's' Hole now," 
Quoth I, "if that thae news be true! 
His braw calf-ward whare gowans grew, 

Sae white and bonic, 
Nae doubt they'll rive it wi' the plew; 

They'll ruin Johniel" 

The creature grain'd an eldritch laugh. 
And says "Ye needna yoke the pleugh, 
Kirkyards will soon be till'd enough, 

Tak ye nae fear: 
They 11 a' be trench'd wi' mony a sheugh, 

In twa-three year. 

"Whare I kill'd ane, a fair strae-death, 
By loss o' blood or want of breath, 
This night I'm free to tak my aith. 

That Hornbook's skill 
Has clad a score i' their last claith, 

By drap an' pill. 

"An honest wabster to his trade, 
Whase wife's twa nieves were scarce weel-bred 
Gat tippence-worth to mend her head, 

When it was sair; 
The wife slade cannie to her bed. 

But ne'er spak mair. 

"A country laird had ta'en the batts. 
Or some curmurring in his guts. 
His only son for Hornbook sets. 

An' pays him well: 
The lad, for twa guid gimmer-pets, 

Was laird himsel'. 

"A bonie lass — ye kend her name — 
Some ill-brewn drink had hov'd her wame; 
She trusts hersel', to hide the shame. 
In Hornbook's care; 
Horn sent her aff to her lang hame, 
To hide it there. 
*The grave-digger. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 79 

"That's just a swatch o' Hornbook's way; 
Thus goes he on from day to day, 
Thus does he poison, kill, an' slay, 

An's weel paid for't; 
Yet stops me o' my lawfu' prey, 

Wi' his damn'd dirt: 

"But, hark! HI tell you of a plot, 
Tho' dinna ye be speakin o't; 
I'll nail the self-conceited sot. 

As dead's a herrin; 
Neist time we meet, I'll wad a groat, 

He gets his fairin!" 

But just as he began to tell. 

The auld kirk-hammer strak the bell 

Some wee short hour ayont the twal'. 

Which rais'd us baith: 
I took the way that pleas'd mysel', 

And sae did Death. 



EPISTLE TO J. LAPRAIK, AN OLD SCOTTISH BARD 

APRIL I, 1785 

While briers an' woodbines budding green, 
An' paitricks scraichin loud at e'en. 
An' morning poussie whiddin seen. 

Inspire my muse. 
This freedom, in an unknown frien', 

I pray excuse. 

On Fasten-e'en we had a rockin, 

To ca' the crack and weave our stockin; 

And there was muckle fun and jokin. 

Ye need na doubt; 
At length we had a hearty yokin 

At sang about. 

There was ae sang, amang the rest, 
Aboon them a' it pleas'd me best. 



8o ROBERT BURNS 

T^at some kind husband had addrest 

To some sweet wife; 

It thirl'd the heart-strings thro' the breast, 
A' to the life. 

I've scarce heard ought describ'd sae weel, 
What gen'rous, manly bosoms feel; 
Thought I "Can this be Pope, or Steele, 

Or Beattie's wark?" 
They tauld me 'twas an odd kind chiel 

About Muirkirk. 

It f)at me fidgin-fain to hear't. 
An' sae about him there I speir't; 
Then a' that kent him round declar'd 

He had ingine; 
That nane excell'd it, few cam near't. 

It was sae fine: 

That, set him to a pint of ale. 

An' either douce or merry tale. 

Or rhymes an' sangs he'd made himsel, 

Or witty catches — 
'Tween Inverness an' Teviotdale, 

He had few matches. 

Then up I gat, an' swoor an aith, 

Tho' I should pawn my plough an' graith, 

Or die a cadger pownie's death, 

At some dyke-back, 
A pint an' gill I'd gie them baith. 

To hear your crack. 

But, first an' foremost, I should tell, 
Amaist as soon as I could sjjell, 
I to the crambo-jingle fell; 

Tho' rude an' rough — 
Yet crooning to a body's sel' 

Does weel eneugh. 

I am nae poet, in a sense; 

But just a rhymer like by chance, 



POEMS AND SONGS 

An' hae to learning nae pretence; 

Yet, what the matter? 
Whene'er my muse does on me glance, 

I jingle at her. 

Your critic-folk may cock their nose, 
And say, "How can you e'er propose. 
You wha ken hardly verse frae prose. 
To mak a sang?" 
But, by your leaves, my learned foes, 
Ye're maybe wrang. 

What's a' your jargon o' your schools — 
Your Latin names for horns an' stools? 
If honest Nature made you fools, 

What sairs your grammars? 
Ye'd better taen up spades and shools. 

Or knappin-hammers. 

A set o' dull, conceited hashes 
Confuse their brains in college classes! 
They gang in stirks, and come out asses, 

Plain truth to speak; 
An' syne they think to climb Parnassus 

By dint o' Greek! 

Gie me ae spark o' nature's fire. 
That's a' the learning I desire; 
Then tho' I drudge thro' dub an' mire 

At pleugh or cart. 
My muse, tho' hamely in attire. 

May touch the heart. 

O for a spunk o' Allan's glee. 
Or Fergusson's, the bauld an' slee. 
Or bright Lapraik's, my friend to be. 

If I can hit it! 
That would be lear eneugh for me. 

If I could get it. 



8i 



82 ROBERT BURNS 

Now, sir, if ye hae friends enow, 
The' real friends, I b'lieve, are few; 
Yet, if your catalogue be fu', 
I'se no insist: 
But, gif ye want ae friend that's true, 
I'm on your list. 

I winna blaw about mysel, 

As ill I like my fauts to tell; 

But friends, an' folk that wish me well, 

They sometimes roose me; 
Tho* I maun own, as mony still 

As far abuse me. 

There's ae wee faut they whiles lay to me, 
I like the lasses — Gude forgie me! 
For mony a plack they wheedle frae me 

At dance or fair; 
Maybe some ither thing they gie me. 

They weel can spare. 

But Mauchline Race, or Mauchline Fair, 
I should be proud to meet you there; 
We'se gie ae night's discharge to care. 

If we forgather; 
An' hae a swap o' rhymin-ware 

Wi' ane anither. 

The four-gill chap, we'se gar him clatter, 
An' kirsen him wi' reekin water; 
Syne we'll sit down an' tak our whitter. 

To cheer our heart; 
An' faith, we'se be acquainted better 

Before we part. 

Awa ye selfish, war'ly race, 

Wha think that havins, sense, an' grace, 

Ev'n love an' friendship should give place 

To catch-the-plack ! 
I dinna like to see your face. 

Nor hear your crack. 



POEMS AND SONGS 83 

But ye whom social pleasure charms 
Whose hearts the tide of kindness warms, 
Who hold your being on the terms, 

"Each aid the others," 
Come to my bowl, come to my arms. 

My friends, my brothers! 

But, to conclude my lang episde. 
As my auld pen's worn to the gristle, 
Twa lines frae you wad gar me flssle. 

Who am, most fervent. 
While I can either sing or whistle, 

Your friend and servant. 



SECOND EPISTLE TO J. LAPRAIK 

APRIL 21, 1785 

While new-ca'd kye rowte at the stake 
An' pownies reek in pleugh or braik, 
This hour on e'enin's edge I take. 

To own I'm debtor 
To honest-hearted, auld Lapraik, 

For his kind letter. 

Forjesket sair, with weary legs, 
Ratdin the corn out-owre the rigs, 
Or dealing thro' amang the naigs 

Their ten-hours' bite, 
My awkart Muse sair pleads and begs 

I would na write. 

The tapedess, ramfeezl'd hizzie. 
She's saft at best an' something lazy: 
Quo' she, "Ye ken we've been sae busy 

This month an' mair. 
That trowth, my head is grown right dizzie, 

An' something sair." 



Her dowfl excuses pat me mad; 
"Conscience," says I, "ye thowless jade! 



84 ROBERT BURNS 

I'll write, an' that a hearty blaud. 
This vera night; 

So dinna ye affront your trade, 

But rhyme it right. 

"Shall bauld Lapraik, the king o' hearts, 
Tho' mankind were a pack o' cartes, 
Roose you sae weel for your deserts. 

In terms sae friendly; 
Yet ye'U neglect to shaw your parts 

An* thank him kindly?" 

Sae I gat paper in a blink. 

An' down gaed stumpie in the ink: 

Quoth I, "Before I sleep a wink, 

I vow I'll close it; 
An' if ye winna mak it clink, 

By Jove, I'll prose it!" 

Sae I've begun to scrawl, but whether 
In rhyme, or prose, or baith thcgither; 
Or some hotch-potch that's rightly neither, 

Let time mak proof; 
But I shall scribble down some blether 

Just clean afl-loof. 

My worthy friend, ne'er grudge an' carp, 
Tho' fortune use you hard an' sharp; 
Come, kitde up your moorland harp 

Wi' gleesome touch! 
Ne'er mind how Fortune waft and warp; 

She's but a bitch. 

She's gien me mony a jirt an' fleg. 
Sin' I could striddle owre a rig; 
But, by the Lord, tho' I should beg 

Wi' lyart pow, 
I'll laugh an' sing, an' shake my leg. 

As lang's I dow! 



POEMS AND SONGS fig 

Now comes the sax-an'-twentieth simmer 
I've seen the bud upon the timmer, 
Still persecuted by the limmcr 

Frae year to year; 
But yet, despite the kittle kimmer, 

I, Rob, am here. 

Do ye envy the city gent, 

Behint a kist to lie an' sklent; 

Or purse-proud, big wi' cent, per cent. 

An' muckle wame, 
In some bit brugh to represent 

A bailie's name? 

Or is't the paughty, feudal thane, 
Wi' ruffl'd sark an' glancing cane, 
Wha thinks himsel nae sheejvshank bane. 

But lordly stalks; 
While caps and bonnets aff are taen, 

As by he walks? 

"O Thou wha gies us each guid gift! 

Gie me o' wit an' sense a lift. 

Then turn me, if thou please, adrift. 

Thro' Scodand wide; 
Wi' cits nor lairds I wadna shift, 
In a' their pride!" 

Were this the charter of our state, 
"On pain o' hell be rich an' great," 
Damnation then would be our fate. 

Beyond remead; 
But, thanks to heaven, that's no the gate 

We learn our creed. 

For thus the royal mandate ran, 
When first the human race began; 
"The social, friendly, honest man, 

Whate'er he be — 
Tis he fulfils great Nature's plan. 

And none but he." 



86 ROBERT BURNS 

mandate glorious and divine! 
The ragged followers o' the Nine, 
Poor, thoughdess devils! yet may shine 

In glorious light, 
While sordid sons o' Mammon's line 
Are dark as night! 

Tho' here they scrape, an' squeeze, an' growl, 
Their worthless nievefu' of a soul 
May in some future carcase howl. 

The forest's fright; 
Or in some day-detesting owl 

May shun the light. 

Then may Lapraik and Burns arise. 
To reach their native, kindred skies, 
And sing their pleasures, hojxs an' joys, 

In some mild sphere; 
Still closer knit in friendship's ties. 

Each passing year! 

EPISTLE TO WILLIAM SIMSON 

SCHOOLMASTER, OCHILTREE. — MAY, 1 785 

1 CAT your letter, winsome Willie; 
Wi' gratefu' heart I thank you brawlie; 
Tho' I maun say't, I wad be silly, 

And unco vain. 
Should I believe, my coaxin billie 

Your flatterin strain. 

But I'se believe ye kindly meant it: 
I sud be laith to think ye hinted 
Ironic satire, sidelins sklented 

On my poor Musie; 
The' in sic phraisin terms ye've jjenn'd it, 

I scarce excuse ye. 

My senses wad be in a creel, 
Should I but dare a hope to sped 



POEMS AND SONGS 87 

Wi' Allan, or wi' Gilbertfield, 

The braes o' fame; 
Or Fergusson, the writer-chiel, 

A deathless name. 



(O Fergusson! thy glorious parts 

111 suited law's dry, musty arts! 

My curse upon your whunstane hearts, 

Ye E'nbrugh gentry! 
The tithe o' what ye waste at cartes 

Wad stow'd his pantry!) 

Yet when a tale comes i' my head, 
Or lassies gie my heart a screed — 
As whiles they're like to be my dead, 

(O sad disease!) 
I kitde up my rustic reed; 

It gies me ease. 

Auld Coila now may fidge fu' fain. 

She's gotten poets o' her ain; 

Chiels wha their chanters winna hain. 

But tune their lays. 
Till echoes a' resound again 

Her wcel-sung praise. 

Nae poet thought her worth his while, 
To set her name in measur'd style; 
She lay like some unkenn'd-of-isle 

Beside New Holland, 
Or whare wild-meeting oceans boil 

Besouth Magellan. 

Ramsay an' famous Fergusson 
Gied Forth an' Tay a lift aboon; 
Yarrow an' Tweed, to monie a tune, 

Owre Scotland rings; 
While Irwin, Lugar, Ayr, an' E)oon 

Naebody sings. 



88 ROBERT BURNS 

Th" Illissus, Tiber, Thames, an' Seine, 
Glide sweet in monie a tunefu' line: 
But, Willie, set your fit to mine. 

An' cock your crest; 
We'll gar our streams an' burnies shine 

Up wi' the best! 

We'll sing auld Coila's plains an' fells, 
Her moors red-brown wi' heather bells, 
Her banks an' braes, her dens and dells, 

Whare glorious Wallace 
Aft bare the gree, as story tells, 

Frae Suthron billies. 

At Wallace' name, what Scottish blood 
But boils up in a spring-tide flood! 
Oft have our fearless fathers strode 

By Wallace' side, 
Still pressing onward, red-wat-shod. 

Or glorious died ! 

O, sweet are Coila's haughs an' woods. 
When lintwhites chant amang the buds. 
And jinkin hares, in amorous whids. 

Their loves enjoy; 
While thro' the braes the cushat croods 

With wailfu' cry! 

Ev'n winter bleak has charms to me. 
When winds rave thro' the naked tree; 
Or frosts on hills of Ochiltree 

Are hoary gray; 
Or blinding drifts wild-furious flee, 

Dark'ning the day! 

O Nature! a' thy shews an' forms 
To feeling, pensive hearts hae charms! 
Whether the summer kindly warms, 

Wi' life an' light; 
Or winter howls, in gusty storms, 

The lang, dark night! 



POEMS AND SONGS 89 

The muse, nae poet ever fand her, 
Till by himsel he learn'd to wander, 
Adown some trottin burn's meander, 
An' no think lang: 

sweet to stray, an' pensive ponder 

A heart-felt sang! 

The war'ly race may drudge an' drive, 
Hog-shouther, jundie, stretch, an* strive; 
Let me fair Nature's face descrive, 

And I, wi' pleasure, 
Shall let the busy, grumbling hive 

Bum owre their treasure. 

Fareweel, "my rhyme-composing" brither! 
We've been owre lang unkenn'd to ither: 
Now let us lay our heads thegither. 

In love fraternal: 
May envy wallop in a tether. 

Black fiend, infernal! 

While Highlandmen hate tolls an' taxes; 
While moorlan' herds like guid, fat braxies; 
While terra firma, on her axis, 

Diurnal turns; 
Count on a friend, in faith an' practice, 

In Robert Burns. 

POSTSCRIPT 

Mv memory's no worth a preen; 

1 had amaist forgotten clean. 

Ye bade me write you what they mean 

By this "new-light," 
'Bout which our herds sac aft hae been 

Maist like to fight. 

In days when mankind were but callans 

At grammar, logic, an' sic talents. 

They took nae pains their speech to balance. 

Or rules to gie; 
But spak their thoughts in plain, braid lallans, 

Like you or me. 



90 ROBERT BURNS 

In thae auld times, they thought the moon, 
Just like a sark, or pair o' shoon, 
Wore by degrees, till her last roon 

Gaed past their vicwin; 
An' shortly after she was done 

They gat a new ane. 

This passed for certain, undisputed; 
It ne'er cam i' their heads to doubt it, 
Till chiels gat up an' wad confute it, 

An' ca'd it wrang; 
An' muckle din there was about it, 

Baith loud an' lang. 

Some herds, weel learn'd ujx)' the beuk. 
Wad threap auld folk the thing mistcuk; 
For 'twas the auld moon turn'd a neuk 

An' out o' sight, 
An' backlins-comin to the leuk 

She grew mair bright. 

This was deny'd, it was affirm'd; 

TTie herds and hissels were alarm'd 

The rev'rend gray-beards rav'd an' storm'd, 

That beardless laddies 
Should think they better were inform 'd, 

Than their auld daddies. 

Frae less to mair, it gaed to sticks; 
Frae words an' aiths to clours an' nicks; 
An monie a fallow gat his licks, 

Wi' hearty crunt; 
An' some, to learn them for their tricks, 

Were hang'd an' brunt. 

This game was play'd in mony lands. 
An' auld-light caddies burc sic hands. 
That faith, the youngsters took the sands 

Wi' nimble shanks; 
Till lairds forbad, by strict commands, 

Sic bluidy pranks. 



POEMS AND SONGS 9 1 

But new-light herds gat sic a cowe, 
Folk thought them ruin'd stick-an-stowe; 
Till now, amaist on ev'ry knowe 

Ye'll find ane plac'd; 
An' some their new-light fair avow, 

Just quite barefac'd. 

Nae doubt the auld-light flocks are blcatin; 
Their zealous herds are vex'd an' sweatin; 
Mysel', I've even seen them greetin 
Wi' girnin spite. 
To hear the moon sae sadly lied on 

By word an' write. 

But shortly they will cowe the louns! 
Some auld-light herds in neebor touns 
Are mind't, in things they ca' balloons, 

To tak a flight; 
An* stay ae month amang the moons 

An' see them right. 

Guid observation they will gie them; 

An' when the auld moon's gaun to lea'e them. 

The hindmaist shaird, they'll fetch it wi' them 

Just i' their pouch; 
An' when the new-light billies see them, 

I think they'll crouch! 

Sae, ye observe that a* this clatter 

Is naething but a "moonshine matter"; 

But tho' dull prose-folk Latin splatter 

In logic tulyie, 
I hope we bardies ken some better 

Than mind sic brulyie. 

ONE NIGHT AS I DID WANDER 

Tune — "John Anderson, my jo." 

One night as I did wander. 

When corn begins to shoot, 
I sat mc down to pwnder 

Upon an auld tree root; 



92 ROBERT BURNS 

Auld Ayr ran by before me, 
And bicker'd to the seas; 

A cushat crooded o'er me, 
That echoed through the braes 



THO' CRUEL FATE SHOULD BID US PART 

Tanr— "The Northern Lass." 

Tho* cruel fate should bid us part, 

Far as the pole and line, 
Her dear idea round my heart. 

Should tenderly entwine. 
Tho' mountains rise, and deserts howl. 

And oceans roar between; 
Yet, dearer than my deathless soul, 

I still would love my Jean. 



SONG— RANTIN', ROVIN' ROBIN' 

Tune — "Daintie Davie." 

There was a lad was born in Kyle, 
But whatna day o' whatna style, 
I doubt it's hardly worth the while 
To be sae nice wi' Robin. 

Chor. — Robin was a rovin' boy, 

Rantin', rovin', rantin', rovin', 
Robin was a rovin' boy, 
Rantin', rovin', Robin! 

Our monarch's hindmost year but ane 
Was five-and-twenty days begun,' 
'Twas then a blast o' Janwar' win' 
Blew hansel in on Robin. 

Robin was, &c. 

'Not published by Burns. 'January 25, 1759, the date of my hardship's 
vital existence. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 93 

The gossip keekit in his Itxjf, 
Quo' scho, "Wha lives will see the proof. 
This waly boy will be nae coof: 
I think we'll ca' him Robin." 
Robin was, &c. 

"Hell hae misfortunes great an' sma', 
But aye a heart aboon them a'. 
He'll be a credit till us a' — 
We'll a' be proud o' Robin." 

Robin was, &c. 

"But sure as three times three mak nine, 
I see by ilka score and line, 
This chap will dearly like our kin'. 
So leeze me on thee! Robin." 
Robin was, &c. 

"Guid faith," quo' scho, "I doubt you gar 
The bonie lasses lie aspar; 
But twenty fauts ye may hae waur 
So blessins on thee! Robin." 

Robin was. Sec. 

ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF ROBERT RUISSEAUX' 

Now Robin lies in his last lair. 

He'll gabble rhyme, nor sing nae mair; 

Cauld poverty, wi' hungry stare, 

Nae mair shall fear him; 
Nor anxious fear, nor cankert care. 

E'er mair come near him. 

To tell the truth, they seldom fash'd him, 
Except the moment that they crush 'd him; 
For sune as chance or fate had hush'd 'cm 

Tho' e'er sae short, 
Then wi' a rhyme or sang he lash'd 'em. 
And thought it sport. 
' Ruisiraux is French for rivulets or "burns," a translation of his name. 



94 ROBERT BURNS 

Tho' he was bred to kintra-wark, 

And counted was baith wight and stark, 

Yet that was never Robin's mark 

To mak a man; 
But tell him, he was learn'd and dark, 

Ye roos'd him then! 

EPISTLE TO JOHN GOLDIE, IN KILMARNOCK 

AUTHOR OF THE GOSPEL RECOVERED. — AUGUST, 1 785 

O GowDiE, terror o' the whigs. 
Dread o' blackcoats and rev'rend wigs! 
Sour Bigotry, on her last legs, 

Girns an' looks back, 
Wishing the ten Egyptian plagues 

May seize you quick. 

Poor gapin", glowrin' Superstition! 

Wae's me, she's in a sad condition: 

Fye: bring B/ac/^ /o<"^,' her state physician, 

To see her water; 
Alas, there's ground for great suspicion 

She'll ne'er get better. 

Enthusiasm's jjast redemption, 

Gane in a gallopin' consumption: 

Not a' her quacks, wi' a' their gumption. 

Can ever mend her; 
Her feeble pulse gies strong presumption. 

She'll soon surrender. 

Auld Orthodoxy lang did grapple. 
For every hole to get a stapple; 
But now she fetches at the thrapple. 

An' fights for breath; 
Haste, gie her name up in the chapel,' 

Near unto death. 

It's you an' Taylor' are the chief 

To blame for a' this black mischief; 

'The Rev. J. RusmII. Kilmarnock.— R. B. 'Mr. Russell's Kirk.— R. B. 
' Dr. Tavlor of Norwich.— R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS §5 

But, could the Lord's ain folk get leave, 

A toom tar barrel 
An' twa red peats wad bring relief, 

And end the quarrel. 

For me, my skill's but very sma', 
An' skill in prose I've nane ava*; 
But quiedins-wise, between us twa, 

Weel may you sjjeedl 
And tho' they sud you sair misca', 

Ne'er fash your head. 

E'en swinge the do^s, and thresh them sicker! 
The mair they squeel aye chap the thicker; 
And still 'mang hands a hearty bicker 

O' something stout; 
It gars an owthor's pulse beat quicker, 

And helps his wit. 

There's naething like the honest nappy; 
Whare'U ye e'er see men sae happy, 
Or women sonsie, saft an' sappy, 

'Tween morn and morn, 
As them wha like to taste the drappie. 

In glass or horn? 

I've seen me dazed upon a time, 
I scarce could wink or see a styme; 
Just ae half-mutchkin docs me prime, — 

Ought less is litde — 
Then back I rattle on the rhyme. 

As gleg's a whitde. 



THE HOLY FAIR' 

A robe of seeming truth and trust 

Hid crafty Observation; 
And secret hung, with poison 'd cnut. 

The dirk of Defamation: 

' "Holy Fair" is a common phrase in the west of Scotland for a sacramental 
occasion. — R. B. 



96 ROBERT BURNS 

A mask that like the gorget show'd. 

Dye-varying on the pigeon; 
And for a mantle large and broad. 

He wrapt him in Religion. 

Hypocrisy a-la-mode 



Upon a simmer Sunday mora 

When Nature's face is fair, 
I walked forth to view the corn, 

An' snuff the caller air. 
The rising sun owre Galston muirs 

Wi' glorious light was glintin; 
The hares were hirplin down the furrs. 

The lav 'rocks they were chantin 
Fu' sweet that day. 

As lightsomely I glowr'd abroad. 

To see a scene sae gay, 
Three hizzies, early at the road, 

Cam skelpin up the way. 
Twa had manteeles o' dolefu' black. 

But ane wi' lyart lining; 
The third, that gaed a wee a-back, 

Was in the fashion shining 

Fu' gay that day. 

The twa appear'd like sisters twin. 

In feature, form, an' claes; 
Their visage wither'd, lang an* thin. 

An' sour as ony slaes: 
The third cam up, hap-stap-an'-lowp, 

As light as ony lambie. 
An' wi' a curchie low did stoop, 

As soon as e'er she saw me, 

Fu' kind that day. 

Wi' bonnet aff, quoth I, "Sweet lass, 
I think ye seem to ken me; 

I'm sure I've seen that bonie face 
But yet I canna name ye." 



POEMS AND SONGS 97 

Quo' she, an' laughin as she spak, 

An' taks me by the han's, 
"Ye, for my sake, hae gien the feck 

Of a' the ten comman's 

A screed some day." 

"My name is Fun — your cronie dear, 

The nearest friend ye hae; 
An' this is Superstitution here, 

An' that's Hypocrisy. 
I'm gaun to Mauchline Holy Fair, 

To spend an hour in daffin: 
Gin ye'll go there, yon runkl'd pair, 

We will get famous laughin 

At them this day.** 

Quoth I, "Wi' a' my heart, I'll do't; 

I'll get my Sunday's sark on. 
An' meet you on the holy spwt; 

Faith, we'se hae fine remarkin!" 
Then 1 gaed hame at crowdie-time, 

An' soon I made me ready; 
For roads were clad, frae side to side, 

Wi' mony a weary body 

In droves that day. 

Here farmers gash, in ridin graith, 

Gaed hoddin by their cotters; 
There swankies young, in braw braid-claith. 

Are springing owre the gutters. 
The lasses, skelpin barefit, thrang. 

In silks an' scarlets glitter; 
Wi' sweet-milk cheese, in mony a whang, 

An' farls, bak'd wi' butter, 

Fu' crump that day. 

When by the plate we set our nose, 

Weel heaped up wi' ha'pence, 
A greedy glowr black-lx)nnet throws. 

An' we maun draw our tippence. 



98 



ROBERT BURNS 



Then in we go to see the show: 

On ev'ry side they're gath'rin; 
Some carrying dails, some chairs an' stools, 

An' some are busy bleth'rin 

Right loud that day. 

Here stands a shed to fend the show'rs. 

An' screen our countra gentry; 
There Racer Jess,* an' twa-three whores. 

Are blinkin at the entry. 
Here sits a raw o' tittlin jads, 

Wi' heaving breast an' bare neck; 
An' there a batch o' wabster lads, 

Blackguarding frac Kilmarnock, 
For fun this day. 

Here, some are thinkin on their sins. 

An' some upo' their clacs; 
Ane curses feet that fyl'd his shins, 

Anither sighs an' prays: 
On this hand sits a chosen swatch, 

Wi' screwed-up, grace-proud faces; 
On that a set o' chaps, at watch, 

Thrang winkin on the lasses 

To chairs that day. 

O happy is that man, an' blest! 

Nae wonder that it pride him! 
Whase ain dear lass, that he likes best. 

Comes clinkin down beside him! 
Wi' arms rcpos'd on the chair back, 

He sweetly does compose him; 
Which, by degrees, slips round her neck, 

An's loof upon her bosom, 

Unkend that day. 

Now a* the congregation o'er 

Is silent expectation; 
For Moodie' speels the holy door, 

Wi' tidings o' damnation: 

* Racer Jess (d. 1813) was a half-wined daughter of Pootie Nansie. She was a 
great pedestrian. ' Rev. Alexander Moodie of RiccartoD. 



POEMS AND SONGS 99 

Should Hornie, as in ancient days, 

'Mang sons o' God present him, 
The vera sight o' Moodie's face, 

To *s ain het hame had sent him 
Wi' fright that day. 

Hear how he clears the point o' faith 

Wi' ratdin and wi' thumpin! 
Now meekly calm, now wild in wrath. 

He's stampin, an' he's jumpin! 
His lengthen'd chin, his turned-up snout. 

His eldritch squeel an' gestures, 
O how they fire the heart devout. 

Like cantharidian plaisters 

On sic a day! 

But hark! the tent has chang'd its voice. 

There's peace an' rest nae langer; 
For a' the real judges rise. 

They canna sit for anger, 
Smith* opens out his cauld harangues. 

On practice and on morals; 
An' afl the godly pour in thrangs. 

To gie the jars an' barrels 

A lift that day. 

What signifies his barren shine, 

Of moral powers an' reason.? 
His Ejiglish style, an' gesture fine 

Are a' clean out o' season. 
Like Socrates or Antonine, 

Or some auld pagan heathen. 
The moral man he does define. 

But ne'er a word o' jaith in 

That's right that day. 

In guid time comes an antidote 
Against sic pwison'd nostrum; 
For Peebles,' frae the water-fit. 
Ascends the holy rostrum: 
*Rev. George Smith of Galsion. 'Rev. Wm. Peeblej ci Newton-upon-Ayr. 



100 ROBERT BURNS 

See, up he's got the word o' God, 
An' meek an' mim has view'd it, 

While Common-sense has taen the road. 
An' aff, an' up the Cowgate' 

Fast, fast that day. 

Wee Miller' neist the guard relieves. 

An' Orthodoxy raibles, 
Tho' in his heart he weel believes. 
An' thinks it auld wives' fables: 
But faith! the birkic wants a manse, 

So, cannilie he hums them; 
Altho' his carnal wit an' sense 

Like hafHins-wise o'ercomes him 

At times that day. 

Now, butt an' ben, the change-house fills, 

Wi' yill-caup commentators; 
Here 's cryin out for bakes and gills. 

An' there the pint-stowp clatters; 
While thick an' thrang, an' loud an* lang, 

Wi' logic an' wi' scripture, 
They raise a din, that in the end 

Is like to breed a rupture 

O' wrath that day. 

Leeze me on drink! it gies us mair 

Than either school or college; 
It kindles wit, it waukcns lear, 

It pangs us fou o' knowledge: 
Be't whisky-gill or penny wheep, 

Or ony stronger potion. 
It never fails, on drinkin deep, 

To kittle up our notion. 

By night or day. 

The lads an' lasses, blythely bent 
To mind baith saul an' body. 

Sit round the table, weel content. 

An' steer about the toddy: 

• A street so called which faces the tent in Mauchline. — P. B. 
'' Rev. Alex. Miller, afterward of Kilmaurs. 



POEMS AND SONGS lOI 

On this ane's dress, an' that ane's leuk, 

They're makin observations; 
While some are cozie i' the neuk, 

An' forming assignations 

To meet some day. 

But now the Lord's ain trumpet touts. 

Till a' the hills are rairin, 
And echoes back return the shouts; 

Black Russell is na sparin: 
His piercin words, like Highlan' swords. 

Divide the joints an' marrow; 
His talk o' Hell, whare devils dwell, 

Our vera "sauls does harrow" 

Wi* fright that day! 

A vast, unbottom'd, boundless pit, 

Fill'd fou o' lowin brunstane, 
Whasc raging flame, an' scorching heat, 

Wad melt the hardest whun-stane! 
The half-asleep start up wi' fear, 

An' think they hear it roarin; 
When presently it does appear, 

'Twas but some neibor snorin 

Asleep that day. 

Twad be owre lang a tale to tell. 

How mony stories past; 
An' how they crouded to the yill. 

When they were a' dismist; 
How drink gaed round, in cogs an' caups, 

Amang the furms an' benches; 
An' cheese an' bread, frae women's laps. 

Was dealt about in lunches 

An' dawds that day. 

In comes a gawsie, gash guidwife. 

An' sits down by the fire. 
Syne draws her kebbuck an' her knife; 

The lasses they are shyer: 



I02 ROBERT BURNS 

The auld guidmen, about the grace 
Frae side to side they bother; 

Till some ane by his bonnet lays. 
An' gies them't like a tether, 

Fu' lang that day. 

Waesucks! for him that gets nae lass. 

Or lasses that hac nacthing! 
Sma' need has he to say a grace, 

Or melvie his braw claithing! 
O wives, be mindfu' ance yoursel' 

How bonie lads ye wanted; 
An' dinna for a kcbbuck-heel 

Let lasses be affronted 

On sic a day! 

Now Clinkumbell, wi' rattlin tow. 

Begins to jow an' croon; 
Some swagger hame the best they dow, 

Some wait the afternoon. 
At slaps the billies halt a blink. 

Till lasses strip their shoon: 
Wi' faith an' hope, an' love an' drink, 

They're a' in famous tune 

For crack that day. 

How mony hearts this day converts 

O' sinners and o' lasses! 
Their hearts o' stane, gin night, are gane 

As saft as ony flesh is: 
There's some are fou o' love divine; 

There's some are fou o' brandy; 
An' mony jobs that day liegin, 

May end in houghmagandie 

Some ither day. 

THIRD EPISTLE TO J. LAPRAIK 

GuiD speed and furder to you, )ohnie, 

Guid health, hale ban's, an' weather bonie; 



POEMS AND SONGS IO3 

Now, when ye're nickin down fu' cannie 

The staff o' bread, 
May ye ne'er want a stoup o' bran'y 

To clear your head. 

May Boreas never thresh your rigs. 
Nor kick your rickles aff their legs, 
Sendin the stuff o'er muirs an' haggs 

Like drivin wrack; 
But may the tapmost grain that wags 

Come to the sack. 

I'm bizzie, too, an' skelpin at it, 

But bitter, daudin showers hae wat it; 

Sae my auld stumpie pen I gat it 

Wi* muckle wark. 
An* took my jocteleg an whatt it, 

Like ony dark. 

It's now twa month that I'm your debtor. 
For your braw, nameless, dateless letter, 
Abusin me for harsh ill-nature 

On holy men. 
While deil a hair yoursel' ye're better, 

But mair profane. 

But let the kirk-folk ring their bells. 
Let's sing about our noble sel's: 
We'll cry nae jads frae heathen hills 

To help, or roose us; 
But browster wives an' whisky stills, 
They are the muses. 

Your friendship, Sir, I winna quat it. 

An' if ye mak' objections at it. 

Then hand in neive some day we'll knot it,. 

An' witness take. 
An' when wi' usquabae we've wat it 

It winna break. 



104 ROBERT BURNS 

But if the beast an' branks be spar'd 
Till kye be gaun without the herd, 
And a' the vittel in the yard, 

An' theckit right, 
I mean your ingle-side to guard 

Ae winter night. 

Then muse-inspirin' aqua-vitz 

Shall make us baith sae blythe and witty, 

Till ye forget ye're auld an' gatty. 

An' be as canty 
As ye were nine years less than thretty^ 

Sweet ane an' twenty I 

But stocks are cowpit wi' the blast, 
And now the sinn keeks in the west. 
Then I maun rin amang the rest. 

An' quat my chanter; 
Sae I subscribe mysel' in haste, 

Yours, Rab the Ranter. 
Sept. 13, 1785. 



EPISTLE TO THE REV. JOHN M'MATH 

INCLOSING A COPY OF "hOLY WILLIe's PRAYER," WHICH HE HAD 
REQUESTED, SEPT. I7, I785 

While at the stook the shearers cow'r 
To shun the bitter blaudin' show'r. 
Or in gulravage rinnin scowr 

To pass the time. 
To you I dedicate the hour 

In idle rhyme. 

My musie, tir'd wi' mony a sonnet 

On gown, an* ban', an' douse black bonnet. 

Is grown right eerie now she's done it. 

Lest they should blame her. 
An' rouse their holy thunder on it 

And anathcm her. 



POEMS AND SONGS IO5 

I own 'twas rash, an' rather hardy. 
That I, a simple, country bardie. 
Should meddle wi' a pack sae sturdy, 

Wha, if they ken me. 
Can easy, wi' a single wordie, 

Lowse hell upon me. 

But I gae mad at their grimaces. 
Their sighin, cantin, grace-proud faces. 
Their three-mile prayers, an' half-mile graces, 

Their raxin conscience, 
Whase greed, revenge, an' pride disgraces 

Waur nor their nonsense. 

There's Gaw'n, misca'd waur than a beast, 
Wha has mair honour in his breast 
Than mony scores as guid's the priest 

Wha sae abus'd him: 
And may a bard no crack his jest 

What way they've us'd him? 

See him, the jjoor man's friend in need. 
The gentleman in word an' deed — 
An' shall his fame an' honour bleed 

By worthless skcllums. 
An' not a muse erect her head 

To cowe the blcllums? 

O Pope, had I thy satire's darts 
To gie the rascals their deserts, 
I'd rip their rotten, hollow hearts. 

An' tell aloud 
Their jugglin hocus-pocus arts 

To cheat the crowd. 

God knows, I'm no the thing I should be. 
Nor am I even the thing I could be, 
But twenty times I rather would be 

An atheist clean. 
Than under gospel colours hid be 

Just for a screen. 



I06 ROBERT BURNS 

An honest man may like a glass. 
An honest man may like a lass, 
But mean revenge, an' malice fause 

He'll still disdain, 
An' then cry zeal for gospel laws, 

Like some we ken. 

They take religion in their mouth; 
They talk o' mercy, grace, an' truth. 
For what? — to gie their malice skouth 

On some puir wight. 
An' hunt him down, owre right and ruth, 

To ruin straight. 

All hail. Religion! maid divine! 
Pardon a muse sae mean as mine, 
Who in her rough imperfect line 

Thus daurs to name thee; 
To stigmatise false friends of thine 

Can ne'er defame thee. 

Tho' blotch't and foul wi' mony a stain, 

An' far unworthy of thy train. 

With trembling voice I tune my strain. 

To join with those 
Who boldly dare thy cause maintain 

In spite of foes: 

In spite o' crowds, in spite o' mobs. 
In spite o' undermining jobs. 
In spite o' dark banditti stabs 

At worth an' merit. 
By scoundrels, even wi' holy robes. 

But hellish spirit. 

O Ayr! my dear, my native ground. 
Within thy presbyterial bound 
A candid liberal band is found 

Of public teachers, 
As men, as Christians too, renown'd. 

An' manly preachers. 



POEMS AND SONGS IO7 

Sir, in that circle you are nam'd; 
Sir, in that circle you are fam'd; 
An' some, by whom your doctrine's blam'd 

(Which gies you honour) 
Even, sir, by them your heart's esteem'd, 

An' winning manner. 

Pardon this freedom I have ta'en. 
An' if impertinent I've been, 
Impute it not, good Sir, in ane 

Whase heart ne'er wrang'd ye. 
But to his utmost would befriend 

Ought that belang'd ye. 

SECOND EPISTLE TO DAVIE 

A BROTHER POET 

AuLD Neibour, 

I'm three times doubly o'er your debtor, 
For your auld-farrant, frien'ly letter; 
Tho' I maun say't I doubt ye flatter. 

Ye speak sae fair; 
For my puir, silly, rhymin clatter 
Some less maun sair. 

Hale be your lieart, hale be your fiddle, 
Lang may your clbuck jink an' diddle. 
To cheer you thro' the weary widdle 

O' war'ly cares; 
Till bairns' bairns kindly cuddle 

Your auld grey hairs. 

But Davie, lad, I'm red ye're glaikit; 
I'm tauld the muse ye hae negleckit; 
An' gif it's sae, ye sud be lickit 

Until ye fyke; 
Sic haun's as you sud ne'er be faikit. 

Be hain't wha like. 

For me, I'm on Parnassus' brink, 
Rivin the words to gar them clink; 



I08 ROBERT BURNS 

Whiles dazed wi' love, whiles dazed wi" drink, 
Wi' jads or masons; 

An' whiles, but aye owre late, I think 
Braw sober lessons. 

Of a' the thoughtless sons o' man, 
Commen' to me the bardie clan; 
Except it be some idle plan 

O' rhymin clink. 
The devil haet, — that I sud ban — 

They ever think. 

Nae thought, nae view, nae scheme o* livin, 
Nae cares to gie us joy or grievin. 
But just the pouchie put the neive in, 

An' while ought's there. 
Then, hiltie, skiltie, we gae scrievin', 

An' fash nae mair. 

Leeze me on rhyme! it's aye a treasure. 
My chief, amaist my only pleasure; 
At hame, a-fiel', at wark, or leisure. 

The Muse, poor hizzie! 
Tho' rough an' raploch be her measure. 

She's seldom lazy. 

Haud to the Muse, my daintie Davie: 
The warl' may play you mony a shavie; 
But for the Muse, she'll never leave ye, 

Tho' e'er sae puir, 
Na, even tho' limpin wi' the spavie 

Frae door tae door. 



SONG— YOUNG PEGGY BLOOMS 

Tune — "Loch Eroch-sidc." 

Yot'NC Peggy blooms our boniest lass. 
Her blush is like the morning, 

The rosy dawn, the springing grass, 
With early gems adorning. 



POEMS AND SONGS IO9 

Her eyes outshine the radiant beams 

That gild the passing shower. 
And ghtter o'er the crystal streams. 

And cheer each fresh'ning flower. 

Her lips, more than the cherries bright, 

A richer dye has graced them; 
They charm th' admiring gazer's sight. 

And sweetly tempt to taste them; 
Her smile is as the evening mild. 

When feather'd pairs are courting. 
And little lambkins wanton wild, 

In playful bands disporting. 

Were Fortune lovely Peggy's foe. 

Such sweetness would relent her; 
As blooming spring unbends the brow 

Of surly, savage Winter. 
Detraction's eye no aim can gain. 

Her winning pow'rs to lessen; 
And fretful Envy grins in vain 

The poison'd tooth to fasten. 

Ye Pow'rs of Honour, Love, and Truth, 

From ev'ry ill defend her! 
Inspire the highly-favour'd youth 

The destinies intend her: 
Still fan the sweet connubial flame 

Responsive in each bosom; 
And bless the dear parental name 

With many a filial blossom. 

SONG— FAREWELL TO BALLOCHMYLE 

Tune — "Mm Forbes's farewell to Banff." 

The Catrine woods were yellow seen, 

The flowers decay'd on Catrine lee, 
Nae lav'rock sang on hillock green, 

But nature sicken'd on the e'e. 
Thro' faded groves Maria sang, 

Hersel' in beauty's bloom the while; 



no ROBERT BURNS 

And aye the wild-wood echoes rang, 
Fareweel the braes o' Ballochmyle! 

Low in your wintry beds, ye flowers. 

Again ye'll flourish fresh and fair; 
Ye birdies dumb, in with'ring bowers. 

Again ye'U charm the vocal air. 
But here, alas! for me nae mair 

Shall birdie charm, or floweret smile; 
Fareweel the bonie banks of Ayr, 

Fareweel, fareweel! sweet Ballochmylel 



FRAGMENT— HER FLOWING LOCKS 

Her flowing locks, the raven's wing, 
Adown her neck and bosom hing; 
How sweet unto that breast to cling. 
And round that neck entwine her! 

Her lips are roses wat wi' dew, 
O' what a feast her bonic mou'I 
Her cheeks a mair celestial hue, 
A crimson still diviner! 



HALLOWEEN' 

The following poem will, by many readers, be well enough understood; but for 
the sake of those who arc unacquainted with (he manners and traditions of the 
country where the scene is cast, notes are added to give some account of the principal 
charms and spells of that night, so big with prophecy to the peasantry in the west of 
Scotland. The passion of prying into futurity makes a striking part of the history 
of human nature in its rude state, in all ages and nations; and it may be some enter- 
tainment to a philosophic mind, if any such honour the author with a perusal, to see 
the remains of it among the more unenlightened in our own. — R. B. 

Yes! let the rich deride, the proud disdain, 

The simple pleasures of the lowly train; 

To me more dear, congenial to my heart, 

One native charm, than all the gloss of art. — Goldsmith. 

' Is thought to be a night when witches, devils, and other mischief-making beings 
are abroad on their baneful midnight errands; particularly those aerial people, the 
fairies, are said on that night to hold a grand anniversary. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS III 

Upon that night, when fairies light 

On Cassilis Downans' dance, 
Or owre the lays, in splendid blaze, 

On sprightly coursers prance; 
Or for Colean the rout is ta'en, 

Beneath the moon's pale beams; 
There, up the Cove,' to stray an' rove, 

Amang the rocks and streams 
To sport that night; 

Amang the bonie winding banks. 

Where Doon rins, wimplin, clear; 
Where Bruce* ance rul'd the martial ranks. 

An' shook his Carrick spear; 
Some merry, friendly, countra-folks 

Together did convene. 
To burn their nits, an' pou their stocks, 

An' haud their Halloween 

Fu' blythe that night. 

The lasses feat, an' cleanly neat, 

Mair braw than when they're fine; 
Their faces blythe, fu' sweetly kythe, 

Hearts leal, an' warm, an' kin': 
The lads sae trig, wi' wooer-babs 

Weel-knotted on their garten; 
Some unco blate, an' some wi' gabs 

Gar lasses' hearts gang startin 
Whiles fast at night. 

Then, first an' foremost, thro' the kail. 
Their stocks' maun a' be sought ance; 

'Certain little, romantic, rocky, green hills, in the neighbourhood of the ancient 
seat of the Earls of Cassilis. — R. B. 

' A noted cavern near Colean house, called the Cove of Colean; which, as well 
as Cassilis Downans, is famed, in country story, for being a favorite haunt of 
fairies.— K. B. 

*Thc famous family of that name, the ancestors of Robert, the great deliverer of 
his country, were Earls of Carrick. — R. B. 

' The first ceremony of Halloween is pulling each a "stock," or plant of kail. They 
must go out, hand in hand, with eyes shut, and pull the first they meet with: its 
being big or little, straight or crooked, is prophetic of the size and shape of the grand 
object of all their spells — the husband or wife. If any "yird," or earth, stick to the 



112 ROBERT BURNS 

They steek their een, and grape an' wale 
For muckle anes, an' straught anes. 

Poor hav'rel Will fell afl the drift, 
An' wandered thro' the bow-kail, 

An' pou't for want o' better shift 
A runt was like a sow-tail 

Sae bow't that night. 

Then, straught or crooked, yird or nane, 

They roar an' cry a' throu'ther; 
The vera wee-things, toddlin, rin, 

Wi' stocks out owre their shouther: 
An' gif the custock's sweet or sour, 

Wi' joctclegs they taste them; 
Syne coziely, aboon the door, 

Wi' cannie care, they've plac'd them 
To lie that night. 

The lassies staw frae 'mang them a', 

To pou their stalks o' corn;' 
But Rab slips out, an' jinks about, 

Behint the muckle thorn: 
He grippit Nelly hard and fast: 

I>oud skirl'd a' the lasses; 
But her tap-pickle maist was lost. 

Whan kiudin in the fause-house' 
Wi' him that night. 

The auld guid-wife's weel-hoordit nits' 

Are round an' round divided, 

root, that is "tocher." or fortune; and the taste of the "custock," that is, the heart 
of the stem, is indicative of the natural temper and disposition. Lastly, the stems, 
or, to give them their ordinary api>ellation, the "runts," are placed somewhere above 
the head of the door; and the Christian names of the people whom chance brings 
into the house are, according to the priority of placing the "runts," the names in 
question. — K. B. 

* They go to the barnyard, and pull each, at three different times, a stalk of oats. 
If the third stalk wants the "top-pickle," that is, the grain at the top of the stalk, the 
partv in question will come to the marriage-bc<l anything but a maid. — R. B. 

' When the corn is in a doubtful state, by being too green or wet, the stack -builder, 
by means of old timber, etc., makes a large apartment in his stack, with an opening 
in the side which is fairest exposed to the wind: this he calls a "fause-house." — R. B. 

' Burning the nuts is a favorite charm. They name the lad and lass to each 
particular nut, as they lay them in the fire; and according as they burn quietly 
together, or start from beside one another, the course and issue of the courtship 
will be.—R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS II3 

An' mony lads an' lasses' fates 

Are there that night decided: 
Some kindle couthie side by side, 

And burn thegither trimly; 
Some start awa wi' saucy pride, 

An' jump out owre the chimlie 
Fu' high that night. 

Jean slips in twa, wi' tentie e'e; 

Wha 'twas, she wadna tell; 
But this is /ofi^, an' this is me. 

She says in to hersel': 
He blccz'd owre her, an' she owre him, 

As they wad never mair part: 
Till fufi! he started up the lum. 

An' Jean had e'en a sair heart 
To see't that night. 

Poor Willie, wi' his bow-kail runt, 

Was brunt wi' primsie Mallie; 
An' Mary, nae doubt, took the drunt, 

To be compar'd to Willie: 
Mall's nit lap out, wi' pridefu' fling, 

An' her ain fit, it brunt it; 
While Willie lap, and swore by jing, 

'Twas just the way he wanted 
To be that night. 

Nell had the fause-house in her min*. 

She pits hersel an' Rob in; 
In loving bleeze they sweetly join, 

Till white in ase they're sobbin: 
Nell's heart was dancin at the view; 

She whisper'd Rob to leuk for't: 
Rob, stownlins, prie'd her bonie mou', 

Fu* cozie in the neuk for't. 

Unseen that night. 

But Merran sat behint their backs, 
Her thoughts on Andrew Bell; 



114 ROBERT BURNS 

She lea'es them gashin at their cracks, 

An' slips out-by hersel'; 
She thro' the yard the nearest taks, 

An' for the kiln she goes then, 
An' darklins grapit for the bauks. 

And in the blue-clue' throws then, 
Right fear't that night. 

An' ay she win't, an' ay she swat — 

I wat she made nae jaukin; 
Till something held within the pat, 

Good Lord! but she was quaukini 
But whether 'twas the dcil himsel. 

Or whether 'twas a bauk-en'. 
Or whether it was Andrew Bell, 

She did na wait on talkin 

To spier that night. 

Wee Jenny to her graunie says, 

"Will ye go wi' me, graunie? 
I'll eat the apple at the glass,'" 

I gat frae uncle Johnie:" 
She fuff't her pijje wi' sic a lunt. 

In wrath she was sae vap'rin. 
She notic't na an aizle brunt 

Her braw, new, worset apron 

Out thro' that night. 

"Ye little skclpie-limmer's face! 

I daur you try sic sjx)rtin, 
As seek the foul thief ony place, 

For him to spae your fortune: 

•whoever would, with success, try this spell, must strictly observe these directions: 
Steal out, all alone, to the kiln, and darkling, throw into the "pot" a clue of blue 
yarn; wind it in a new clue off the old one; and, toward the latter end, something 
will hold the thread: demand, "Wha bauds?" i. c, who holds? and answer will be 
returned from the kiln-pot, by naming the Christian and surname of your future 
spouse. — K. B. 

'"Take a candle and go alone to a looking-glass; eat an apple t>efore it, and some 
traditions say you should comb your hair all the time; the face of your conjugal 
companion, to be, will be lecn in the glass, as if peeping over your shoulder. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS H5 

Nae doubt but ye may get a sight! 

Great cause ye hae to fear it; 
For mony a ane has gotten a fright. 

An' hv'd an' died delecrit, 
On sic a night. 

"Ae hairst afore the Shcrra-moor, 

I mind't as weel's yestreen — 
I was a gilf)ey then, I'm sure 

I was na past fyftecn: 
The simmer had been cauld an' wat. 

An' stuff was unco green; 
An' aye a rantin kirn we gat, 

An' just on Halloween 

It fell that night. 

"Our stibble-rig was Rab M'Graen, 

A clever, sturdy fallow; 
His sin gat Eppie Sim wi' wean. 

That lived in Achmacalla: 
He gat hemjvseed," I mind it weel, 

An' he made unco light o't; 
But mony a day was by himsel'. 

He was sae sairly frighted 

That vera night." 

Then up gat fechtin Jamie Fleck, 

An' he swoor by his conscience. 
That he could saw hemp-seed a peck; 

For it was a' but nonsense: 
The auld guidman raught down the pock. 

An' out a handfu' gied him; 
Syne bad him slip frae 'mang the folk. 

Sometime when nae ane see'd him. 
An' try't that night. 

" Steal out, uniwrccivcd, and sow a handful of hemp-seed, harrowing it with 
anythinK you can conveniently draw after you. Repeat now and then: "Hemp-seed, 
I saw thee, hemp-seed, I saw thee; and him (or her) that is to be my true love, come 
after me and pou thee." Look over your left shoulder, and you will see the appearance 
of the person invoiced, in the attitude of pulling hemp. Some traditions say, "Come 
after me and shaw thee," that is, show thyself; in which case, it simply appears. 
Others omit the harrowing, and say: "Come after me and harrow thee." — R. B. 



Il6 ROBERT BURNS 

He inarches thro' amang the stacks, 

Tho' he was something sturtin; 
The graip he for a harrow taks, 

An' haurls at his curpin: 
And ev'ry now an' then, he says, 

"Hempvseed I saw thee, 
An' her that is to be my lass 

Come after me, an' draw thee 
As fast this night." 

He whisd'd up Lord Lennox' March 

To keep his courage cheery; 
Altho' his hair began to arch. 

He was sae fley'd an' eerie: 
Till presently he hears a squeak. 

An' then a grane an' gruntle; 
He by his shouther gae a keek. 

An' tumbled wi' a winde 

Out-owre that night. 

He roar'd a horrid murder-shout. 

In dreadfu' desperation! 
An' young an' auld come rinnin out, 

An' hear the sad narration: 
He swoor 'twas hilchin Jean M'Craw, 

Or crouchie Merran Humphie — 
Till stop! she trotted thro' them a'; 

And wha was it but grumphie 
Astecr that night! 

Meg fain wad to the barn gaen, 
To winn three wcchts o' naething;" 

But for to meet the deil her lane. 
She pat but little faith in: 

" This charm must likewise be (XTformitl unpcrccivcci and alone. You no to the 
barn, and open both doors, taking them off the hinges, if possible; for there is danger 
that the being about to ap|K-ar may shut the doors, and do you some mischief. Then 
take that instrument used in winnowing the corn, which in our country dialect we 
call a "wccht," and go through all the attitudes of letting down corn against the 
wind. Repeat it three times, and the third time an apparition will pass through the 
barn, in at the windy door and out at the other, having both the figure in question, 
and the appearance or retinue, marking the employment or station in life. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS II7 

She gies the herd a pickle nits, 

An* twa red checkit apples, 
To watch, while for the barn she sets, 

In hopes to see Tarn Kipples 
That vera night. 

She turns the key wi' cannie thraw. 

An' owre the threshold ventures; 
But first on Sawnic gies a ca'. 

Syne baudly in she enters: 
A ratton rattl'd up the wa'. 

An' she cry'd Lord preserve her! 
An' ran thro' midden-hole an' a'. 

An' pray'd wi' zeal and fervour, 
Fu' fast that night. 

They hoy't out Will, wi' sair advice; 

They hecht him some fine braw ane; 
It chanc'd the stack he faddom't thrice" 

Was timmer-propt for thrawin: 
He taks a swirlie auld moss-oak 

For some black, grousome carlin; 
An' loot a winze, an' drew a stroke. 

Till skin in blyfies cam haurlin 
Aff's nieves that night. 

A wanton widow Leezie was, 

As cantie as a kitden; 
Hut och! that night, amang the shaws. 

She gat a fearfu' scttlin! 
She thro' the whins, an' by the cairn. 

An' owre the hill gaed scrievin; 
Whare three lairds' lan's met at a burn,'* 

To dip her left sark-sleeve in. 
Was bent that night. 

"Take in opportunity of Koinj; unnoticed to a "bear-stack," and fathom it three 
times round. The last fathom of the last time you will catch in your arms the 
appearance of your future conjugal yoke-fellow. — R. B. 

'*You go out, one or more (for this is a scxrial spell), to a south running spring, 
or rivulet, where "three lairds' lands meet," and dip your left shirt sleeve. Go to bed 
in sight of a fire, and hang your wet sleeve before it to dry. Lie awake, and, some 
time near midnight, an apparition, having the exact figure of the grand object in 
question, will come and turn the sleeve, as if to dry the other side of it. — R. B. 



Il8 ROBERT BURNS 

Whiles owre a linn the burnic plays, 

As thro' the glen it wimpl't; 
Whiles round a rocky scar it strays, 

Whiles in a wiel it dimpl't; 
Whiles glitter'd to the nightly rays, 

Wi' bickerin', dancin' dazzle; 
Whiles cookit underneath the braes. 

Below the spreading hazel 

Unseen that night. 

Amang the brachcns, on the brae. 

Between her an' the moon. 
The deil, or else an ouder quey. 

Gat up an' ga'e a croon: 
Poor Leezie's heart maist lap the hool; 

Near lav'rock-height she jumpit, 
But mist a fit, an' in the [X)ol 

Out-owre the lugs she plumpit, 

Wi' a plunge that night. 

In order, on the clean hearth-stane, 

The luggies'' three are ranged; 
An' ev'ry time great care is ta'en 

To see them duly changed: 
Auld uncle John, wha wedlock's joys 

Sin' Mar's-ycar did desire, 
Because he gat the toom dish thrice. 

He heav'd them on the fire, 

In wrath that night. 

Wi* merry sangs, an* friendly cracks, 

I wat they did na weary; 
And unco tales, an' funnie jokes — 

Their sports were cheap an' cheery: 
Till butter 'd sowens," wi' fragrant lunt, 

^Take three dishes, put clean water in one, foul water in another, and leave the 
third empty; blindfold a person and lead him to the hearth where the dishes are 
ranged; he (or she) dips the left hand; if by chance in the clean water, the future 
(husband or) wife will come to the bar of matrimony a maid; if in the foul, a 
widow; if in the empty dish, it foretells, with equal certainty, no marriage at all. It 
is repeated three times, and every time the arrangement of the dishes is altered. — R. B. 

" Sowens, with butter instead of milk to them, is always the Halloween Supper. 
—R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS II9 

Set a' their gabs a-steerin; 
Syne, wi' a social glass o' strunt, 
They parted aff careerin 

Fu' blythe that night. 

TO A MOUSE, ON TURNING HER UP IN HER NEST 
WITH THE PLOUGH, NOVEMBER, 1785 

Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie, 
O, what a panic's in thy breastie! 
Thou need na start avva sac hasty, 

Wi' bickering brattle! 
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee, 

Wi' murd'ring pattle! 

I'm truly sorry man's dominion. 
Has broken nature's social union. 
An' justifies that ill opinion, 

Which makes thee startle 
At me, thy poor, earth-born companion. 

An' fellow-mortal! 

I doubt na, whiles, but thou may thieve; 
What then? poor beastie, thou maun live! 
A daimen icker in a thrave 

'S a sma' request; 
I'll get a blessin wi' the lave, 

An' never miss't! 

Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin! 
It's silly wa's the win's are strewin! 
An' naething, now, to big a new ane, 

O' foggage green! 
An' bleak Decemlser's winds ensuin, 

Baith snell an' keen! 

Thou saw the fields laid bare an' waste, 
An' weary winter comin fast, 
An' cozie here, beneath the blast. 

Thou thought to dwell — 
Till crash! the cruel coulter past 

Out thro' thy cell. 



I20 ROBERT BURNS 

That wee bit heap o' leaves an' stibble, 
Has cost thee mony a weary nibble! 
Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble. 

But house or hald, 
To thole the winter's sleety dribble. 

An' cranreuch cauld! 

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane, 
In proving foresight may be vain; 
The best-laid schemes o'. mice an' men 

Gang aft agiey, 
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain. 

For promis'd joy! 

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me 
The present only toucheth thee: 
But, Och! I backward cast my e'e. 

On prospects drear! 
An' forward, tho' I canna sec, 

I guess an' fear! 

EPITAPH ON JOHN DOVE, INNKEEPER 

Here lies Johnie Pigeon; 
What was his religion? 

Whae'er desires to ken, 
To some other warl' 
Maun follow the carl. 

For here Johnie Pigeon had nane! 

Strong ale was ablution. 
Small beer persecution, 

A dram was memento mori; 
But a full-flowing bowl 
Was the saving his soul, 

And port was celestial glory. 

EPITAPH FOR JAMES SMITH 

Lament him, Mauchline husbands a', 
He aften did assist ye; 



POEMS AND SONGS 121 

For had ye staid hale weeks awa, 
Your wives they ne'er had miss'd ye. 

Ye Mauchline bairns, as on ye press 

To school in bands thegither, 
O tread ye lightly on his grass, — 

Perhaps he was your father! 



ADAM ARMOUR'S PRAYER 

GiJDE pity me, because I'm little! 
For though I am an elf o' mettle. 
An* can, like ony wabster's shuttle. 

Jink there or here. 
Yet, scarce as lang's a gude kail-whittle, 

I'm unco queer. 

An' now Thou kens our waefu' case; 
For Geordie's jurr we're in disgrace. 
Because we stang'd her through the place. 

An' hurt her splcuchan; 
For whilk we daurna show our face 

Within the dachan. 

An' now we're dern'd in dens and hollows, 
And hunted, as was William Wallace, 
Wi' constables — thac blackguard fallows. 

An' sodgers baith; 
But Gude preserve us frae the gallows. 

That shamefu' death! 

Auld grim black-bearded Geordie's sel' — 
O shake him owre the mouth o' hell! 
There let him hing, an' roar, an' yell 

Wi' hideous din. 
And if he oflers to rebel. 

Then heave him in. 

When Death comes in wi' glimmerin blink. 
An' tips auld drucken Nanse the wink, 



122 ROBERT BURNS 

May Sautan gic her doup a clink 
Within his yett. 

An' fill her up wi' brimstone drink, 
Red-rcekin het. 

Though Jock an' hav'rel Jean are merry — 
Some devil seize them in a hurry, 
An' waft them in th' infernal wherry 

Straught through the lake. 
An' gie their hides a noble curry 

Wi' oil of aik! 

As for the jurr — puir worthless body! 
She's got mischief enough already; 
Wi' stang6d hips, and buttocks bluidy 

She's suffer'd sair; 
But, may she wintle in a woody. 

If she wh — e mair! 

THE JOLLY BEGGARS 



Recitativo 

When lyart leaves bcstrow the yird, 
Or wavering like the bauckie-bird, 

Bedim cauld Boreas' blast; 
When hailstanes drive wi' bitter skyte, 
And infant frosts begin to bite, 

In hoary cranreuch drest; 
Ae night at e'en a merry core 

O' randie, gangrel bodies, 
In Poosie-Nansie's held the splore, 
To drink their orra duddies; 
Wi' quaffing an' laughing. 

They ranted an' they sang, 
Wi' jumping an' thumping. 
The vera girdle rang, 

First, neist the fire, in auld red rags, 

Ane sat, weel brac'd wi' mealy bags, 

' Not published by Burns. 



POEMS AND SONGS 123 

And knapsack a' in order; 
His doxy lay within his arm; 
Wi' usquebae an' blankets warm 

She blinkit on her sodger; 
An' aye he gies the tozie drab 

The tilher skelpin' kiss, 
While she held up her greedy gab, 
Just like an aumous dish; 
Ilk smack still, did crack still, 

Just like a cadger's whip; 
Then staggering an' swaggering 
He roar'd this ditty up — 

Air 
Tune — "Soldier's Joy." 

I am a son of Mars who have been in many wars. 
And show my cuts and scars wherever I come; 

This here was for a wench, and that other in a trench, 
When welcoming the French at the sound of the drum. 
Lai de daudle, &c. 

My 'prenticeship I past where my leader breath'd his last. 
When the bloody die was cast on the heights of Abram: 

And I served out my trade when the gallant game was play'd, 
And the Morro low was laid at the sound of the drum. 

I lastly was with Curtis among the floating batt'ries. 
And there I left for witness an arm and a limb; 

Yet let my country need me, with Elliot to head me, 
I'd clatter on my stumps at the sound ot a drum. 

And now tho' I must beg, with a wooden arm and leg. 
And many a tatter'd rag hanging over my bum, 

I'm as happy with my wallet, my bottle, and my callet, 
As when I used in scarlet to follow a drum. 

What tho' with hoary locks, I must stand the winter shocks, 
Beneath the woods and rocks oftentimes for a home, 

When the t'other bag I sell, and the t'other bottle tell, 
I could meet a troop of hell, at the sound of a dnun. 



124 ROBERT BURNS 

Recitativo 

He ended; and the kebars sheuk, 

Aboon the chorus roar; 
While frighted rattons backward leuk. 

An' seek the benmost bore: 
A fairy fiddler frae the neuk, 

He skirl'd out, encore! 
But up arose the martial chuck, 

An' laid the loud uproar. 

Air 

Tune — "Sodgcr Laddie." 

I once was a maid, tho' I cannot tell when, 
And still my delight is in proper young men; 
Some one of a troop of dragoons was my daddie, 
No wonder I'm fond of a sodger laddie. 

Sing, lal de lal, &c. 

The first of my loves was a swaggering blade, 
To rattle the thundering drum was his trade; 
His leg was so tight, and his cheek was so ruddy, 
Transfxjrtcd I was with my sodgcr laddie. 

But the godly old chaplain left him in the lurch; 
The sword I forsook for the sake of the church: 
He ventur'd the soul, and I risked the body, 
'Twas then I proved false to my sodger laddie. 

Full soon I grew sick of my sanctified sot. 
The regiment at large for a husband I got; 
From the gilded spontoon to the fife I was ready, 
I asked no more but a sodger laddie. 

But the peace it reduc'd me to beg in despair. 
Till I met my old boy in a Cunningham fair, 
His rags regimental, they flutter'd so gaudy. 
My heart it rejoic'd at a sodger laddie. 



POEMS AND SONGS 125 

And now 1 have liv'd — I know not how long, 
And still I can join in a cup and a song; 
But whilst with both hands I can hold the glass steady. 
Here's to thee, my hero, my sodger laddie. 

Recitatit/o 
Poor Merry-Andrew, in the neuk, 

Sat guzzling wi' a tinkler-hizzie; 
They mind't na wha the chorus teuk. 

Between themselves they were sae busy: 

At length, wi' drink an' courting dizzy. 
He stoiter'd up an* made a face; 

Then turn'd an' laid a smack on Grizzie, 
Syne tun'd his pipes wi' grave grimace. 

Air 

Tune — "Auld Sir Symon." 
Sir Wisdom's a fool when he's fou; 

Sir Knave is a fool in a session; 
He's there but a 'prentice I trow. 

But I am a fool by profession. 

My grannie she bought me a beuk, 

An' I held awa to the school; 
I fear I my talent misteuk. 

But what will ye hae of a fool? 

For drink I would venture my neck; 

A hizzie's the half of my craft; 
But what could ye other expect 

Of ane that's avowedly daft? 

I ance was tied up like a stirk, 

For civilly swearing and quaffin; 
I ance was abus'd i' the kirk, 

For towsing a lass i' my dafEn. 

Poor Andrew that tumbles for sport. 

Let naebody name wi' a jeer; 
There's even, I'm tauld, i' the Court 

A tumbler ca'd the Premier. 



126 ROBERT BURNS 

Observ'd ye yon reverend lad 
Mak faces to tickle the mob; 

He rails at our mountebank squad,- 
It's rivalship just i' the job. 

And now my conclusion I'll tell, 
For faith I'm confoundedly dry; 

The chiel that's a fool for himsel', 
Guid Lord ! he's far dafter than I. 



Recitative 

Then niest outsftak a raucle carlin, 
Wha kent fu' weel to deck the sterlin; 
For mony a pursie she had hooked, 
An' had in mony a well been douked; 
Her love had been a Highland laddie. 
But weary fa' the waefu' woodie! 
Wi' sighs an' sobs she thus began 
To wail her braw John Highlandman. 

Air 

Tune — "O, an ye were dead, Guidman." 

A Highland lad my love was born, 
The Lalland laws he held in scorn; 
But he still was faithfu' to his clan. 
My gallant, braw John Highlandman. 

Chorus 

Sing hey my braw John Highlandman! 
Sing ho my braw John Highlandman! 
TTiere's not a lad in a' the Ian' 
Was match for my John Highlandman. 

With his philibeg an' tartan plaid, 
An' guid claymore down by his side, 
The ladies' hearts he did trepan. 
My gallant, braw John Highlandman. 
Sing hey, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 27 

We ranged a' from Tweed to Spey, 
An' liv'd like lords an' ladies gay; 
For a Lalland face he feared none, — 
My gallant, braw John Highlandman. 
Sing hey, &c. 

They banish'd him beyond the sea. 
But ere the bud was on the tree, 
Adown my cheeks the pearls ran. 
Embracing my John Highlandman. 

Sing hey, 8cc. 

But, och! they catch'd him at the last, 
And bound him in a dungeon fast: 
My curse upon them every one. 
They've hang'd my braw John HighlandmanI 
Sing hey, &c. 

And now a widow, I must mourn 
The pleasures that v^'ill ne'er return: 
No comfort but a hearty can. 
When I think on John Highlandman. 
Sing hey, &c. 

Recitativo 

A pigmy scraper wi' his fiddle, 

Wha us'd at trystes an' fairs to driddle. 

Her strappin limb and gausy middle 

(He reach'd nae higher) 
Had hol'd his heartie like a riddle. 

An' blawn't on fire. 

Wi' hand on hainch, and upward e'e. 
He croon'd his gamut, one, two, three. 
Then in an arioso key. 

The wee A[>oUo 
Set off wi' allegretto glee 

His giga solo. 



128 ROBERT BURNS 

Air 

Tune — "Whisde owrc the lave o't." 

Let me ryke up to dight that tear, 
An' go wi' me an* be my dear; 
An' then your every care an' fear 
May whistle owre the lave o't. 

Chorus 

I am a fiddler to my trade, 
An' a' the tunes that e'er I played. 
The sweetest still to wife or maid, 
Was whistle owre the lave o't. 

At kirns an' weddins we'se be there, 
An' O sae nicely's we will fare! 
We'll bowse about till Daddie Care 
Sing whisde owre the lave o't. 
I am, &c. 

Sae merrily's the banes we'll pyke, 
An' sun oursel's about the dyke; 
An' at our leisure, when ye like. 
We'll whistle owre the lave o't. 
I am, &c. 

But bless me wi' your heav'n o' charms, 
An' while I kitde hair on thairms, 
Hunger, cauld, an' a' sic harms. 
May whisde owre the lave o't. 
I am, &c. 

Recitalit/o 

Her charms had struck a sturdy caird, 
As weel as pool gut-scraper; 

He taks the fiddler by the beard, 
.\n' draws a roosty rapier — 

He swoor, by a' was swearing worth, 
To speet him like a pliver. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 29 

Unless he would from that time forth 
Relinquish her for ever. 

Wi' ghastly e'e, poor tweedle-dee 

Upon his hunkers bended, 
An' pray'd for grace wi' ruefu' face. 

An' so the quarrel ended. 
But tho' his little heart did grieve 

When round the tinkler prest her, 
He feign'd to snirtle in his sleeve, 

When thus the caird address'd her: 

Air 

Tune — "Clout the Cauldron." 

My bonie lass, I work in brass, 

A tinkler is my station: 
I've travell'd round all Christian ground 

In this my occupation; 
I've tacn the gold, an' been enrolled 

In many a noble squadron; 
But vain they scarch'd when off I march'd 

To go an' clout the cauldron. 

I've taen the gold, &c. 

Despise that shrimp, that wither'd imp, 

With a' his noise an' cap'rin; 
An' take a share with those that bear 

The budget and the apron! 
And by that stowp! my faith an' houp. 

And by that dear Kilbaigie,' 
If e'er ye want, or meet wi' scant. 

May I ne'er weet my craigie. 

And by that stowp, &c. 

Recitativo 

The caird prevail'd — th' unblushing fair 

In his embraces sunk; 
Partly wi' love o'ercome sae sair, 

' A peculiar sort of whisky so called, a great favorite with Poosie Nansic's 
clubs— R. B. 



IJO ROBERT BURNS 

An' partly she was drunk: 
Sir Violino, with an air 

That show'd a man o' spunk, 
Wish'd unison between the pair, 

An' made the bottle dunk 

To their health that night. 

But hurchin Cupid shot a shaft. 

That play'd a dame a shavie — 
The fiddler rak'd her, fore and aft, 

Behint the chicken cavie. 
Her lord, a wight of Homer's craft,* 

Tho' limpin wi' the spavie, 
He hirpl'd up, an' lap like daft. 

An* shor'd them Dainty Davie. 

O' boot that night. 

He was a care-defying blade 

As ever Bacchus listed! 
Tho' Fortune sair upon him laid. 

His heart, she ever miss'd it. 
He had no wish but — to be glad. 

Nor want but — when he thirsted; 
He hated nought but — to lie sad, 

An' thus the muse suggested 

His sang that night. 

Air 
Tune — "For a' that, an" a" that." 

I am a Bard of no regard, 
Wi' gende folks an' a' that; 

But Homer-like, the glowrin byke, 
Frae town to town I draw that. 

Chorus 

For a' that, an' a' that. 

An' twice as muckle's a' that; 
I've lost but ane, I've twa behin', 
I've wife eneugh for a' that. 
'Homer is allowed to be the oldest ballad-singer on record. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS I3I 

I never drank the Muses' stank, 

Castalia's burn, an' a' that; 
But there it streams an' richly reams. 

My Helicon I ca' that. 

For a' that, &c. 

Great love I bear to a' the fair, 

Their humble slave an' a' that; 
But lordly will, I hold it still 

A mortal sin to thraw that. 
For a' that, &c. 

In raptures sweet, this hour we meet, 

Wi' mutual love an' a' that; 
But for how lang the flie may stang. 

Let inclination law that. 

For a' that, 6cc. 

Their tricks an' craft hae put me daft. 

They've taen me in, an' a' that; 
But clear your decks, and here's — "The Sex!" 

I like the jads for a' that. 

Chorus 

For a' that, an' a' that. 

An' twice as muckle's a' that; 
My dearest bluid, to do them guid, 

They're welcome till't for a' that. 

Recitativo 

So sang the bard — and Nansie's wa's 
Shook with a thunder of applause, 

Re-echo'd from each mouth! 
They toom'd their pocks, they pawn'd their duds. 
They scarcely left to co'er their fuds, 

To quench their lowin drouth: 
Then owre again, the jovial thrang 

The poet did request 
To lowse his pack an' wale a sang, 



132 ROBERT BURNS 

A ballad o' the best; 
He rising, rejoicing, 

Between his twa Deborahs, 
Looks round him, an' found them 

Impatient for the chorus. 

Air 
Tune — "Jolly Mortals, fill your Glasses." 
See the smoking bowl before us, 

Mark our jovial ragged ring! 
Round and round take up the chorus. 
And in raptures let us sing — 

Chorus 

A fig for those by law protected! 

Liberty's a glorious feast! 
Courts for cowards were erected. 

Churches built to please the priest. 

What is tide, what is treasure, 
What is reputation's care? 

If we lead a life of pleasure, 
'Tis no matter how or where! 
A fig for, &c. 

With the ready trick and fable. 
Round we wander all the day; 

And at night in barn or stable. 
Hug our doxies on the hay. 
A fig for, &c. 

Does the train-attended carriage 
Thro' the country lighter rove? 

Does the sober bed of marriage 
Witness brighter scenes of love? 
A fig for, &c. 

Life is all a variorum, 

We regard not how it goes; 

Let them cant about decorum. 
Who have character to lose. 
A fig for, 8cc. 



POEMS AND SONGS 133 

Here's to budgets, bags and wallets! 

Here's to all the wandering train. 
Here's our ragged brats and callets, 

One and all cry out, Amen! 

Chorus 

A fig for those by law protected! 

Liberty's a glorious (east! 
Courts for cowards were erected, 

Churches built to please the priest. 

SONG— FOR A' THAT* 

Tune — "For a' that." 
Tho' women's minds, like winter winds, 

May shift, and turn, an' a' that. 
The noblest breast adores them maist — 

A consequence I draw that. 

Chorus 

For a' that, an* a' that. 

And twice as meikle's a' that; 

The bonie lass that I loe best 
She'll be my ain for a' that. 

Great love I bear to a' the fair. 

Their humble slave, an' a' that; 
But lordly will, I hold it still 

A mortal sin to thraw that. 
For a' that, &c. 

But there is ane aboon the lave, 

Has wit, and sense, an' a' that; 
A bonie lass, I like her best, 

And wha a crime dare ca* that? 
For a' that, &c. 

In rapture sweet this hour we meet, 
Wi' mutual love an' a' that, 
'A later version of "I am a bard of no regard" in "The Jolly Beggars." 



134 ROBERT BURNS 

But for how lang the flie may stang, 
Let inclination law that. 

For a' that, 8cc. 

Their tricks an' craft hae put me daft. 

They've taen me in, an' a' that; 
But clear your decks, and here's — 'The Sex!" 

I like the jads for a' that. 

For a' that, &c. 

SONG— MERRY HAE I BEEN TEETHIN A HECKLE 

Tune — "The bob o' Dumblanc." 

O MERRY hae I been teethin' a heckle. 

An' merry hae I been shapin' a spoon; 
O merry hae I been cloutin* a kettle. 

An' kissin' my Katie when a' was done. 
O a' the lang day I ca' at my hammer. 

An' a' the lang day I whistle and sing; 
O a' the lang night I cuddle my kimmer. 

An' a' the lang night as happy's a king. 

Bitter In dool I lickit my winnins 

O' marrying Bess, to gie her a slave: 
Blest be the hour she cool'd in her linnens. 

And blythe be the bird that sings on her grave! 
Come to my arms, my Katie, my Katie; 

O come to my arms and kiss me again! 
Drucken or sober, here's to thee, Katie! 

An' blest be the day I did it again. 

THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT 
Inscribed to R. Aiken, Esq., of Ayr. 

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil, 
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure; 

Nor Grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile. 
The short and simple anoals of the Poor. 

Gray. 

My lov'd, my honour'd, much respected friend! 
No mercenary bard his homage pays; 



POEMS A^fD SONGS I35 

With honest pride, I scorn each selfish end. 
My dearest meed, a friend's esteem and praise: 
To you I sing, in simple Scottish lays. 

The lowly train in life's sequestcr'd scene. 
The native feelings strong, the guileless ways. 

What Aiken in a cottage would have been; 

Ah! tho' his worth unknown, far happier there I ween! 

November chill blaws loud wi' angry sugh; 

The short 'ning winter-day is near a close; 
The miry beasts retreating frae the pleugh; 

The black'ning trains o' craws to their repose: 

The toil-worn Cotter frae his labour goes, — 
This night his weekly moil is at an end. 

Collects his spades, his mattocks, and his hoes, 
Hoping the morn in ease and rest to spend. 
And weary, o'er the moor, his course does hameward bend. 

At length his lonely cot appears in view, 

Beneath the shelter of an aged tree; 
Th' expectant wee-things, toddlin, stacher through 

To meet their dead, wi' flichterin noise and glee. 

His wee bit ingle, blinkin bonilie. 
His clean hearth-stane, his thrifty wifie's smile. 

The lisping infant, pratding on his knee. 
Does a' his weary kiaugh and care beguile. 
And makes him quite forget his labour and his toil. 

Belyve, the elder bairns come drapping in, 

At service out, amang the farmers roun'; 
Some ca' the pleugh, some herd, some tentie rin 

A cannie errand to a neibor town: 

Their eldest hope, their Jenny, woman-grown, 
In youthfu' bloom — love sparkling in her e'e — 

Comes hame, perhaps to shew a braw new gown. 
Or dejxwite her sair-won penny-fee. 
To help her parents dear, if they in hardship be. 

With joy unfeign'd, brothers and sisters meet. 

And each for other's weelfare kindly speirs: 
The social hours, swift-wing'd, unnotic'd fleet: 



136 ROBERT BURNS 

Each tells the uncos that he sees or hears. 

The parents, partial, eye their hopeful years; 
Anticipation forward points the view; 

The mother, wi' her needle and her shears. 
Gars auld claes look amaist as weel's the new; 
The father mixes a' wi' admonition due. 

Their master's and their mistress's command. 

The younkers a' are warned to obey, 
And mind their labours wi' an eydent hand, 

And ne'er, tho' out o' sight, to jauk or play; 

"And O! be sure to fear the Lord alway. 
And mind your duty, duly, morn and night; 

Lest in temptation's path ye gang astray, 
Implore His counsel and assisting might: 
They never sought in vain that sought the Lord aright." 

But hark! a rap comes gently to the door; 

Jenny, wha kens the meaning o' the same, 
Tells how a neibor lad came o'er the moor, 

To do some errands, and convoy her bame. 

The wily mother sees the conscious flame 
Sparkle in Jenny's e'e, and flush her cheek; 

With heart-struck anxious care, enquires his name. 
While Jenny hafflins is afraid to speak; 
Weel-pleased the mother hears, it's nae wild, worthless rake. 

Wi' kindly welcome, Jenny brings him ben; 

A strappin youth, he takes the mother's eye; 
Blythe Jenny sees the visit's no ill ta'en; 

The father cracks of horses, pleughs, and kye. 

The youngster's artless heart o'erflows wi' joy. 
But blate an' laithfu*, scarce can weel behave; 

The mother, wi' a woman's wiles, can spy 
What makes the youth sae bashfu' and sae grave, 
Weel-pleas'd to think her bairn's resf)ected like the lave. 

O happy love! where love like this is found: 
O heart-felt raptures! bliss beyond compare! 
I've paced much this weary, mortal round. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 37 

And sage experience bids me this declare, — 

"If Heaven a draught of heavenly pleasure spare — 

One cordial in this melancholy vale, 

'Tis when a youthful, loving, modest pair 

In other's arms, breathe out the tender tale. 

Beneath the milk-white thorn that scents the evening gale." 

Is there, in human form, that bears a heart, 

A wretch! a villain! lost to love and truth! 
That can, with studied, sly, ensnaring art, 

Betray sweet Jenny's unsuspecting youth? 

Curse on his perjur'd arts! dissembling smooth! 
Are honour, virtue, conscience, all exil'd ? 

Is there no pity, no relenting ruth, 
Points to the parents fondling o'er their child? 
Then paints the ruin'd maid, and their distraaion wild? 

But now the supper crowns their simple board. 
The halesomc parritch, chief of Scotia's food; 

The sowp their only hawkie does afford. 

That, 'yont the hallan snugly chows her cood: 
Tlie dame brings forth, in complimcntal mood. 

To grace the lad, her weel-hain'd kcbbuck, fell; 
And aft he's prest, and aft he ca's it guid: 

The frugal wific, garrulous, will tell 

How t'was a towmond auld, sin' lint was i' the bell. 

The cheerfu' supper done, wi' serious face. 

They, round the ingle, form a circle wide; 
The sire turns o'er, with patriarchal grace. 

The big ha'-bible, ance his father's pride: 

His bonnet rcv'rently is laid aside. 
His lyart haflets wearing thin and bare; 

Those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide, 
He wales a portion with judicious care; 
And "Let us worship God!" he says with solemn air. 

TTiey chant their artless notes in simple guise. 

They tune their hearts, by far the noblest aim; 
Perhaps Dundee's wild-warbling measures rise; 



138 ROBERT BURNS 

Or plaintive Martyrs, worthy of the name; 

Or noble Elgin beets the heaven-ward flame; 
TTie sweetest far of Scotia's holy lays: 

Compar'd with these, Italian trills are tame; 
The tickl'd ears no heart-felt raptures raise; 
Nae unison hae they with our Creator's praise. 

The priest-like father reads the sacred page. 

How Abram was the friend of God on high; 
Or Moses bade eternal warfare wage 

With Amalek's ungracious progeny; 

Or how the royal bard did groaning lie 
Beneath the stroke of Heaven's avenging ire; 

Or Job's pathetic plaint, and wailing cry; 
Or rapt Isaiah's wild, seraphic fire; 
Or other holy seers that tune the sacred lyre. 

Perhaps the Christian volume is the theme. 
How guildess blood for guilty man was shed; 

How He, who bore in Heaven the second name. 
Had not on earth whereon to lay His head: 
How His first followers and servants sped; 

The precepts sage they wrote to many a land: 
How he, who lone in Patmos banished, 

Saw in the sun a mighty angel stand, 

And heard great Bab'lon's doom pronounc'd by Heaven's 
command. 

Then, kneeling down to Heaven's Eternal King, 

The saint, the father, and the husband prays: 
Hope "springs exulting on triumphant wing," ' 

That thus they all shall meet in future days. 

There, ever bask in uncreated rays. 
No more to sigh, or shed the bitter tear. 

Together hymning their Creator's praise. 
In such society, yet still more dear; 
While circling Time moves round in an eternal sphere 

Compar'd with this, how poor Religion's pride, 

In all the pomp of method, and of art; 
When men display to congregations wide 
■ Pope's "Windsor Forest."— iJ. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 39 

Devotion's ev'ry grace, except the heart! 

The Power, incens'd, the pageant will desert, 
The pompous strain, the sacerdotal stole; 

But haply, in some cottage far apart. 
May hear, well-pleas'd, the language of the soul; 
And in His Book of Life the inmates poor enroll. 

Then homeward all take off their sev'ra! way; 

The youngling cottagers retire to rest: 
The parent-pair their secret homage pay. 

And proffer up to Heaven the warm request. 

That He who stills the raven's dam'rous nest. 
And decks the lily fair in fJow'ry pride. 

Would, in the way His wisdom sees the best, 
For them and for their little ones provide; 
But chieHy, in their hearts with grace divine preside. 

From scenes like these, old Scotia's grandeur springs, 

That makes her lov'd at home, rever'd abroad: 
Princes and lords are but the breath of kings, 

"An honest man's the noblest work of God;" 

And certes, in fair virtue's heavenly road, 
The cottage leaves the palace far behind; 

What is a lordling's pomp? a cumbrous load, 
Disguising oft the wretch of human kind, 
Studied in arts of hell, in wickedness refin'd! 

O Scotia! my dear, my native soil! 

For whom my warmest wish to Heaven is sent. 
Long may thy hardy sons of rustic toil 

Be blest with health, and p)eace, and sweet contentl 

And O! may Heaven their simple lives prevent 
From luxury's contagion, weak and vile! 

Then, howe'er crowns and coronets be rent, 
A virtuous populace may rise the while. 
And stand a wall of fire around their much-lov'd isle. 

O TTiou! who pour'd the patriotic tide. 

That stream'd thro' Wallace's undaunted heart, 
Who dar'd to nobly stem tyrannic pride. 



140 ROBERT BURNS 

Or nobly die, the second glorious part: 

(The patriot's (Jod peculiarly thou art, 

His friend, inspirer, guardian, and reward!) 

O never, never Scotia's realm desert; 
But still the patriot, and the patriot-bard 
In bright succession raise, her ornament and guard! 

ADDRESS TO THE DEIL 

O Prince! O chief of many thronM Pow'rs 
That led th' embatti'd Seraphim to war — 

Milton. 



O Thou! whatever title suit the 
Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick, or Clootie, 
Wha in yon cavern grim an' sootie, 

Clos'd under hatches, 
Spairges about the brunstane cootie. 

To scaud poor wretches! 

Hear me, auld Hangie, for a wee. 
An' let poor damned bodies be; 
I'm sure sma' pleasure it can gie, 

Ev'n to a deil. 
To skelp an' scaud poor dogs like mc. 

An' hear us squeel! 

Great is thy jx)w'r an' great thy fame; 

Far ken'd an' noted is thy name; 

An' tho' yon lowin' heuch's thy hame, 

Thou travels far; 
An' faith! thou's neither lag nor lame, 

Nor blate, nor scaur. 

Whiles, ranging like a roarin lion. 
For prey, a' holes and corners tryin; 
Whiles, on the strong-wing'd tempest flyin, 

Tirlin the kirks; 
Whiles, in the human bosom pryin. 

Unseen thou lurks. 

I've heard my rev'rend graunie say. 
In lanely glens ye like to stray; 



POEMS AND SONGS I4I 

Or where auld ruin'd castles grey 

Nod to the moon, 
Ye fright the nightly wand'rer's way, 

Wi' eldritch croon. 

When twilight did my graunie summon. 
To say her pray'rs, douse, honest woman! 
Aft 'yont the dyke she's heard you bummin, 

Wi' eerie drone; 
Or, rusdin, thro' the boortrees comin, 

Wi' heavy groan. 

Ae dreary, windy, winter night. 

The stars shot down wi' sklentin light, 

Wi' you, mysel' I gat a fright, 

Ayont the lough; 
Ye, like a rash-buss, stood in sight, 

Wi' wavin' sough. 

The cudgel in my nieve did shake. 
Each bristl'd hair stood like a stake. 
When wi' an eldritch, stoor "quaick, quaick," 

Amang the springs, 
Awa ye squatter'd like a drake. 

On whisdin' wings. 

Let warlocks grim, an' wither'd hags. 
Tell how wi' you, on ragweed nags. 
They skim the muirs an' dizzy crags, 

Wi' wicked speed; 
And in kirk-yards renew their leagues, 

Owre howkit dead. 

Thence countra wives, wi' toil and pain. 
May plunge an' plunge the kirn in vain; 
For oh! the yellow treasure's ta'en 

By witchin' skill; 
An' dawtit, twal-pint hawkie's gane 

As yell's the bill. 



142 ROBERT BURNS 

Thence mystic knots mak great abuse 
On young guidmen, fond, keen an' crouse, 
When the best wark-lume i' the house, 

By cantrip wit, 
Is instant made no worth a louse, 

Just at the bit. 

When thowes dissolve the snawy hoord, 
An' float the jinglin' icy boord. 
Then water-kelpies haunt the foord. 

By your direction, 
And 'nighted travllers are allur'd 

To their destruction. 

And aft your moss-traversin Spunkies 
Decoy the wight that late an' drunk is: 
The bleezin, curst, mischievous monkies 

E)elude his eyes. 
Till in some miry slough he sunk is. 

Ne'er mair to rise. 

When masons' mystic word an' grip 
In storms an' tempests raise you up. 
Some cock or cat your rage maun stop. 

Or, strange to tell! 
The youngest brither ye wad whip 

Aff straught to hell. 

Lang syne in Eden's bonie yard. 
When youthfu' lovers first were pair'd. 
An' all the soul of love they shar'd, 

The raptur'd hour, 
Sweet on the fragrant flow'ry swaird. 

In shady bower;' 

Then you, ye auld, snick-drawing dog! 
Ye cam to Paradise incog, 

'The verse originally ran: 

"Ijnj; syne, in Eden's happy scene 
When strappin Adam's days were green. 
And Eve was like my bonie Jean, 

My dearest |nrt, 
A dancin, sweet, young handsome quean, 
O' guileless heart." 



POEMS AND SONGS I43 

An' play'd on man a cursed brogue, 

(Black be your £a'!) 

An' gied the infant warld a shog, 

'Maist ruin'd a'. 

D'ye mind that day when in a bizz 
Wi' reekit duds, an' reestit gizz, 
Ye did present your smoutie phiz 

'Mang better folk. 
An' sklented on the man of Uzz 

Your spitefu' joke? 

An' how ye gat him i' your thrall. 
An' brak him out o' house an hal'. 
While scabs and botches did him gall, 

Wi' bitter claw; 
An' lows'd his ill-tongu'd wicked scaul', 

Was warst ava? 

But a' your doings to rehearse. 
Your wily snares an' fcchtin fierce. 
Sin' that day MichaeP did you pierce, 

Down to this time, 
Wad ding a Lallan tongue, or Erse, 

In prose or rhyme. 

An' now, auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin, 
A certain bardie's rantin, drinkin. 
Some luckless hour will send him linkin 

To your black pit; 
But faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin. 

An' cheat you yet. 

But fare-you-weel, auld Nickie-ben! 
O wad ye tak a thought an' men'! 
Ye aiblins might — I dinna ken — 

Still hae a stake: 
I'm wae to think upo' yon den, 

Ev'n for your sake! 
« Vide Milton, Book v\.—R. B. 



144 ROBERT BURNS 

SCOTCH DRINK 

Gic him strong drink until he wink. 

That's sinking in despair; 
An' liquor guid to Rrc his bluid, 

That's prest wi' grief and care: 
There let him bouse, an' deep carouse, 

Wi' bumpers flowing o'er, 
Till he forgets his loves or debts. 

An' minds his griefs no more. 

Solomon's Proverbs, xxxi. 6, 7. 

Let Other poets raise a frdcas 

'Bout vines, an' wines, an' drucken Bacchus, 

An' crabbit names an' stories wrack us. 

An' grate our lug: 
I sing the juice Scotch bear can mak us. 
In glass or jug. 

O thou, my muse! guid auld Scotch drink! 
Whether thro' wimplin worms thou jink. 
Or, richly brown, ream owre the brink. 

In glorious faem. 
Inspire me, till I lisp an' wink, 

To sing thy name! 

Let husky wheat the haughs adorn. 
An' aits set up their awnie horn. 
An' pease and beans, at e'en or morn. 

Perfume the plain: 
Leeze me on thee, John Barleycorn, 

Thou king o' grain! 

On thee aft Scotland chows her cood, 
In souple scones, the wale o' food! 
Or tumblin in the boiling flood 

Wi' kail an' beef; 
But when thou pours thy strong heart's blood. 

There thou shines chief. 



Food fills the wame, an' keeps us leevin; 
Tho' life's a gift no worth receivin, 



POEMS AND SONGS I45 

When heavy-dragg'd wi' pine an' grievin; 

But, oil'd by thee, 
The wheels o' life gae downhill, scrievin, 

Wi' ratdin glee. 

Thou clears the head o' doited Lear; 
Thou cheers the heart o' drooping Care; 
Thou strings the nerves o' Labour sair, 

At's weary toil; 
Thou even brightens dark Despair 

Wi' gloomy smile. 

Aft, clad in massy siller weed, 
Wi' gcndes thou erects thy head; 
Yet, humbly kind in time o' need. 

The f)oor man's wine; 
His wee drap parritch, or his bread, 

Thou kitchens fine. 

Thou art the life o' public haunts; 

But thee, what were our fairs and rants? 

Ev'n godly meetings o' the saunts. 

By thee inspired. 
When gaping they besiege the tents. 

Are doubly fir'd. 

That merry night we get the corn in, 
O sweetly, then, thou reams the horn in! 
Or reekin on a New-year mornin 

In cog or bicker. 
An' just a wee drap sp'ritual burn in. 

An' gusty sucker! 

When Vulcan gies his bellows breath, 
An' ploughmen gather wi' their graith, 
O rare! to see thee fizz an freath 

r th' luggit caup! 
Then Burnewin comes on like death 

At every chap. 



146 ROBERT BURNS 

Nae mercy then, for airn or steel; 
The brawnie, banie, ploughman chiel, 
Brings hard owrehip, wi' sturdy wheel, 

The strong forehammer, 
Till block an' studdie ring an reel, 

Wi' dinsome clamour. 

When skirling weanies see the light. 
Thou maks the gossips clatter bright. 
How fumblin' cuifs their dearies slight; 

Wae worth the name! 
Nae howdie gets a social night, 

Or plack frae them. 

When neibors anger at a plea. 
An' just as wud as wud can be, 
How easy can the barley brie 

Cement the quarrel! 
It's aye the chea{)est lawyer's fee, 

To taste the barrel. 

Alake! that e'er my muse has reason. 
To wyte her countrymen wi' treason! 
But mony daily weet their weason 

Wi' liquors nice. 
An' hardly, in a winter season. 

E'er spier her price. 

Wae worth that brandy, burnin trash! 
Fell source o' mony a pain an' brash! 
Twins mony a poor, doylt, drucken hash, 

O' half his days; 
An' sends, beside, auld Scotland's cash 

To her warst faes. 

Ye Scots, wha wish auld Scotland well! 
Ye chief, to you my tale I tell, 
Poor, plackless devils like mysel'! 

It sets you ill, 
Wi* bitter, dearthfu' wines to mell. 

Or foreign gill. 



POEMS AND SONGS I47 

May gravels round his blather wrench, 
An' gouts torment him, inch by inch, 
Wha twists his gruntle wi' a glunch 

O' sour disdain. 
Out owre a glass o' whisky-punch 

Wi' honest men! 

O Whisky! soul o' plays and pranks! 

Accept a bardie's gratfu' thanks! 

When wanting thee, what tuneless cranks 

Are my {xwr verses! 
Thou comes — they ratde in their ranks, 

At ither's a — s! 

Thee, Ferintosh! O sadly lost! 
Scotland lament frae coast to coast! 
Now colic grips, an' barkin hoast 

May kill us a'; 
For loyal Forbes' charter'd boast 

Is ta'en awa? 

Thae curst horse-leeches o' the' Excise, 
Wha mak the whisky stalls their prize! 
Haud up thy han', Deil! ance, twice, thrice! 

There, seize the blinkers! 
An' bake them up in brunstane pies 

For {xxjr damn'd drinkers. 

Fortune! if thou'll but gie me still 
Hale breeks, a scone, an' whisky gill, 
An' rowth o' rhyme to rave at will, 

Tak a' the rest. 
An' deal't about as thy blind skill 

Directs thee best. 

THE AULD FARMER'S NEW-YEAR-MORNING 
SALUTATION TO HIS AULD MARE, MAGGIE 

On giving her the accustomed ripp of corn to hansel in the New Year. 
A GUiD New-year I wish thee, Maggie! 
Hae, there's a ripp to thy auld baggie: 
Tho' thou's howe-backit now, an' knaggie, 
I've seen the day 



148 ROBERT BURNS 

Thou could hae gaen like ony staggie, 
Out-owre the lay. 

Tho* now thou's dowie, stiff, an' crazy, 
An' thy auld hide as white's a daisie, 
I've seen thee dappl't, sleek an* glaizie, 

A bonie gray: 
He should been tight that daur't to raize thee, 

Ance in a day. 

Thou ance was i' the foremost rank, 
A filly buirdly, steeve, an' swank; 
An' set weel down a shapely shank. 

As e'er tread yird; 
An* could hae flown out-owre a stank. 

Like ony bird. 

It's now some nine-an'-twenty year. 
Sin' thou was my guid-father's mear; 
He gied me thee, o' tocher clear. 

An' fifty mark; 
Tho' it was sma', 'twas weel-won gear. 

An' thou was stark. 

When first I gaed to woo my Jenny, 
Ye then was trotting wi' your minnie: 
Tho' ye was trickie, slee, an' funnie, 

Ye ne'er was donsie; 
But hamely, tawie, quiet, an' cannie, 

An' unco sonsie. 

That day, ye pranc'd wi' muckle pride, 
When ye bure hame my bonie bride: 
An' sweet an' gracefu' she did ride, 

Wi' maiden air! 
Kyle-Stewart I could bragged wide 

For sic a pair. 

Tho' now ye dow but hoyte and hobble, 
An' wintle like a saumont coble. 



POEMS AND SONGS I49 

That day, ye was a j inker noble, 

For heels an' win'! 
An' ran them till they a' did wauble. 

Far, far, behin'l 

When thou an' I were young an' skeigh. 

An' stable-meals at fairs were dreigh. 

How thou wad prance, and snore, an' skreigh 

An' tak the road! 
Town's-bodies ran, an' stood abeigh. 

An' ca't thee mad. 

When thou was corn't, an' I was mellow, 
We took the road aye like a swallow: 
At brooses thou had ne'er a fellow, 

For pith an' speed; 
But ev'ry tail thou pay't them hollow, 

Whare'er thou gaed. 

The sma', droop-rumpl't, hunter cattle 
Might aihlins waur't thee for a brattle; 
But sax Scotch mile, thou try't their metde. 

An' gar't them whaizle: 
Nae whip nor spur, but just a watde 

O' saiigh or hazel. 

Thou was a noble fittie-lan'. 

As e'er in tug or tow was drawn! 

Aft thee an' I, in aught hours' gaun. 

In guid March-weather, 
Hae turn'd sax rood beside our ban'. 

For days thegither. 

Thou never braing't, an' fetch't, an' fliskit; 
But thy auld tail thou wad hae whiskit. 
An' spread abreed thy weel-fiU'd brisket, 

Wi' pith an' power; 
Till sprittie knowes wad rair't an' riskit 

An' slypet owre. 

When frosts lay lang, an' snaws were deep. 
An' threaten'd labour back to keep. 



150 ROBERT BURNS 

I gied thy cog a wcc bit heap 

Aboon the timmer: 

I ken'd my Maggie wad na sleep, 

For that, or simmer. 

In cart or car thou never reestit; 
The steyest brae thou wad hae fac't it; 
Thou never lap, an' sten't, and breastit. 

Then stood to blaw; 
But just thy step a wee thing hastit. 

Thou snoov't awa. 

My pleugh is now thy bairn-time a', 
Four gallant brutes as e'er did draw; 
Forbye sax mae I've sell't awa. 

That thou hast nurst: 
They drew me thretteen pund an' twa. 

The vera warst. 

Mony a sair daurk we twa hae wrought. 
An' wi' the weary warl' fought! 
An' mony an anxious day, I thought 

We wad be beat! 
Yet here to crazy age we're brought, 

Wi' something yet. 

An' think na', my auld trusty servan'. 
That now perhaps thou's less deservin. 
An' thy auld days may end in starvin; 

For my last fow, 
A heapit stimpart, I'll reserve ane 

Laid by for you. 

We've worn to crazy years thegither; 
We'll toyte about wi* ane anither; 
Wi' tentie care I'll flit thy tether 

To some hain'd rig, 
Whare ye may nobly rax your leather, 

Wi' sma* fatigue. 



POEMS AND SONGS 151 

THE TWA DOGS' 

A TALB 

TwAs in that place o' Scotland's isle, 

That bears the name o' auld King Coil, 

U|X)n a bonie day in June, 

When wearin' thro' the afternoon, 

Twa dogs, that were na thrang at hame, 

Forgather'd ance upon a time. 
The first 111 name, they ca'd him Cjesar, 

Was keepit for His Honor's pleasure: 

His hair, his size, his mouth, his lugs, 

Shew'd he was nane o' Scotland's dogs; 

But whalpit some place far abroad, 

Whare sailors gang to fish for cod. 
His locked, letter'd, braw brass collar 

Shew'd him the gentleman an' scholar; 

But though he was o' high degree. 

The fient a pride, nae pride had he; 

But wad hae sf>ent an hour caressin, 

Ev'n wi' a tinkler-gipsy's messin: 

At kirk or market, mill or smiddie, 

Nae tawted tyke, tho* e'er sae duddie. 

Hut he wad stan't, as glad to see him, 

An' stroan't on stanes an' hillocks wi' him. 
The tither was a ploughman's collie — 

A rhyming, ranting, raving billie, 

Wha for his friend an' comrade had him, 

And in his freaks had Luath ca'd him. 

After some dog in Highland sang,' 

Was made lang syne, — Lord knows how lang. 
He was a gash an' faithfu' tyke, 

As ever lap a sheugh or dyke. 

His honest, sonsie, baws'nt face 

Aye gat him friends in ilka place; 

His breast was white, his touzie back 

Weel clad wi' coat o' glossy black; 

His gawsie tail, wi' upward curl. 

Hung owre his hurdies wi' a swirl. 
' Luath was Burns's own dog. 
' l.uath. Cuchullin's do;; in Ossian's "Fingal." — R. B. 



152 ROBERT BURNS 

Nae doubt but tbey were fain o' ither, 
And unco pack an' thick thegither; 
Wi' social nose whiles snuff'd an' snowkit; 
Whiles mice an' moudieworts they howkit; 
Whiles scour'd awa' in lang excursion. 
An' worry 'd ither in diversion; 
Until wi' dafKn' weary grown 
Upon a knowe they set them down. 
An' there began a lang digression. 
About the "lords o' the creation." 

CiCSAR 

I've aften wonder'd, honest Luath, 
What sort o' life poor dogs like you have; 
An' when the gentry's life I saw, 
What way poor bodies liv'd ava. 

Our laird gets in his racked rents, 
His coals, his kane, an' a' his stents: 
He rises when he likes himsel'; 
His flunkies answer at the bell; 
He ca's his coach; he ca's his horse; 
He draws a bonie silken purse. 
As lang's my tail, where, thro' the stecks. 
The yellow letter'd Geordie keeks. 

Frac morn to e'en, it's nought but toiling 
At baking, roasting, frying, boiling; 
An' tho' the gentry first are stechin. 
Yet ev'n the ha' folk fill their pechan 
Wi' sauce, ragouts, an' sic like trashtrie. 
That's little short o' downright wastrie. 
Our whipper-in, wee, blasted wonncr. 
Poor, worthless elf, it eats a dinner. 
Better than ony tenant-man 
His Honour has in a' the Ian': 
An' what poor cot-folk pit their painch in, 
I own it's past my comprehension. 

Luath 
Trowth, Ca:sar, whiles they're fash't cncugh: 
A cottar howkin in a sheugh, 
Wi* dirty stanes biggin a dyke, 



POEMS AND SONGS I53 

Baring a quarry, an' sic like; 
Himsel', a wife, he thus sustains, 
A smytrie o' wee duddie weans. 
An' nought but his han'-daurk, to keep 
Them right an' tight in thack an' rap*. 
An' when they meet wi' sair disasters, 
Like loss o' health or want o' masters, 
Ye maist wad think, a wee touch langer. 
An' they maun starve o' cauld an' hunger: 
But how it comes, I never kent yet. 
They're maisdy wonderfu' contented; 
An* buirdly chiels, an' clever hizzies, 
Are bred in sic a way as this is. 

CjEsar 

But then to see how ye're negieckit. 
How huff'd, an' cuff'd, an' disresjjeckit! 
Lord man, our gentry care as litde 
For delvers, ditchers, an' sic catde; 
They gang as saucy by poor folk, 
As I wad by a stinkin brock. 

I've notic'd, on our laird's court-day, — 
An' mony a time my heart's been wae, — 
Poor tenant bodies, scant o' cash. 
How they maun thole a factor's snash; 
He'll stamp an' threaten, curse an' swear 
He'll apprehend them, poind their gear; 
While they maun stan', wi' asjject humble, 
An' hear it a', an' fear an* tremble! 

I see how folk live that hae riches; 
But surely poor-folk maun be wretches! 

LUATH 

They're no sae wretched *s ane wad think. 
Tho' constandy on poortith's brink. 
They're sae accustom 'd wi' the sight. 
The view o't gives them little fright. 

Then chance and fortune are sae guided, 
They're aye in less or mair provided: 
An' tho' fatigued wi' close employment, 



154 ROBERT BURNS 

A blink o' rest's a sweet enjoyment. 

The dearest comfort o' their hves, 
Their grushie weans an' faithfu' wives; 
The prattling things are just their pride, 
That sweetens a' their fire-side. 

An' whiles twalpennie worth o' nappy 
Can mak the bodies unco happy: 
They lay aside their private cares, 
To mind the Kirk and State affairs; 
They'll talk o' patronage an' priests, 
Wi' kindling fury i' their breasts, 
Or tell what new taxation's comin, 
An' ferlie at the folk in Lon'on. 

As bleak-fac'd Hallowmass returns, 
They get the jovial, rantin kirns. 
When rural life, of ev'ry station, 
Unite in common recreation; 
Love blinks. Wit slaps, an' social Mirth 
Forgets there's Care u[x>' the earth. 

That merry day the year begins. 
They bar the door on frosty win's; 
The nappy reeks wi' manding ream. 
An' sheds a heart-inspiring steam; 
The luntin pipe, an' sneeshin mill. 
Are handed round wi' right guid will; 
The cantie auld folks crackin crouse, 
The young anes rantin thro' the house — 
My heart has been sae fain to see them, 
That I for joy hae barkit wi' them. 

Still it's owre true that ye hae said. 
Sic game is now owre aften play'd; 
There's mony a creditable stock 
O' decent, honest, fawsont folk, 
Are riven out baith root an' branch. 
Some rascal's pridefu' greed to quench, 
Wha thinks to knit himsel the faster 
In favour wi' some gentle master, 
Wha, aiblins, thrang a parliamentin, 
For Britain's guid his saul indentin — 



POEMS AND SONGS I55 



CjEsar 



Haith, lad, ye little ken about it: 
For Britain's guid! guid faith! I doubt it. 
Say rather, gaun as Premiers lead him: 
An' saying ay or no 's they bid him: 
At operas an' plays parading, 
Mortgaging, gambling, masquerading: 
Or maybe, in a frolic daft. 
To Hague or Calais takes a waft. 
To mak a tour an' tak a whirl, 
To learn bon ton, an' see the worl'. 

There, at Vienna, or Versailles, 
He rives his father's auld entails; 
Or by Madrid he takes the rout, 
To thrum guitars an' fecht wi' nowt; 
Or down Italian vista startles. 

Whore-hunting amang groves o' myrdes: 
Then bowses drumlie German-water, 
To mak himsel look fair an' fatter. 
An' clear the consequential sorrows. 
Love-gifts of Carnival signoras. 

For Britain's guid ! for her destruction! 
Wi' dissipation, feud, an' faction. 

LUATH 

Hech, man! dear sirs! is that the gate 
They waste sae mony a braw estate! 
Are we sae foughten an' harass'd 
For gear to gang that gate at last? 

O would they stay aback frae courts. 
An* please themsels wi' country sports, 
It wad for ev'ry anc be better. 
The laird, the tenant, an' the cotter! 
For thae frank, rantin, ramblin billies. 
Feint haet o' them's ill-hearted fellows; 
Except for breakin o' their timmer. 
Or speakin lightly o' their limmer. 
Or shootin of a hare or moor-cock. 
The ne'er-a-bit they're ill to pwor folk. 



156 



ROBERT BURNS 

But will ye tell me. Master Czsar, 
Sure great folk's life 's a life o' pleasure? 
Nae cauld nor hunger e'er can steer them, 
The very thought o't need na fear them. 

C*SAR 

Lord, man, were ye but whiles whare I am. 
The gentles, ye wad ne'er envy them! 

It's true, they need na starve or sweat. 
Thro' winter's cauld, or simmer's heat: 
They've nae sair wark to craze their banes, 
An' fill auld age wi' grips an' granes: 
But human bodies are sic fools, 
For a' their colleges an' schools. 
That when nae real ills perplex them. 
They mak enow themsel's to vex them; 
An' aye the less they hae to sturt them, 
In like proportion, less will hurt them. 

A country fellow at the pleugh, 
His acre's till'd, he's right eneugh; 
A country girl at her wheel, 
Her dizzen's dune, she's unco weel; 
But gentlemen, an' ladies warst, 
Wi' ev'n-down want o' wark are curst. 
They loiter, lounging, lank an' lazy; 
Tho' deil-haet ails them, yet uneasy; 
Their days insipid, dull, an' tasteless; 
Their nights unquiet, lang, an' restless. 

An' ev'n their sjxjrts, their balls an' races. 
Their galloping through public places, 
There's sic parade, sic pomp, an' art. 
The joy can scarcely reach the heart. 

The men cast out in party-matches. 
Then sowther a' in deep debauches. 
Ae night they're mad wi' drink an' whoring, 
Niest day their life is past enduring. 

The ladies arm-in-arm in clusters, 
As great an' gracious a' as sisters; 
But hear their absent thoughts o' ither. 
They're a' run-deils an' jads thegither. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 57 

Whiles, owre the wee bit cup an' platie, 
They sip the scandal-potion pretty; 
Or lee-lang nights, wi' crabbit leuks 
Pore owre the devil's pictur'd beuks; 
Stake on a chance a farmer's stackyard, 
An' cheat like ony unhanged blackguard. 

There's some exceptions, man an' woman; 
But this is gentry's life in common. 

By this, the sun was out of sight, 
An' darker gloamin brought the night; 
The bum-clock humm'd wi' lazy drone; 
The kye stood rowtin i' the loan; 
When up they gat an' shook their lugs, 
Rejoic'd they werena men but dogs; 
An' each took aff his several way, 
Resolv'd to meet some ither day. 



THE AUTHOR'S EARNEST CRY AND PRAYER 

To the Right Honourable and Honourable Scotch Representatives in the 
House of Commons.' 

Dearest of distillation I last and best 

How art thou lost! 

Parody on Milton. 

Ye Irish lords, ye knights an' squires, 
Wha represent our brughs an' shires. 
An' doucely manage our affairs 

In parliament, 
To you a simple poet's pray'rs 

Are humbly sent. 

Alas! my roupit Muse is hearse! 

Your Honours' hearts wi' grief 'twad pierce, 

To see her sittin on her arse 

Low i' the dust, 
And scriechin out prosaic verse, 

An' like to brust! 

'This was written before the Act ancnt the Scotch distilleries, of session 1786, for 
which Scotland and the author return their most grateful thanki. — R. B. 



158 ROBERT BURNS 

Tell them wha hae the chief direction, 
Scotland an' me's in great affliction, 
E'er sin' they laid that curst restriction 

On aqua-vitx; 
An' rouse them up to strong conviction, 

An' move their pity. 

Stand forth an' tell yon Premier youth 

The honest, open, naked truth: 

Tell him o' mine an' Scodand's drouth. 

His servants humble: 
The muckle deevil blaw you south 

If ye dissemble! 

Does ony great man glunch an' gloom? 
Speak out, an' never fash your thumb! 
Let posts an' pensions sink or soom 

Wi' them wha grant them; 
If honestly they canna come. 

Far better want them. 

In gath'rin votes you were na slack; 
Now stand as tightly by your tack: 
Ne'er claw your lug, an' fidge your back. 

An' hum an' haw; 
But raise your arm, an' tell your crack 

Before them a'. 

Paint Scotland greetin owre her thrissle; 
Her mutchkin stowp as toom's a whissle; 
An' damn'd excisemen in a bussle. 

Seizin a stell. 
Triumphant crushin't like a mussel, 

Or limpet shell! 

Then, on the tither hand present her — 
A blackguard smuggler right behint her, 
An' cheek-for-chow, a chuffie vintner 

Colleaguing join. 
Picking her pouch as bare as winter 

Of a' kind coin. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 59 

Is there, that bears the name o' Scot, 
But feels his heart's bluid rising hot. 
To see his poor auld mither's pot 

Thus dung in staves, 
An' plunder'd o' her hindmost groat 

By gallows knaves? 

Alas! I'm but a nameless wight, 

Trode i' the mire out o' sight? 

But could I like Montgomeries fight. 

Or gab like Boswell,' 
There's some sark-necks I wad draw tight. 

An' tie some hose well. 

God bless your Honours! can ye see't — 
The kind, auld cantie carlin greet. 
An' no get warmly to your feet, 

An' gar them hear it, 
An' tell them wi* a patriot-heat 

Ye winna bear it? 

Some o' you nicely ken the laws. 
To round the jjeriod an' pause. 
An' with rhet6ric clause on clause 

To mak harangues; 
Then echo thro' Saint Stephen's wa's 

Auld Scotland's wrangs. 

Dempster,' a true blue Scot I'se warran'; 
Thee, aith-detesting, chaste Kilkerran;* 
An' that glib-gabbit Highland baron, 

The Laird o' Graham;' 
An' ane, a chap that's damn'd aulfarran'. 



Erskine, a spunkie Norland billie;' 

True Campbells, Frederick and Hay;' 
' lames Boswcll of Auchinlcck, the biographer of Johnson. 
' {jeorgc Dempster of Dunnichcn. 

* Sir Adam FcrRUson of Kilkerran, Bart. 

'The Marquis of Graham, eldest son of the Duke of Montrace. 

' Right Hon. Henry Dundas, M. P. 

' Probably Thomas, afterward I.ord Erskine. 

• Lord Frederick Campbell, second brother of the Duke of Arg)'ll, and Hay 
Campbell, Lord Advocate for Scotland, afterward President of the Court of Session. 



l6o ROBERT BURNS 

An' Livistone, the bauld Sir Willie;* 
An' mony ithers, 

Whom auld Demosthenes or Tully 

Might own for brithers. 

See, sodger Hugh,'" my watchman stented, 

If poets e'er are represented; 

I ken if that your sword were wanted, 

Ye'd lend a hand; 
But when there's ought to say anent it, 

Ye're at a stand. 

Arouse, my boys! exert your metde, 
To get auld Scotland back her ketde; 
Or faith! I'll wad my new pleugh-pettle, 

Ye'U see't or lang, 
She'll teach you, wi' a reekin whittle, 

Anither sang. 

This while she's been in crankous mood, 
Her lost Militia fir'd her bluid; 
(Deil na they never mair do guid, 

Play'd her that pliskie!) 
An' now she's like to rin red-wud 

About her whisky. 

An' Lord! if ance they pit her till't, 
Her tartan petticoat she'll kilt. 
An' durk an' pistol at her belt, 

She'll tak the streets. 
An' rin her whitde to the hilt, 

r the first she meets! 

For God sake, sirs! then speak her fair. 
An' straik her cannie wi' the hair. 
An' to the muckle house repair, 

Wi' instant speed. 
An* strive, wi' a' your wit an' lear. 
To get remcad. 
* Sir Wm. Au{;ustiu Cunningham, Rarnncl. nf Livingstone. 
'°Col. Hugh Montgomery, afterward Earl of F-iilintrin. 



POEMS AND SONGS l6l 

Yon ill-tongu'd tinkler, Charlie Fox, 
May taunt you wi' his jeers and mocks; 
But gie him't het, my hearty cocks! 

E'en cowe the cadie! 
An' send him to his dicing box 

An' sportin' lady. 

Tell yon guid bluid o' auld Boconnock's," 

I'll be his debt twa mashlum bonnocks, 

An' drink his health in auld Nance Tinnock's" 

Nine times a-week, 
If he some scheme, like tea an' winnocks, 

Wad kindly seek. 

Could he some commutation broach, 

I'll pledge my aith in guid braid Scotch, 

He needna fear their foul reproach 

Nor erudition, 
Yon mixtie-maxtie, queer hotch-potch. 

The Coalition. 

Auld Scodand has a raude tongue; 
She's just a devil wi' a rung; 
An' if she promise auld or young 

To tak their part, 
Tho' by the neck she should be strung. 

She'll no desert. 

And now, ye chosen Five-and-Forty, 
May still your mither's heart suppwrt ye; 
Then, tho' a minister grow dorty, 

An' kick your place, 
Ye'U snap your fingers, poor an' hearty. 

Before his face. 

God bless your Honours, a' your days, 
Wi' sowps o' kail and brats o' claise, 

" Pitt, whose grandfather was of Boconnixrlc in Cornwall. 

" A worthy old hostess of the author's in Mauchline, where he sometimes studies 
politics over a glass of gude auld Scotch Drink. — R. B. 



1 62 ROBERT BURNS 

In spite o' a' the thievish kaes. 

That haunt St. Jamie's! 

Your humble poet sings an' prays, 

While Rab his name is. 



POSTSCRIPT 

Let half-starv'd slaves in warmer skies 
See future wines, rich-clust'ring, rise; 
Their lot auld Scotland ne'er envies, 

But, blythe and frisky, 
She eyes her freeborn, martial boys 

Tak afl their whisky. 

What tho' their Phoebus kinder warms, 
While fragrance blooms and beauty charms. 
When wretches range, in famish 'd swarms, 

The scented groves; 
Or, hounded forth, dishonour arms 

In hungry droves! 

Their gun's a burden on their shouther; 
They downa bide the stink o' powther; 
Their bauldest thought's a hank'ring swither 

To Stan' or rin. 
Till skelp — a shot — they're aff, a' throw'ther, 

To save their skin. 

But bring a Scotchman frae his hill. 
Clap in his cheek a Highland gill, 
Say, such is royal George's will. 

An' there's the foel 
He has nae thought but how to kill 

Twa at a blow. 

Nae cauld, faint-hearted doublings tease him; 
Death comes, wi' fearless eye he sees him; 
Wi' bluidy hand a welcome gies him; 

An' when he fa's, 
His latest draught o' breathin lea'cs him 

In faint huzzas. 



POEMS AND SONGS 163 

Sages their solemn een may steek, 
An* raise a philosophic reek, 
An' physically causes seek, 

In clime an' season; 
But tell me whisky's name in Greek, 

I'll tell the reason. 

Scotland, my auld, respected mither! 
Tho' whiles ye moistify your leather. 
Till, whare ye sit on craps o' heather. 

Ye tine your dam; 
Freedom an' whisky gang thegither! 

Take aff your drami 

THE ORDINATION 

For sense, they little owe to frugal Hcav'n — 
To please the mob, they hide the little giv'n. 

Kjlma«nock wabsters, fidge an' claw, 

An' pour your creeshie nations; 
An' ye wha leather rax an' draw. 

Of a' denominations; 
Swith to the Laigh Kirk, ane an' a' 

An' there tak up your stations; 
Then afl to Begbie's in a raw. 

An' pour divine libations 

For joy this day. 

Curst Common-sense, that imp o' hell. 

Cam in wi' Maggie Lauder;' 
But Oliphant' aft made her yell. 

An' RusselP sair misca'd her: 
This day Mackinlay^ taks the flail. 

An' he's the boy will blaud her! 
He'll clap a shangan on her tail, 

An' set the bairns to daud her 

Wi' dirt this day. 

' Alluding to 2 scoffing ballad which was made on the admission of the late 
reverend and worthy Mr. Lindsay to the "Laigh Kirk." — R. B. 
'Rev. James Oliphant, minister of Chapel of Ease, Kilmarnnck. 
' Rev. John Russell of Kilmarnock. * Rev. James Mackjnlay. 



164 ROBERT BURNS 

Malt haste an' turn King David owre, 

And iilt wi' holy clangor; 
O' double verse come gie us four, 

An' skirl up the Bangor: 
This day the kirk kicks up a stoure; 

Nae mair the knaves shall wrang her, 
For Heresy is in her pow'r, 

And gloriously she'll whang her 

Wi' pith this day. 

Come, let a proper text be read, 

An' touch it aff wi' vigour, 
How graceless Ham' leugh at his dad. 

Which made Canaan a nigger; 
Or Phineas' drove the murdering blade, 

Wi' whore-abhorring rigour; 
Or Zipporah,' the scauldin jad. 

Was like a bluidy tiger 

r th' inn that day. 

There, try his mettle on the creed, 

An' bind him down wi* caution, 
That stipend is a carnal weed 

He taks but for the fashion; 
And gie him o'er the flock, to feed. 

And punish each transgression; 
Especial, rams that cross the breed, 

Gie them sufficient threshin; 

Spare them nae day. 

Now, auld Kilmarnock, cock thy tail. 

An' toss thy horns fu* canty; 
Nae mair thou'lt rowt out-owre the dale, 

Because thy pasture's scanty; 
For lapfu's large o' gospel kail 

Shall fill thy crib in plenty. 
An' runts o' grace the pick an' wale. 

No gi'en by way o' dainty, 

But ilka day. 

' Genesis ix. 22. — R. B. ' Numbers xxv. 8. — R. B. ' Exodus iv. 52. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 65 

Nae mair by Babel's streams we'll weep, 

To think upon our Zion; 
And hing cur fiddles up to sleep, 

Like baby-clouts a-dryin! 
Come, screw the pegs wi' tunefu' cheep, 

And o'er the thairms be tryin; 
Oh, rare to see our elbucks wheep. 

And a' like lamb-tails flyin 

Fu' fast this day. 

Lang, Patronage, with rod o' airn, 

Has shor'd the Kirk's undoin; 
As lately Fenwick, sair forfairn. 

Has proven to its ruin:' 
Our patron, honest man! Glencairn, 
He saw mischief was brewin; 
An' like a godly, elect bairn, 

He's waled us out a true ane, 

And sound, this day. 

Now Robertson' harangue nae mair. 

But steek your gab for ever; 
Or try the wicked town of Ayr, 

For there they'll think you clever; 
Or, nae reflection on your lear. 

Ye may commence a shaver; 
Or to the Netherton'" repair. 

An' turn a carpet weaver 

Afl-hand this day. 

Mu'trie" and you were just a match. 

We never had sic twa drones; 
Auld Hornie did the Laigh Kirk watch, 

Just like a winkin baudrons. 
And aye he catch'd the tither wretch. 

To fry them in his caudrons; 
But now his Honour maun detach, 

Wi' a' his brimstone squadrons, 

Fast, fast this day. 

' Rev. Wm. Boyd, pastor of Fenwick. 

• Rev. John Robertson. '" A district of Kilmarnock. 

" The Rev. John Multrie, a "Moderate," whom Mackinlay succeeded. 



r66 ROBERT BURNS 

See, see auld Orthodoxy's faes 

She's swingein thro' the city! 
Hark, how the nine-tail'd cat she plays! 

I vow it's unco pretty: 
There, Learning, with his Greekish face, 

Grunts out some Latin ditty; 
And Common-sense is gaun, she says. 

To mak to Jamie Beattie 

Her plaint this day. 

But there's Morality himsel', 

Embracing all opinions; 
Hear, how he gics the tither yell, 

Between his twa companions! 
See, how she peels the skin an' WI, 

As ane were jjeelin onions! 
Now there, they're packed aff to hell, 

An' banish 'd our dominions, 

Henceforth this day. 

O happy day! rejoice, rejoice! 

Come bouse about the porter! 
Morality's demure decoys 

Shall here nae mair find quarter: 
Mackinlay, Russell, are the boys 

That heresy can torture; 
They'll gie her on a rape a hoyse. 

And cowe her measure shorter 

By th' head some day. 

Come, bring the tither mutchkin in, 

And here's — for a conclusion — 
To ev'ry New Light" mother's son. 
From this time forth, Confusion! 
If mair they deave us wi' their din. 

Or Patronage intrusion. 
We'll light a spunk, and ev'ry skin. 
We'll rin them aff in fusion 

Like oil, some day. 
'* "New Light" is a cant phraie in the west of Scotland for those reli^uj opinions 
which Dr. Tavlor of Norwich has so strenuously defended. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 67 

EPISTLE TO JAMES SMITH 

Friendship, mysterious cement of the soul! 

Sweet 'ner of Life, and solder of Society! 

I owe thee much Blair. 

Dear Smith, the slec'st, pawkie thief, 
That e'er attempted stealth or rief! 
Ye surely hae some warlock-brief 

Owre human hearts; 
For ne'er a bosom yet was prief 

Against your arts. 

For me, I swear by sun an' moon, 
An' ev'ry star that blinks aboon, 
Ye've cost me twenty pair o' shoon. 

Just gaun to see you; 
An' ev'ry ither pair that's done, 

Mair taen I'm wi' you. 

That auld, capricious carlin. Nature, 
To mak amends for scrimpit stature. 
She's turn'd you off, a human creature 

On her first plan. 
And in her freaks, on ev'ry feature 

She's wrote the Man. 



Just now I've ta'en the fit o' rhyme, 
My barmie noddle's working prime. 
My fancy yerkit up sublime, 

Wi' hasty summon; 
Hae ye a leisure-moment's time 

To hear what's comin.' 

Some rhyme a neibor's name to lash; 

Some rhyme (vain thought!) for needfu' cash; 

Some rhyme to court the countra clash. 

An' raise a din; 
For me, an aim I never fash; 

I rhyme for fun. 



I 68 ROBERT BURNS 

The star that rules my luckless lot, 

Has fated me the russet coat, 

An' damn'd my fortune to the groat; 

But, in requit, 
Has blest me with a random-shot 

O' countra wit. 

This while my notion's taen a sklent. 
To try my fate in guid, black prent; 
But still the mair I'm that way bent, 

Something cries "Hooliel" 
I red you, honest man, tak tent? 

Ye'll shaw your folly; 

"There's ither poets, much your betters. 
Far seen in Greek, deep men o' letters, 
Hae thought they had ensur'd their debtors, 

A' future ages; 
Now moths deform, in shapeless tatters, 

Their unknown pages." 

TTien farewell hopes of laurel-boughs. 
To garland my [>oetic brows! 
Henceforth I'll rove where busy ploughs 

Are whistlin' thrang, 
An' teach the lanely heights an' howes 

My rustic sang. 

I'll wander on, wi' tentless heed 
How never-halting moments speed. 
Till fate shall snap the brittle thread; 

Then, all unknown, 
I'll lay me with th' inglorious dead. 

Forgot and gone! 

But why o' death begin a tale? 

Just now we're living sound and hale; 

Then top and maintop crowd the sail, 

Heave Care o'er-side! 
And large, before Enjoyment's gale. 

Let's tak the tide. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 69 

This life, sae far's I understand. 

Is a' enchanted fairy-land. 

Where Pleasure is the magic-wand. 

That, wielded right, 
Maks hours like minutes, hand in hand, 

Dance by fu' light. 

The magic-wand then let us wield; 
For ance that five-an'-forty's speel'd, 
See, crazy, weary, joyless eild, 

Wi' wrinkl'd face. 
Comes hostin, hirplin owre the field, 

Wi' creepin pace. 

When ance life's day draws near the gloamin. 
Then fareweel vacant, careless roamin; 
An' fareweel cheerfu' tankards foamin. 

An' social noise: 
An' fareweel dear, deluding woman. 

The joy of joys! 

O Life! how pleasant, in thy morning, 
Young Fancy's rays the hills adorning! 
Cold-pausing Caution's lesson scorning. 

We frisk away. 
Like school-boys, at th' expected warning. 

To joy an' play. 

We wander there, we wander here, 
We eye the rose upon the brier. 
Unmindful that the thorn is near, 

Among the leaves; 
And the' the puny wound appear. 

Short while it grieves. 

Some, lucky, find a flow'ry spot. 
For which they never toil'd nor swat; 
They drink the sweet and eat the fat. 

But care or pain; 
And haply eye the barren hut 

With high disdain. 



170 ROBERT BURNS 

With steady aim, some Fortune chase; 
Keen hope does ev'ry sinew brace; 
Thro' fair, thro' foul, they urge the race. 

An' seize the prey: 
Then cannie, in some cozie place. 

They close the day. 

And others, like your humble servan'. 
Poor wights! nae rules nor roads observin, 
To right or left eternal swervin, 

They zig-zag on; 
Till, curst with age, obscure an' starvin. 

They aftcn groan. 

Alas! what bitter toil an' straining — 
But truce with peevish, poor complaining! 
Is fortune's fickle Luna waning? 

E'n let her gang! 
Beneath what light she has remaining. 

Let's sing our sang. 

My pen I here fling to the door, 

And kneel, ye Pow'rs! and warm implore, 

"TTio' I should wander Terra o'er. 

In all her climes. 
Grant me but this, I ask no more. 

Aye rowth o' rhymes. 

"Gie dreepin roasts to countra lairds. 
Till icicles hing frae their beards; 
Gie fine braw daes to fine life-guards. 

And maids of honour; 
An' yill an* whisky gie to cairds. 

Until they sconner. 

"A title, Dempster' merits it; 
A garter gie to Willie Pitt; 
Gie wealth to some be-ledger'd cit. 

In cent, per cent.; 
But give me real, sterling wit. 

And I'm content. 
' George Dempster of Dunnichen, M.P. 



POEMS AND SONGS IJI 

"While ye are pleas'd to keep me hale, 
I'll sit down o'er my scanty meal, 
Be't water-brose or muslin-kail, 

Wi' cheerfu' face, 
As lang's the Muses dinna fail 

To say the grace." 

An anxious e'e I never throws 
Behint my lug, or by my nose; 
I jouk beneath Misfortune's blows 

As weel's I may; 
Sworn foe to sorrow, care, and prose, 

I rhyme away. 

ye douce folk that live by rule, 
Grave, tideless-blooded, calm an' cool, 
Compar'd wi' you — O fool! fool! fool! 

How much unlike! 
Your hearts are just a standing pool, 

Your lives, a dyke! 

Nae hair-brain'd, sentimental traces 
In your unletter'd, nameless facesi 
In arioso trills and graces 

Ye never stray; 
But gravissimo, solemn basses 

Ye hum away. 

Ye are sae grave, nae doubt ye're wise; 

Nae ferly tho' ye do despise 

The hairum-scairum, ram-stam boys. 

The raiding squad: 

1 see ye upward cast your eyes — 

Ye ken the road! 

Whilst I — but I shall baud me there, 
Wi' you I'll scarce gang ony where — 
Then, Jamie, I shall say nae mair, 

But quat my sang, 
Q>ntent wi' you to mak a pair. 

Whare'er I gang. 



172 ROBERT BURNS 

THE VISION 



The sun had clos'd the winter day, 
The curlers quat their roarin play, 
And hunger'd maukin taen her way. 

To kail-yards green. 
While faithless snaws ilk step betray 

Whare she has been. 

The thresher's weary flingin-tree. 
The lee-lang day had tired me; 
And when the day had clos'd his e'e, 

Far i' the west, 
Ben i' the spence, right pensivelie, 

I gaed to rest. 

There, lanely by the ingle-cheek, 
I sat and ey'd the spewing reek, 
That fill'd, wi' hoast-provoking smeek. 

The auld clay biggin; 
An' heard the resdess rattons squeak 

About the riggin. 

All in this mottie, misty clime, 
I backward mus'd on wasted time. 
How I had spent my youthfu' prime, 

An' done nae thing. 
But stringing blethers up in rhyme. 

For fools to sing. 

Had I to guid advice but harkit, 
I might, by this, hae led a market. 
Or strutted in a bank and clarkit 

My cash-account; 
While here, half-mad, half-fed, half-sarkit. 

Is a' th' amount. 

' Duan, a term of Chsian's for the diffcront divisions of a digressive poem. See 
his Cath-Loda, vol. 2 of M'Phcrson's translation. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 173 

I started, mutt'ring, "blockhead! coof!" 
And heav'd on high my waukit loof, 
To swear by a' yon starry roof, 

Or some rash aith. 
That I henceforth wad be rhyme-proof 

Till my last breath — 

When click! the string the snick did draw; 
An' jee! the door gaed to the wa'; 
An' by my ingle-lowe I saw, 

Now bleezin bright, 
A tight, outlandish hizzie, braw, 

Come full in sight. 

Ye need na doubt, I held my whisht; 
The infant aith, half-form'd, was crusht 
I glowr'd as eerie's I'd been dusht 

In some wild glen; 
When sweet, like honest Worth, she blusht. 

An' stepped ben. 

Green, slender, leaf-clad holly-boughs 
Were twisted, gracefu', round her brows; 
I took her for some Scottish Muse, 

By that same token; 
And come to stop those reckless vows. 

Would soon been broken. 

A "hair-brain'd, sentimental trace" 
Was strongly marked in her face; 
A wildly-witty, rustic grace 

Shone full upon her; 
Her eye, ev'n turn'd on empty space, 

Beam'd keen with honour. 

Down flow'd her robe, a tartan sheen. 
Till half a leg was scrimply seen; 
An' such a leg! my bcnie Jean 

Could only peer it; 
Sae straught, sae tapyer, tight an' clean — 

Nane else came near it. 



174 ROBERT BURNS 

Her mantle large, of greenish hue. 

My gazing wonder chiefly drew: 

Deep lights and shades, bold-mingling, threw 

A lustre grand; 
And seem'd, to my astonish'd view, 

A well-known land. 

Here, rivers in ihe sea were lost; 
There, mountains to the skies were toss't: 
Here, tumbling billows mark'd the coast. 

With surging foam; 
There, distant shone Art's lofty boast, 
The lordly dome. 

Here, Doon pour'd down his far-fetch'd floods; 
There, well-fed Irwine stately thuds: 
Auld hermit Ayr staw thro' his woods, 

On to the shore; 
And many a lesser torrent scuds. 

With seeming roar. 

Low, in a sandy valley spread. 

An ancient borough rear'd her head; 

Still, as in Scottish story read. 

She boasts a race 
To ev'ry nobler virtue bred, 

And polish'd grace.* 

By stately tow'r, or palace fair. 

Or ruins pendent in the air, 

Bold stems of heroes, here and there, 

I could discern; 
Some seem'd to muse, some seem'd to dare, 

With feature stern. 

My heart did glowing transport feel. 

To see a race heroic' wheel, 

* The seven stanzas followinR this were first printed in the Edinburgh edition, 
1787. Other stanzas, never published by Burns himself, arc given on p. 180. 
' The Wallaces.— R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 175 

And brandish round the deef>-dyed steel, 

In sturdy blows; 
While, back-recoiling, seem'd to reel 

Their Suthron foes. 

His Country's Saviour,* mark him well! 
Bold Richardton's heroic swell;'^ 
The chief, on Sark who glorious fell,' 

In high command; 
And he whom ruthless fates expel 

His native land. 

There, where a sceptr'd Pictish shade 
Stalk'd round his ashes lowly laid,' 
I mark'd a martial race, fwurtray'd 

In colours strong: 
Bold, soldier-featur'd, undismay'd. 

They strode along. 

Thro' many a wild, romantic grove,* 
Near many a hermit-fancied cove 
(Fit haunts for friendship or for love, 

In musing mood). 
An aged Judge, I saw him rove. 

Dispensing good. 

With deep)-struck, reverential awe. 
The learned Sire and Son I saw:' 
To Nature's God, and Nature's law, 

They gave their lore; 
This, all its source and end to draw. 

That, to adore. 

• William Wallace. — R. B. * Adam Wallace of Richardton, cousin to the immortal 
preserver of Scottish indeiwiidencc. — R. B. 

• Wallace, laird of Craigic, who was second in command under Douglas, Earl of 
Ormond, at the famous battle on the banks of Sark, fought anno 1448. That glorious 
victor)' was principally owing to the judicious conduct and intrepid valour of the 
gallant laird of Craigie, who died of his wounds after the action. — K. B. 

' 0>ilus, King of the Picts, from whom the district of Kyle is said to take its 
name, lies buried, as tradition says, near the family seat of the Montgomeries of 
Coilsficld, where his burial-place is still shown.- — R. B. 

• Barskimming, the seat of the Lord Justice-Clerk. — R. B. 

•Catrine, the seat of the late Doctor and pre*ent Professor Stewan. — R. B. 



176 ROBERT BURNS 

Brydon's brave ward'" I well could spy, 
Beneath old Scotia's smiling eye: 
Who call'd on Fame, low standing by. 
To hand him on, 
Where many a patriot-name on high, 
And hero shone. 

DUAN SECOND 

With musing-deep, astonish'd stare, 
I view'd the heavenly-seeming Fair; 
A whispering throb did witness bear 

Of kindred sweet. 
When with an elder sister's air 

She did me greet. 

"All hail! my own inspired bard! 
In me thy native Muse regard; 
Nor longer mourn thy fate is hard. 

Thus poorly low; 
I come to give thee such reward. 

As we bestow! 

"Know, the great genius of this land 
Has many a light aerial band. 
Who, all beneath his high command. 

Harmoniously, 
As arts or arms they understand. 

Their labours ply. 

"They Scotia's race among them share: 
Some fire the soldier on to dare; 
Some rouse the patriot up to bare 

Corruption's heart: 
Some teach the bard — a darling care — 

The tuneful art. 

" 'Mong swelling floods of reeking gore, 
They, ardent, kindling spirits pour; 

" Colonel Fullarton. — R. B. This gentleman had travelled under the care of Patrick 
Br>done, author of a well-known "Tour Through Sicily and Malta. " 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 77 

Or, 'mid the venal senate's roar, 

They, sightless, stand, 
To mend the honest patriot-lore, 

And grace the hand. 

"And when the bard, or hoary sage. 
Charm or instruct the future age. 
They bind the wild poetic rage 

In energy. 
Or point the inconclusive page 

Full on the eye. 

"Hence, Fullarton, the brave and young; 
Hence, Dempster's zeal-inspired tongue; 
Hence, sweet, harmonious Beattie sung 

His 'Minstrel lays'; 
Or tore, with noble ardour stung. 

The sceptic's bays. 

"To lower orders are assign'd 
The humbler ranks of human-kind, 
The rustic bard, the lab'ring hind. 

The artisan; 
All choose, as various they're inclin'd, 

The various man. 

"When yellow waves the heavy grain, 
The threat'ning storm some strongly rein; 
Some teach to meliorate the plain 

With tillage-skill; 
And some instruct the shepherd-train, 

Blyihe o'er the hill. 

"Some hint the lover's harmless wile; 
Some grace the maiden's artless smile; 
Some soothe the lab'rer's weary toil 

For humble gains. 
And make his cottage-scenes beguile 

His cares and pains. 



178 ROBERT BURNS 

"Some, bounded to a district-space, 
Explore at large man's infant race, 
To mark, the embryotic trace 

Of rustic bard; 
And careful note each opening grace, 

A guide and guard. 

"Of these am I — Coila my name: 
And this district as mine I claim. 
Where once the Campbells, chiefs of fame, 

Held ruling pow'r: 
I mark'd thy embryo-tuneful flame. 

Thy natal hour. 

"With future hope I oft would gaze 
Fond, on thy little early ways, 
Thy rudely caroll'd, chiming phrase. 

In uncouth rhymes; 
Fir'd at the simple, ardess lays 

Of other times. 

"I saw thee seek the sounding shore, 
Delighted with the dashing roar; 
Or when the North his fleecy store 

Drove thro' the sky, 
I saw grim Nature's visage hoar 

Struck thy young eye. 

"Or when the deep green-mantled earth 
Warm cherish'd ev'ry floweret's birth. 
And joy and music pouring forth 

In ev'ry grove; 
I saw thee eye the general mirth 

With boundless love. 

"When ripen'd fields and azure skies 
Call'd forth the reapers' rustling noise, 
I saw thee leave their ev'ning joys. 

And lonely stalk, 
To vent thy bosom's swelling rise, 

In pensive walk. 



POEMS AND SONGS I79 

"When youthful love, warm-blushing, strong. 
Keen-shivering, shot thy nerves along. 
Those accents grateful to thy tongue, 

Th' adored Name, 
I taught thee how to pour in song, 

To soothe thy flame. 

"I saw thy pulse's maddening play. 
Wild send thee Pleasure's devious way. 
Misled by Fancy's meteor-ray. 

By passion driven; 
But yet the light that led astray 

Was light from Heaven. 

"I taught thy manners-painting strains, 
TTie loves, the ways of simple swains. 
Till now, o'er all my wide domains 

Thy fame extends; 
And some, the pride of Coila's plains, 

Become thy friends. 

"Thou canst not learn, nor I can show, 
To paint with Thomson's landscape glow; 
Or wake the bosom-melting throe, 

With Shenstone's art; 
Or pour, with Gray, the moving flow 

Warm on the heart. 

"Yet, all beneath th' unrivall'd rose. 
The lowly daisy sweetly blows; 
Tho' large the forest's monarch throws 

His army shade, 
Yet green the juicy hawthorn grows, 

Adown the glade. 

"Then never murmur nor repine; 
Strive in thy humble sphere to shine; 
And trust me, not Potosi's mine, 

Nor king's regard. 
Can give a bliss o'ermatching thine, 
A rustic bard. 



l80 ROBERT BURNS 

"To give my counsels all in one, 
Thy tuneful flame still careful fan: 
Preserve the dignity of Man, 

With soul erect; 
And trust the Universal Plan 

Will all protect. 

"And wear thou this" — she solemn said. 
And bound the holly round my head: 
The polish'd leaves and berries red 

Did rustling play; 
And, like a passing thought, she fled 

In light away. 

[To Mrs. Stewart of Stair, Burns presented a manuscript copy of the Vision. That 
copy embraces about twenty stanzas at the end of Duan First, which he cancelled 
when he came to print the piece in his Kilmarnock volume. Seven of these he 
restored in printing his second edition, as noted on p. 174. The following are the 
verses which he left unpublished.] 

SUPPRESSED STANZAS OF "THE VISION" 

After 1 8th sunza of the text (at "His native land"): — 

With secret throes I marked that earth, 
That cottage, witness of my birth; 
And near I saw, bold issuing forth 

In youthful pride, 
A Lindsay race of noble worth. 

Famed far and wide. 

Where, hid behind a spreading wood, 
An ancient Pict-built mansion stood, 
I spied, among an angel brood, 

A female pair; 
Sweet shone their high maternal blood. 

And father's air.' 

An ancient tower* to memory brought 
How Dettingen's bold hero fought; 
Still, far from sinking into nought. 

It owns a lord 
Who far in western climates fought. 

With trusty sword. 
' Sundrum.— R. B. » Stair.— K. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS l8l 

Among the rest I well could spy 
One gallant, graceful, martial boy. 
The soldier sparkled in his eye, 

A diamond water. 
I blest that noble badge with joy. 

That owned me jrater? 

After 20th stanza of the text (at "Dispensing good"): — 
Near by arose a mansion fine* 
The seat of many a muse divine; 
Not rustic muses such as mine, 

With holly crown'd. 
But th' ancient, tuneful, laurell'd Nine, 

From classic ground. 

I mourn'd the card that Fortune dealt, 
To see where bonie Whitefoords dwelt;' 
But other prospects made me melt. 

That village near;' 
There Nature, Friendship, Love, I felt. 

Fond-mingling, dear! 

Hail! Nature's pang, more strong than death! 
Warm Friendship's glow, like kindling wrath! 
Love, dearer than the parting breath 

Of dying friend! 
Not ev'n with life's wild devious path, 

Your force shall end! 

The Power that gave the soft alarms 
In bl(x)ming Whitefoord's rosy charms, 
Still threats the tiny, feather'd arms. 

The barbed dart. 
While lovely Wilhelmina warms 

The coldest heart.' 

After list stanza of the text (at "That, to adore"): — 

Where Lugar leaves his moorland plaid,' 

Where lately Want was idly laid, 

' Captain James Montgomerie, Master of St. James' Lodge, Tarbolton, to which the 
author has the honour to belong. — R B. ' Auchinleck. — R. B. 

' Ballochmyle. • Mauchline ' Miss Wilhelmina Alexander. ' Cumnock. — R. B. 



l82 ROBERT BURNS 

I markM busy, bustling Trade, 

In fervid flame. 
Beneath a Patroness's aid, 

Of noble name. 

Wild, coundess hills I could survey, 
And countless flocks as wild as they; 
But other scenes did charms display. 

That better please, 
Where polish'd manners dwell with Gray, 
In rural ease.' 

Where Ccssnock pours with gurgling sound;'* 
And Irwine, marking out the bound, 
Enamour'd of the scenes around, 

Slow runs his race, 
A name I doubly honour'd found," 

With knightly grace. 

Brydon's brave ward," I saw him stand, 
Fame humbly offering her hand, 
And near, his kinsman's rustic band," 

With one accord, 
Lamenting their late blessed land 

Must change its lord. 

The owner of a pleasant spot. 
Near sandy wilds, I last did note;" 
A heart too warm, a pulse too hot 

At times, o'erran: 
But large in ev'ry feature wrote, 

Appear'd the Man. 

THE RANTIN' DOG, THE DADDIE O'T 

Tuar — "Whare'll our guidman lie." 

O WHA my babie-clouts will buy ? 

O wha will tent me when I cry? 

Wha will kiss me where I lie? 

The rantin' dog, the daddie o't. 

♦Mr. Farquhar Gray.— iJ. B. '» Auchinskieth. — R. B. " Caprington.— R. B. 
"Colonel Fullerton.— R. B. "Dr. Fullerton.— R. B. " Orangrfeld.— R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 83 

O wha will own he did the faut? 
O wha will buy the groanin maut? 
O wha will tell me how to ca't? 
The rantin' dog, the daddie o't. 

When I mount the creepie-chair, 
Wha will sit beside me there? 
Gie me Rob, I'll seek nae mair, 
The rantin' dog, the daddie o't. 

Wha will crack to me my lane? 
Wha will mak me fidgin' fain? 
Wha will kiss me o'er again? 
The rantin' dog, the daddie o't. 

HERE'S HIS HEALTH IN WATER 

Tunc — "The Job of Journey-work." 

Altho' my back be at the wa'. 

And tho' he be the fautor; 
Altho' my back be at the wa', 

Yet, here's his health in water. 
O wae gae by his wanton sides, 

Sae brawlie's he could flatter; 
Till for his sake I'm slighted sair. 

And dree the kintra clatter: 
But tho' my back be at the wa', 

And tho' he be the fautor; 
But tho' my back be at the wa'. 

Yet here's his health in water! 

ADDRESS TO THE UNCO GUID, OR THE 
RIGIDLY RIGHTEOUS 

My Son, these maxims make a rule. 

An' lump them aye theRithcr; 
The Rigid Righteous is a fool, 

The Rigid Wise anither: 
The cleanest corn that crc was dight 

May hae some pyles o' caff in; 



184 ROBERT BURNS 

So ne'er a fellow-creature slijjht 
For random tits o' dafHn. 

Solomon. — Eccles. ch. vii. verse 16. 



O YE wha are sae guid yoursel', 

Sae pious and sac holy, 
Ye've nought to do but mark and tell 

Your neibours' fauts and folly! 
Whase life is like a weel-gaun mill, 

Supplied wi' store o' water; 
The heaped happer's ebbing still, 

An' still the clap plays clatter. 

Hear me, ye venerable core. 

As counsel for poor mortals 
That frequent pass douce Wisdom's door 

For glaikit Folly's portals: 
I, for their thoughtless, careless sakes. 

Would here propone defences — 
Their donsie tricks, their black mistakes, 

Their failings and mischances. 

Ye see your state wi' theirs compared, 

And shudder at the nifler; 
But cast a moment's fair regard. 

What maks the mighty differ; 
Discount what scant occasion gave, 

That purity ye pride in; 
And (what's aft mair than a' the lave), 

Your better art o' hidin. 

Think, when your castigated pulse 

Gies now and then a wallop! 
What ragings must his veins convulse. 

That still eternal gallop! 
Wi' wind and tide fair i' your tail, 

Right on ye scud your sea-way; 
But in the teeth o' baith to sail, 

It maks a unco lee-way. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 85 

See Social Life and Glee sit down, 

All joyous and unthinking, 
Till, quite transmugrified, they're grown 

Debauchery and Drinking: 
O would they stay to calculate 

Th' eternal consequences; 
Or your more dreaded hell to state. 

Damnation of expenses! 

Ye high, exalted, virtuous dames, 

Tied up in godly laces. 
Before ye gie poor Frailty names, 

Suppose a change o' cases; 
A dcar-lov'd lad, convenience snug, 

A treach'rous inclination — 
But let me whisper i' your lug, 

Ye're aiblins nae temptation. 

Then gendy scan your brother man. 

Still gender sister woman; 
Tho' they may gang a kcnnin wrang, 

To step aside is human: 
One point must still be gready dark, — 

The moving Why they do it; 
And just as lamely can ye mark, 

How far perhaps they rue it. 

Who made the heart, 'tis He alone 

Decidedly can try us; 
He knows each chord, its various tone, 

Each spring, its various bias: 
Then at the balance let's be mute. 

We never can adjust it; 
What's done we partly may compute, 

But know not what's resisted. 



l86 ROBERT BURNS 

THE INVENTORY' 
In answer to a mandate by the Surveyor of the Taxes 

Sir, as your mandate did request, 
I send you here a faithfu' list, 
O' gudes an' gear, an' a* my graith, 
To which I'm clear to gi'e my aith. 

Imprimis, then, for carriage cattle, 
I hae four brutes o' gallant mettle, 
As ever drew afore a petde. 
My hand-afore 's a guid auld has-been. 
An' wight an' wilfu' a' his days been: 
My hand-ahin 's a weel gaun fiUie, 
That aft has borne me hame frae Killie.' 
An' your auld borough mony a time 
In days when riding was nae crime. 
But ance, when in my wooing pride 
I, like a blockhead, boost to ride, 
The wilfu' creature sae I pat to, 
(Lord pardon a' my sins, an' that too!) 
I play'd my fillie sic a shavie, 
She's a' bedevil'd wi' the spavic. 
My furr-ahin 's a wordy beast. 
As e'er in tug or tow was traced. 
The fourth's a Highland Donald hasde, 
A damn'd red-wud Kilburnie blastie! 
Foreby a cowt, o' cowts the wale. 
As ever ran afore a tail: 
Gin he be spar'd to be a beast. 
He'll draw me fifteen pund at least. 
Wheel-carriages I ha'e but few. 
Three carts, an' twa are feckly new; 
An auld wheelbarrow, mair for token, 
Ae leg an' baith the trams are broken; 
I made a poker o' the spin'le, 
An' my auld mither brunt the trin'le. 

' The "Inventory" w::s addressed to Mr. Aitken of Ayr, surveyor of tazei for 
the district. * Kilmarnock. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 187 

For men, I've three mischievous boys, 
Run-deils for ranting an' for noise; 
A gaudsman ane, a thrasher t' other: 
Wee Davock hauds the nowt in fother. 
I rule them as I ought, discreetly. 
An' aften labour them completely. 
An' aye on Sundays duly, nightly, 
I on the Questions targe them tighdy; 
Till, faith! wee Davock's grown sae gleg, 
Tho' scarcely langer than your leg. 
He'll screed you afl Effectual Calling, 
As fast as ony in the dwalling. 

I've nane in female servant station, 
(Lord keep me aye frae a' temptation!) 
I hae nac wife — ^and that my bliss is. 
An' ye have laid nae tax on misses; 
An' then, if kirk folks dinna clutch me, 
I ken the deevils darena touch me. 
Wi' weans I'm mair than weel contented, 
Heav'n sent me ane mae than I wanted! 
My sonsie, smirking, dear-bought Bess, 
She stares the daddy in her face, 
Enough of ought ye like but grace; 
But her, my bonie, sweet wee lady, 
I've paid enough for her already; 
An' gin ye tax her or her mithcr, 
By the Lord, ye'se get them a' thegitherl 

And now, remember, Mr. Aiken, 
Nae kind of licence out I'm takin: 
Frae this time forth, I do declare 
I'se ne'er ride horse nor hizzie mair; 
Thro' dirt and dub for life I'll paidle. 
Ere I sae dear pay for a saddle; 
My travel a' on foot I'll shank it, 
I've sturdy bearers, Gude be thankit! 
The kirk and you may tak you that, 
It puts but little in your pat; 
Sae dinna put me in your beuk. 
Nor for my ten white shillings leuk. 



1 88 ROBERT BURNS 

This list, wi' my ain hand I wrote it, 
The day and date as under noted; 
Then know all ye whom it concerns, 
Subscripsi huic, 

Robert Burns. 

M08SCIEL, February 21, 1786. 

TO JOHN KENNEDY, DUMFRIES HOUSE 

Now, Kennedy, if foot or horse 
E'er bring you in by Mauchlin corse, 
(Lord, man, there's lasses there wad force 

A hermit's fancy; 
An' down the gate in faith they're worse. 

An' mair unchancy). 

But as I'm sayin, please step to Dow's, 
An' taste sic gear as Johnie brews. 
Till some bit callan bring me news 

That ye are there; 
An' if we dinna hae a bouze, 

I'se ne'er drink mair. 

It's no I like to sit an' swallow, 

Then like a swine to puke an' wallow; 

But gie me just a true good fallow, 

Wi' right ingine, 
And spunkie ance to mak us mellow. 

An' then we'll shine. 

Now if ye're ane o' warl's folk, 
Wha rate the wearer by the cloak, 
An' sklent on poverty their joke, 

Wi' bitter sneer, 
Wi' you nae friendship I will troke. 

Nor cheap nor dear. 

But if, as I'm informed weel, 
Ye hate as ill's the very deil 
The flinty heart that canna feel — 

Come, sir, here's to you! 



POEMS AND SONGS 189 

Hae, there's my haun', I wiss you weel, 
An' gude be wi' you. 

ROBT. BURNESS. 
MotsciEL, yd March, 1786. 

TO MR. M'ADAM, OF CRAIGEN-GILLAN 
In answer to an obliging Letter he sent in the commence- 
ment of my poetic career. 

Sir, o'er a gill I gat your card, 

I trow it made me proud; 
"See wha tales notice o' the bard!" 

I lap and cried fu' loud. 

Now deil-ma-care about their jaw, 

The senseless, gawky million; 
I'll cock my nose abune them a*, 

I'm roos'd by Craigen-Gillan! 

'Twas noble, sir; 'twas like yoursel*. 

To grant your high protection: 
A great man's smile ye ken fu' well, 

Is aye a blest infection. 

Tho', by his banes wha in a tub 

Match'd Macedonian Sandy! 
On my ain legs thro' dirt and dub, 

I independent stand aye, — 

And when those legs to gude, warm kail, 

Wi' welcome canna bear me, 
A lee dyke-side, a sybow-tail, 

An' barley-scone shall cheer me. 

Heaven spare you lang to kiss the breath 

O' mony flow'ry simmers! 
An' bless your bonie lasses baith, 

I'm tauld they're loosome kimmers! 

An' God bless young Dunaskin's laird. 
The blossom of our gentry! 



190 ROBERT BURNS 

An' may he wear an auld man's beard, 
A credit to his country. 

TO A LOUSE, ON SEEING ONE ON A LADY'S 
BONNET, AT CHURCH 

Ha! whaur ye gaun, ye crowlin ferlie? 
Your impudence protects you sairly; 
I canna say but ye strunt rarely, 

Owre gauze and lace; 
Tho', faith! I fear ye dine but sparely 

On sic a place. 

Ye ugly, creepin, blastit wonner. 
Detested, shunn'd by saunt an' sinner, 
How daur ye set your fit upon her — 

Sae fine a ladyp 
Gae somewhere else and seek your dinner 

On some poor body. 

Swith! in some beggar's haffet squattle; 
There ye may creep, and sprawl, and sprattle, 
Wi' ither kindred, jumping catde. 

In shoals and nations; 
Whaur horn nor bane ne'er daur unsetde 

Your thick plantations. 

Now baud you there, ye're out o' sight. 
Below the fatt'rels, snug and tight; 
Na, faith ye yet! ye'U no be right. 

Till ye've got on it — 
The verra tapmost, tow'rin height 

O' Miss's bonnet. 

My sooth! right bauld ye set your nose out. 
As plump an' grey as ony groset: 
O for some rank, mercurial rozet. 

Or fell, red smeddum, 
I'd gie you sic a hearty dose o't, 

Wad dress your droddum. 



POEMS AND SONGS Ipl 

I wad na been surpris'd to spy 
You on an auld wife's flainen toy; 
Or aiblins some bit duddie boy, 

On's wyliecoat; 
But Miss's fine Lunardi! fye! 

How daur ye do't? 

O Jeany, dinna toss your head, 
An' set your beauties a' abread! 
Ye litde ken what cursed speed 

The blastie's makin: 
Thae winks an' finger-ends, I dread. 

Are notice takin. 

O wad some Power the giftie gie us 

To see oursels as ithers see us! 

It wad frae mony a blunder free us. 

An' foolish notion: 
What airs in dress an' gait wad lea'e us. 

An' ev'n devotion! 



INSCRIBED ON A WORK OF HANNAH MORE'S 

Presented to the Author by a Lady. 

Thou fktt'ring mark of friendship kind. 
Still may thy pages call to mind 

The dear, the beauteous donor; 
Tho' sweetly female ev'ry part. 
Yet such a head, and more the heart 

Does both the sexes honour: 
She show'd her taste refin'd and just. 

When she selected thee; 

Yet deviating, own I must. 

For sae approving me: 

But kind still I'll mind still 

The giver in the gift; 
I'll bless her, an' wiss her 
A Friend aboon the lift. 



192 ROBERT BURNS 

SONG, COMPOSED IN SPRING 

Tune — ^"Jockey's Grey Breeks." 

Again rejoicing Nature sees 
Her robe assume its vernal hues: 

Her leafy locks wave in the breeze, 
All freshly steep'd in morning dews. 

Chorus. — And maun I still on Menie doat. 
And bear the scorn that's in her e'e? 

For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk, 
An' it winna let a body be. 

In vain to me the cowslips blaw, 
In vain to me the vi'lets spring; 

In vain to me in glen or shaw. 
The mavis and the lintwhite sing. 

And maun I still, ice. 

The merry ploughboy cheers his team, 
Wi' joy the tentie seedsman stalks; 

But life to me's a weary dream, 
A dream of ane that never wauks. 

And maun I still, Sec. 

The wanton coot the water skims, 
Amang the reeds the ducklings cry. 

The stately swan majestic swims. 
And ev'ry thing is blest but I. 

And maun I still, &c. 

The sheejj-herd steeks his faulding slap, 
And o'er the moorlands whistles shill: 

Wi' wild, unequal, wand'ring step, 
I meet him on the dewy hill. 

And maun I still, &c. 

And when the lark, 'tween light and dark, 
Blythe waukens by the daisy's side, 

And mounts and sings on flittering wings, 
A woe-worn ghaist I hameward glide. 
And maun I still, Sec. 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 93 

Come winter, with thine angry howl. 

And raging, bend the naked tree; 
Thy gloom will soothe my cheerless soul, 

When nature all is sad like me! 

And maun I still, &c. 



TO A MOUNTAIN DAISY, 
On turning one down with the Plough, in April, 1786. 

Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flow'r, 
Thou's met me in an evil hour; 
For I maun crush amang the stoure 

Thy slender stem: 
To spare thee now is past my pow'r, 

Thou bonie gem. 

Alas! it's no thy neibor sweet, 
The bonie lark, companion meet. 
Bending thee 'mang the dewy weet, 

Wi' spreckl'd breast! 
When upward-springing, blythe, to greet 

The purpling east. 

Cauld blew the bitter-biting north 
Upon thy early, humble birth; 
Yet cheerfully thou glinted forth 

Amid the storm. 
Scarce rear'd above the parent-earth 

Thy tender form. 

The flaunting flow'rs our gardens yield, 
High shelt'ring woods and wa's maun shield; 
But thou, beneath the random bield 

O' clod or stane. 
Adorns the histie stibble field. 

Unseen, alane. 

There, in thy scanty mantle clad. 
Thy snawie bosom sun-ward spread, 



194 ROBERT BURNS 

Thou lifts thy unassuming head 

In humble guise; 

But now the share uptears thy bed, 
And low thou lies! 

Such is the fate of artless maid, 
Sweet flow'ret of the rural shade! 
By love's simplicity betray 'd. 

And guileless trust; 
Till she, like thee, all soil'd, is laid 

Low i' the dust. 

Such is the fate of simple bard, 

On life's rough ocean luckless starr'd! 

Unskilful he to note the card 

Of prudent lore, 
Till billows rage, and gales blow hard. 

And whelm him o'er! 

Such fate to suffering worth is giv'n, 
Who long with wants and woes has striv'n. 
By human pride or cunning driv'n 

To mis'ry's brink; 
Till wrench'd of ev'ry stay but Heav'n, 

He, ruin'd, sink! 

Ev'n thou who mourn'st the Daisy's fate, 
That fate is thine — no distant date; 
Stern Ruin's plough-share drives elate, 

Full on thy bloom. 
Till crush'd beneath the furrow's weight. 

Shall be thy doom! 

TO RUIN 

All hail! inexorable lord! 

At whose destruction-breathing word. 

The mightiest empires fall! 
Thy cruel, woe-delighted train. 
The ministers of grief and pain, 

A sullen welcome, all ! 



POEMS AND SONGS 195 

With stern-resolv'd, despairing eye, 

I see each aimed dart; 
For one has cut my dearest tie. 
And quivers in my heart. 

Then low'ring, and pouring. 
The storm no more I dread; 
Tho' thick'ning, and black'ning, 
Round my devoted head. 

And thou grim Pow'r by life abhorr'd, 
While life a pleasure can afford. 

Oh! hear a wretch's pray'rl 
Nor more I shrink appall'd, afraid; 
I court, I beg thy friendly aid. 
To close this scene of care! 
When shall my soul, in silent peace. 

Resign life's joyless day — 
My weary heart its throbbing cease, 
Cold mould'ring in the clay? 
No fear more, no tear more. 
To stain my lifeless face. 
Enclasped, and graspM, 
Within thy cold embrace! 

THE LAMENT 

Occasioned by the unfortunate issue of a Friend's Amour. 

Alail how oft does goodness wound itself, 
And sweet alTcction prove the spring of woe! 

Home. 

THOU pale orb that silent shines 
While care-untroubled mortals sleep! 

Thou seest a wretch who inly pines. 

And wanders here to wail and weep! 

With woe I nightly vigils keep. 
Beneath thy wan, unwarming beam; 

And mourn, in lamentation deep. 
How life and love are all a dream! 

1 joyless view thy rays adorn 

The faindy-mark^d, distant hill; 



196 ROBERT BURNS 

I joyless view thy trembling horn, 
Reflected in the gurgling rill: 
My fondly-fluttering heart, be still! 

Thou busy fww'r, remembrance, cease! 
Ah! must the agonizing thrill 

For ever bar returning jxace! 

No idly-feign'd, poetic pains. 

My sad, love-lorn lamentings claim: 
No shepherd's pipe — Arcadian strains; 

No fabled tortures, quaint and tame. 

The plighted faith, the mutual flame, 
The oft-attested pow'rs above, 

The promis'd father's tender name; 
These were the pledges of my love! 

Encircled in her clasping arms. 

How have the raptur'd moments flown! 
How have I wish'd for fortune's charms. 

For her dear sake, and her's alone! 

And, must I think it! is she gone. 
My secret heart's exulting boast? 

And does she heedless hear my groan? 
And is she ever, ever lost? 

Oh! can she bear so base a heart. 

So lost to honour, lost to truth. 
As from the fondest lover part. 

The plighted husband of her youth? 

Alas! life's path may be unsmooth! 
Her way may lie thro' rough distress! 

Then, who her pangs and pains will soothe 
Her sorrows share, and make them less? 

Ye winged hours that o'er us pass'd, 
Enraptur'd more, the more enjoy 'd, 

Your dear remembrance in my breast 
My fondly-treasur'd thoughts employ 'd: 
That breast, how dreary now, and void. 

For her too scanty once of room ! 
Ev'n ev'ry ray of hope destroy 'd, 

And not a wish to gild the gloom! 



POEMS AND SONGS 1 97 

The morn, that warns th' approaching day, 

Awakes me up to toil and woe; 
I see the hours in long array, 

That I must suffer, lingering, slow: 

Full many a pang, and many a throe, 
Keen recollection's direful train. 

Must wring my soul, ere Phoebus, low, 
Shall kiss the distant western main. 

And when my nighdy couch I try. 

Sore harass'd out with care and grief, 
My toil-beat nerves, and tear-worn eye, 

Keep watchings with the nightly thief: 

Or if I slumber, fancy, chief. 
Reigns, haggard-wild, in sore affright: 

Ev'n day, all-bitter, brings relief 
From such a horror-breathing night. 

O thou bright queen, who o'er th' expanse 

Now highest reign'st, with boundless sway 
Oft has thy silent-marking glance 

Observ'd us, fondly-wand'ring, stray! 

The time, unheeded, sped away, 
While love's luxurious pulse beat high, 

Beneath thy silver-gleaming ray. 
To mark the mutual-kindling eye. 

Oh! scenes in strong remembrance set! 

Scenes, never, never to return! 
Scenes, if in stupor I forget. 

Again I feel, again I burn! 

From ev'ry joy and pleasure torn, 
Life's weary vale I'll wander thro'; 

And hopeless, comfortless, I'll mourn 
A faithless woman's broken vow! 

DESPONDENCY 

AN ODE 

Oppress'd with grief, oppress'd with care, 
A burden more than I can bear, 
I set me down and sigh; 



198 ROBERT BURNS 

O life! thou art a galling load. 
Along a rough, a weary road, 

To wretches such as I! 
Dim backward as I cast my view, 

What sick'ning scenes appear! 
What sorrows yet may pierce me through, 
Too jusdy I may fear! 
Still caring, despairing. 

Must be my bitter doom; 
My woes here shall close ne'er 
But with the closing tomb! 

Happy! ye sons of busy life. 
Who, equal to the bustling strife, 

No other view regard ! 
Ev'n when the wished end's denied, 
Yet while the busy means are plied. 

They bring their own reward: 
Whilst I, a hope-abandon'd wight. 

Unfitted with an aim. 
Meet ev'ry sad returning night. 
And joyless morn the same! 
You, busding, and justling, 

Forget each grief and pain; 
I, lisdess, yet resdess. 
Find ev'ry prospect vain. 

How blest the solitary's lot. 
Who, all-forgetting, all forgot. 

Within his humble cell. 
The cavern, wild with tangling roots, 
Sits o'er his newly gather'd fruits. 

Beside his crystal well! 
Or haply, to his ev'ning thought. 

By unfrequented stream. 
The ways of men are distant brought, 
A faint, collected dream; 
While praising, and raising 

His thoughts to hcav'n on high. 
As wand'ring, meand'ring. 
He views the solemn sky. 



POEMS A^fD SONGS 199 

Than I, no lonely hermit plac'd 
Where never human footstep trac'd, 

Less fit to play the part, 
The lucky moment to improve, 
And just to stop, and just to move. 

With self-respecting art: 
But ah! those pleasures, loves, and joys, 

Which I too keenly taste, 
The solitary can despise. 
Can want, and yet be blest! 
He needs not, he heeds not, 

Or human love or hate; 
Whilst I here must cry here 
At perfidy ingrate! 

O, enviable, early days. 

When dancing thoughdess pleasure's maze. 

To care, to guilt unknown! 
How ill exchang'd for riper times. 
To feel the follies, or the crimes, 

Of others, or my own! 
Ye tiny elves that guildess sport, 

Like linnets in the bush. 
Ye little know the ills ye court, 
When manhood is your wish! 
The losses, the crosses. 

That active man engage; 
The fears all, the tears all. 
Of dim declining age! 

TO GAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ., MAUCHLINE, 

Recommending a Boy. 

Mossgaville, May 3, 1786. 

I HOLD it, sir, my boundcn duty 

To warn you how that Master Tootic, 

Alias, Laird M'Gaun, 
Was here to hire yon lad away 
'Bout whom ye spak the tither day. 

An' wad hae don't aff han'; 



200 ROBERT BURNS 

But lest he learn the callan tricks — 

An' faith I muckle doubt him — 
Like scrapin out auld Crummie's nicks, 
An' tellin lies about them; 
As lieve then, I'd have then 

Your clerkship he should sair, 
If sae be ye may be 
Not fitted otherwhere. 

Altho' I say't, he's gleg enough, 

An' 'bout a house that's rude an' rough. 

The boy might learn to swear; 
But then, wi' you, he'll be sae taught. 
An* get sic fair example straught, 

I hae na ony fear. 
Ye'U catechise him, every quirk. 

An' shore him weel wi' hell; 
An' gar him follow to the kirk — 
Aye when ye gang yourscl. 
If ye then maun be then 

Frae hame this comin' Friday, 
Then please, sir, to lea'e, sir. 
The orders wi' your lady. 

My word of honour I hae gi'en. 

In Paisley John's, that night at e'en, 

To meet the warld's worm; 
To try to get the twa to gree, 
An' name the airles an' the fee. 

In legal mode an' form: 
I ken he weel a snick can draw. 

When simple bodies let him: 
An' if a Devil be at a', 

In faith he's sure to get him. 
To phrase you and praise you. 
Ye ken your Laureat scorns: 
The pray'r still you share still 
Of grateful Minstrel Burns. 



POEMS AND SONGS 201 

VERSIFIED REPLY TO AN INVITATION 

Sn, 

Yours this moment I unseal, 

And faith I'm gay and hearty! 
To tell the truth and shame the deil, 

I am as fou as Bartie: 
But Foorsday, sir, my promise leal, 

Expect me o' your partie. 
If on a beastic I can speei, 
Or hurl in a cartie. 

Yours, 

Robert Burns. 
Mauchlin, Monday night, lo o'clock,. 

SONG— WILL YE GO TO THE INDIES, MY MARY ? 

Tune — "Will je go to the Ewe-Bughts, Marion." 

Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary, 

And leave auld Scotia's shore? 
Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary, 

Across th' Atlantic's roar? 

sweet grows the lime and the orange. 
And the apple on the pine; 

But a' the charms o' the Indies 
Can never equal thine. 

1 hae sworn by the Heavens to my Mary, 

I hae sworn by the Heavens to be true; 
And sae may the Heavens forget me, 
When I forget my vow! 

O plight me your faith, my Mary, 
And plight me your lily-white hand; 

O plight me your faith, my Mary, 
Before I leave Scotia's strand. 

We hae plighted our troth, my Mary, 

In mutual affection to join; 
And curst be the cause that shall part us! 

The hour and the moment o' time! 



202 ROBERT BURNS 

SONG— MY HIGHLAND LASSIE, O 

Tune — ^"The dculu dang o'er my daddy." 

Nae gentle dames, tho' e'er sae fair, 
Shall ever be my muse's care: 
Their titles a' are empty show; 
Gie me my Highland lassie, O. 

Chorus. — Within the glen sae bushy, O, 
Aboon the plain sae rashy, O, 

I set me down wi' right guid will, 
To sing my Highland lassie, O. 

were yon hills and vallies mine. 
Yon palace and yon gardens fine! 
The world then the love should know 

1 bear my Highland lassie, O. 

But fickle fortune frowns on me. 
And I maun cross the raging sea! 
But while my crimson currents flow, 
I'll love my Highland lassie, O. 

Altho' thro' foreign climes I range, 
I know her heart will never change. 
For her bosom burns with honour's glow, 
My faithful Highland lassie, O. 

For her I'll dare the billow's roar. 
For her I'll trace a distant shore. 
That Indian wealth may lustre throw 
Around my Highland lassie, O. 

She has my heart, she has my hand. 
By secret troth and honour's band! 
Till the mortal stroke shall lay me low, 
I'm thine, my Highland lassie, O. 

Farewell the glen sae bushy, O! 
Farewell the plain sae rashy, O! 
To other lands I now must go. 
To sing my Highland lassie, O. 



POEMS AND SONGS 203 

EPISTLE TO A YOUNG FRIEND 

May — , 1786. 
1 LANG hae thought, my youthfu' friend, 

A something to have sent you, 
Tho' it should serve nae ither end 

Than just a kind memento: 
But how the subject-theme may gang. 

Let time and chance determine; 
Perhaps it may turn out a sang: 

Perhaps turn out a sermon. 

Ye'U try the world soon, my lad; 

And, Andrew dear, believe me, 
Ye'U find mankind an unco squad. 

And muckle they may grieve ye: 
For care and trouble set your thought, 

Ev'n when your end's attained; 
And a* your views may come to nought, 

Where ev'ry nerve is strained. 

I'll no say, men are villains a'; 

The real, harden'd wicked, 
Wha hae nae check but human law. 

Are to a few restricked; 
But, Och! mankind are unco weak, 

An' little to be trusted; 
If self the wavering balance shake, 

It's rarely right adjusted! 

Yet they wha fa' in fortune's strife. 

Their fate we shouldna censure; 
For still, th' important end of life 

They equally may answer; 
A man may hae an honest heart, 

Tho' poortith hourly stare him; 
A man may tak a neibor's part, 

Yet hae nae cash to spare him. 

Aye free, aff-han', your story tell, 
When wi' a bosom crony; 



204 ROBERT BURNS 

But still keep something to yoursel', 
Ye scarcely tell to ony: 

Conceal yoursel' as weel's ye can 
Frae critical dissection; 

But keek thro' ev'ry other man, 
Wi' sharpcn'd, sly inspection. 

The sacred lowe o' weel-plac'd love. 

Luxuriantly indulge it; 
But never tempt th' illicit rove, 

Tho' naething should divulge it. 
I waive the quantum o' the sin, 

The hazard of concealing; 
But, Och! it hardens a' within, 

And petrifies the feeling! 

To catch dame Fortune's golden smile, 

Assiduous wait upon her; 
And gather gear by ev'ry wile 

That's justified by honour; 
Not for to hide it in a hedge, 

Nor for a train attendant; 
But for the glorious privilege 

Of being indejjendent. 

The fear o' hell's a hangman's whip, 

To haud the wretch in order; 
But where ye feel your honour grip, 

Let that aye be your border; 
Its slightest touches, instant [)ause — 

Debar a' side-pretences; 
And resolutely keep its laws. 

Uncaring consequences. 

The great Creator to revere, 

Must sure become the creature; 
But still the preaching cant forbear. 

And ev'n the rigid feature: 
Yet ne'er with wits profane to range. 

Be complaisance extended; 
An atheist-laugh's a poor exchange 

For Deity offended! 



POEMS AND SONGS 205 

When ranting round in pleasure's ring. 

Religion may be blinded; 
Or if she gie a random sting, 

It may be little minded; 
But when on life we're tempest driv'n — 

A conscience but a canker — 
A correspondence fix'd wi' Heav'n, 

Is sure a noble anchor! 

Adieu, dear, amiable youth! 

Your heart can ne'er be wanting! 
May prudence, fortitude, and truth. 

Erect your brow undaunting! 
In ploughman phrase, "God send you speed," 

Still daily to grow wiser; 
And may ye better reck the rede. 

Then ever did th' adviser! 

ADDRESS OF BEELZEBUB 

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Breadalbane, President of the Right 
Honourable and Honourable the Highland Society, which met on the 23rd of May 
last at the Shakespeare, Covcnt Garden, to concert ways and means to frustrate the 
designs of five hundred Highlanders, who, as the Society were informed by Mr. 
M'Kenzic of Applecross, were so audacious as to attempt an escape from their lawful 
lords and masters whose property they were, by emigrating from the lands of Mr. 
Macdonald of Glcngary to the wilds of Canada, in search of that fantastic thing — 
LIBERTY. 

Long life, my Lord, an' health be yours, 
Unskaithed by hunger'd Highland boors; 
Lord grant me nae duddie, desperate beggar, 
Wi' dirk, claymore, and rusty trigger. 
May twin auld Scotland o' a life 
She likes — as butchers like a knife. 

Faith you and Applecross were right 
To keep the Highland hounds in sight: 
I doubt na! they wad bid nae better. 
Than let them ance out owre the water. 
Then up among thae lakes and seas, 
They'll mak what rules and laws they please: 
Some daring Hancocke, or a Franklin, 
May set their Highland bluid a-ranklin; 



206 ROBERT BURNS 

Some Washington again may head them, 
Or some Montgomery, fearless, lead them, 
Till God knows what may be effected 
When by such heads and hearts directed. 
Poor dunghill sons of dirt and mire 
May to Patrician rights aspire! 
Nae sage North now, nor sager Sackville, 
To watch and premier o'er the pack vile, — 
An' whare will ye get Howes and Clintons 
To bring them to a right repentance — 
To cowe the rebel generation. 
An' save the honour o' the nation? 
They, an* be d — d! what right hae they 
To meat, or sleep, or light o' day? 
Far less — ^to riches, pow'r, or freedom. 
But what your lordship likes to gie them? 

But hear, my lord! Glengarry, hear! 

Your hand's owre light to them, I fear; 

Your factors, grieves, trustees, and bailies, 

I canna say but they do gayliej; 

They lay aside a' tender mercies, 

An' tirl the hall ions to the birses; 

Yet while they're only poind't and herriet. 

They'll keep their stubborn Highland spirit: 

But smash them! crash them a' to spails. 

An' rot the dyvors i' the jails! 

The young dogs, swinge them to the labour; 

Let wark an' hunger mak them sober! 

The hizzies, if they're aughUins fawsont, 

Let them in Drury-lane be lesson 'd! 

An' if the wives an' dirty brats 

Come thiggin at your doors an' yetts, 

Flaffin wi' duds, an' grey wi' beas', 

Frightin away your ducks an' geese; 

Get out a horsewhip or a jowler. 

The langest thong, the fiercest growler, 

An* gar the tatter'd gypsies pack 

Wi* a* their bastards on their backl 

Go on, my Lord! I lang to meet you, 



POEMS AND SONGS IQTJ 

An' in my house at hame to greet you; 
Wi' common lords ye shanna mingle, 
The benmost neuk beside the ingle, 
At my right han' assigned your seat, 
'Tween Herod's hip an' Polycrate: 
Or if you on your station tarrow, 
Between Almagro and Pizarro, 
A seat, I'm sure ye're weel deservin't; 
An' till ye come — your humble servant, 

Beelzebub. 
/nnr 1st, Anno Munii, 5790. 

A DREAM 

Thouj;hts, words, and deeds, the Statute blames with reason; 
But surely Dreams were ne'er indicted Treason. 

On reading, in the public papers, the Laureate's Ode, with the other 
parade of June 4th, 1786, the Author was no sooner dropt asleep, than 
he imagined himself transported to the Birth-day Levee: and, in his 
dreaming fancy, made the following Address: 

Guid-mornin' to your Majesty! 

May Heaven augment your blisses 
On ev'ry new birth-day ye see, 

A humble poet wishes. 
My hardship here, at your Levee 

On sic a day as this is. 
Is sure an uncouth sight to see, 

Amang thae birth-day dresses 

Sae fine this day. 

I see ye're complimented thrang, 

By mony a lord an' lady; 
"God save the King" 's a cuckoo sang 

That's unco easy said aye: 
The jx>ets, too, a venal gang, 

Wi' rhymes weel-turn'd an' ready. 
Wad gar you trow ye ne'er do wrang. 

But aye unerring steady. 

On sic a day. 



208 ROBERT BURNS 

For me! before a monarch's face, 

Ev'n there I winna flatter; 
For neither pension, post, nor place, 

Am I your humble debtor: 
So, nae reflection on your Grace, 

Your Kingship to bespatter; 
There's mony waur been o' the race. 

And aiblins ane been better 

Than you this day. 

"Tis very true, my sovereign King, 

My skill may weel be doubted; 
But facts are chiels that winna ding. 

An' downa be disputed: 
Your royal nest, beneath your wing, 

Is e'en right reft and clouted, 
And now the third part o' the string. 

An' less, will gang aboot it 

Than did ae day.' 

Far be't frae me that I aspire 

To blame your legislation. 
Or say, ye wisdom want, or fire, 

To rule this mighty nation: 
But faith! I muckle doubt, my sire, 

Ye've trusted ministration 
To chaps wha in a barn or byre 

Wad better fill'd their station 

Than courts yon day. 

And now ye've gien auld Britain peace, 

Her broken shins to plaister. 
Your sair taxation does her fleece, 

Till she has scarce a tester: 
For me, thank God, my life's a lease, 

Nae bargain wearin' faster. 
Or, faith! I fear, that, wi' the geese, 

I shortly boost to pasture 

r the craft some day. 
• The American colonies had recently been lost. 



POEMS AND SONGS 209 

I'm no mistrusting Willie Pitt, 

When taxes he enlarges, 
(An' Will's a true guid fallow's get, 

A name not envy spairges), 
That he intends to pay your debt. 

An' lessen a' your charges; 
But, God-sake! let nae saving fit 

Abridge your bonie barges 

An' boats this day. 

Adieu, my Liege; may freedom geek 

Beneath your high protection; 
An' may yc rax Corruption's neck, 

And gie her for dissection! 
But since I'm here, I'll no neglect. 

In loyal, true affection, 
To pay your Queen, wi' due respect. 

My fealty an' subjection 

This great birth-day. 

Hail, Majesty most Excellent! 

While nobles strive to please ye, 
Will ye accept a compliment, 

A simple poet gies ye? 
Thae bonie bairntime, Hcav'n has lent, 

Still higher may they heeze ye 
In bliss, till fate some day is sent 

For ever to release yc 

Frae care that day. 

For you, young Potentate o' Wales, 

I tell your highness fairly, 
Down Pleasure's stream, wi' swelling sails, 

I'm tauld ye're driving rarely; 
But some day ye may gnaw your nails, 

An' curse your folly sairly, 
That e'er ye brak Diana's pales, 

Or rattl'd dice wi' Charlie 

By night or day. 

Yet aft a ragged cowt's been known, 
To mak a noble aiver; 



210 ROBERT BURNS 

So, ye may doucely fill the throne. 

For a' their clish-ma-claver: 
There, him^ at Agincourt wha shone. 

Few better were or braver: 
And yet, wi' funny, queer Sir John,' 

He was an unco shaver 

For mony a day. 

For you, right rev'rend Osnaburg, 

Nane sets the lawn-sleeve sweeter, 
Altho' a ribbon at your lug 

Wad been a dress completer: 
As ye disown yon paughty dog. 

That bears the keys of Peter, 
Then swith! an' get a wife to hug, 

Or trowth, yell stain the mitre 

Some luckless day! 

Young, royal Tarry-breeks, I learn, 

Ye've lately come athwart her — 
A glorious galley,* stem and stern, 

Weel rigg'd for Venus' barter; 
But first hang out, that she'll discern, 

Your hymeneal charter; 
Then heave aboard your grapple aim. 

An*, large uf>on her quarter, 

Come full that day. 

Ye, lastly, bonie blossoms a*. 

Ye royal lasses dainty, 
Heav'n mak you guid as weel as braw, 

An' gie you lads a-plenty! 
But sneer na British boys awa! 

For kings are unco scant aye. 
An' German gentles are but sma'. 

They're better just than want aye 
On ony day. 

' King Henry V.—R. B. ' Sir John Falstaff, mj. Shakespeare— R. B. 
* Alluding to the newspaper account of a certain Royat sailor's amour. — R. B. 
was Prince William Henry, third son ot George III, afterward King William IV. 



This 



POEMS AND SONGS 211 

Gad bless you a'! consider now, 

Ye're unco muckle dautit; 
But ere the course o' life be through, 

It may be bitter sautit: 
An' I hae seen their coggie fou, 

That yet hae tarrow't at it. 
But or the day was done, I trow, 

The laggen they hae clautit 

Fu' clean that day. 

A DEDICATION 
To Gavin Hamilton, E^. 
Expect na, sir, in this narration, 
A flccchin, fleth'rin Dedication, 
To roose you up, an' ca' you guid. 
An' sprung o' great an' noble bluid. 
Because ye're surnam'd like His Grace — 
Perhaps related to the race: 
Then, when I'm tir'd — and sae are ye, 
Wi' mony a fulsome, sinfu' lie. 
Set up a face how I stop short. 
For fear your modesty be hurt. 

TTiis may do — ^maun do, sir, wi' them wha 
Maun please the great folk for a wamefou; 
For me! sae laigh I need na bow, 
For, Lord be thankit, I can plough; 
And when I downa yoke a naig, 
Then, Lord be thankit, I can beg; 
Sae I shall say — an' that's nac flatt'rin — 
It's just sic Poet an' sic Patron. 

The Poet, some guid angel help him. 
Or else, I fear, some ill ane skelp him! 
He may do weel for a' he's done yet. 
But only — he's no just begun yet. 

The Patron (sir, ye maun forgie me; 
I winna lie, come what will o' me). 



212 ROBERT BURNS 



On ev'ry hand it will allow'd be, 

He's just — nae better than he should be. 

I readily and freely grant, 
He downa see a poor man want; 
What's no his ain, he winna tak it; 
What ance he says, he winna break it; 
Ought he can lend he'll no refus't, 
Till aft his guidness is abus'd; 
And rascals whiles that do him wrang, 
Ev'n that, he does na mind it lang; 
As master, landlord, husband, father, 
He does na fail his part in either. 

But then, nae thanks to him for a' that; 
Nae godly symptom ye can ca' that; 
It's naething but a milder feature 
Of our poor, sinfu', corrupt nature: 
Ye'll get the best o' moral works, 
'Mang black Gentoos, and pagan Turks, 
Or hunters wild on Ponotaxi, 
Wha never heard of orthodoxy. 
That he's the poor man's friend in need. 
The gendeman in word and deed. 
It's no thro' terror of damnation; 
It's just a carnal inclination. 

Morality, thou deadly bane. 
Thy tens o' thousands thou hast slain! 
Vain is his hojx;, whasc stay an' trust is 
In moral mercy, truth, and justice! 

No — stretch a point to catch a plack: 
Abuse a brother to his back; 
Steal through the winnock frae a whore. 
But point the rake that taks the door; 
Be to the poor like ony whunstane, 
And haud their noses to the grunstane; 
Ply ev'ry art o' legal thieving; 
No matter — stick to sound believing. 



POEMS AND SONGS 213 

Learn three-mile pray'rs, an' half-mile graces, 
Wi' weel-spread looves, an' lang, wry faces; 
Grunt up a solemn, lengthen'd groan, 
And damn a' parties but your own; 
I'll warrant then ye're nae deceiver, 
A steady, sturdy, staunch believer. 

O ye wha leave the springs o' Calvin, 
For gumlie dubs of your ain delvin! 
Ye sons of Heresy and Error, 
Ye'U some day squeel in quaking terror. 
When Vengeance draws the sword in wrath. 
And in the fire throws the sheath; 
When Ruin, with his sweeping besom, 
Just frets till Heav'n commission gies him; 
While o'er the harp pale Misery moans, 
And strikes the ever-deep'ning tones, 
Still louder shrieks, and heavier groans! 

Your pardon, sir, for this digression: 
I maist forgat my E)edication; 
But when divinity comes 'cross me. 
My readers still are sure to lose me. 

So, sir, you see 'twas nae daft vapour; 
But I maturely thought it proper, 
When a' my works I did review. 
To dedicate them, sir, to you: 
Because (ye need na tak it ill), 
I thought them something like yoursel'. 

Then patronize them wi' your favor. 

And your petition r shall ever 

I had amaist said, ever pray. 

But that's a word I need na say; 

For prayin, I hae little skill o't, 

I'm baith dead-sweer, an' wretched ill o't; 

But I'se rejDeat each poor man's pray'r, 

That kens or hears about you, sir. 



ai4 ROBERT BURNS 

"May ne'er Misfortune's gowling bark. 
Howl thro' the dweUing o' the clerk! 
May ne'er his gen'rous, honest heart, 
For that same gen'rous spirit smart! 
May Kennedy's far-honour'd name 
Lang beet his hymeneal flame, 
Till Hamiltons, at least a dizzen. 
Are frae their nuptial labours risen: 
Five bonie lasses round their table. 
And sev'n braw fellows, stout an' able, 
To serve their king an' country weel. 
By word, or f)en, or pointed steel! 
May health and peace, with mutual rays 
Shine on the ev'ning o' his days; 
Till his wee, curlie John's ier-oe. 
When ebbing life rue mair shall flow. 
The last, sad, mournful rites bestow!" 

I will not wind a lang conclusion, 
With complimentary effusion; 
But, whilst your wishes and endeavours 
Are blest with Fortune's smiles and favours, 
I am, dear sir, with zeal most fervent. 
Your much indebted, humble servant. 

But if (which Pow'rs above prevent) 
That iron-hearted carl, Want, 
Attended, in his grim advances. 
By sad mistakes, and black mischances. 
While hopes, and joys, and pleasures fly him. 
Make you as poor a dog as I am. 
Your humble servant then no more; 
For who would humbly serve the poor? 
But, by a poor man's hopes in Heav'n! 
While recollection's pow'r is giv'n — 
If, in the vale of humble life. 
The victim sad of fortune's strife, 
I, thro' the tender-gushing tear, 
Should recognise my master dear; 
If friendless, low, we meet together, 
Then, sir, your hand — my Friend and Brother! 



POEMS AND SONGS 215 

VERSIFIED NOTE TO DR. MACKENZIE, 
MAUCHLINE 

Friday first's the day appointed 
By the Right Worshipful anointed, 

To hold our grand procession; 
To get a blad o' Johnie's morals, 
And taste a swatch o' Manson's barrels 

r the way of our profession. 
The Master and the Brotherhood 

Would a' be glad to see you; 
For me I would be mair than proud 
To share the mercies wi' you. 
If Death, then, wi' skaith, then. 
Some mortal heart is hechtin, 
Inform him, and storm him. 
That Saturday you'll fecht him. 
Robert Burns. 
Motspel, An. M. 5790. 

THE FAREWELL 

To the Brethren of St. James's Lodge, Tarbolton. 

Tunc — "GuidiUKht, and joy be wi' you a'." 

Adieu! a heart-warm fond adieu; 

Dear brothers of the mystic tiel 
Ye favoured, enlighten'd few, 

Companions of my social joy; 
Tho' I to foreign lands must hie, 

Pursuing Fortune's slidd'ry ba'; 
With melting heart, and brimful eye, 

I'll mind you still, tho' far awa. 

Oft have I met your social band. 

And spent the cheerful, festive night; 
Oft, honour'd with supreme command. 

Presided o'er the sons of light: 
And by that hieroglyphic bright. 

Which none but Craftsmen ever saw 
Strong Mem'ry on my heart shall write 

Those happy scenes, when far awa. 



2l6 ROBERT BURNS 

May Freedom, Harmony, and Love, 

Unite you in the grand Design, 
Beneath th' Omniscient Eye above, 

The glorious Architect Divine, 
That you may keep th' unerring line. 

Still rising by the plummet's law. 
Till Order bright completely shine. 

Shall be my pray'r when far awa. 

And you, farewell! whose merits claim 

Justly that highest badge to wear: 
Heav'n bless your honour'd noble name, 

To Masonry and Scotia dear! 
A last request permit me here, — 

When yearly ye assemble a'. 
One round, I ask it with a tear, 

To him, the Bard that's far awa. 



ON A SCOTCH BARD, GONE TO THE WEST INDIES 

A' YE wha live by sowps o' drink, 
A* ye wha live by crambo-clink, 
A' ye wha live and never think, 

Come, mourn wi' me! 
Our billie 's gien us a' a jink. 

An' owre the sea! 

Lament him a' ye rantin core, 
Wha dearly like a random splore; 
Nae mair he'll join the merry roar, 
In social key; 
For now he's taen anither shore. 

An' owre the sea! 

The bonie lasses weel may wiss him. 
And in their dear petitions place him; 
The widows, wives, an' a' may bless him 

Wi' tearfu' e'e; 
For weel I wat they'll sairly miss him 

That's owre the sea! 



POEMS AND SONGS 21 7 

O Fortune, they hae room to grumble! 
Hadst thou taen afl some drowsy bummle, 
Wha can do nought but fyke an' fumble, 

'Twad been nae plea; 
But he was gleg as ony wumble. 

That's owre the sea! 

Auld, cantie Kyle may weepers wear. 
An' stain them wi' the saut, saut tear; 
Twill mak her poor auld heart, I fear. 

In flinders flee: 
He was her Laureat mony a year. 

That's owre the sea! 

He saw Misfortune's cauld nor-west 
Lang mustering up a bitter blast; 
A jillet brak his heart at last, 

111 may she be! 
So, took a berth afore the mast, 

An' owre the sea. 

To tremble under Fortune's cummock. 
On scarce a bellyfu' o' drummock, 
Wi' his proud, independent stomach. 

Could ill agree; 
So, rovv't his hurdies in a hammock, 

An' owre the sea. 

He ne'er was gien to great misguidin. 
Yet coin his pwuches wad na bide in; 
Wi' him it ne'er was under hidin; 

He dealt it free: 
The Muse was a' that he took pride in. 

That's owre the sea. 

Jamaica bodies, use him weel. 
An' hap him in a cozie biel: 
Ye'll find him aye a dainty chiel, 

An' fou o' glee: 
He wad na wrang'd the vera deil. 

That's owre the sea. 



2l8 ROBERT BURNS 

Fareweel, my rhyme-composing billie! 
Your native soil was right ill-willie; 
But may ye flourish like a lily, 

Now bonilie! 
I'll toast you in my hindmost gillie, 

Tho' owre the sea! 

SONG— FAREWELL TO ELIZA 

Tune — "Gilderoy." 

From thee, Eliza, I must go. 

And from my native shore; 
The cruel fates between us throw 

A boundless ocean's roar: 
But boundless oceans, roaring wide, 

Between my love and me, 
They never, never can divide 

My heart and soul from thee. 

Farewell, farewell, Eliza dear, 

The maid that I adore! 
A boding voice is in mine ear, 

We part to meet no more! 
But the latest throb that leaves my heart, 

While Death stands victor by, — 
That throb, Eli2:a, is thy jjart. 

And thine that latest sight 

A BARD'S EPITAPH 

Is there a whim-inspired fool, 

Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule, 

Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool, 

Let him draw near; 
And owre this grassy heap sing dool. 

And drap a tear. 

Is there a bard of rustic song, 

Who, noteless, steals the crowds among, 

That weekly this area throng, 

O, pass not by! 
But, with a frater-feeling strong. 

Here, heave a sigh. 



POEMS AND SONGS 2I9 

Is there a man, whose judgment clear 
Can others teach the course to steer, 
Yet runs, himself, life's mad career. 

Wild as the wave. 
Here pause— and, thro' the starting tear, 

Survey this grave. 

The f)oor inhabitant below 

Was quick to learn and wise to know, 

And keenly felt the friendly glow. 

And softer flame; 
But thoughdess follies laid him low. 

And stain'd his namel 

Reader, attend! whether thy soul 
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole, 
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole, 

In low pursuit: 
Know, prudent, cautious, self-control 

Is wisdom's root. 

EPITAPH FOR ROBERT AIKEN, ESQ. 

Know thou, O stranger to the fame 
Of this much lov'd, much honoured name! 
(For none that knew him need be told) 
A warmer heart death ne'er made cold. 

EPITAPH FOR GAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ. 

The poor man weeps — here Gavin sleeps. 

Whom canting wretches blam'd; 
But with such as he, where'er he be. 

May I be sav'd or damn'd! 

EPITAPH ON "WEE JOHNIE" 

Hie facet wee fohnie. 

Whoe'er thou art, O reader, know 

That Death has murder'd Johaie; 
An' here his body lies fu' low; 

For saul he ne'er had ony. 



220 ROBERT BURNS 

THE LASS O" BALLOCHMYLE 

Tune — "Ettrick Banks." 

TwAs even — the dewy fields were green, 
On every blade the pearls hang; 

The zephyr wanton 'd round the bean. 
And bore its fragrant sweets alang: 
In ev'ry glen the mavis sang, 

All nature list'ning seem'd the while, 
Except where greenwood echoes rang, 

Amang the braes o' Ballochmyle. 

With careless step I onward stray'd. 
My heart rejoic'd in nature's joy, 

When, musing in a lonely glade, 
A maiden fair I chanc'd to spy: 
Her look was like the morning's eye, 

Her air like nature's vernal smile: 
Perfection whisper'd, passing by, 

"Behold the lass o' Ballochmyle!" 

Fair is the morn in flowery May, 
And sweet is night in autumn mild; 

When roving thro* the garden gay. 
Or wand'ring in the lonely wild: 
But woman, nature's darling child! 

There all her charms she does compile; 
Even there her other works are foil'd 

By the bonie lass o' Ballochmyle. 

O, had she been a country maid. 

And I the happy country swain, 
Tho' shelter'd in the lowest shed 

That ever rose on Scotland's plain! 

Thro' weary winter's wind and rain, 
With joy, with rapture, I would toil; 

And nightly to my bosom strain 
The bonie lass o' Ballochmyle. 

Then pride might climb the slipp'ry steep, 
Where fame and honours lofty shine; 



POEMS AND SONGS 221 

And thirst of gold might tempt the deep, 

Or downward seek the Indian mine: 

Give me the cot below the pine, 
To tend the flocks or till the soil; 

And ev'ry day have joys divine 
With the bonie lass o' Ballochmyle. 

LINES TO AN OLD SWEETHEART 

Once fondly lov'd, and still remember'd dear. 

Sweet early object of my youthful vows, 
Accept this mark of friendship, warm, sincere, 

Friendship! 'tis all cold duty now allows. 
And when you read the simple ardess rhymes. 

One friendly sigh for him — he asks no more, 
Who, distant, burns in flaming torrid climes. 

Or haply lies beneath th' Adantic roar. 

MOTTO PREFIXED TO THE AUTHOR'S FIRST 
PUBLICATION 

The simple Bard, unbroke by rules of art. 

He pours the wild effusions of the heart; 

And if inspir'd 'tis Nature's pow'rs inspire; 

Her's all the melting thrill, and her's the kindling fire. 

LINES TO MR. JOHN KENNEDY 

Farewell, dear friend! may guid luck hit you, 
And 'mang her favourites admit you: 
If e'er Detraction shore to smit you. 

May nane believe him. 
And ony deil that thinks to get you. 

Good Lord, deceive him! 

LINES WRITTEN ON A BANKNOTE 

Wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf! 
Fell source o' a' my woe and grief! 
For lack o' thee I've lost my lass! 
For lack o' thee I scrimp my glass! 
I see the children of affliction 



222 ROBERT BURNS 

Unaided, through thy curst restriction: 
I've seen the oppressor's cruel smile 
Amid his hapless victim's spoil; 
And for thy potence vainly wished, 
To crush the villain in the dust: 
For lack o' thee, I leave this much-lov'd shore. 
Never, f>erhaps, to greet old Scodand more. 

R. 

STANZAS ON NAETHING 
Extemfwre Epistle to Gavin Hamilton, Esq. 

To you, sir, this summons I've sent. 
Pray, whip till the fxjwnie is freathing; 

But if you demand what I want, 
I honesdy answer you — naething. 

Ne'er scorn a poor Poet like me, 
For idly just living and breathing. 

While people of every degree 
Are busy employed about — naething. 

Poor Centum-per-centum may fast. 

And grumble his hurdies their claithing, 

He'll find, when the balance is cast, 
He's gane to the devil for — naething. 

The courtier cringes and bows. 

Ambition has likewise its plaything; 

A coronet beams on his brows; 
And what is a coronet — naething. 

Some quarrel the Presbyter gown. 
Some quarrel Episcopal graithing; 

But every good fellow will own 
Their quarrel is a' about — naething. 

The lover may sparkle and glow, 

Approaching his bonie bit gay thing: 

But marriage will soon let him know 
He's gotten — a buskit up naething. 



POEMS AND SONGS 223 

The Poet may jingle and rhyme, 

In hopes of a laureate wreathing, 
And when he has wasted his time, 

He's kindly rewarded wi' — naething. 

The thundering bully may rage, 

And swagger and swear like a heathen; 

But collar him fast, I'll engage, 
You'll find that his courage is — naething. 

Last night wi* a feminine whig — 

A Poet she couldna put faith in; 
But soon we grew lovingly big, 

I taught her, her terrors were naething. 

Her whigship was wonderful pleased, 

But charmingly tickled wi' ae thing. 
Her fingers I lovingly squeezed. 

And kissed her, and promised her — naething. 

The priest anathemas may threat — 

Predicament, sir, that we're baith in; 
But when honour's reveille is beat. 

The holy artillery's naething. 

And now I must mount on the wave — 
My voyage perhaps there is death in; 

But what is a watery grave? 
The drowning a Poet is naething. 

And now, as grim death's in my thought. 
To you, sir, I make this bequeathing; 

My service as long as yc've ought. 
And my friendship, by God, when ye've naething. 



224 ROBERT BURNS 

THE FAREWELL 

The valiant, in himself, what can he suffer? 

Or what does he regard his single woes? 

But when, alasl he multiplies himself, 

To dearer selves, to the lov'd tender fair. 

To those whose bliss, whose beinjjs hang upon him. 

To helpless children, — then. Oh then, he feels 

The point of misery festering in his heart. 

And weakly weeps his fortunes like a coward: 

Such, such am II — undone! 

Thomson's Edward and Eleanora. 

Farewell, old Scotia's bleak domains. 
Far dearer than the torrid plains. 

Where rich ananas blow! 
Farewell, a mother's blessing dear! 
A brother's sigh! a sister's tear! 
My Jean's heart-rending throe! 
Farewell, my Bess! tho' thou'rt bereft 

Of my paternal care, 
A faithful brother I have left. 
My part in him thou'lt share! 
Adieu, too, to you too, 

My Smith, my bosom fricn'; 
When kindly you mind me, 
O then befriend my Jean! 

What bursting anguish tears my heart; 
From thee, my Jeany, must I part! 

Thou, weeping, answ'rest — "No!" 
Alas! misfortune stares my face, 
And points to ruin and disgrace, 

I for thy sake must go! 
Thee, Hamilton, and Aiken dear, 

A grateful, warm adieu: 
I, with a much-indebted tear, 
Shall still remember you! 
All hail then, the gale then, 

Wafts me from thee, dear shore! 
It rustles, and whistles 
I'll never see thee more! 



POEMS AND SONGS 225 

THE CALF 

To the Rev. James Steven, on his text, Malaciii, ch. iv. vers. 2. "And ye shall 
go forth, and grow up, as calves of the stall." 

Right, sir! your text I'll prove it true, 

Tho' heretics may laugh; 
For instance, there's yoursel just now, 

God knows, an unco calf. 

And should some patron be so kind, 

As bless you wi' a kirk, 
I doubt na, sir, but then we'll find, 

Ye're still as great a stir\. 

But, if the lover's raptur'd hour. 

Shall ever be your lot. 
Forbid it, ev'ry heavenly Power, 

You e'er should be a slot! 

Tho' when some kind connubial dear 

Your but-and-ben adorns, 
The like has been that you may wear 

A noble head of horns. 

And, in your lug, most reverend James, 

To hear you roar and rowt. 
Few men o' sense will doubt your claims 

To rank amang the nowt. 

And when ye're number'd wi' the dead. 

Below a grassy hillock. 
With justice they may mark your head — 

"Here lies a famous bullae/^!" 

NATURE'S LAW— A POEM 

Humbly inscribed to Gavin Hamilton, Esq. 
Great Nature spoke: observant man obey'd — Pope. 

Let other heroes boast their scars. 

The marks of sturt and strife: 
And other poets sing of wars. 

The plagues of human life: 



226 ROBERT BURNS 

Shame fa' the fun, wi' sword and gun 
To slap mankind like lumber! 

I sing his name, and nobler fame, 
Wha multiplies our number. 

Great Nature spoke, with air benign, 

"Go on, ye human race; 
This lower world I you resign; 

Be fruitful and increase. 
The liquid fire of strong desire 

I've pour'd it in each bosom; 
Here, on this hand, does Mankind stand. 

And there is Beauty's blossom." 

The Hero of these artless strains, 

A lowly bard was he. 
Who sung his rhymes in Coila's plains. 

With meikle mirth an' glee; 
Kind Nature's care had given his share 

Large, of the flaming current; 
And, all devout, he never sought 

To stem the sacred torrent. 

He felt the powerful, high behest 

Thrill, vital, thro' and thro'; 
And sought a corresf>ondcnt breast. 

To give obedience due: 
Propitious Powers screen'd the young flow'rs. 

From mildews of abortion; 
And low! the bard — a great reward — 

Has got a double ptortion! 

Auld cantic Coil may count the day, 

As annual it returns, 
The third of Libra's equal sway, 

TTiat gave another Burns, 
With future rhymes, an' other times. 

To emulate his sire: 
To sing auld Coil in nobler style 

With more poetic fire. 



POEMS AND SONGS 227 

Ye Powers of peace, and peaceful song, 

Look down with gracious eyes; 
And bless auld Coila, large and long, 

With multiplying joys; 
Lang may she stand to prop the land, 

The flow'r of ancient nations; 
And Burnses spring, her fame to sing, 

To endless generations! 



SONG— WILLIE CHALMERS 

Mr. Chalmers, a gentleman in Ayrshire, a particular friend of mine, asked me to 
write a poetic epistle to a young lady, his Dulcinea. I had seen her, but was 
scarcely acquainted with her, and wrote as follows: — 

Wi' braw new branks in mickle pride. 

And eke a braw new brechan. 
My Pegasus I'm got astride, 

And up Parnassus pechin; 
Whiles owre a bush wi' downward crush. 

The doited bcastie stammers; 
Then up he gets, and off he sets, 

For sake o' Willie Chalmers. 

I doubt na, lass, that weel ken'd name 

May cost a pair o' blushes; 
I am nae stranger to your fame. 

Nor his warm urged wishes. 
Your bonie face sae mild and sweet. 

His honest heart enamours, 
And faith ye'll no be lost a whit, 

The' wair'd on Willie Chalmers. 

Auld Truth hersel' might swear yer'e fair, 

And Honour safely back her; 
And Modesty assume your air. 

And ne'er a ane mistak her: 
And sic twa love-inspiring een 

Might fire even holy palmers; 
Nae wonder then they've fatal been 

To honest Willie Chalmers. 



228 ROBERT BURNS 

I doubt na fortune may you shore 

Some mim-mou'd fwuther'd priestie, 
Fu' lifted up wi' Hebrew lore, 

And band upon his brcastie: 
But oh! what signifies to you 

His lexicons and grammars; 
TTie feeling heart's the royal blue, 

And that's wi' Willie Chalmers. 

Some gapin', glowrin' countra laird 

May warsle for your favour; 
May claw his lug, and straik his beard. 

And hoast up some palaver: 
My bonie maid, before ye wed 

Sic clumsy-witted hammers, 
Seek Heaven for help, and barefit skelp 

Awa wi' Willie Chalmers. 

Forgive the Bard ! my fond regard 

For ane that shares my bosom. 
Inspires my Muse to gie 'm his dues 

For deil a hair I roose him. 
May powers aboon unite you soon. 

And fructify your amours, — 
And every year come in mair dear 

To you and Willie Chalmers. 

REPLY TO A TRIMMING EPISTLE RECEIVED 
FROM A TAILOR 

What ails ye now, ye lousie bitch 
To thresh my back at sic a pitch? 
Losh, man! hae mercy wi' your natch, 

Your bodkin's bauld; 
I didna suffer half sae much 

Frae Daddie Auld. 

What tho' at times, when I grow crouse, 
I gie their wames a random pouse. 
Is that enough for you to souse 

Your servant sae.' 



POEMS AND SONGS 229 

Gae mind your seam, ye prick-the-louse, 
An' jag-the-flea! 

King David, o' poetic brief, 
Wrocht 'mang the lasses sic mischief 
As filled his after-life wi' grief. 

An' bluidy rants. 
An' yet he's rank'd amang the chief 

O' lang-syne saunts. 

And maybe, Tam, for a' my cants. 
My wicked rhymes, an' drucken rants, 
I'll gie auld cloven's Clootie's haunts 

An unco slip yet. 
An' snugly sit amang the saunts, 

At Davie's hip yetl 

But, fegs! the session says I maun 

Gae fa' upo' anither plan 

Than garrin lasses coup the cran. 

Clean heels ower body, 
An' sairly thole their mother's ban 

Afore the howdy. 

This leads me on to tell for sport. 
How I did wi' the Session sort; 
Auld Clinkum, at the inner port. 

Cried three times, "Robin! 
Come hither lad, and answer for't, 

Ye're blam'd for jobbin!" 

Wi' pinch I put a Sunday's face on, 
An' snoov'd awa before the Session: 
I made an open, fair confession — 

I scorn't to lee, 
An' syne Mess John, beyond expression, 

Fell foul o' me. 

A fornicator-loun he call'd me. 

An' said my faut frae bliss exp)eird me; 

I own'd the tale was true he tell'd me. 



230 ROBERT BURNS 

"But, what the matter? 
(Quo' 1)1 fear unless ye geld me, 

I'll ne'er be better!" 

"Geld you! (quo' he) an' what for no? 
If that your right hand, leg or toe 
Should ever prove your sp'ritual foe, 

You should remember 
To cut it afl — ^an' what for no 

Your dearest member?" 

"Na, na, (quo' I,) I'm no for that. 
Gelding's nae better than 'tis ca't; 
I'd rather suffer for my faut 

A hearty flewit, 
As sair owre hip as ye can draw't, 

Tho' I should rue it. 

"Or, gin ye like to end the bother. 
To please us a' — I've just ae ither — 
When next wi' yon lass I forgather, 

Whate'er betide it, 
I'll frankly gie her 't a' thegither. 

An' let her guide it." 

But, sir, this pleas'd them warst of a'. 
An' therefore, Tam, when that I saw, 
I said "Gude night," an' cam' awa', 

An' left the Session; 
I saw they were resolved a' 

On my oppression. 

THE BRIGS OF AYR 

A Poem 

Inscribed to John Baixantine, Esq., Ayr. 

The simple Bard, rough at the rustic plough. 
Learning his tuneful trade from ev'ry bough; 
The chanting linnet, or the mellow thrush. 
Hailing the setting sun, sweet, in the green thorn bush; 



POEMS AND SONGS 23 1 

The soaring lark, the perching red-breast shrill, 

Or deep-ton'd plovers grey, wild-whistling o'er the hill; 

Shall he — nurst in the peasant's lowly shed, 

To hardy independence bravely bred. 

By early poverty to hardship steel'd. 

And train'd to arms in stern Misfortune's field — 

Shall he be guilty of their hireling crimes. 

The servile, mercenary Swiss of rhymes? 

Or labour hard the panegyric close. 

With all the venal soul of dedicating prose? 

No! though his ardess strains he rudely sings. 

And throws his hand uncouthly o'er the strings. 

He glows with all the spirit of the Bard, 

Fame, honest fame, his great, his dear reward. 

Still, if some patron's gen'rous care he trace, 

Skjll'd in the secret, to bestow with grace; 

When Ballantine befriends his humble name. 

And hands the rustic stranger up to fame. 

With heartfelt throes his grateful bosom swells. 

The godlike bliss, to give, alone excels. 



Twas when the stacks get on their winter hap. 
And thack and rape secure the toil-won crap; 
Potatoe-bings are snugged up frae skaith 
O* coming Winter's biting, frosty breath; 
The bees, rejoicing o'er their summer toils, 
Unnumber'd buds an* flow'rs' delicious sfxiils, 
Seal'd up with frugal care in massive waxen piles. 
Are doom'd by Man, that tyrant o'er the weak. 
The death o' devils, smoor'd wi' brimstone reek: 
The thundering guns are heard on ev'ry side. 
The wounded coveys, reeling, scatter wide; 
The feather'd field-mates, bound by Nature's tie. 
Sires, mothers, children, in one carnage lie: 
(What warm, poetic heart but inly bleeds. 
And execrates man's savage, ruthless deeds!) 
Nae mair the flow'r in field or meadow springs, 
Nae mair the grove with airy concert rings. 
Except perhaps the Robin's whistling glee. 
Proud o' the height o* some bit half-lang tree: 



232 ROBERT BURNS 

The hoary morns precede the sunny days, 

Mild, calm, serene, wide spreads the noontide blaze, 

While thick the gosamour waves wanton in the rays. 

Twas in that season, when a simple Bard, 

Unknown and poor — simplicity's reward! — 

Ae night, within the ancient brugh of Ayr, 

By whim inspir'd, or haply prest wi' care. 

He left his bed, and took his wayward route, 

And down by Simpson's^ wheel'd the left about: 

(Whether imfjell'd by all-directing Fate, 

To witness what I after shall narrate; 

Or whether, rapt in meditation high. 

He wander'd out, he knew not where or why:) 

The drowsy Dungeon-clock' had number'd two. 

And Wallace Tower' had sworn the fact was true: 

The tide-swoln firth, with sullen-sounding roar, 

Through the still night dash'd hoarse along the shore. 

All else was hush'd as Nature's closed e'e; 

The silent moon shone high o'er tower and tree; 

The chilly frost, beneath the silver beam. 

Crept, gendy-crusting, o'er the glittering stream — 

When, lol on either hand the list'ning Bard, 

The clanging sugh of whisding wings is heard; 

Two dusky forms dart through the midnight air, 

Swift as the gos' drives on the wheeling hare; 

Ane on th' Auld Brig his airy shape uprears. 

The other flutters o'er the rising piers: 

Our warlock Rhymer instantly descried 

The Sprites that owre the Brigs of Ayr preside. 

(That Bards are second-sighted is nae joke. 

And ken the lingo of the sp'ritual folk; 

Fays, Spunkies, Kelpies, a', they can explain them, 

And even the very deils they brawly ken them). 

Auld Brig appear'd of ancient Pictish race. 

The very wrinkles Gothic in his face; 

He seem'd as he wi' Time had warstl'd lang. 

Yet, teughly doure, he bade an unco bang. 

' A noted tavern at the Auld Brig end. — R. B. 

'The two steeples. — R. B. 

* The Gos-hawk, or Falcon. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 233 

New Brig was buskit in a braw new coat, 

That he, at Lon'on, frae ane Adams got; 

In 's hand five taper staves as smooth 's a bead, 

Wi' virls and whirlygigums at the head. 

The Goth was stalking round with anxious search, 

Spying the time-worn flaws in every arch; 

It chanc'd his new-come neibor took his e'e. 

And e'en a vexed and angry heart had he! 

Wi' thieveless sneer to see his modish mien, 

He, down the water, gies him this guid-e'en: — 

Ain.D Brig 

"I doubt na, frien', ye'll think ye're nae sheepshank, 
Ance ye were streekit owre frae bank to bank! 
But gin ye be a brig as auld as me — 
Tho' faith, that date, I doubt, ye'll never see — 
There'll be, if that day come, I'll wad a boddle, 
Some fewer whigmaleeries in your noddle." 

New Brig 

"Auld Vandal! ye but show your little mense, 
Just much about it wi' your scanty sense: 
Will your poor, narrow foot-path of a street, 
Where twa wheel-barrows tremble when they meet, 
Your ruin'd, formless bulk o' stane and lime. 
Compare wi' bonie brigs o' modern time? 
There's men of taste wou'd tak the Ducat stream,* 
Tho' they should cast the very sark and swim, 
E'er they would grate their feelings wi' the view 
O' sic an ugly, Gothic hulk as you." 

Auld Brig 

"Conceited gowk! pufi'd up wi' windy pride! 
This mony a year I've stood the flood an' tide; 
And tho' wi' crazy eild I'm sair forfairn, 
I'll be a brig when ye're a shapeless cairn! 
As yet ye litde ken about the matter. 
But twa-three winters will inform ye better. 
When heavy, dark, continued, a'-day rains, 

* A noted ford, just above the Auld Brig. — R. B. 



234 ROBERT BURNS 

Wi' deepening deluges o'erflow the plains; 
When from the hills where springs the brawling Coil, 
Or stately Lugar's mossy fountains boil; 
Or where the Greenock winds his moorland course. 
Or haunted Ciarpal draws his feeble source, 
Aroused by blustering winds an' spotting thowes, 
In mony a torrent down the snaw-broo rowes; 
While crashing ice, borne on the rolling spate, 
Sweeps dams, an' mills, an' brigs, a' to the gate; 
And from Glenbuck,' down to the Ratton-key,' 
Auld Ayr is just one lengthen'd, tumbling sea — 
Then down ye'll hurl, (deil nor ye never rise!) 
And dash the gumlie jaups up to the (>ouring skies! 
A lesson sadly teaching, to your cost. 
That Architecture's noble art is lost!" 

New Brig 

"Fine architecture, trowth, I needs must say't o't. 
The Lord be thankit that we've tint the gate o't! 
Gaunt, ghastly, ghaist-alluring edifices. 
Hanging with threat'ning jut, like precipices; 
O'er-arching, mouldy, gloom-inspiring coves. 
Supporting roofs, fantastic, stony groves; 
Windows and doors in nameless sculptures drest 
With order, symmetry, or taste unblest; 
Forms like some bedlam Statuary's dream, 
TTie craz'd creations of misguided whim; 
Forms might be worshipp'd on the bended knee, 
And still the second dread command be free; 
Their likeness is not found on earth, in air, or sea! 
Mansions that would disgrace the building taste 
Of any mason reptile, bird or beast: 
Fit only for a doited monkish race. 
Or frosty maids forsworn the dear embrace. 
Or cuifs of later times, wha held the notion. 
That sullen gloom was sterling, true devotion: 
Fancies that our guid Brugh denies protection, 
And soon may they expire, unblest wi' resurrection!" 

' The source of the River Ayr. — R. B. 

' A small landing place above the large quay. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 235 

AuLD Brig 

"O ye, my dear-remember'd, ancient yealings, 
Were ye but here to share my wounded feelings! 
Ye worthy Proveses, an' mony a Bailie, 
Wha in the paths o' righteousness did toil aye; 
Ye dainty Deacons, and ye douce Conveners, 
To whom our moderns are but causey-cleaners 
Ye godly Councils, wha hae blest this town; 
Ye godly Brethren o' the sacred gown, 
Wha meekly gie your hurdies to the smiters; 
And (what would now be strange), ye godly Writers; 
A' ye douce folk I've borne aboon the broo. 
Were ye but here, what would ye say or do? 
How would your spirits groan in deep vexation, 
To see each melancholy alteration; 
And, agonising, curse the lime and place 
When ye begat the base degen'rate race! 
Nae langer rev'rend men, their country's glory. 
In plain braid Scots hold forth a plain braid story; 
Nae langer thrifty citizens, an' douce, 
Meet owre a pint, or in the Council-house; 
But staumrel, corky-headed, graceless Gentry, 
The herryment and ruin of the country; 
Men, three-parts made by tailors and by barbers, 
Wha waste your weel-hain'd gear on damn'd new brigs and 
harbours!" 

New Brio 

"Now haud you there! for faith ye've said enough. 
And muckle mair than ye can mak to through. 
As for your Priesthood, I shall say but little, 
Corbies and Clergy are a shot right kittle: 
But, under favour o' your langer beard, 
Abuse o' Magistrates might weel be spar'd; 
To liken them to your auld-warld squad, 
I must needs say, comparisons are odd. 
In Ayr, wag-wits nae mair can hae a handle 
To mouth 'a Citizen,' a term o' scandal; 
Nae mair the Council waddles down the street, 



236 ROBERT BURNS 

In all the pomp of ignorant conceit; 

Men wha grew wise priggin owre hops and raisins. 

Or gather'd lib'ral views in Bonds and Seisins: 

If haply Knowledge, on a random tramp, 

Had shor'd them with a glimmer of his lamp, 

And would to Common-sense for once betray 'd them, 

Plain, dull Stupidity stept kindly in to aid them." 

What farther dish-ma-claver might been said, 
What bloody wars, if Sprites had blood to shed, 
No man can tell; but, all before their sight, 
A fairy train appear'd in order bright; 
Adown the glittering stream they featly danc'd; 
Bright to the moon their various dresses glanc'd: 
They footed o'er the wat'ry glass so neat, 
The infant ice scarce bent beneath their feet: 
While arts of Minstrelsy among them rung. 
And soul-ennobling Bards heroic ditties sung. 

O had M'Lauchlan,^ thairm-inspiring sage. 
Been there to hear this heavenly band engage, 
When thro' his dear strathspeys they bore with High- 
land rage; 
Or when they struck old Scotia's melting airs, 
The lover's raptured joys or bleeding cares; 
How would his Highland lug been nobler fir'd, 
And ev'n his matchless hand with finer touch inspir'd! 
No guess could tell what instrument appear'd. 
But all the soul of Music's self was heard; 
Harmonious concert rung in every part, 
While simple melody f)Our*d moving on the heart. 
The Genius of the Stream in front appears, 
A venerable Chief advanc'd in years; 
His hoary head with water-lilies crown'd. 
His manly leg with garter-tangle bound. 
Next came the loveliest pair in all the ring. 
Sweet female Beauty hand in hand with Spring; 
Then, crown'd with flow'ry hay, came Rural Joy, 
And Summer, with his fervid-beaming eye; 
^A well-known performer of Scottish music on the violin. — R. B, 



POEMS AND SONGS 237 

All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn, 

Led yellow Autumn wreath'd with nodding corn; 

Then Winter's time-bleach 'd locks did hoary show, 

By Hospitality with cloudless brow: 

Next followed Courage with his martial stride, 

From where the Feal wild-woody coverts hide;' 

Benevolence, with mild, benignant air, 

A female form, came from the tow'rs of Stair;' 

Learning and Worth in equal measures trode. 

From simple Catrine, their long-lov'd abode:'" 

Last, white-rob'd Peace, crown'd with a hazel wreath. 

To rustic Agriculture did bequeath 

The broken, iron instruments of death: 

At sight of whom our Sprites forgat their kindling wrath. 

FRAGMENT OF SONG 

The night was still, and o'er the hill 

The moon shone on the casde wa'; 
The mavis sang, while dew-drops hang 

Around her on the castle wa'; 
Sae merrily they danced the ring 

Frae eenin' till the cock did craw; 
And aye the o'erword o' the spring 

Was "Irvine's bairns are bonie a'." 



EPIGRAM ON ROUGH ROADS 

I'm now arrived — thanks to the gods! — 

Thro' pathways rough and muddy, 
A certain sign that makin roads 

Is no this people's study: 
Altho' I'm not wi' Scripture cram'd, 

I'm sure the Bible says 
That heedless sinners shall be damn'd, 

Unless they mend their ways. 

' A compliment to the Montgomcries of Coilsfield, on the Feal or Faile, a tributary 
of the Ayr. 

• Mrs. Stewart of Stair, an early patroness of the poet. 
"The house of Professor Dugald Stewart. 



238 ROBERT BURNS 

PRAYER-O THOU DREAD POWER 

Lying at a reverend friend's house one night, the author left the following verses 
in the room where he slept. — 

O Thou dread Power, who reign'« above, 

I know thou wilt me hear, 
When for this scene of peace and love, 

I make this prayer sincere. 

The hoary Sire — the mortal stroke, 

Long, long be pleas'd to spare; 
To bless his little filial flock. 

And show what good men are. 

She, who her lovely offspring eyes 

With tender hop)es and fears, 
O bless her with a mother's joys, 

But spare a mother's tears! 

Their hope, their stay, their darling youth. 

In manhood's dawning blush, 
Bless him. Thou God of love and truth. 

Up to a parent's wish. 

The beauteous, seraph sister-band — 

With earnest tears I pray — 
Thou know'st the snares on ev'ry hand. 

Guide Thou their steps alway. 

When, soon or late, they reach that coast. 
O'er Life's rough ocean driven. 
May they rejoice, no wand'rer lost, 
A family in Heaven! 

FAREWELL SONG TO THE BANKS OF AYR 

Tune — "Roslin Castle." 

"I composed this song as I conveyed my chest so far on my road to Greenock, 
where I was to embark in a few days for Jamaica. I meant it as my farewell dirge 
to my native land." — R. B. 

The gloomy night is gath'ring fast. 
Loud roars the wild, inconstant blast, 
Yon murky cloud is foul with rain, 



POEMS AND SONGS 239 

I see it driving o'er the plain; 
The hunter now has left the moor. 
The scatt'red coveys meet secure; 
While here I wander, prest with care, 
Along the lonely banks of Ayr. 

The Autumn mourns her rip'ning corn 
By early Winter's ravage torn; 
Across her placid, azure sky. 
She sees the scowling tempest fly: 
Chill runs my blood to hear it rave; 
I think upon the stormy wave, 
Where many a danger I must dare. 
Far from the bonie banks of Ayr. 

Tis not the surging billow's roar, 
Tis not that fatal, deadly shore; 
Tho' death in ev'ry shape appear, 
The wretched have no more to fear: 
But round my heart the ties are bound. 
That heart transpicrc'd with many a wound; 
These bleed afresh, those ties I tear, 
To leave the bonie banks of Ayr. 

Farewell, old Coila's hills and dales, 
Her heathy moors and winding vales; 
The scenes where wretched Fancy roves, 
Pursuing past, unhappy loves! 
Farewell, my friends! farewell, my foes! 
My peace with these, my love with those: 
The bursting tears my heart declare — 
Farewell, the bonie banks of Ayr! 

ADDRESS TO THE TOOTHACHE 

My curse upon your venom 'd stang. 
That shoots my tortur'd gums alang. 
An' thro* my lug gies mony a twang, 

Wi' gnawing vengeance. 
Tearing my nerves wi' bitter pang. 

Like racking engines! 



240 ROBERT BURNS 

When fevers burn, or agues freezes, 
Rheumatics gnaw, or colics squeezes, 
Our neibor's sympathy can case us, 

Wi' pitying moan; 
But thee — thou hell o' a' diseases — 

Aye mocks our groan. 

Adown my beard the slavers trickle, 
I throw the wee stools o'er the mickle. 
While round the fire the giglcts keckle. 

To see me loup. 
While, raving mad, I wish a heckle 

Were in their doupl 

In a' the numerous human dools, 
111 hairsts, daft bargains, cutty stools, 
Or worthy frien's rak'd i' the mools, — 

Sad sight to see! 
The tricks o' knaves, or fash o' fools. 

Thou bear'st the greel 

Where'er that place be priests ca' hell, 

Where a' the tones o' misery yell. 

An* ranked plagues their numbers tell. 

In dreadfu' raw, 
Thou, Toothache, surely bear'st the bell, 

Amang them a'! 

O thou grim, mischief-making chiel. 
That gars the notes o' discord squeel, 
Till daft mankind aft dance a reel 

In gore, a shoe-thick, 
Gie a* the faes o* Scotland's weal 

A towmond's toothache! 

LINES ON MEETING WITH LORD DAER' 

This wot ye all whom it concerns, 
I, Rhymer Robin, alias Burns, 

October twenty-third, 
' At the house of Profeuor Dugald Stewart 



POEMS AND SONGS 24 1 

A ne'er-to-bc-forgotten day, 
Sae far I sprackl'd up the brae, 

I dinner'd wi' a Lord. 

I've been at drucken writers' feasts, 
Nay, been bitch-fou 'mang godly priests — 

Wi' rev'rence be it spoken! — 
I've even join'd the honour'd jorum, 
When mighty Squireships of the quorum. 

Their hydra drouth did sloken. 

But wi' a Lx)rd! — stand out my shin, 
A Lord — a Peer — an Earl's son! 

Up higher yet, my bonnet 
An' sic a Lord ! — iang Scotch ells twa. 
Our Peerage he o'erlooks them a'. 

As I look o'er my sonnet. 

But O for Hogarth's magic pow'r! 
To show Sir Bardie's willyart glow'r. 

An' how he star'd and stanuner'd. 
When, goavin, as if led wi' branks, 
An' stumpin on his ploughman shanks. 

He in the parlour hammer'd. 

I sidling shelter'd in a nook. 
An' at his Lordship steal't a look. 

Like some portentous omen; 
Except good sense and social glee. 
An' (what surpris'd me) modesty, 

I marked nought uncommon. 

I watch'd the symptoms o' the Great, 
The gentle pride, the lordly state. 

The arrogant assuming; 
The fient a pride, nae pride had he, 
Nor sauce, nor state, that I could see, 

Mair than an honest ploughman. 

Then from his Lordship I shall learn. 
Henceforth to meet with unconcern 

One rank as weel's another; 



242 ROBERT BURNS 

Nae honest, worthy man need care 
To meet with noble youthful Daer, 

For he but meets a brother. 

MASONIC SONG 

Tuflf— "Shawn-boy," or "Over the water to Charlie." 

Ye sons of old Killie, assembled by Willie, 

To follow the noble vocation; 
Your thrifty old mother has scarce such another 

To sit in that honoured station. 
I've little to say, but only to pray, 

As praying's the ton of your fashion; 
A prayer from the Muse you well may excuse 

'TIS seldom her favourite passion. 

Ye powers who preside o'er the wind and the tide, 

Who marked each element's border; 

Who formed this frame with beneficent aim, 

Whose sovereign statute is order: — 
Within this dear mansion, may wayward Contention 

Or withered Envy ne'er enter; 
May secrecy round be the mystical bound. 

And brotherly Love be the centre! 

TAM SAMSON'S ELEGY 

An honest man's the noblest work of God — Pope. 

When this worthy old sportsman went out, last muirfowl season, he supposed it was 
to be, in Ossian's phrase, "the last of his fields," and expressed an ardent wish to 
die and be buried in the muirs. On this hint the author composed his elegy and 
epitaph. — R. B., 1787. 

Has auld Kilmarnock seen the deil ? 
Or great Mackinlay' thrawn his heel? 
Or Robertson' again grown weel. 

To preach an' read? 
"Na' waur than a'! cries ilka chiel, 

"Tam Samson's dead!" 

' A certain preacher, a great favourite with the million. Vide "The Ordination," 
stanza ii. — R. B. 

' Another preacher, an equal favourite with the lew, who was at that time ailing. 
For him sec also "The Ordination," stanza ix. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 243 

Kilmarnock lang may grunt an' grane, 

An' sigh, an' sab, an' greet her lane. 

An' deed her bairns, man, wife, an' wean, 

In mourning weed; 
To £)eath she's dearly pay'd the kane — 

Tarn Samson's dead I 

The Brethren, o' the mystic level 
May hing their head in woefu' bevel. 
While by their nose the tears will revel. 

Like ony bead; 
Death's gien the Lodge an unco devel; 

Tam Samson's dead I 

When Winter muffles up his cloak. 
And binds the mire like a rock; 
When to the loughs the curlers flock, 

Wi' gleesome speed, 
Wha will they station at the cock? 

Tam Samson's dead! 

He was the king o' a' the core. 
To guard, or draw, or wick a bore, 
Or up the rink like )ehu roar, 

In time o' need; 
But now he lags on Death's hog-score — 

Tam Samson's dead I 

Now safe the stately sawmont sail, 
And trouts bedropp'd wi' crimson hail. 
And eels, weel-ken'd for souple tail. 

And geds for greed, 
Since, dark in Death's fish-creel, we wail 

Tam Samson's dead! 

Rejoice, ye birring paitricks a'; 
Ye cootie muircocks, crousely craw; 
Ye maukins, cock your fud fu' braw 

Withouten dread; 
Your mortal fae is now awa; 

Tam Samson's dead I 



244 ROBERT BURNS 

That woefu' morn be ever mourn'd, 
Saw him in shooting graith adorn'd, 
While pointers round impatient burn'd, 

Frae couples free'd; 
But och! he gaed and ne'er return'd! 

Tarn Samson's dead! 

In vain auld age his body batters, 

In vain the gout his ancles fetters. 

In vain the burns cam down like waters. 

An acre braid! 
Now ev'ry auld wife, greetin, clatters 

"Tam Samson's dead !" 

Owre mony a weary hag he limpit, 
An' aye the tither shot he thumpit. 
Till coward Death behind him jumpit, 

Wi' deadly feid; 
Now he proclaims wi' tout o' trumpet, 

"Tam Samson's dead!" 

When at his heart he felt the dagger. 
He reel'd his wonted bottle-swagger, 
But yet he drew the mortal trigger, 

Wi' weel-aimed heed; 
"Lord, fivel" he cry'd, an' owre did stagger — 

Tam Samson's dead! 

Ilk hoary hunter mourn'd a brither; 
Ilk sportsman youth bemoan'd a father; 
Yon auld gray stane, amang the heather, 

Marks out his head; 
Whare Burns has wrote, in rhyming blether, 

"Tam Samson's dead!" 

There, low he lies, in lasting rest; 
Perhaps upon his mould'ring breast 
Some spitefu' muirfowl bigs her nest 

To hatch an' breed: 



POEMS AND SONGS 245 

Alas I nae mair he'll them molest! 

Tarn Samson's dead! 

When August winds t'le heather wave. 
And sportsmen wander by yon grave, 
Three volleys let his memory crave, 

O' f)outher an' lead. 
Till Echo answer frae her cave, 

"Tarn Samson's dead!" 

Heav'n rest his saul whare'er he be! 
Is th' wish o' mony mae than me: 
He had twa fauts, or maybe three. 

Yet what remead? 
Ae social, honest man want we: 

Tam Samson's dead! 

THE EPITAPH 

Tam Samson's weel-worn clay here lies 
Ye canting zealots, spare him! 
If honest worth in Heaven rise, 
Ye'll mend or ye win near him. 

PER CONTRA 

Go, Fame, an' canter like a filly 
Thro' a' the streets an' neuks o' Killie;' 
Tell ev'ry social honest biliie 

To cease his grievin'; 
For, yet unskaithed by Death's gleg gullie. 

Tam Samson's leevin'! 



EPISTLE TO MAJOR LOGAN 

Hail, thairm-inspirin', rattlin' Willie! 
Tho' fortune's road be rough an' hilly 
To every fiddling, rhyming biliie. 

We never heed, 
But take it like the unback'd filly, 

Proud o' her sjjeed. 
' Kilmarnock.— R. B. 



246 ROBERT BURNS 

When, idly goavin', whiles we saunter, 

Yirr! fancy barks, awa we canter, 

Up hill, down brae, till some mischanter. 

Some black bog-hole. 
Arrests us; then the scathe an' banter 

We're forced to thole. 

Hale be your heart! hale be your fiddle! 
Lang may your elbuck jink and diddle. 
To cheer you through the weary widdle 

O' this wild warl'. 
Until you on a crummock driddle, 

A grey hair'd carl. 

Come wealth, come poortith, late or soon, 
Heaven send your heart-strings aye in tune, 
And screw your temjier-pins aboon 

A fifth or mair 
The melancholious, lazy croon 

O' cankrie care. 

May still your life from day to day, 
Nae "lente largo" in the play, 
But "allegretto forte" gay. 

Harmonious flow, 
A sweeping, kindling, bauld strathspey — 

Encore! Bravo! 

A blessing on the cheery gang 
Wha dearly like a jig or sang. 
An' never think o' right an' wrang 

By square an' rule. 
But, as the clegs o' feeling stang, 

Are wise or fool. 

My hand-waled curse keep hard in chase 
The harpy, hoodock, purse-proud race, 
Wha count on poortith as disgrace; 

Their tuneless hearts. 
May fireside discords jar a base 

To a' their parts. 



POEMS AND SONGS 247 

But come, your hand, my careless brither, 
r th' ither warl', if there's anither. 
An' that there is, I've little swither 

About the matter; 
We, cheek for chow, shall jog thegither, 

I'se ne'er bid better. 

We've faults and failings — ^granted clearly, 
We're frail backsliding mortals merely. 
Eve's bonie squad, priests wyte them sheerly 

For our grand fa'; 
But still, but still, I like them dearly — 

God bless them a'l 

Ochone for poor Castalian drinkers. 
When they fa' foul o' earthly jinkerst 
The witching, curs'd, delicious blinkers 

Hae put me hyte, 
And gart me weet my waukrife winkers, 

Wi' girnin' spite. 

But by yon moon ! — and that's high swearin — 
An' every star within my hearin! 
An* by her een wha was a dear ane! 

I'll ne'er forget; 
I hope to gie the jads a clearin 

In fair play yet. 

My loss I mourn, but not repent it; 
I'll seek my pursie whare I tint it; 
Ance to the Indies I were wonted, 

Some cantraip hour 
By some sweet elf I'll yet be dinted; 

Then vive I'amourl 

Faites mes baissemains respectueuses. 

To sentimental sister Susie, 

And honest Lucky; no to roose you. 

Ye may be proud. 
That sic a couple Fate allows ye. 

To grace your blood. 



248 



ROBERT BURNS 



Nae mair at present can I measure, 

An' trowth my rhymin ware's nae treasure; 

But when in Ayr, some half-hour's leisure, 

Be't light, be't dark, 
Sir Bard will do himself the pleasure 

To call at Park. 

RuBEKT Burns. 

Mostgiel, 30/A October, 1786. 

FRAGMENT ON SENSIBILITY 

Rusticity's ungainly form 
May cloud the highest mind; 

But when the heart is nobly warm. 
The good excuse will find. 

Propriety's cold, cautious rules 
Warm fervour may o'erlook: 

But spare poor sensibility 
Th' ungentle, harsh rebuke. 

A WINTER NIGHT 

Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'cr you are. 
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm t 
Huw shall your houseless heads, and unfed sides. 
Your loop'd and window 'd ragjjedness, defend you 
From seasons such as these? — Shakespeare. 

When biting Boreas, fell and dour. 
Sharp shivers thro' the leafless bow'r; 
When Phoebus gies a short-liv'd glow'r. 

Far south the lift, 
Dim-dark'ning thro' the flaky show'r. 

Or whirling drift: 

Ae night the storm the steeples rocked. 
Poor Labour sweet in sleep was locked, 
While burns, wi* snawy wreaths up-choked. 

Wild-eddying swirl; 
Or, thro' the mining outlet bocked, 

Down headlong hurl: 



POEMS AND SONGS 249 

List'ning the doors an' winnocks rattle, 
I thought me on the curie cattle, 
Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle 

O' winter war, 
And thro' the drift, deep-lairing, sprattle 

Beneath a scar. 

Ilk happing bird, — wee, helpless thing! 
That, in the merry months o' spring. 
Delighted me to hear thee sing. 

What comes o' thee ? 
Whare wilt thou cow'r thy chittering wing. 

An' close thy e'e? 

Ev'n you, on murdering errands toil'd. 

Lone from your savage homes exil'd. 

The blood-stain'd roost, and shecp)-cote spoil'd 

My heart forgets. 
While pityless the tempest wild 

Sore on you beats! 

Now Phoebe in her midnight reign, 
Dark-muffl'd, view'd the dreary plain; 
Still crowding thoughts, a pensive train. 

Rose in my soul. 
When on my ear this plantive strain. 

Slow, solemn, stole: — 

"Blow, blow, ye winds, with heavier gust! 
And freeze, thou bitter-biting frost! 
Descend, ye chilly, smothering snows! 
Not all your rage, as now united, shows 

More hard unkindness unrelenting. 

Vengeful malice unrepenting. 
Than heaven-illumin'd Man on brother Man bestows! 

"See stern Oppression's iron grip. 

Or mad Ambition's gory hand, 
Sending, like blood-hounds from the slip. 
Woe, Want, and Murder o'er a land! 



250 ROBERT BURNS 

Ev'n in the peaceful rural vale, 
Truth, weeping, tells the mournfiJ tale, 

How pamper'd Luxury, Flatt'ry by her side. 
The parasite empoisoning her ear. 
With all the servile wretches in the rear, 

Looks o'er proud Property, extended wide; 
And eyes the simple, rustic hind, 

Whose toil upholds the glitt'ring show — 
A creature of another kind. 
Some coarser substance, unrefin'd — 

Plac'd for her lordly use thus far, thus vile, below! 

"Where, where is Love's fond, tender throe. 
With lordly Honour's lofty brow, 
The pow'rs you proudly own? 
Is there, beneath Love's noble name. 
Can harbour, dark, the selfish aim. 

To bless himself alone ? 
Mark maiden-innocence a prey 

To love-pretending snares: 
This boasted Honour turns away. 
Shunning soft Pity's rising sway. 
Regardless of the tears and unavailing pray'rs! 
Perhaps this hour, in Misery's squalid nest. 
She strains your infant to her joyless breast, 
And with a mother's fears shrinks at the rocking blast! 

"Oh ye! who, sunk in beds of down. 

Feel not a want but what yourselves create. 
Think, for a moment, on his wretched fate. 
Whom friends and fortune quite disown! 
Ill-satisfy 'd keen nature's clamorous call, 

Stretch'd on his straw, he lays himself to sleep; 
While through the ragged roof and chinky wall. 
Chill, o'er his slumbers, piles the drifty heap! 
Think on the dungeon's grim confine. 
Where Guilt and poor Misfortune pine! 
Guilt, erring man, relenting view, 
But shall thy legal rage pursue 



POEMS AND SONGS 25 1 

The wretch, already crushed low 

By cruel Fortune's undeserved blow? 
Affliction's sons are brothers in distress; 
A brother to relieve, how exquisite the bliss!" 

I heard nae mair, for Chanticleer 

Shook off the pouthcry snaw. 
And hail'd the morning with a cheer, 

A cottage-rousing craw. 
But deep this truth itnpress'd my mind — 

Thro' all His works abroad. 
The heart benevolent and kind 

The most resembles God. 



SONG— YON WILD MOSSY MOUNTAINS 

YoN wild mossy mountains sae lofty and wide. 
That nurse in their bosom the youth o' the Clyde, 
Where the grouse lead their coveys thro' the heather to feed. 
And the shepherd tends his flock as he pipes on his reed. 

Not Cowrie's rich valley, nor Forth's sunny shores. 
To me hae the charms o' yon wild, mossy moors; 
For there, by a lanely, sequestered stream, 
Besides a sweet lassie, my thought and my dream. 

Amang thae wild mountains shall still be my path. 
Ilk stream foaming down its ain green, narrow strath; 
For there, wi' my lassie, the day lang I rove. 
While o'er us unheeded flie the swift hours o' love. 

She is not the fairest, altho' she is fair; 
O' nice education but sma' is her share; 
Her parentage humble as humble can be; 
But I lo'e the dear lassie because she lo'es me. 

To Beauty what man but maun yield him a prize. 
In her armour of glances, and blushes, and sighs? 
And when wit and refinement hae polish'd her darts. 
They dazzle our een, as they flie to our hearts. 



252 ROBERT BURNS 

But kindness, sweet kindness, in the fond-sparkling e'e, 
Has lustre outshining the diamond to me; 
And the heart beating love as I'm clasp'd in her arms, 
O, these are my lassie's all-conquering charms! 

ADDRESS TO EDINBURGH 

Edina! Scotia's darling seat! 

All hail thy palaces and tow'rs, 
Where once, beneath a Monarch's feet, 

Sat Legislation's sov'reign pow'rs: 

From marking wildly scatt'red flow'rs. 
As on the banks of Ayr I stray 'd. 

And singing, lone, the lingering hours, 
I shelter in thy honour'd shade. 

Here Wealth still swells the golden tide. 
As busy Trade his labours plies; 

There Architecture's noble pride 
Bids elegance and splendour rise: 
Here Justice, from her native skies, 

High wields her balance and her rod; 
There Learning, with his eagle eyes, 

Seeks Science in her coy abode. 

Thy sons, Edina, social, kind, 

With open arms the stranger hail; 

Their views enlarg'd, their liberal mind, 
Above the narrow, rural vale: 
Attentive still to Sorrow's wail, 

Or modest Merit's silent claim; 
And never may their sources fail! 

And never Envy blot their name! 

Thy daughters bright thy walks adorn, 

Gay as the gilded summer sky. 
Sweet as the dewy, milk-white thorn. 

Dear as the raptur'd thrill of joy! 

Fair Burnet strikes th* adoring eye, 
Heaven's beauties on my fancy shine; 

I see the Sire of Love on high. 
And own His work indeed divine! 



POEMS AND SONGS 253 

There, watching high the least alarms, 

Thy rough, rude fortress gleams afar; 
Like some bold veteran, grey in arms, 

And mark'd with many a seamy scar: 

The pond'rous wall and massy bar. 
Grim-rising o'er the rugged rock, 

Have oft withstood assailing war. 
And oft repell'd th' invader's shock. 

With awe-struck thought, and pitying tears, 

I view that noble, stately Dome, 
Where Scotia's kings of other years, 

Fam'd heroes! had their royal home: 

Alas, how chang'd the times to come! 
Their royal name low in the dust! 

Their hapless race wild-wand'ring roam! 
The' rigid Law cries out 'twas just! 

Wild beats my heart to trace your steps, 

Whose ancestors, in days of yore. 
Thro' hostile ranks and ruin'd gaps 

Old Scotia's bloody lion bore: 

Ev'n I who sing in rustic lore. 
Haply my sires have left their shed, 

And fac'd grim Danger's loudest roar, 
Bold-following where your fathers led! 

Edina! Scotia's darling seat! 

All hail thy palaces and tow'rs; 
Where once, beneath a Monarch's feet. 

Sat Legislation's sovereign pow'rs: 

From marking wildly-scatt'red flow'rs, 
As on the banks of Ayr I stray'd, 

And singing, lone, the ling'ring hours, 
I shelter in thy honour'd shade. 

ADDRESS TO A HAGGIS 

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face. 
Great chieftain o' the pudding-race! 
Aboon them a' ye tak your place, 

Painch, tripe, or thairm: 



254 ROBERT BURNS 

Weel are ye wordy o' a grace 

As lang's my arm. 

The groaning trencher there ye hU, 
Your hurdies like a distant hill, 
Your pin wad help to mend a mill 

In time o' need, 
While thro' your {xsres the dews distil 

Like amber bead. 

His knife see rustic Labour dight, 
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight. 
Trenching your gushing entrails bright, 

Like ony ditch; 
And then, O what a glorious sight, 

Warm-reekin', rich! 

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an' strive: 
Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive. 
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve 

Are bent like drums; 
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive, 

Bethankit! hums. 

Is there that owre his French ragout 
Or olio that wad staw a sow, 
Or fricassee wad make her spew 

Wi' perfect sconner, 
Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view 

On sic a dinner? 

Poor devil I see him owre his trash. 

As feckless as a wither'd rash. 

His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash, 

His nieve a nit; 
TTiro* blody flood or field to dash, 

O how unfit! 

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed. 

The trembling earth resounds his tread. 



POEMS AND SONGS 255 

Clap in his walie nievc a blade, 

He'll mak it vvhissle; 

An' legs an' arms, an' hands will sned, 
Like taps o' thrissle. 

Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care, 
And dish them out their bill o' fare, 
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware 

That jaups in luggies; 
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer 

Gie her a haggis! 

TO MISS LOGAN, WITH BEATTIE'S POEMS 
FOR A NEW-YEAR'S GIFT, JAN. i, 1787. 

Again the silent wheels of time 

Their annual round have driven. 
And you, tho' scarce in maiden prime. 

Are so much nearer Heaven. 

No gifts have I from Indian coasts 

The infant year to hail; 
I send you more than India boasts, 

In Edwin's simple talc. 

Our sex with guile, and faithless love. 

Is charg'd, perhaps too true; 
But may, dear maid, each lover prove 

An Edwin still to you. 

MR. WILLIAM SMELLIE-A SKETCH 

Shrewd Willie Smellie to Crochallan came; 
The old cock'd hat, the grey surtout the same; 
His bristling beard just rising in its might, 
"Twas four long nights and days to shaving night: 
His uncomb'd grizzly locks, wild staring, thalch'd 
A head for thought profound and clear, unmatch'd; 
Yet tho' his caustic wit was biting-rude, 
His heart was warm, benevolent, and good. 



256 ROBERT BURNS 

RATTLIN', ROARIN' WILLIE* 

As I cam by Crochallan, 

I cannilic kcekit ben; 
Rattlin', roarin' Willie 

Was sittin at yon booril-en'; 
Sittin at yon boord-cn', 

And amang gude companie; 
Rattlin', roarin' Willie, 

You're welcome hamc to me! 

SONG— BONIE DUNDEE 

My blessin's upon thy sweet wee lippie! 

My blessin's upon thy e'e-brie! 
Thy smiles are sae like my blythe sodger laddie, 

Thou's aye the dearer, and dearer to me! 

But I'll big a bow'r on yon bonie banks, 
Whare Tay rins wimplin' by sae clear; 

An' I'll deed thee in the tartan sae fine. 
And mak thee a man like thy daddie dear. 

EXTEMPORE IN THE COURT OF SESSION 

Tune — "Killiccrankie." 
Lord Advocate 

He clenched his pamphlet in his fist. 

He quoted and he hinted. 
Till, in a declamation-mist. 

His argument he tint it: 
He gap^d for't, he graf)ed for't, 

He fand it was awa, man; 
But what his common sense came short, 

He eked out wi' law, man. 

Mr. Erskine 

Collected, Harry stood awee. 
Then open'd out his arm, man; 
' William Dunbar, V/. S., of the Crochallan Fenciblcs, a convivial club. 



POEMS AND SONGS 257 

His Lordship sat wi' ruefu' e'e, 

And ey'd the gathering storm, man: 

Like wind-driven hail it did assail, 
Or torrents owre a lin, man: 

The Bench sae wise, lift up their eyes, 
Half-wauken'd wi' the din, man. 

INSCRIPTION FOR THE HEADSTONE OF FERGUS- 
SON THE POET' 

No sculptured marble here, nor pompous lay, 

"No storied urn nor animated bust;" 
This simple stone directs pale Scotia's way, 

To pour her sorrows o'er the Poet's dust. 

Additional Stanzas 

She mourns, sweet tuneful youth, thy hapless fate; 

Tho' all the powers of song thy fancy fired. 
Yet Luxury and Wealth lay by in state. 

And, thankless, starv'd what they so much admired. 

This tribute, with a tear, now gives 

A brother Bard — he can no more bestow: 
But dear to fame thy Song immortal lives, 

A nobler monument than Art can shew. 

INSCRIBED UNDER FERGUSSON'S PORTRAIT 

Curse on ungrateful man, that can be pleased. 
And yet can starve the author of the pleasure. 
O thou, my elder brother in misfortune. 
By far my elder brother in the Muses, 
With tears I pity thy unhappy fate! 
Why is the Bard unpitied by the world. 
Yet has so keen a relish of its pleasures? 
' The stone was erected at Burns's expense in February-March, 1 789. 



258 ROBERT BURNS 

EPISTLE TO MRS. SCOTT 
Gudewife of Wauchope-Housc, Roxburghshire. 

GUDEWIFE, 

I MIND it weel in early date, 

When I was bardless, young, and blate, 

An' first could thresh the barn, 
Or baud a yokin' at the pleugh; 
An' tho' forfoughten sair eneugh, 

Yet unco proud to learn: 
When first amang the yellow corn 

A man I reckon'd was, 
An' wi' the lave ilk merry morn 
Could rank my rig and lass. 
Still shearing, and clearing 

The tither stooked raw, 
Wi' daivers, an' haivers, 
Wearing the day awa. 

E'en then, a wish, (I mind its pow'r), 
A wish that to my latest hour 

Shall strongly heave my breast. 
That I for poor auld Scotland's sake 
Some usefu' plan or book could make, 

Or sing a sang at least. 
The rough burr-thistle, spreading wide 

Amang the bearded bear, 
I turn'd the weeder-clips aside, 
An' spar'd the symbol dear: 
No nation, no station. 

My envy e'er could raise; 
A Scot still, but blot still, 
I knew nae higher praise. 

But still the elements o' sang. 

In formless jumble, right an' wrang. 

Wild floated in my brain; 
'Till on that har'st I said before, 
My partner in the merry core, 

She rous'd the forming strain; 



POEMS AND SONGS 259 

I see her yet, the sonsie quean, 

That lighted up my jingle, 
Her witching smile, her f>awky een 
That gart my heart-strings tingle; 
I fired, inspir^, 

At every kindling keek, 
But bashing, and dashing, 
I feared aye to speak. 

Health to the sex! ilk guid chiel says: 
Wj' merry dance in winter days. 
An' we to share in common; 
The gust o' joy, the balm of woe, 
The saul o' life, the heaven below, 

Is rapture-giving woman. 
Ye surly sumphs, who hate the name. 

Be mtndfu' o' your mither; 
She, honest woman, may think shame 
That ye're connected with her: 
Ye're wae men, ye're nae men 
That slight the lovely dears; 
To shame ye, disclaim ye. 
Ilk honest birkie swears. 

For you, no bred to barn and byre, 
Wha sweetly tune the Scottish lyre, 

Thanks to you for your line: 
The marled plaid ye kindly spare, 
By me should gratefully be ware; 

'Twad please me to the nine. 
I'd be mair vauntie o* my hap. 

Douce hingin owre my curple. 
Than ony ermine ever lap, 
Or proud imperial purple. 
Farewell then, lang hale then. 

An' plenty be your fa; 
May losses and crosses 
Ne'er at your hallan caM 

R. Bcun. 

Uarch. 1787. 



260 ROBERT BURNS 

VERSES INTENDED TO BE WRITTEN BELOW A 
NOBLE EARL'S PICTURE' 

Whose is that noble, dauntless brow? 

And whose that eye of fire? 
And whose that generous princely mien, 

E'en rooted foes admire? 

Stranger! to justly show that brow. 

And mark that eye of fire. 
Would take His hand, whose vernal tints 

His other works admire. 

Bright as a cloudless summer sun. 

With stately port he moves; 
His guardian Seraph eyes with awe 

The noble Ward he loves. 

Among the illustrious Scottish sons 
That chief thou may'st discern, 

Mark Scotia's fond-returning eye, — 
It dwells upon Glencairn. 

PROLOGUE 

Spoken by Mr. Woods on his benefit-night, Monday, 

1 6th April, 1787. 

When, by a generous Public's kind acclaim. 
That dearest meed is granted — honest fame; 
When here your favour is the actor's lot. 
Nor even the man in private life forgot; 
What breast so dead to heavenly Virtue's glow. 
But heaves impassion'd with the grateful throe? 

Poor is the task to please a barb'rous throng. 

It needs no Siddons' powers in Southern's song; 

But here an ancient nation, fam'd afar. 

For genius, learning high, as great in war. 

Hail, Caledonia, name for ever dear! 

Before whose sons I'm honour'd to appear? 

' The Nobleman is James, Fourteenth Earl o( Glencairn. 



POEMS AND SONGS 



261 



Where every science, every nobler art, 

That can inform the mind or mend the heart, 

Is known; as grateful nations oft have found, 

Far as the rude barbarian marks the bound. 

Philosophy, no idle pedant dream. 

Here holds her search by heaven-taught Reason's beam; 

Here History paints with elegance and force 

The tide of Empire's fluctuating course; 

Here Douglas forms wild Shakespeare into plan. 

And Harley rouses all the God in man. 

When well-form 'd taste and sparkling wit unite 

With manly lore, or female beauty bright, 

(Beauty, where fauldess symmetry and grace 

Can only charm us in the second place), 

Witness my heart, how oft with panting fear, 

As on this night, I've met these judges herel 

But still the hope Experience taught to live, 

Equal to judge — you're candid to forgive. 

No hundred-headed riot here we meet. 

With decency and law beneath his feet; 

Nor Insolence assumes fair Freedom's name: 

Like Caledonians, you applaud or blame. 

O Thou, dread Power! whose empire-giving hand 

Has oft been stretch'd to shield the honour'd landl 

Strong may she glow with all her ancient fire; 

May every son be worthy of his sire; 

Firm may she rise, with generous disdain 

At Tyranny's, or direr Pleasure's chain; 

Still Self-dependent in her native shore. 

Bold may she brave grim Danger's loudest roar. 

Till Fate the curtain drop on worlds to be no more. 

THE BONIE MOOR-HEN 
The heather was bloominp;, the meadows were mawn. 
Our lads gaed a-hunting ac day at the dawn. 
O'er moors and o'er mosses and mony a glen, 
At length they discover'd a bonie moor-hen. 

Chorus. — I rede you, beware at the hunting, young men, 
I rede you, beware at the hunting, young men; 



262 ROBERT BURNS 

Take some on the wing, and some as they spring, 
But cannily steal on a bonie moor-hen. 

Sweet-brushing the dew from the brown heather bells 
Her colours betray'd her on yon mossy fells; 
Her plumage outlustr'd the pride o' the spring 
And O! as she wanton'd sae gay on the wing. 
I rede you, «cc. 

Auld Phoebus himself, as he peep'd o'er the hill. 
In spite at her plumage he tri^d his skill; 
He levell'd his rays where she bask'd on the brae — 
His rays were outshone, and but mark'd where she lay. 
I rede you, &c. 

They hunted the valley, they hunted the hill. 
The best of our lads wi' the best o' their skill; 
But still as the fairest she sat in their sight. 
Then, whirr! she was over, a mile at a flight. 
I rede you, &c. 



SONG— MY LORD A-HUNTING 

Chorus. — My lady's gown, there's gairs upon't, 
And gowden flowers sae rare upon't; 
But Jenny's jimps and jirkinet. 
My lord thinks meikle mair upwn't. 

My lord a-hunting he is gane, 
But hounds or hawks wi' him are nane; 
By Colin's cottage lies his game. 
If Colin's Jenny be at hame. 
My lady's gown. Sec. 

My lady's white, my lady's red. 
And kith and kin o' Cassillis' blude; 
But her ten-pund lands o' tocher gude; 
Were a' the charms his lordship lo'ed. 
My lady's gown, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 263 

Out o'er yon muir, out o'er yon moss, 
Whare gor<ocks thro' the heather pass, 
There wons auld Colin's bonie lass, 
A lily in a wilderness. 

My lady's gown, &c. 

Sae sweetly move her genty limbs, 
Like music notes o' lovers' hymns: 
The diamond-dew in her een sae blue, 
Where laughing love sae wanton swims. 
My lady's gown, &c. 

My lady's dink, my lady's drest. 
The flower and fanqr o' the west; 
But the lassie that a man lo'es best, 
O that's the lass to mak him blest. 
My lady's gown, &c. 

EPIGRAM AT ROSLIN INN 

My blessings on ye, honest wife! 

I ne'er was here before; 
Ye've wealth o' gear for spoon and knife^ 

Heart could not wish for more. 
Heav'n keep you clear o' sturt and strife, 

Till far ayont fourscore. 
And while I toddle on thro' life, 

I'll ne'er gae by your door! 

EPIGRAM ADDRESSED TO AN ARTIST 

Dear , I'll gie ye some advice. 

You'll tak it no uncivil: 
You shouldna paint at angels mair, 

But try and paint the devil. 

To paint an Angel's kittle wark, 
Wi' Nick, there's little danger: 
You'll easy draw a lang-kent face. 
But no sae weel a stranger. — R. B. 



264 ROBERT BURNS 



THE BOOK-WORMS 

Through and through th' inspir'd leaves, 
Ye maggots, make your windings; 

But O respect his lordship's taste. 
And spare his golden bindings. 

ON ELPHINSTONE'S TRANSLATION OF 
MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS 

O THOU whom Poetry abhors. 
Whom Prose has turned out of doors, 
Heard'st thou yon groan? — proceed no further, 
'Twas laurel'd Martial calling murther. 

SONG— A BOTTLE AND FRIEND 

There's nane that's blest of human kind, 
But the cheerful and the gay, man, 

Fal, la, la, tec. 

Here's a bottle and an honest friend! 

What wad ye wish for mair, man? 
Wha kens, before his life may end. 

What his share may be o' care, man? 

Then catch the moments as they fly, 
And use them as ye ought, man: 

Believe me, happiness is shy. 

And comes not aye when sought, man. 

LINES WRITTEN UNDER THE PICTURE OF 
THE CELEBRATED MISS BURNS 

Cease, ye prudes, your envious railing. 
Lovely Burns has charms — confess: 

True it is, she had one failing. 
Had a woman ever less? 



POEMS AND SONGS 265 

EPITAPH FOR WILLIAM NICOL, OF THE 
HIGH SCHOOL, EDINBURGH 

Ye maggots, feed on Nicol's brain. 

For few sic feasts you've gotten; 
And fix your claws in Nicol's heart. 

For deil a bit o't's rotten. 



EPITAPH FOR MR. WILLIAM MICHIE 
Schoolmaster of Cleish Parish, Fifeshire. 

Here lie Willie Michie's banes; 

O Satan, when ye tak him, 
Gie him the schulin o' your weans, 

For clever deils he'll male them! 

BOAT SONG-HEY, CA' THRO' 

Up wi* the carls o' Dysart, 
And the lads o' Buckhaven, 

And the kimmers o' Largo, 
And the lasses o' Leven. 

Chorus. — Hey, ca' thro', ca' thro'. 

For we hae muckle ado. 
Hey, ca' thro', ca' thro', 
For we hae muckle ado; 

We hae tales to tell, 

An' we hae sangs to sing; 

We hae pennies tae spend. 
An' we hae pints to bring. 
Hey, ca' thro', &c. 

We'll live a' our days, 

And them that comes behin'. 

Let them do the like, 

An' spend the gear they win. 
Hey, ca' thro', &c 



266 ROBERT BURNS 

ADDRESS TO WM. TYTLER, ESQ., OF 

WOODHOUSELEE 

With an Impression of the Author's Portrait. 

Revered defender of beauteous Stuart, 

Of Stuart, a name once respected; 
A name, which to love was the mark of a true heart. 

But now 'tis despis'd and neglected. 

Tho' something like moisture conglobes in my eye. 

Let no one misdeem me disloyal; 
A f)oor friendless wand'rer may well claim a sigh, 

Still more if that wand'rer were royal. 

My fathers that name have rever'd on a throne: 
My fathers have fallen to right it; 

Those fathers would spurn their degenerate son. 
That name should he scoffingly slight it. 

Still in prayers for King George I most heartily join, 
The Queen, and the rest of the gentry: 

Be they wise, be they foolish, is nothing of mine; 
Their tide's avow'd by my country. 

But why of that epocha make such a fuss. 

That gave us th' Electoral stem ? 
If bringing them over was lucky for us, 

I'm sure 'twas as lucky for them. 

But, loyalty, truce! we're on dangerous ground; 

Who knows how the fashions may alter? 
The doctrine, to-day, that is loyalty sound. 

To-morrow may bring us a halter! 

I send you a trifle, a head of a bard, 

A trifle scarce worthy your care; 
But accept it, good Sir, as a mark of regard, 

Sincere as a saint's dying prayer. 

Now life's chilly evening dim shades on your eye, 
And ushers the long dreary night: 



POEMS AND SONGS 267 

But you, like the star that athwart gilds the sky, 
Your course to the latest is bright. 

EPIGRAM TO MISS AINSLIE IN CHURCH 
Who was looking up the text during sermon. 

Fair maid, you need not take the hint. 

Nor idle texts pursue: 
Twas guilty sinners that he meant, 

Not Angels such as you. 

BURLESQUE LAMENT FOR THE ABSENCE OF 
WILLIAM CREECH, PUBLISHER 

AuLD chuckie Reekie's' sair distrest, 
Down droops her ance weel burnish'd crest, 
Nae joy her bonie buskit nest 

Can yield ava. 
Her darling bird that she lo'es best — 

Willie's awa! 

O Willie was a witty wight, 

And had o' things an unco' sleight, 

Auld Reekie aye he keepit tight. 

And trig an' braw: 
But now they'll busk her like a fright, — 

Willie's awa! 

The stiffest o' them a' he bow'd. 
The bauldest o' them a' he cow'd; 
They durst nae mair than he allow 'd. 

That was a law: 
We've lost a birkie weel worth gowd; 

Willie's awa! 

Now gawkies, tawpies, gowks and fools, 
Frae colleges and boarding schools. 
May sprout like simmer puddock- stools 

In glen or shaw; 
He wha could brush them down to mools — 

Willie's awa! 
' Edinburgh. 



268 ROBERT BURNS 

The brethren o' the Commerce-chaumer 
May mourn their loss wi' doolfu' clamour; 
He was a dictionar and grammar 

Among them a'; 
I fear they'll now mak mony a stammer; 

Willie's awa! 

Nae mair we see his levee door 
Philosophers and poets pour, 
And toothy critics by the score, 

In bloody raw! 
The adjutant o* a' the core — 

Willie's awa! 

Now worthy Gregory's Latin face, 
Tyder's and Greenfield's modest grace; 
Mackenzie, Stewart, such a brace 

As Rome ne'er saw; 
They a' maun meet some ither place, 

Willie's awa! 

Poor Burns ev'n Scotch Drink canna quicken. 
He cheeps like some bewilder'd chicken 
Scar'd frae it's minnie and the cleckin, 

By hoodie-craw; 
Griefs gien his heart an unco kickin, 

Willie's awa! 

Now ev'ry sour-mou'd girnin blellum. 
And Calvin's folk, are fit to fell him; 
Ilk self-conceited critic skellum 

His quill may draw; 
He wha could brawlie ward their bellum — 

Willie's awa! 

Up wimpling stately Tweed I've sped. 
And Eden scenes on crystal Jed, 
And Ettrick banks, now roaring red. 

While tempests blavv; 
But every joy and pleasure's fled, 

Willie's awa! 



POEMS AND SONGS 269 

May I be Slander's common speech; 
A text for Infamy to preach; 
And lasdy, streekit out to bleach 

In winter snaw; 
When I forget thee, Willie Creech, 

The' far awa! 

May never wicked Fortune touzle him ! 
May never wicked men bamboozle him! 
Until a f)ow as auld's Methusalem 

He canty claw! 
Then to the blessed new Jerusalem, 

Fleet wing awa I 

NOTE TO MR. RENTON OF LAMERTON 

Your billet, Sir, I grant receipt; 
Wi' you I'll canter ony gate, 
Tho* 'twere a trip to yon blue warl', 
Whare birkies march on burning marl; 
Then, Sir, God willing, I'll attend ye, 
And to his goodness I commend ye. 

R. Burns. 

ELEGY ON "STELLA" 

The following poem is the work of some hapless son of the Muses who 
deserved a better fate. There is a great deal of "The voice of Cona" in 
his solitary, mournful notes; and had the sentiments been clothed in 
Shenstone's language, they would have been no discredit even to that 
elegant poet. — R. B. 

Strait is the spot and green the sod 

From whence my sorrows flow; 
And soundly sleeps the ever dear 

Inhabitant below. 

Pardon my transport, gentle shade, 

While o'er the turf I bow; 
Thy earthly house is circumscrib'd, 

And solitary now. 



270 ROBERT BURNS 

Not one poor stone to tell thy name, 
Or make thy virtties known: 

But what avails to me — to thee. 
The sculpture of a stone? 

I'll sit me down upon this turf, 
And wipe the rising tear: 

The chill blast passes swiftly by. 
And flits around thy bier. 

Dark is the dwelling of the Dead, 
And sad their house of rest: 

Low lies the head, by Death's cold arms 
In awful fold embrac'd. 

I saw the grim Avenger stand 

Incessant by thy side; 
Unseen by thee, his deadly breath 

Thy lingering frame destroy 'd. 

Pale grew the roses on thy cheek, 
And withcr'd was thy bloom. 

Till the slow poison brought thy youth 
Untimely to the tomb. 

TTius wasted are the ranks of men — 
Youth, Health, and Beauty fall; 

The ruthless ruin spreads around. 
And overwhelms us all. 

Behold where, round thy narrow house. 
The graves unnumber'd lie; 

The multitude that sleep below 
Existed but to die. 

Some, with the tottering steps of Age, 
Trod down the darksome way; 

And some, in youth's lamented prime. 
Like thee were torn away: 



POEMS AND SONGS 27 1 

Yet these, however hard their fate. 

Their native earth receives; 
Amid their weeping friends they died. 

And fill their fathers' graves. 

From thy lov'd friends, when first thy heart 

Was taught by Heav'n to glow, 
Far, far remov'd, the ruthless stroke 

Surpris'd and laid thee low. 

At the last limits of our isle, 

Wash'd by the western wave, 
Touch'd by thy fate, a thoughtful bard 

Sits lonely by thy grave. 

Pensive he eyes, before him spread 

The deep, outstretch'd and vast; 
His mourning notes are borne away 

Along the rapid blast. 

And while, amid the silent Dead 

Thy hapless fate he mourns. 
His own long sorrows freshly bleed. 

And all his grief returns: 

Like thee, cut off in early youth. 

And flower of beauty's pride. 
His friend, his first and only joy, 

His much lov'd Stella, died. 

Him, too, the stern impulse of Fate 

Resistless bears along; 
And the same rapid tide shall whelm 

The Poet and the Song. 

The tear of pity which he sheds, 

He asks not to receive; 
Let but his poor remains be laid 

Obscurely in the grave. 



272 ROBERT BURNS 

His grief-worn heart, with truest joy, 
Shall meet the welcome shock: 

His airy harp shall lie unstrung, 
And silent on the rock. 

O, my dear maid, my Stella, when 

Shall this sick period close, 
And lead the solitary bard 

To his belov'd repose? 

THE BARD AT INVERARY 

Whoe'er he be that sojourns here, 

I pity much his case, 
Unless he comes to wait upon 

The Lx)rd their God, His Grace. 

There's naething here but Highland pride. 
And Highland scab and hunger: 

If Providence has sent me here, 
'Twas surely in his anger. 

EPIGRAM TO MISS JEAN SCOTT 

O HAD each Scot of ancient times 
Been, Jeanie Scott, as thou art; 

The bravest heart on English ground 
Had yielded like a coward. 

ON THE DEATH OF JOHN M'LEOD, ESQ. 
Brother to a young Lady, a particular friend of the Author's. 

Sao thy tale, thou idle page. 

And rueful thy alarms: 
Death tears the brother of her love 

From Isabella's arms. 

Sweetly deckt with pearly dew 

The morning rose may blow; 
But cold successive noontide blasts 

May lay its beauties low. 



POEMS AND SONGS 273 

Fair on Isabella's morn 

The sun propitious smil'd; 
But, long ere noon, succeeding clouds 

Succeeding hopes beguil'd. 

Fate oft tears the bosom chords 

That Nature finest strung; 
So Isabella's heart was form'd, 

And so that heart was wrung. 

Dread Omnipotence alone 

Can heal the wound he gave — 
Can f>oint the brimful grief-worn eyes 

To scenes beyond the grave. 

Virtue's blossoms there shall blow. 

And fear no withering blast; 
There Isabella's sp>otless worth 

Shall happy be at last. 



ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF SIR JAMES 
HUNTER BLAIR 

The lamp of day, with ill-presaging glare. 
Dim, cloudy, sank beneath the western wave; 

Th' inconstant blast howl'd thro' the dark'ning air, 
And hollow whisded in the rocky cave. 

Lone as I wander'd by each clifl and dell. 
Once the lov'd haunts of Scotia's royal train;* 

Or mus'd where limpid streams, once hallow 'd well,* 
Or mould'ring ruins mark the sacred fane.' 

Th' increasing blast roar'd round the beetling rocks. 
The clouds swift-wing'd flew o'er the starry sky. 

The groaning trees untimely shed their locks. 
And shooting meteors caught the starded eye. 

• The KinRs Park, at Holyrood House.— R. B. 

• St. Anthony's well. — R. B. ' St. Anthony's Chapel. — R. B. 



274 ROBERT BURNS 

The paly moon rose in the livid east. 

And 'mong the cliffs disclos'd a stately form 
In weeds of woe, that frantic beat her breast, 

And mix'd her wailings with the raving storm 

Wild to my heart the filial pulses glow, 
Twas Caledonia's trophied shield I view'd: 

Her form majestic droop'd in jjensive woe. 
The lightning of her eye in tears imbued. 

Revers'd that spear, redoubtable in war, 
Reclined that banner, erst in fields unfurl'd. 

That like a deathful meteor gleam'd afar, 

And brav'd the mighty monarchs of the world. 

"My patriot son fills an untimely grave!" 
With accents wild and lifted arms she cried; 

"Low lies the hand that oft was stretch'd to save, 
Lx)w lies the heart that swell'd with honest pride. 

"A weeping country joins a widow's tear; 

The helpless poor mix with the orphan's cry; 
The drooping arts surround their patron's bier; 

And grateful science heaves the heartfelt sigh! 

"I saw my sons resume their ancient fire; 

I saw fair Freedom's blossoms richly blow: 
But ah! how hope is born but to expire! 

Relentless fate has laid their guardian low. 

"My patriot falls: but shall he lie unsung, 
While empty greatness saves a worthless name? 

No; every muse shall join her tuneful tongue. 
And future ages hear his growing fame. 

"And I will join a mother's tender cares, 
TTiro' future times to make his virtues last; 

That distant years may boast of other Blairs!" — 
She said, and vanish'd with the sweeping blast. 



POEMS AND SONGS 275 

IMPROMPTU ON CARRON IRON WORKS 

We cam na here to view your warks, 

In hopes to be mair wise. 
But only, lest we gang to hell, 

It may be nae surprise: 
But when we tirl'd at your door 

Your porter dought na hear us; 
Sae may, shou'd we to Hell's yetts come. 

Your billy Satan sair us! 

TO MISS FERRIER 
Enclosing the EJegy on Sir J. H. Blair. 

Nae heathen name shall I prefix, 

Frae Pindus or Parnassus; 
Auld Reekie dings them a' to sticks, 

For rhyme-inspiring lasses. 

Jove's tunefu' dochters three times three 

Made Homer deep their debtor; 
But, gien the body half an e'e, 

Nine Ferriers wad done better! 

Last day my mind was in a bog, 

Down George's Street I stoited; 
A creeping cauld prosaic fog 

My very senses doited. 

Do what I dought to set her free, 

My saul lay in the mire; 
Ye turned a neuk — I saw your e'e^ 

She took the wing like fire! 

The mournfu' sang I here enclose, 

In gratitude I send you, 
And pray, in rhyme as weel as prose, 

A' gude things may attend you! 



276 ROBERT BURNS 

WRITTEN BY SOMEBODY ON THE WINDOW 
Of an Inn at Stirling, on seeing the Royal Palace in ruin. 

Here Stuarts once in glory reigned, 

And laws for Scotland's weal ordained; 

But now unroof'd their palace stands, 

Their sceptre's sway'd by other hands; 

Fallen indeed, and to the earth 

Whence groveling reptiles take their birth. 

The injured Stuart line is gone, 

A race outlandish fills their throne; 

An idiot race, to honour lost; 

Who know them best despise them most. 

THE POET'S REPLY TO THE THREAT OF A 
CENSORIOUS CRITIC 

My imprudent lines were answered, very petulantly, by somebody, I 
believe, a Rev. Mr. Hamilton. In a MS., where I met the answer, I wrote 
below: — 

With Esop's lion. Burns says: Sore I feel 
Each other's scorn, but damn that ass's heel I 



THE LIBELLER'S SELF-REPROOF' 

Rash mortal, and slanderous poet, thy name 

Shall no longer appear in the records of Fame; 

Dost not know that old Mansfield, who writes like the Bible, 

Says, the more 'tis a truth, sir, the more 'tis a libel! 

VERSES WRITTEN WITH A PENCIL 

Over the Chimney-piece in the Parlour of the Ion at Kenmore, 
Taymouth. 

Admiring Nature in her wildest grace. 
These northern scenes with weary feet I trace; 
O'er many a winding dale and painful steep, 
Th' abodes of covey'd grouse and timid sheep, 
' These are rhymes of dubious authenticity. — Lang. 



POEMS AND SONGS 277 

My savage journey, curious, I pursue, 

Till fam'd Breadalbane ojjens to my view. — 

The meeting cliffs each deep-sunk glen divides. 

The woods wild scatter'd, clothe their ample sides; 

TTi' outstretching lake, imbosomed 'mong the hills, 

The eye with wonder and amazement fills; 

The Tay mcand'ring sweet in infant pride, 

The palace rising on his verdant side. 

The lawns wood-fring'd in Nature's native taste, 

The hillocks dropt in Nature's careless haste, 

The arches striding o'er the new-born stream. 

The village glittering in the noontide beam — 

• ••••• 

Poetic ardours in my bosom swell. 

Lone wand'ring by the hermit's mossy cell; 

The sweeping theatre of hanging woods, 

Th' incessant roar of headlong tumbling floods — 

• ••••• 

Here Poesy might wake her heav'n-taught lyre, 
And look through Nature with creative fire; 
Here, to the wrongs of Fate half reconcil'd. 
Misfortunes lighten'd steps might wander wild; 
And Disappointment, in these lonely bounds, 
Find balm to soothe her bitter, rankling wounds: 
Here heart-struck Grief might heav'nward stretch her 

[scan, 

And injur'd Worth forget and pardon man. 

• ••••• 

SONG— THE BIRKS OF ABERFELDY 

Tune — "The Birks of Abergeldie." 
Chorus. — Bonie lassie, will ye go. 
Will ye go, will ye go, 
Bonie lassie, will ye go 
To the birks of Aberfeldy! 

Now Simmer blinks on flowery braes. 
And o'er the crystal streamlets plays; 
Ck)me let us spend the lightsome days, 
In the birks of Aberfeldy. 
Bonie lassie, &c. 



278 ROBERT BURNS 

While o'er their heads the hazels hing, 
The little birdies blythely sing, 
Or lightly flit on wanton wing, 
In the birks of Aberfeldy. 
Bonie lassie, &c. 

The braes ascend like lofty wa's. 
The foaming stream deep-roaring fa's, 
O'erhung wi' fragrant spreading shaws — 
The birks of Aberfeldy. 
Bonie lassie, Sec. 

The hoary cliffs are crown'd wi' flowers. 
White o'er the linns the burnie p>ours. 
And rising, weets wi' misty showers 
The birks of Aberfeldy. 
Bonie lassie, &c. 

Let Fortune's gifts at random flee. 
They ne'er shall draw a wish frae me; 
Supremely blest wi' love and thee, 
In the birks of Aberfeldy. 
Bonie lassie, &c. 

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF BRUAR V/ATER 
To the noble Duke of Athole. 

My lord, I know your noble ear 

Woe ne'er assails in vain; 
Embolden'd thus, I beg you'll hear 

Your humble slave complain. 
How saucy Phoebus' scorching beams. 

In flaming summer-pride. 
Dry-withering, waste my foamy streams. 

And drink my crystal tide.' 

The lightly-jumping, glowrin' trouts. 

That thro' my waters play. 
If, in their random, wanton spouts. 

They near the margin stray; 

' Bruar Falls, in Athole, are exceedingly picturesque and beautiful; but their effect 
is much impaired by the want of trees and shrubs. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 279 

If, liapless chance! they Hnger lang, 

I'm scorching up so shallow, 
They're left the whitening stanes amang, 

In gasping death to wallow. 

Last day I grat wi* spite and teen, 

As poet Burns came by, 
That, to a bard, I should be seen 

Wi' half my channel dry; 
A panegyric rhyme, I ween, 

Ev'n as I was, he shor'd me; 
But had I in my glory been, 

He, kneeling, wad ador'd me. 

Here, foaming down the skelvy rocks, 

In twisting strength I rin; 
There, high my boiling torrent smokes. 

Wild-roaring o'er a linn: 
Enjoying each large spring and well, 

As Nature gave them me, 
I am, altho' I say't mysel'. 

Worth gaun a mile to see. 

Would then my noble master please 

To grant my highest wishes, 
He'll shade my banks wi' tow'ring trees. 

And bonie spreading bushes. 
Delighted doubly then, my lord, 

You'll wander on my banks, 
And listen mony a grateful bird 

Return you tuneful thanks. 

The sober lav'rock, warbling wild. 

Shall to the skies aspire; 
The gowdspink. Music's gayest child. 

Shall sweetly join the choir; 
The blackbird strong, the lintwhite clear. 

The mavis mild and mellow; 
The robin pensive Autumn cheer, 

In all her locks of yellow. 



28o ROBERT BURNS 

This, too, a covert shall ensure. 

To shield them from the storm; 
And coward maukin sleep secure. 

Low in her grassy form: 
Here shall the shepherd make his seat, 

To weave his crown of flow'rs; 
Or find a shelt'ring, safe retreat. 

From prone-descending show'r*. 

And here, by sweet, endearing stealth. 

Shall meet the loving pair, 
Despising worlds, with all their wealth, 

As empty idle care; 
The flow'rs shall vie in all their charms. 

The hour of heav'n to grace; 
And birks extend their fragrant arms 

To screen the dear embrace. 

Here haply too, at vernal dawn, 

Some musing bard may stray. 
And eye the smoking, dewy lawn. 

And misty mountain grey; 
Or, by the reaper's nighdy beam. 

Mild-chequering thro' the trees. 
Rave to my darkly dashing stream, 

Hoarse-swelling on the breeze. 

Let lofty firs, and ashes cool. 

My lowly banks o'erspread. 
And view, deep>-bending in the pool. 

Their shadows' wat'ry bed: 
Let fragrant birks, in woodbines drest. 

My craggy cliffs adorn; 
And, for the litde songster's nest. 

The close embow'ring thorn. 

So may old Scotia's darling hope, 

Your little angel band 
Spring, like their fathers, up to prop 

Their honour'd native land! 



POEMS AND SONGS 28 1 

So may, thro' Albion's farthest ken, 

To social-flowing glasses, 
The grace be — "Athole's honest men, 

And Athole's bonie lasses!" 

LINES ON THE FALL OF FYERS 

Near Loch-Ness. 

Written with a Pencil on the Spot. 

Among the heathy hills and ragged woods 

The roaring Fyers pwurs his mossy floods; 

Till full he dashes on the rocky mounds. 

Where, thro' a sha[>eless breach, his stream resounds. 

As high in air the bursting torrents flow. 

As deep recoiling surges foam below, 

Prone down the rock the whitening sheet descends. 

And viewless Echo's ear, astonished, rends. 

Dim-seen, through rising mists and ceaseless show'rs, 

The hoary cavern, wide surrounding lours: 

Still thro' the gap the struggling river toils, 

And still, below, the horrid cauldron boils — 



EPIGRAM ON PARTING WITH A KIND HOST 
IN THE HIGHLANDS 

When Death's dark stream I ferry o'er, 

A time that surely shall come. 
In Hcav'n itself I'll ask no more, 

Than just a Highland welcome. 

STRATHALLAN'S LAMENT' 

Thickest night, o'erhang my dwelling! 

Howling tempests, o'er me rave! 
Turbid torrents, wintry swelling. 

Roaring by my lonely cave! 

• Burns confesses that his Jacobitism was merely sentimental "except when my 
passions were heated by some accidental cause," and a tour through the country 
where Montrose, Claverhouse, and Prince Charles had fought, was cause enough. 
Strathallan fell gloriously at Culloden. — Lang. 



282 ROBERT BURNS 

Crystal streamlets gently flowing, 
Busy haunts of base mankind, 

Western breezes softly blowing, 
Suit not my distracted mind. 

In the cause of Right engaged. 

Wrongs injurious to redress. 
Honour's war we strongly waged, 

But the Heavens denied success. 
Ruin's wheel has driven o'er us, 

Not a hope that dare attend. 
The wide world is all before us— 

But a world without a friend. 

CASTLE GORDON 

Streams that glide in orient plains. 
Never bound by Winter's chains; 

Glowing here on golden sands, 
There immix'd with foulest stains 

From Tyranny's empurpled hands; 
These, their richly gleaming waves, 
I leave to tyrants and their slaves; 
Give me the stream that sweetly laves 
The banks by Casde Gordon. 

Spicy forests, ever gay. 
Shading from the burning ray 

Hapless wretches sold to toil; 
Or the ruthless native's way. 

Bent on slaughter, blood, and spoil: 
Woods that ever verdant wave, 
I leave the tyrant and the slave; 
Give me the groves that lofty brave 
The storms by Casde Gordon. 

Wildly here, without control. 
Nature reigns and rules the whole; 

In that sober pensive mood, 
Dearest to the feeling soul, 

She plants the forest, pours the flood; 



POEMS AND SONGS 283 

Life's poor day I'll musing rave 
And find at night a sheltering cave, 
Where waters flow and wild woods wave. 
By bonie Casde Gordon. 

SONG— LADY ONLIE, HONEST LUCKY 

Tune — "The Ruffian's Rant." 

A' THE lads o' Thorniebank, 

When they gae to the shore o* Bucky, 

They'll step in an' tak a pint 
Wi' Lady Onlie, honest Lucky. 

Chorus. — Lady Onlie, honest Lucky, 

Brews gude ale at shore o' Bucky; 
I wish her sale for her gude ale. 
The best on a' the shore o' Bucky. 

Her house sae bien, her curch sae clean 

I wat she is a daintie chuckie; 
And cheery blinks the ingle-gleed 

O' Lady Onlie, honest Lucky! 
Lady Onlie, &c. 

THENIEL MENZIES' BONIE MARY 

Air — "The Ruffian's Rant," or "Roy'» Wife." 

In comin by the brig o' Dye, 

At Darlet we a blink did tarry; 
As day was dawnin in the sky. 

We drank a health to bonie Mary. 

Chorus. — Theniel Mcnzies' bonie Mary, 
Theniel Menzies' bonie Mary, 
Charlie Grigor tint his plaidie, 
Kissin' Theniel's bonie Mary. 

Her een sae bright, her brow sae white, 

Her haffet locks as brown's a berry; 
And aye they dimpl't wi' a smile. 

The rosy cheeks o' bonie Mary. 

Theniel Menzies' bonie Mary, &c. 



284 ROBERT BURNS 

We lap a' danc'd the lee-lang day, 
Till piper lads were wae and weary; 

But Charlie gat the spring to pay 
For kissin Theniel's bonie Mary. 

Theniel Menzies' bonie Mary, &c. 



THE BONIE LASS OF ALBANY' 

Tune — "Mary's Dream." 

My heart is wae, and unco wae, 

To think upwn the raging sea, 
That roars between her gardens green 

An' the bonie Lass of Albany. 

This lovely maid's of royal blood 

Tliat rul^d Albion's kingdoms three, 

But oh, alas! for her bonie face. 

They've wrang'd the Lass of Albany. 

In the rolling tide of spreading Clyde 
There sits an isle of high degree, 

And a town of fame whose princely name 
Should grace the Lass of Albany. 

But there's a youth, a widess youth. 
That fills the place where she should be; 

We'll send him o'er to his native shore. 
And bring our ain sweet Albany. 

Alas the day, and woe the day, 

A false usurper wan the gree. 
Who now commands the towers and lands- 

The royal right of Albany. 

We'll daily pray, we'll nighdy pray. 
On bended knees most fervently. 

The time may come, with pipe an' drum 
We'll welcome hame fair Albany. 

' Natural daughter of Prince Charles Edward. 



POEMS AND SONGS 285 

ON SCARING SOME WATER-FOWL IN 
LOCH-TURIT 

A wild scene among the Hills of Oughtertyre. 

"This was the production of a solitary forenoon's walk from Oughter- 
tyre House. I lived there, the guest of Sir William Murray, for two or 
three weeks, and was much flattered by my hospitable reception. What 
a pity that the mere emotions of gratitude are so impotent in this world. 
'Tis lucky that, as we are told, they will be of some avail in the world 
to come." — R. B.. Glenriddell MSS. 

Wnv, ye tenants of the lake. 
For me your wat'ry haunt forsake.' 
Tell me, fellow-creatures, why 
At my presence thus you fly? 
Why disturb your social joys, 
Parent, filial, kindred ties? — 
Common friend to you and me. 
Nature's gifts to all are free: 
Peaceful keep your dimpling wave, 
Busy feed, or wanton lave; 
Or, beneath the sheltering rock. 
Bide the surging billow's shock. 

Conscious, blushing for our race, 
Soon, too soon, your fears I trace. 
Man, your proud, usurping foe, 
Would be lord of all below: 
Plumes himself in freedom's pride, 
Tyrant stern to all beside. 

The eagle, from the cliffy brow, 
Marking you his prey below, 
In his breast no pity dwells. 
Strong necessity compels: 
But Man, to whom alone is giv'n 
A ray direct from pitying Heav'n, 
Glories in his heart humane — 
And creatures for his pleasure slaini 



286 ROBERT BURNS 

In these savage, liquid plains, 
Only known to wand'ring swains, 
Wliere the mossy riv'let strays. 
Far from human haunts and ways; 
AH on Nature you depend, 
And life's poor season peaceful spend. 

Or, if man's superior might 
Dare invade your native right, 
On the lofty ether borne, 
Man with all his pow'rs you scorn; 
Swiftly seek, on clanging wings, 
Other lakes and other springs; 
And the foe you cannot brave. 
Scorn at least to be his slave. 

BLYTHE WAS SHE' 

Tune — "Andro and his Cutty Gun." 

Chorus. — Blythe, biythe and merry was she, 
Blythe was she but and ben; 
Blythe by the banks of Earn, 
And blythe in Glenturit glen. 

By Oughtertyre grows the aik, 

On Yarrow banks the birken shaw; 

But Phemie was a bonier lass 
Than braes o' Yarrow ever saw. 
Blythe, blythe, &c. 

Her looks were like a flow'r in May, 
Her smile was like a simmer morn: 

She tripped by the banks o' ILarn, 
As light's a bird upon a thorn. 
Blythe, blythe, &c. 

Her bonie face it was as meek 

As ony lamb up)on a lea; 

The evening sun was ne'er sae sweet, 

' Written at Oughtertyre. Phemie is Miss Euphcmia Murray, a cousin of Sir 
William Murray of Oughtertyre. — Lang. 



POEMS AND SONGS 287 

As was the blink o' Phemie's e'e. 
Blythe, blythe, &c. 

The Highland hills I've wander'd wide, 

And o'er the Lawlands I hae been; 
But Phemie was the blythest lass 

That ever trod the dewy green. 
Blythe, blythe, &c. 

A ROSE-BUD BY MY EARLY WALK 

A Rose-bud by my early walk, 
Adown a corn-enclosed bawk, 
Sae gendy bent its thorny stalk. 

All on a dewy morning. 
Ere twice the shades o' dawn are fled, 
In a' its crimson glory spread, 
And drooping rich the dewy head, 

It scents the early morning. 

Within the bush her covert nest 

A litde linnet fondly prest; 

The dew sat chilly on her breast, 

Sae early in the morning. 
She soon shall see her tender brood. 
The pride, the pleasure o' the wood, 
Amang the fresh green leaves bedew'd, 

Awake the early morning. 

So thou, dear bird, young Jeany fair, 
On trembling string or vocal air, 
Shall sweetly pay the tender care 

That tents thy early morning. 
So thou, sweet Rose-bud, young and gay, 
Shalt beauteous blaze uf)on the day. 
And bless the jiarent's evening ray 

That watch'd thy early morning. 



288 ROBERT BURNS 

EPITAPH FOR MR. W. CRUIKSHANK* 

Honest Will to Heaven's away 
And mony shall lament him; 

His fau'ts they a' in Latin lay, 
In English nane e'er kent them. 

SONG— THE BANKS OF THE DEVON 

Tune — "Bhanarach dhonn a' chruidh." 

How pleasant the banks of the dear winding Devon, 

With green spreading bushes and flow'rs blooming fair! 
But the boniest flow'r on the banks of the Devon 

Was once a sweet bud on the braes of the Ayr. 
Mild be the sun on this sweet blushing flower, 

In the gay rosy morn, as it bathes in the dew; 
And gende the fall of the soft vernal shower. 

That steals on the evening each leaf to renew! 

O spare the dear blossom, ye orient breezes, 

With chill hoary wing as ye usher the dawn; 
And far be thou distant, thou reptile that seizes 

The verdure and pride of the garden or lawn! 
Let Bourbon exult in his gay gilded lilies, 

And England triumphant display her proud rose: 
A fairer than either adorns the green valleys, 

Where Devon, sweet Devon, meandering flows. 

BRAVING ANGRY WINTER'S STORMS 

Tune — "Neil Gow's Lament for Abercairny." 

Where, braving angry winter's storms. 

The lofty Ochils rise. 
Far in their shade my Peggy's charms 

First blest my wondering eyes; 
As one who by some savage stream 

A lonely gem surveys, 
Astonish'd, doubly marks it beam 

With art's most polish'd blaze. 
'Of the Edinburgh High School. 



POEMS AND SONGS 289 

Blest be the wild, sequester'd shade, 

And blest the day and hour. 
Where Peggy's charms I first survey 'd. 

When first I felt their pow'r! 
The tyrant Death, with grim control, 

May seize my fleeting breath; 
But tearing Peggy from my soul 

Must be a stronger death. 

SONG— MY PEGGY'S CHARMS 

Tune — "Tha a' chailleach air mo dheigh." 

Mv Peggy's face, my Peggy's form, 
The frost of hermit Age might warm; 
My Peggy's worth, my Peggy's mind. 
Might charm the first of human kind. 

I love my Peggy's angel air, 
Her face so truly heavenly fair. 
Her native grace, so void of art. 
But I adore my Peggy's heart. 

The lily's hue, the rose's dye, 
The kindling lustre of an eye; 
Who but owns their magic sway! 
Who but knows they all decay! 

The tender thrill, the pitying tear. 
The generous purpose nobly dear. 
The gentle look that rage disarms — 
These are all Immortal charms. 

THE YOUNG HIGHLAND ROVER 

Tune — "Morag." 

Loud blaw the frosty breezes. 

The snaws the mountains cover; 
Like winter on me seizes. 

Since my young Highland rover 

Far wanders nations over. 



290 ROBERT BURNS 

Where'er he go, where'er he stray, 

May heaven be his warden; 
Return him safe to fair Strathspey, 

And bonie Castle-Gordon ! 

The trees, now naked groaning. 
Shall soon wi' leaves be hinging, 

The birdies dowie moaning. 
Shall a' be blythely singing. 
And every flower be springing; 

Sae I'll rejoice the lee-iang day, 
When by his mighty Warden 

My youth's return'd to fair Strathspey, 
And bonie Casde-Gordon. 

BIRTHDAY ODE FOR 31ST DECEMBER, 178/ 

Afar the illustrious Exile roams. 

Whom kingdoms on this day should hail; 
An inmate in the casual shed, 
On transient pity's bounty fed. 

Haunted by busy memory's bitter tale! 
Beasts of the forest have their savage homes. 

But He, who should imperial purple wear. 
Owns not the lap of earth where rests his royal head! 

His wretched refuge, dark despair, 
While ravening wrongs and woes pursue. 
And distant far the faithful few 

Who would his sorrows share. 

False flatterer, Hope, away! 

Nor think to lure us as in days of yore: 
We solemnize this sorrowing natal day, 

To prove our loyal truth — we can no more, 
And owning Heaven's mysterious sway. 

Submissive, low adore. 

Ye honored, mighty Dead, 

Who nobly perished in the glorious cause. 
Your King, your Country, and her laws, 

' The last birthday of Prince Charles Edward. 



POEMS AND SONGS 29 1 

From great Dundee, who smiling Victory led, 
And fell a Martyr in her arms, 
(What breast of northern ice but warms!) 
To bold Balmerino's undying name. 
Whose soul of fire, lighted at Heaven's high flame, 
Deserves the proudest wreath departed heroes claim: 
Nor unrevenged your fate shall lie. 

It only lags, the fatal hour. 
Your blood shall, with incessant cry. 

Awake at last, th' unsparing Power; 
As from the difl, with thundering course, 

The snowy ruin smokes along 
With doubling speed and gathering force, 
Till deep it, crushing, whelms the cottage in the vale; 

So Vengeance' arm, ensanguin'd, strong. 
Shall with resistless might assail, 
Usurping Brunswick's pride shall lay, 
And Stewart's wrongs and yours, with tenfold weight repay. 

Perdition, baleful child of night! 
Rise and revenge the injured right 

Of Stewart's royal race: 
Lead on the unmuzzled hounds of hell. 
Till all the frighted echoes tell 

The blood-notes of the chase! 
Full on the quarry point their view, 
Full on the base usurping crew, 
The tools of faction, and the nation's curse! 
Hark how the cry grows on the wind; 
They leave the lagging gale behind, 
Their savage fury, pitiless, they pour; 
With murdering eyes already they devour; 

See Brunswick spent, a wretched prey. 
His life one poor despairing day, 
Where each avenging hour still ushers in a worse! 

Such havock, howling all abroad. 
Their utter ruin bring. 

The base apwstates to their God, 
Or rebels to their King. 



292 ROBERT BURNS 

ON THE DEATH OF ROBERT DUNDAS, ESQ^ 
OF ARNISTON, 

Late Lord President of the Court of Session. 

Lone on the bleaky hills the straying flocks 
Shun the fierce storms among the sheltering rocks; 
Down from the rivulets, red with dashing rains, 
The gathering floods burst o'er the distant plains; 
Beneath the blast the leafless forests groan; 
The hollow caves return a hollow moan. 
Ye hills, ye plains, ye forests, and ye caves, 
Ye howling winds, and wintry swelling waves! 
Unheard, unseen, by human ear or eye, 
Sad to your sympathetic glooms I fly; 
Where, to the whistling blast and water's roar, 
Pale Scotia's recent wound 1 may deplore. 

O heavy loss, thy country ill could bear! 

A loss these evil days can ne'er repair! 

Justice, the high vicegerent of her God, 

Her doubtful balance eyed, and sway'd her rod: 

Hearing the tidings of the fatal blow. 

She sank, abandon 'd to the wildest woe. 

Wrongs, injuries, from many a darksome den, 

Now, gay in hope, explore the paths of men: 

See from his cavern grim Oppression rise, 

And throw on Poverty his cruel eyes; 

Keen on the helpless victim see him fly. 

And stifle, dark, the feebly-bursting cry: 

Mark Ruffian Violence, distained with crimes. 

Rousing elate in these degenerate times. 

View unsuspecting Innocence a prey. 

As guileful Fraud points out the erring way: 

While subtle Litigation's pliant tongue 

The life-blood equal sucks of Right and Wrong: 

Hark, injur'd Want recounts th' unlisten'd tale, 

And much-wrong'd Mis'ry pours the unpitied wail! 



POEMS AND SONGS 293 

Ye dark waste hills, ye brown unsightly plains, 
Congenial scenes, ye soothe my mournful strains: 
Ye tempests, rage! ye turbid torrents, roll! 
Ye suit the joyless tenor of my soul. 
Life's social haunts and pleasures I resign; 
Be nameless wilds and lonely wanderings mine. 
To mourn the woes my country must endure — 
That wound degenerate ages cannot cure. 

SYLVANDER TO CLARINDA* 

Extempore Reply to Verses addressed to the Author by a Lady, under the 

signature of "Clarinda" and entided. On Burns 

saying he 'had nothing else to do.' 

When dear Clarinda, matchless fair. 
First struck Sylvander's raptur'd view, 

He gaz'd, he listened to despair, 
Alas! 'twas all he dared to do. 

Love, from Clarinda's heavenly eyes, 
Transfixed his bosom thro' and thro*; 

But still in Friendship's guarded guise, 
For more the demon fear'd to do. 

That heart, already more than lost, 

The imp beleaguer'd all perdue; 
For frowning Honour kept his post — 

To meet that frown, he shrunk to do. 

His pangs the Bard refused to own, 

Tho' half he wish'd Clarinda knew; 
But Anguish wrung the unweeting groan — 

Who blames what frantic Pain must do? 

That heart, where motley follies blend. 

Was sternly still to Honour true: 
To prove Clarinda's fondest friend. 

Was what a lover sure might do. 
' A grass-widow, Mrs. M'Lehose. 



294 ROBERT BURNS 

The Muse his ready quill employed, 
No nearer bliss he could pursue; 

That bliss Clarinda cold deny'd — 
"Send word by Charles how you do!" 

The chill behest disarm 'd his muse. 
Till passion all impatient grew: 

He wrote, and hinted for excuse, 

'Twas, 'cause "he'd nothing else to do." 

But by those hojxjs I have above! 

And by those faults I dearly rue! 
The deed, the boldest mark of love. 

For thee that deed I dare to do! 

O could the Fates but name the price 

Would bless me with your charms and you! 

With frantic joy I'd pay it thrice. 
If human art and power could do! 

Then take, Clarinda, friendship's hand, 
(Friendship, at least, I may avow;) 

And lay no more your chill command, — 
I'll write whatever I've to do. 

SVLVANDER. 

LOVE IN THE GUISE OF FRIENDSHIP 

Your friendship much can make me blest, 

O why that bliss destroy! 
Why urge the only, one request 

You know I will deny! 

Your thought, if Love must harbour there. 

Conceal it in that thought; 
Nor cause me from my bosom tear 

The very friend I sought. 



POEMS A^fD SONGS 295 

GO ON, SWEET BIRD, AND SOOTH MY CARE 

For thee is laughing Nature gay. 
For thee she pours the vernal day. 
For me in vain is Nature drest. 
While Joy's a stranger to my breast. 

CLARINDA, MISTRESS OF MY SOUL 

Clarinda, mistress of my soul. 

The measur'd time is run! 
The wretch beneath the dreary pole 

So marks his latest sun. 

To what dark cave of frozen night 

Shall poor Sylvander hie; 
Depriv'd of thee, his life and light. 

The sun of all his joy? 

We part — but by these precious drops. 

That fill thy lovely eyes, 
No other light shall guide my steps. 

Till thy bright beams arise! 

She, the fair sun of all her sex, 

Has blest my glorious day; 
And shall a glimmering planet fix 

My worship to its ray? 

I'M O'ER YOUNG TO MARRY YET 

Chorus. — I'm o'er young, I'm o'er young, 
I'm o'er young to marry yet; 
I'm o'er young, 'twad be a sin 
To tak mc frae my mammy yet. 

I AM my mammy's ae bairn, 

Wi' unco folk I weary, sir; 
And lying in a man's bed, 

I'm fley'd it mak me eerie, sir. 
I'm o'er young, &c. 



296 ROBERT BURNS 

My mammie coft me a new gown, 
The kirk maun hae the gracing o't; 

Were I to lie wi' you, kind Sir, 
I'm feared ye'd spoil the lacing o't. 
I'm o'er young, &c. 

Hallowmass is come and gane. 

The nights are lang in winter, sir. 

And you an' I in ae bed, 

In trowth, I dare na venture, sir. 
I'm o'er young, &c. 

Fu' loud an' shill the frosty wind 
Blaws thro' the leafless timmer, sir; 

But if ye come this gate again, 
I'll aulder be gin simmer, sir. 
I'm o'er young, &c. 

TO THE WEAVERS GIN YE GO 

My heart was ance as blithe and free 
As simmer days were lang; 

But a bonie, westlin weaver lad 
Has gart me change my sang. 

Chorus. — To the weaver's gin ye go, fair maids, 
To the weaver's gin ye go; 
I rede you right, gang ne'er at night. 
To the weaver's gin ye go. 

My mither sent me to the town. 
To warp a plaiden wab; 

But the weary, weary warpin o't 
Has gart me sigh and sab. 
To the weaver's, &c. 

A bonie, westlin weaver lad 
Sat working at his loom; 

He took my heart as wi' a net, 
In every knot and thrum. 
To the weaver's, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 297 

I sat beside my warpin-wheel, 

And aye I ca'd it roun'; 
But every shot and every knock, 

My heart it gae a stoun. 
To the weaver's, &c. 

The moon was sinking in the west, 

Wi' visage pale and wan, 
As my bonie, westlin weaver lad 

Convoy 'd me thro' the glen. 
To the weaver's, &c. 

But what was said, or what was done. 

Shame fa' me gin I tell; 
But Oh! I fear the kintra soon 

Will ken as weel's my sell 
To the weaver's, &c. 

M'PHERSON'S FAREWELL 

Tune — "M'Phcrson's Rant." 
Farewell, ye dungeons dark and strong. 

The wretch's destinie! 
M'Pherson's time will not be long 

On yonder gallows-tree. 

Chorus. — Sae rantingly, sae wantonly, 
Sae dauntingly gaed he; 
He play'd a spring, and danc'd it round. 
Below the gallows-tree. 

O, what is death but parting breath? 

On many a bloody plain 
I've dared his face, and in this place 

I scorn him yet again! 

Sae rantingly, &c. 

Untie these bands from ofl my hands. 

And bring me to my sword; 
And there's no a man in all Scodand 

But I'll brave him at a word. 
Sae rantingly, &c. 



298 ROBERT BURNS 

I've liv'd a life of sturt and strife; 

I die by treacherie: 
It burns my heart I must depart, 

And not avenged be. 

Sae rantingly, &c 

Now farewell light, thou sunshine bright. 
And all beneath the sky! 

May coward shame distain his name. 
The wretch that dares not die! 
Sae rantingly, tec. 

STAY MY CHARMER 

Tune — ^"An gille dubh ciar-dhubh." 

Stay my charmer, can you leave me? 

Cruel, cruel to deceive me; 

Well you know how much you grieve me; 

Cruel charmer, can you go! 

Cruel charmer, can you go! 

By my love so ill-requited. 

By the faith you fondly plighted, 

By the pangs of lovers slighted, 

Do not, do not leave me so! 

E)o not, do not leave me so! 

SONG— MY HOGGIE 

What will I do gin my Hoggie die? 

My joy, my pride, my Hoggie! 
My only beast, I had nae mae. 

And vow but I was vogie! 
The lee-lang night we watch'd the fauld. 

Me and my faithfu' doggie; 
We heard nocht but the roaring linn, 

Amang the braes sae scroggie. 

But the houlet cry'd frae the casde wa'. 
The blitter frae the boggie; 



POEMS AND SONGS 299 

The tod reply 'd upon the hill, 

I trembled for my Hoggie. 
When day did daw, and cocks did craw, 

The morning it was foggie; 
An unco tyke, lap o'er the dyke, 

And maist has kill'd my Hoggie! 

RAVING WINDS AROUND HER BLOWING 

Tunc — "M'Grigor of Roro's Lament." 

I composed these verses on Miss Isabella MXeod of Raza, alluding to 
her feelings on the death of her sister, and the still more melancholy 
death of her sister's husband, the late Earl of Loudoun, who shot himself 
out of sheer heart-break at some mortifications he suffered, owing to the 
deranged state of his finances. — R. B., 1791. 

Raving winds around her blowing, 
Yellow leaves the woodlands strowing, 
By a river hoarsely roaring, 
Isabella stray'd deploring — 

"Farewell, hours that late did measure 
Sunshine days of joy and pleasure; 
Hail, thou gloomy night of sorrow, 
Cheerless night that knows no morrow! 

"O'er the past too fondly wandering. 
On the hopeless future jx>ndering; 
Chilly grief my life-blood freezes, 
Fell despair my fancy seizes. 

"Life, thou soul of every blessing, 
Load to misery most distressing, 
Gladly how would I resign thee. 
And to dark oblivion join thee!" 

UP IN THE MORNING EARLY 

Cauld blaws the wind frae east to west. 

The drift is driving sairly; 
Sae loud and shill's I hear the blast — 

I'm sure it's winter fairly. 



300 ROBERT BURNS 

Chorus. — Up in the morning's no for me. 
Up in the morning early; 
When a' the hills are covered wi' snaw, 
I'm sure it's winter fairly. 

The birds sit chittering in the thorn, 
A' day they fare but sparely; 

And lang's the night frae e'en to morn^ 
I'm sure it's winter fairly. 
Up in the morning's, 8cc. 

HOW LONG AND DREARY IS THE NIGHT 

How long and dreary is the night. 
When I am frae my dearie! 

I sleepless lie frae e'en to morn, 
Tho' I were ne'er so weary: 

I sleepless lie frae e'en to morn, 
Tho' I were ne'er sae weary! 

When I think on the happy days 
I spent wi' you my dearie: 

And now what lands between us lie. 
How can I be but eerie! 

And now what lands between us lie, 
How can I be but eerie ! 

How slow ye move, ye heavy hours. 
As ye were wae and weary! 

It wasna sae ye glinted by, 
When I was wi' my dearie! 

It wasna sae ye glinted by, 
When I was wi' my dearie! 

HEY, THE DUSTY MILLER 

Hev, the dusty Miller, 

And his dusty coat, 
He will win a shilling. 

Or he sp)end a groat: 



POEMS AND SONGS 30I 

Dusty was the coat. 

Dusty was the colour, 
Dusty was the kiss 

That I gat f rae the Miller. 

Hey, the dusty Miller, 

And his dusty sack; 
Leeze me on the calling 

Fills the dusty peck: 
Fills the dusty {Deck, 

Brings the dusty siller; 
I wad gie my coatie 

For the dusty Miller. 

DUNCAN DAVISON 

There was a lass, they ca'd her Meg, 

And she held o'er the moors to spin; 
There was a lad that follow 'd her. 

They ca'd him Duncan Davison. 
The moor was dreigh, and Meg was skeigh, 

Her favour Duncan could na win; 
For wi' the rock she wad him knock. 

And aye she shook the temper-pin. 

As o'er the moor they lighdy foor, 

A burn was clear, a glen was green. 
Upon the banks they eas'd their shanks, 

And aye she set the wheel between: 
But Duncan swoor a haly aith, 

That Meg should be a bride the morn; 
Then Meg took up her spinning-graith. 

And flang them a' out o'er the burn. 

We will big a wee, wee house. 

And we will live like king and queen; 
Sae blythe and merry's we will be. 

When ye set by the wheel at e'en. 
A man may drink, and no be drunk; 

A man may fight, and no be slain; 
A man may kiss a bonie lass. 

And aye be welcome back again! 



302 ROBERT BURNS 

THE LAD THEY CA' JUMPIN JOHN 

Her daddie forbad, her minnie forbad 

Forbidden she wadna be: 
She wadna trow't the browst she brew'd, 

Wad taste sae bitterlie. 

Chorus. — The lang lad they ca' Jumpin John 
Beguil'd the bonie lassie, 
The lang lad they ca' Jumpin John 
Beguil'd the bonie lassie. 

A cow and a cauf, a yowe and a hauf, 
And thretty gude shillin's and three; 

A vera gude tocher, a cotter-man's dochter. 
The lass wi' the bonie black e'e. 
The lang lad, &c. 

TALK OF HIM THAT'S FAR AWA 

Musing on the roaring ocean, 
Which divides my love and me; 

Wearying heav'n in warm devotion. 
For his weal where'er he be. 

Hope and Fear's alternate billow 
Yielding late to Nature's law. 

Whispering spirits round my pillow, 
Talk of him that's far awa. 

Ye whom sorrow never wounded. 
Ye who never shed a tear, 

Care-untroubled, joy-surrounded, 
Ciaudy day to you is dear. 

Gentle night, do thou befriend me. 
Downy sleep, the curtain draw; 

Spirits kind, again attend me. 
Talk of him that's far awa! 



POEMS AND SONGS 303 

TO DAUNTON ME 

The blude-red rose at Yule may blaw. 
The simmer lilies bloom in snaw, 
The frost may freeze the deepest sea; 
But an auld man shall never daunton me. 
Refrain. — To daunton me, to daunton me, 

An auld man shall never daunton me. 

To daunton me, and me sae young, 
Wi' his fause heart and flatt'ring tongue, 
That is the thing you shall never see. 
For an auld man shall never daunton me. 
To daunton me, Sec. 

For a' his meal and a' his maut, 
For a' his fresh beef and his saut, 
For a' his gold and white monie, 
An auld men shall never daunton me. 
To daunton me, &c. 

His gear may buy him kye and yowes. 
His gear may buy him glens and knowes; 
But me he shall not buy nor fee, 
For an auld man shall never daunton me. 
To daunton me, &c. 

He hirples twa fauld as he dow, 
Wi' his tecthless gab and his auld held pow. 
And the rain rains down frae his red blear'd e'e; 
That auld man shall never daunton me. 
To daunton me, Sec. 

THE WINTER IT IS PAST 

The winter it is past, and the summer comes at last 

And the small birds, they sing on ev'ry tree; 
Now ev'ry thing is glad, while I am very sad, 

Since my true love is parted from me. 

The rose upon the breer, by the waters running clear, 

May have charms for the linnet or the bee; 
Their litde loves are blest, and their little hearts at rest. 

But my true love is parted from me. 



304 ROBERT BURNS 

THE BONIE LAD THAT'S FAR AWA 

O HOW can I be blythe and glad, 
Or how can I gang brisk and braw, 

When the bonie lad that 1 lo'e best 
Is o'er the hills and far awa! 

It's no the frosty winter wind, 

It's no the driving drift and snaw; 
But aye the tear comes in my c'e, 
To think on him that's far awa. 

My father pat me frae his door, 

My friends they hae disown'd me a'; 

But I hae ane will tak my part, 
The bonie lad that's far awa. 

A pair o' glooves he bought to me, 
And silken snoods he gae me twa; 

And I will wear them for his sake. 
The bonie lad that's far awa. 

O weary Winter soon will pass, 

And Spring will deed the birken shaw; 

And my young babie will be born, 
And he'll be hame that's far awa. 



VERSES TO CLARINDA 

Sent with a Pair of Wine-Glasses. 

Fair Empress of the Poet's soul, 

And Queen of Poetesses; 
Clarinda, take this litde boon. 

This humble pair of glasses: 

And fill them up with generous juice, 
As generous as your mind; 

And pledge them to the generous toast, 
"The whole of human kind!" 



POEMS AND SONGS 305 

"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!" 

THE CHEVALIER'S LAMENT 

Air — "Captain 0"Kcan." 

The small birds rejoice in the green leaves returning. 
The murmuring streamlet winds clear thro' the vale; 
The primroses blow in the dews of the morning, 
And wild scatter'd cowslips bedeck the green dale: 
But what can give pleasure, or what can seem fair, 
When the lingering moments are numbered by care? 
No birds sweetly singing, nor flow'rs gaily springing. 
Can soothe the sad bosom of joyless despair. 

The deed that I dared, could it merit their malice? 
A king and a father to place on his throne! 
His right are these hills, and his right are these valleys. 
Where the wild beasts find shelter, tho' I can find none! 
But 'tis not my suff'rings, thus wretched, forlorn. 
My brave gallant friends, 'tis your ruin I mourn; 
Your faith proved so loyal in hot bloody trial, — 
Alas! I can make it no better return! 

EPISTLE TO HUGH PARKER 

In this strange land, this uncouth clime, 

A land unknown to prose or rhyme; 

Where words ne'er cross't the Muse's heckles. 

Nor limpit in poetic shackles: 

A land that Prose did never view it, 

Except when drunk he stacher't thro* it; 

Here, ambush 'd by the chimla cheek. 

Hid in an atmosphere of reek, 

I hear a wheel thrum i' the neuk, 

I hear it — for in vain I leuk. 

The red peat gleams, a fiery kernel, 

Enhusk^d by a fog infernal: 

Here, for my wonted rhyming raptures, 

I sit and count my sins by chapters; 



306 ROBERT BURNS 

For life and spunk like ither Christians, 

I'm dwindled down to mere existence, 

Wi' nae converse but Gallowa' bodies, 

Wi' nae kenn'd face but Jenny Geddes, 

Jenny, my Pegasean pride! 

Dowie she saunters down Nithside, 

And aye a westlin leuk she throws, 

While tears hap o'er her auld brown nose! 

Was it for this, wi' cannie care, 

Thou bure the Bard through many a shire? 

At howes, or hillocks never stumbled, 

And late or early never grumbled? — 

O had I power like inclination, 

I'd heeze thee up a constellation, 

To canter with the Sagitarre, 

Or loup the ecliptic like a bar; 

Or turn the pole like any arrow; 

Or, when auld Phoebus bids good-morrow, 

Down the zodiac urge the race. 

And cast dirt on his godship's face; 

For I could lay my bread and kail 

He'd ne'er cast saut upo' thy tail. — 

Wi* a' this care and a' this grief. 

And sma', sma' prospect of relief. 

And nought but peat reek i' my head, 

How can I write what ye can read? — 

Tarbolton, twenty-fourth o' June, 

Ye '11 find me in a better tune; 

But till we meet and weet our whistle, 

Tak this excuse for nae epistle. 

Robert Burns. 

OF A' THE AIRTS THE WIND CAN BLAW 

Tunc — "Miss Admiral Gordon's Strathspey." 

Of a' the airts the wind can blaw, 

I dearly like the west, 
For there the bonie lassie lives. 

The lassie I lo'e best: 

' Written during a separation from Mrs. Burns in their hone>'moon. Burns was 
preparing a home at EUisland; Mrs. Burns was at Mossgiel. — Lang. 



POEMS AND SONGS 307 

TTiere's wild-woods grow, and rivers row, 

And mony a hill between: 
But day and night my fancy's flight 

Is ever wi' my Jean. 

I see her in the dewy flowers, 

I see her sweet and fair: 
I hear her in the tunefu' birds, 

I hear her charm the air: 
There's not a bonie flower that springs, 

By fountain, shaw, or green; 
There's not a bonie bird that sings, 

But minds me o' my Jean. 

SONG— I HAE A WIFE O' MY AIN 
I HAE a wife of my ain, 

I'll partake wi' naebody; 
I'll take Cuckold frae nane, 

I'll gie Cuckold to naebody. 

I hae a penny to spend, 

There — thanks to naebody! 
I hae naething to lend, 

I'll borrow frae naebody. 

I am naebody 's lord, 

I'll be slave to naebody; 
I hae a gude braid sword, 

I'll tak dunts frae naebody. 

I'll be merry and free, 

I'll be sad for naebody; 
Naebody cares for me, 

I care for naebody. 

LINES WRITTEN IN FRIARS'-CARSE HERMITAGE 

Glenriddel Hermitage, June 28th, iy88. 

Thou whom chance may hither lead. 
Be thou clad in russet weed, 
Be thou deckt in silken stole, 
Grave these maxims on thy soul. 



308 ROBERT BURNS 

Life is but a day at most, 
Sprung from night, in darkness lost: 
Hope not sunshine every hour. 
Fear not clouds will always lour. 

Happiness is but a name, 
Make content and ease thy aim, 
Ambition is a meteor-gleam; 
Fame, an idle resdcss dream; 

Peace, the tend'rest flow'r of spring; 
Pleasures, insects on the wing; 
Those that sip the dew alone — 
Make the butterflies thy own; 
Those that would the bloom devour — 
Crush the locusts, save the flower. 

For the future be prepar'd. 
Guard wherever thou can'st guard; 
But thy utmost duly done. 
Welcome what thou can'st not shun. 
Follies past, give thou to air. 
Make their consequence thy care: 
Keep the name of Man in mind, 
And dishonour not thy kind. 
Reverence with lowly heart 
Him, whose wondrous work thou art; 
Keep His Goodness still in view. 
Thy trust, and thy example, too. 

Stranger, go! Heaven be thy guide! 
Quod the Beadsman of Nidside. 

TO ALEX. CUNNINGHAM, ESQ., WRITER 
Ellisland, Nithsdale, ]uly 2jth, ij88. 

My godlike friend — nay, do not stare. 
You think the phrase is odd-like; 

But God is love, the saints declare, 
Then surely thou art god-like. 



POEMS AND SONGS 309 

And is thy ardour still the same? 

And kindled still at Anna? 
Others may boast a partial flame, 

But thou art a volcano! 

Ev'n Wedlock asks not love beyond 

Death's tie-dissolving [xjrtal; 
Hut thou, omnipotendy fond, 

May'st promise love immortal! 

Thy wounds such healing powers defy. 

Such symptoms dire attend them, 
That last great antihectic try — 

Marriage perhaps may mend them. 

Sweet Anna has an air — a grace, 

Divine, magnetic, touching: 
She talks, she charms — but who can trace 

The process of bewitching? 
• • • • • 



SONG.— ANNA, THY CHARMS 



Anna, thy charms my bosom fire, 
And waste my soul with care; 

But ah! how bootless to admire. 
When fated to despair! 

Yet in thy presence, lovely Fair, 
To hope may be forgiven; 

For sure 'twere impious to despair 
So much in sight of heaven. 

THE F£TE CHAMPETRE 

Tune — "Killiecrankic." 

O wHA will to Saint Stephen's House, 
To do our errands there, man? 

O wha will to Saint Stephen's House 
O' th' merry lads of Ayr, man? 



310 ROBERT BURNS 

Or will we send a man o' law? 

Or will we send a sodger? 
Or him wha led o'er Scotland a' 

The meikle Ursa-Major?' 

Come, will ye court a noble lord. 

Or buy a score o' lairds, man? 
For worth and honour pawn their word. 

Their vote shall be Glencaird's,* man. 
Ane gies them coin, anc gies them wine, 

Anither gies them clatter: 
Annbank,' wha guessed the ladies' taste, 

He gies a Fete Champetre. 

When Love and Beauty heard the news. 

The gay green woods amang, man; 
Where, gathering flowers, and busking bowers, 

They heard the blackbird's sang, man: 
A vow, they sealed it with a kiss. 

Sir Politics to fetter; 
As their's alone, the patent bliss. 

To hold a Fete Champetre. 

Then mounted Mirth, on gleesome wing 

O'er hill and dale she flew, man; 
Ilk wimpling burn, ilk crystal spring. 

Ilk glen and shaw she knew, man: 
She summon'd every social sprite. 

That sports by wood or water. 
On th' bonie banks of Ayr to meet, 

And keep this Fete Champetre. 

Cauld Boreas, wi' his boisterous crew. 

Were bound to stakes like kye, man. 
And Cynthia's car, o' silver £u', 

Clamb up the starry sky, man: 
Reflected beams dwell in the streams. 

Or down the current shatter; 
The western breeze steals thro' the trees. 

To view this Fete Champetre. 

' lames Boswcll, the biographer of Dr. lohnson. 

* Sir John Whitcfoord, then rciiding at Cloncaird or "Glencaird." 

' William Cunninghame, Esq., of Annbank and Enterkin. 



POEMS AND SONGS 311 

How many a robe sae gaily floats! 

What sparkling jewels glance, man! 
To Harmony's enchanting notes, 

As moves the mazy dance, man. 
The echoing wood, the winding flood, 

Like Paradise did glitter. 
When angels met, at Adam's yett. 

To hold their Fete Champetre. 

When Politics came there, to mix 

And make his ether-stane, man! 
He circled round the magic ground. 

But entrance found he nane, man: 
He blush 'd for shame, he quat his name, 

Forswore it, every letter, 
Wi' humble prayer to join and share 

This festive Fete Champetre. 

EPISTLE TO ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ., OF FINTRY 
Requesting a Favour 

When Nature her great master-piece design'd, 
And fram'd her last, best work, the human mind, 
Her eye intent on all the mazy plan, 
She form'd of various parts the various Man. 

Then first she calls the useful many forth; 
Plain plodding Industry, and sober Worth: 
Thence peasants, farmers, native sons of earth. 
And merchandise' whole genus take their birth: 
Each prudent cit a warm existence finds. 
And all mechanics' many-apron'd kinds. 
Some other rarer sorts are wanted yet. 
The lead and buoy are needful to the net: 
The caput mortuum of gross desires 
Makes a material for mere knights and squires; 
The martial phosphorus is taught to flow. 
She kneads the lumpish philosophic dough. 
Then marks th' unyielding mass with grave designs, 
Law, physic, politics, and deep divines; 



312 ROBERT BURNS 

Last, she sublimes th' Aurora of the f>oles. 
The flashing elements of female souls. 

The order'd system fair before her stood, 
Nature, well pleas'd, pronounc'd it very good; 
But ere she gave creating labour o'er. 
Half-jest, she tried one curious labour more. 
Some spumy, fiery, ignis jatuus matter. 
Such as the slightest breath of air might scatter; 
With arch-alacrity and conscious glee, 
(Nature may have her whim as well as we. 
Her Hogarth-art f)erhaps she meant to show it), 
She forms the thing and christens it — a Poet: 
Creature, tho' oft the prey of care and sorrow. 
When blest to-day, unmindful of to-morrow, 
A being form'd t' amuse his graver friends, 
Admir'd and prais'd — and there the homage ends; 
A mortal quite unfit for Fortune's strife. 
Yet oft the sport of all the ills of life; 
Prone to enjoy each pleasure riches give. 
Yet haply wanting wherewithal to live; 
Longing to wipe each tear, to heal each groan, 
Yet frequent all unheeded in his own. 

But honest Nature is not quite a Turk, 
She laugh'd at first, then felt for her jxxjr work: 
Pitying the propless climber of mankind. 
She cast about a standard tree to find; 
And, to support his helpless woodbine state, 
Attach'd him to the generous, truly great: 
A title, and the only one I claim. 
To lay strong hold for help on bounteous Graham. 

Pity the tuneful Muses* hapless train. 
Weak, timid landsmen on life's stormy main! 
Their hearts no selfish stern absorbent stuff. 
That never gives — tho' humbly takes enough; 
The little fate allows, they share as soon. 
Unlike sage proverb'd Wisdom's hard-wrung boon: 
The world were blest did bliss on them depend, 
Ah, that "the friendly e'er should want a friend!" 



POEMS AND SONGS 313 

Let Prudence number o'er each sturdy son, 

Who Hfe and wisdom at one race begun, 

Who feel by reason and who give by rule, 

(Instinct's a brute, and sentiment a fool!) 

Who make poor "will do" wait upon "I should" — 

We own they're prudent, but who feels they're good? 

Ye wise ones hence! ye hurt the social eye! 

Cod's image rudely etch'd on base alloy! 

But come ye who the godlike pleasure know, 

Heaven's attribute distinguished — to bestow! 

Whose arms of love would grasp the human race: 

Come thou who giv'st with all a courtier's grace; 

Friend ok my life, true patron of my rhymes! 

Prop of my dearest hopes for future times. 

Why shrinks my soul half blushing, half afraid, 

Backward, abash 'd to ask thy friendly aid? 

I know my need, I know thy giving hand, 

I crave thy friendship at thy kind command; 

But there are such who court the tuneful Nine — 

Heavens! should the branded character be mine! 

Whose verse in manhood's pride sublimely flows, 

Yet vilest reptiles in their begging prose. 

Mark, how their lofty independent spirit 

Soars on the spurning wing of injured merit! 

Seek not the proofs in private life to find 

Pity the best of words should be but wind! 

So, to heaven's gates the lark's shrill song ascends, 

But grovelling on the earth the carol ends. 

In all the clam'rous cry of starving want, 

They dun Benevolence with shameless front; 

Oblige them, patronise their tinsel lays — 

They persecute you all your future days! 

Ere my pyoor soul such deep damnation stain. 

My horny fist assume the plough again. 

The pie-bald jacket let me patch once more, 

On eighteenpence a week I've liv'd before. 

Tho', thanks to Heaven, I dare even that last shift, 

I trust, meantime, my boon is in thy gift: 

That, plac'd by thee upon the wish'd-for height, 

Where, man and nature fairer in her sight. 

My Muse may imp her wing for some sublimer flight. 



314 ROBERT BURNS 

SONG.-THE DAY RETURNS 

Tune — "Seventh of November. " 

The day returns, my bosom burns, 

The blissful day we twa did meet: 
Tho' winter wild in tempest toil'd, 

Ne'er summer-sun was half sae sweet. 
Than a' the pride that loads the tide. 

And crosses o'er the sultry line; 
Than kingly robes, than crowns and globes, 

Heav'n gave me more — it made thee mine! 

While day and night can bring delight. 

Or Nature aught of pleasure give; 
While joys above my mind can move, 

For thee, and thee alone, I live. 
When that grim foe of life below 

Comes in between to make us part, 
The iron hand that breaks our band. 

It breaks my bliss — it breaks my heart! 

SONG.-O, WERE I ON PARNASSUS HILL 

Tune — "My love is lost to me." 

O, WERE I on Parnassus hill, 
Or had o' Helicon my fill, 
That I might catch poetic skill, 

To sing how dear I love thee! 
But Nith maun be my Muse's well. 
My Muse maun be thy bonie sel', 
On Corsincon I'll glowr and spell. 

And write how dear I love thee. 

Then come, sweet Muse, inspire my lay! 
For a' the lee-lang simmer's day 
I couldna sing, I couldna say. 

How much, how dear, I love thee, 
I see thee dancing o'er the green. 
Thy waist sae jimp, thy limbs sae clean, 
Thy tempting lips, thy roguish een — 

By Heaven and Earth I love thee! 



POEMS AND SONGS 315 

By night, by day, a-Beld, at hame, 

The thoughts o' thee my breast inflame: 

And aye I muse and sing thy name — 

I only live to love thee. 
Tho' I were doom'd to wander on. 
Beyond the sea, beyond the sun. 
Till my last weary sand was run; 

Til! then — and then I love thee! 

A MOTHER'S LAMENT 
For the Death of Her Son. 

Fate gave the word, the arrow sped. 

And pierc'd my darling's heart; 
And with him all the joys are fled 

Life can to me impart. 

By cruel hands the sapling drops. 

In dust dishonour'd laid; 
So fell the pride of all my hopes. 

My age's future shade. 

The mother-linnet in the brake 

Bewails her ravish'd young; 
So I, for my lost darling's sake. 

Lament the live-day long. 

Death, oft I've feared thy fatal blow. 

Now, fond, I bare my breast; 
O, do thou kindly lay me low 

With him I love, at rest! 

THE FALL OF THE LEAF 

The lazy mist hangs from the brow of the hill. 
Concealing the course of the dark-winding rill; 
How languid the scenes, late so sprightly, appear! 
As Autumn to Winter resigns the pale year. 

The forests are leafless, the meadows are brown. 
And all the gay foppery of summer is flown: 



3l6 ROBERT BURNS 

Apart let me wander, apart let me muse, 

How quick Time is flying, how keen Fate pursues! 

How long I have liv'd — but how much liv'd in vain, 
How little of life's scanty span may remain. 
What aspects old Time in his progress has worn, 
What ties cruel Fate, in my bosom has torn. 

How foolish, or worse, till our summit is gain'd! 

And downward, how weaken'd, how darken'd, how pain'dl 

Life is not worth having with all it can give — 

For something beyond it poor man sure must live. 

I REIGN IN JEANIE'S BOSOM 

Loins, what reck I by thee. 

Or Geordie on his ocean.' 
Dyvor, Ix-ggar louns to me, 

I reign in Jeanie's bosom! 

Let her crown my love her law, 
And in her breast enthrone me. 

Kings and nations — swith awa'i 
Reif randies, I disown yc! 

IT IS NA, JEAN, THY BONIE FACE 

It is na, Jean, thy bonie face. 

Nor shape that I admire; 
Altho' thy beauty and thy grace 

Might weel awauk desire. 

Something, in ilka part o' thee, 

To praise, to love, I find. 
But dear as is thy form to me, 

Still dearer is thy mind. 

Nae mair ungenerous wish I hae. 

Nor stronger in my breast. 
Than, if I canna make thee sae, 

At least to see thee blest. 



POEMS AND SONGS ^IJ 

Content am I, if heaven shall give 

But happiness to thee; 
And as wi' thee I'd wish to live, 

For thee I'd bear to die. 



AULD LANG SYNE 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot. 
And never brought to mind ? 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And auld lang syne! 

Chorus. — For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne. 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet. 
For auld lang syne. 

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp! 

And surely I'll be mine! 
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet. 

For auld lang syne. 
For auld, &c. 

We twa hae run about the braes, 
And pou'd the gowans fine; 

But we've wander'd mony a weary fit. 
Sin' auld lang syne. 
For auld, &c. 

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn, 
Frae morning sun till dine; 

But seas between us braid hae roar'd 
Sin' auld lang syne. 
For auld, &c. 

And there's a hand, my trusty fere! 

And gie's a hand o' thine! 
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught. 

For auld lang syne. 
For au!d, &c. 



3l8 ROBERT BURNS 

MY BONIE MARY 

Go, fetch to me a pint o' wine, 

And fill it in a silver tassie; 
That I may drink before I go, 

A service to my bonie lassie. 
The boat rocks at the pier o' Leith; 

Fu' loud the wind blaws frae the Ferry; 
The ship rides by the Berwick-law, 

And I maun leave my bonie Mary. 

The trumpets sound, the banners fly, 

The glittering spears are ranked ready: 
The shouts o* war are heard afar, 

The batde closes deep and bloody; 
It's not the roar o' sea or shore. 

Wad mak me langer wish to tarry! 
Nor shouts o' war that's heard afar — 

It's leaving thee, my bonie Mary! 

THE PARTING KISS 

Humid seal of soft affections, 
Tcnderest pledge of future bliss, 

Dearest tie of young connections. 
Love's first snowdrop, virgin kiss! 

Speaking silence, dumb confession, 
Passion's birth, and infant's play, 

Dove-like fondness, chaste concession, 
Glowing dawn of future day! 

Sorrowing joy, Adieu's last action, 
(Lingering lips must now disjoin). 

What words can ever speak affcctioa 
So thrilling and sincere as thine! 



POEMS AND SONGS 3I9 

WRITTEN IN FRIARS CARSE HERMITAGE 

ON NITHSIDE 

Thou whom chance may hither lead, 
Be thou clad in russet weed, 
Be thou deckt in silken stole. 
Grave these counsels on thy soul. 

Life is but a day at most, 
Sprung from night, — in darkness lost; 
Hope not sunshine ev'ry hour. 
Fear not clouds will always lour. 

As Youth and Love with sprightly dance, 
Beneath thy morning star advance. 
Pleasure with her siren air 
May delude the thoughtless pair; 
Let Prudence bless Enjoyment's cup, 
Then raptur'd sip, and sip it up. 

As thy day grows warm and high, 
Life's meridian flaming nigh, 
Dost thou spurn the humble vale? 
Life's proud summits wouldst thou scale? 
Check thy climbing step, elate, 
Evils lurk in felon wait: 
Dangers, eagle-pinioned, bold. 
Soar around each cliffy hold! 
While cheerful Peace, with linnet song, 
Chants the lowly dells among. 

As the shades of ev'ning close, 
Beck'ning thee to long rep)ose; 
As life itself becomes disease, 
Seek the chimney-nook of ease; 
There ruminate with sober thought. 
On all thou'st seen, and heard, and wrought. 
And teach the sportive younkers round, 
Saws of experience, sage and sound: 
Say, man's true, genuine estimate. 
The grand criterion of his fate, 



320 ROBERT BURNS 

Is not, — Art thou high or low? 
Did thy fortune ebb or flow? 
Did many talents gild thy span? 
Or frugal Nature grudge thee one? 
Tell them, and press it on their mind, 
As thou thyself must shortly find, 
The smile or frown of awful Heav'n, 
To Virtue or to Vice is giv'n, 
Say, to be just, and kind, and wist — 
There solid self-enjoyment lies; 
That foolish, selfish, faithless ways 
Lead to be wretched, vile, and base. 

Thus resign'd and quiet, creep 
To the bed of lasting sleep, — 
Sleep, whence thou shalt ne'er awake, 
Night, where dawn shall never break. 
Till future life, future no more. 
To light and joy the good restore. 
To light and joy unknown before. 

Stranger, go! Heav'n be thy guidel 
Quod the Beadsman of Nithside. 

THE POETS PROGRESS 
A Poem in Embryo 

Thou, Nature, partial Nature, I arraign; 
Of thy caprice maternal I complain. 

The peopled fold thy kindly care have found, 
The horned bull, tremendous, spurns the ground; 
The lordly lion has enough and more. 
The forest trembles at his very roar; 
1 hou giv'st the ass his hide, the snail his shell. 
The puny wasp, victorious, guards his cell. 
Thy minions, kings defend, controul, devour, 
In all th' omnipotence of rule and power: 
Foxes and statesmen subtle wiles ensure; 
The cit and polecat stink, and are secure: 
Toads with their poison, doctors with their drug, 
The priest and hedgehog, in their robes, are snug: 



POEMS AND SONGS 32 1 

E'en silly women have defensive arts, 

Their eyes, their tongues — and nameless other patti. 

But O thou cruel stepmother and hard. 
To thy poor fenceless, naked child, the Bard! 
A thing unteachable in worldly skill. 
And half an idiot too, more helpless still: 
No heels to bear him from the op'ning dun. 
No claws to dig, his hated sight to shun: 
No horns, but those by luckless Hymen worn. 
And those, alas! not Amalthea's horn: 
No nerves olfact'ry, true to Mammon's foot. 
Or grunting, grub sagacious, evil's root: 
The silly sheep that wanders wild astray. 
Is not more friendless, is not more a prey; 
Vampyre-booksellers drain him to the heart. 
And viper-critics cureless venom dart. 

Critics! appall'd I venture on the name. 
Those cut-throat bandits in the paths of fame. 
Bloody dissectors, worse than ten Monroes, 
He hacks to teach, they mangle to expose: 
By blockhead's daring into madness stung, 
His heart by wanton, causeless malice wrung. 
His well-won bays — than life itself more dear — 
By miscreants torn who ne'er one sprig must wear; 
Foil'd, bleeding, tortur'd in th' unequal strife. 
The hapless Poet flounces on through life. 
Till, fled each hope that once his bosom fired. 
And fled each Muse that glorious once inspir'd. 
Low-sunk in squalid, unprotected age, 
E>ead even resentment for his injur'd page. 
He heeds no more the ruthless critics' rage. 

So by some hedge the generous steed deceas'd. 
For half-starv'd, snarling curs a dainty feast; 
By toil and famine worn to skin and bone. 
Lies, senseless of each tugging bitch's son. 
• ••••• 

A little upright, pert, tart, tripping wight. 
And still his precious self his dear delight; 
Who loves his own smart shadow in the streets. 
Better than e'er the fairest she he meets; 



322 ROBERT BURNS 

Much specious lore, but litde understood, 
(Veneering oft outshines the solid wood), 
His solid sense, by inches you must tell, 
But mete his cunning by the Scottish ell! 
A man of fashion too, he made his tour, 
Learn'd "vive la bagatelle et vive I'amour;" 
So travell'd monkeys their grimace improve, 
Polish their grin — nay, sigh for ladies' love I 
His meddling vanity, a busy fiend, 
Still making work his selfish craft must mend. 



• • • Crochallan came. 
The old cock'd hat, the brown surtout — the same; 
His grisly beard just bristling in its might — 
'Twas four long nights and days from shaving-night; 
His uncomb'd, hoary locks, wild-staring, thatch'd 

A head, for thought profound and dear, unmatch'd; 
Yet, tho' his caustic wit was biting-rude, 
His heart was warm, benevolent and good. 

• ••••• 

O Dulness, portion of the truly blest! 
Calm, shelter'd haven of eternal rest! 
Thy sons ne'er madden in the fierce extremes 
Of Fortune's polar frost, or torrid beams; 
If manding high she fills the golden cup, 
With sober, selfish ease they sip it up; 
Conscious the bounteous meed they well deserve, 
They only wonder "some folks" do not starve! 
The grave, sage hern thus easy picks his frog. 
And thinks the mallard a sad worthless dog. 
When disappointment snaps the thread of Hope, 
When, thro' disastrous night, they darkling grope. 
With deaf endurance sluggishly they bear. 
And just conclude that "fools are Fortune's care:" 
So, heavy, passive to the tempest's shocks. 
Strong on the sign-f)ost stands the stupid ox. 

Not so the idle Muses' mad-cap train. 
Not such the workings of their moon-struck brain; 



POEMS AND SONGS 323 

In equanimity they never dwell. 

By turns in soaring heaven, or vaulted hell I 

ELEGY ON THE YEAR 1788 

For lords or kings I dinna mourn, 
E'en let them die — for that they're born: 
But oh! prodigious to reflec'! 
A Towmont, sirs, is gane to wreck! 
O Eighty-eight, in thy sma' space. 
What dire events hae taken place! 
Of what enjoyments thou hast reft us! 
In what a pickle thou hast left us! 

The Spanish empire's tint a head. 
And my auld teethiess Bawtie's dead: 
The tulyie's teugh 'tween Pitt and Fox, 
And 'tween our Maggie's twa wee cocks; 
The tane is game, a bluidy devil, 
But to the hen-birds unco civil; 
The tither's something dour o' treadin. 
But better stuff ne'er daw'd a middin. 

Ye ministers, come mount the poupit. 
An' cry till ye be hearse an' roupit, 
For Eighty-eight, he wished you weel. 
An' gied ye a* baith gear an' meal; 
E'en mony a plack, and mony a peck. 
Ye ken yoursels, for little feck! 

Ye bonie lasses, dight your e'en, 
For some o' you hae tint a frien*; 
In Eighty-eight, yc ken, was taen. 
What ye'U ne'er hae to gie again. 

Observe the very nowt an' sheep. 
How dowfl an' daviely they creep; 
Nay, even the yirth itsel' does cry. 
For E'nburgh wells are grutten dry. 

O Eighty-nine, thou's but a bairn. 
An' no owre auld, I hope, to learn! 



324 ROBERT BURNS 

Thou beardless boy, I pray talc care, 

Thou now hast got thy Daddy's chair; 

Nae handcuff'd, mizl'd, hap-shackl'd Regent, 

But, like himsel, a full free agent. 

Be sure ye follow out the plan 

Nae waur than he did, honest man! 

As muckle better as you can. 

January, i, 1789. 

ROBIN SHURE IN HAIRST 

Chorus. — Robin shurc in hairst, 
I shure wi' him. 
Ficnt a heuk had I, 
Yet I stack by him. 

I gaed up to Dunse, 

To warp a wab o' plaiden, 
At his daddie's yett, 

Wha met me but Robin: 
Robin shure, &c. 

Was na Robin bauld, 

Tho' I was a cotter, 
Play'd me sic a trick, 

An' me the El'er's dochter! 
Robin shure, &c. 

Robin promis'd me 

A' my winter vittle; 
Fient haet he had but three 

Guse-feathers and a whittle! 
Robin shure, &c. 

THE HENPECKED HUSBAND 

Cirs'd be the man, the poorest wretch in life, 
The crouching vassal to a tyrant wife! 
Who has no will but by her high {xrmission, 
Who has not sixpence but in her jxjssession; 
Who must to her his dear friend's secrets tell, 



POEMS AND SONGS 325 

Who dreads a curtain lecture worse than hell. 
Were such the wife had fallen to my part, 
I'd break her spirit or I'd break her heart; 
I'd charm her with the magic of a switch, 
I'd kiss her maids, and kick the perverse bitch. 

VERSICLES ON SIGN-POSTS 

His face with smile eternal drest. 

Just like the Landlord's to his Guest's, 

High as they hang with creaking din, 

To index out the Country Inn. 

He looked just as your sign-post Lions do. 

With aspect fierce, and quite as harmless too. 



A head, pure, sinless quite of brain and soul, 
The very image of a barber's Poll; 
It shews a human face, and wears a wig. 
And looks, when well preserv'd, amazing big. 

ODE, SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MRS. 
OSWALD OF AUCHENCRUIVE 

Dweller in yon dungeon dark. 
Hangman of creation! mark. 
Who in widow-weeds app>ears. 
Laden with unhonour'd years. 
Noosing with care a bursting purse. 
Baited with many a deadly curse? 

Strophe 

View the wither'd Beldam's face; 
Can thy keen inspection trace 

Aught of Humanity's sweet, melting grace? 
Note that eye, 'tis rheum o'erflows; 
Pity's flood there never rose. 
See these hands ne'er stretched to save, 
Hands that took, but never gave: 
Keeper of Mammon's iron chest, 
Lo, there she goes, unpitied and unblest. 

She goes, but not to realms of everlasting rest! 



326 ROBERT BURNS 

Antistrophe 

Plunderer of Armies! lift thine eyes, 
(A while forbear, ye torturing fiends;) 

Seest thou whose step, unwilling, hither bends? 

No fallen angel, hurl'd from upper skies; 
'Tis thy trusty quondam Mate, 
Doom'd to share thy fiery fate; 
She, tardy, hell-ward plies. 

Epode 
And are they of no more avail. 
Ten thousand glittering p>ounds a-year? 
In other worlds can Mammon fail, 
Omnipotent as he is here! 

O, bitter mockery of the pwmpous bier, 

While down the wretched Vital Part is driven! 

The cave-lodged Beggar, with a conscience clear, 
Expires in rags, unknown, and goes to Heaven. 

PEGASUS AT WANLOCKHEAD 

With Pegasus uf>on a day, 

Apollo, weary flying. 
Through frosty hills the journey lay. 

On foot the way was plying. 

Poor slipshod giddy Pegasus 

Was but a sorry walker; 
To Vulcan then Apollo goes, 

To get a frosty caulker. 

Obliging Vulcan fell to work. 
Threw by his coat and bonnet, 

And did Sol's business in a crack; 
Sol paid him with a sonnet. 

Ye Vulcan's sons of Wanlockhead, 

Pity my sad disaster; 
My Pegasus is poorly shod, 

I'll pay you like my master. 



POEMS AND SONGS 327 

SAPPHO REDIVIVUS— A FRAGMENT 

By all I lov'd, neglected and forgot, 

No friendly face e'er lights my squalid cot; 

Shunn'd, hated, wrong'd, unpitied, unredrest. 

The mock'd quotation of the scorner's jest! 

Ev'n the poor support of my wretched life. 

Snatched by the violence of legal strife. 

Oft grateful for my very daily bread 

To those my family's once large bounty fed; 

A welcome inmate at their homely fare, 

My griefs, my woes, my sighs, my tears they share: 

(Their vulgar souls unlike the souls refin'd, 

The fashioned marble of the polished mind). 

In vain would Prudence, with decorous sneer. 
Point out a censuring world, and bid me fear; 
Above the world, on wings of Love, I rise — 
I know its worst, and can that worst despise; 
Let Prudence' direst bodements on me fall, 
M[ontgomer]y, rich reward, o'erpays them all! 

Mild zephyrs waft thee to life's farthest shore, 
Nor think of me and my distresses more, — 
Falsehood accurst! No! still I beg a place. 
Still near thy heart some little, little trace: 
For that dear trace the world I would resign: 

let me live, and die, and think it mine! 

"I burn, T burn, as when thro' ripen'd corn 

By driving winds the crackling flames are borne;" 

Now raving-wild, I curse that fatal night, 

Then bless the hour that charm 'd my guilty sight: 

In vain the laws their feeble force oppose, 

Chain'd at Love's feet, they groan, his vanquish 'd foes. 

In vain Religion meets my shrinking eye, 

1 dare not combat, but I turn and fly: 
Conscience in vain upbraids th* unhallow'd fire. 
Love grasps her scorpions — stifled they expire! 
Reason drops headlong from his sacred throne. 



328 ROBERT BURNS 

Your dear idea reigns, and reigns alone; 

Each thought intoxicated homage yields, 

And riots wanton in forbidden fields. 

By all on high adoring mortals know! 

By all the conscious villain fears below! 

By your dear self! — the last great oath I swear, 

Not life, nor soul, were ever half so dear! 

SONG— SHE'S FAIR AND PAUSE 

She's fair and fause that causes my smart, 

I lo'ed her meikle and lang; 
She's broken her vow, she's broken my heart. 

And I may e'en gae hang. 
A coof cam in wi' routh o' gear. 
And I hae tint my dearest dear; 
But Woman is but warld's gear, 

Sae let the bonie lass gang. 

Whae'er ye be that woman love. 

To this be never blind; 
Nae ferlie 'tis tho' fickle she prove, 

A woman has't by kind. 
O Woman lovely, Woman fair! 
An angel form's faun to thy share, 
'Twad been o'er meikle to gi'en thee mair — 

I mean an angel mind. 

IMPROMPTU LINES TO CAPTAIN RIDDELL 
On Returning a Newspaper. 

YofR News and Review, sir, 

I've read through and through, sir. 
With little admiring or blaming; 

The Papers are barren 

Of home-news or foreign. 
No murders or rapes worth the naming. 

Our friends, the Reviewers, 
Those chippers and hewers. 
Are judges of mortar and stone, sir; 



POEMS AND SONGS 329 

But of meet or unmeet, 
In a fabric complete, 
ril boldly pronounce they are none, sir; 

My goose-quill too rude is 

To tell all your goodness 
Bestow'd on your servant, the Poet; 

Would to (Jod I had one 

Like a beam of the sun. 
And then all the world, sir, should know it I 

LINES TO JOHN M'MURDO, ESQ. 
OF DRUMLANRIG 

Sent with some of the Author's Poems. 

O COULD I give thee India's wealth. 

As I this trifle send; 
Because thy joy in both would be 

To share them with a friend. 

But golden sands did never grace 

The Heliconian stream; 
Then take what gold could never buy^ 

An honest bard's esteem. 

RHYMING REPLY TO A NOTE FROM 
CAPTAIN RIDDELL 

Dear Sir, at ony time or tide, 
I'd rather sit wi' you than ride, 

Though 'twere wi' royal Geordie: 
And trowth, your kindness, soon and late. 
Aft gars me to mysel' look blate — 

The Lord in Heav'n reward ye! 

R. BUKNS. 

Ellisland. 

CALEDONIA— A BALLAD 

Tune — "Caledonian Hunts' Delight" of Mr. Gow. 

There was once a day, but old Time was then young, 
That brave Caledonia, the chief of her line. 



330 ROBERT BURNS 

From some of your northern deities sprung, 
(Who knows not that brave Caledonia's divine? ) 

From Tweed to the Orcades was her domain, 
To hunt, or to pasture, or do what she would: 

Her heav'nly relations there fixed her reign, 

And pledg'd her their godheads to warrant it good. 

A lambkin in peace, but a lion in war, 

The pride of her kindred, the heroine grew: 
Her grandsire, old Odin, triumphantly swore, — 

"Whoe'er shall provoke thee, th' encounter shall rue!" 
With tillage or pasture at times she would spon. 

To feed her fair flocks by her green rustling corn; 
But chiefly the woods were her fav'rite resort. 

Her darling amusement, the hounds and the horn. 

Long quiet she reigned; till thitherward steers 

A flight of bold eagles from Adria's strand: 
Repeated, successive, for many long years, 

They darken'd the air, and they plunder'd the land: 
Their jx)unccs were murder, and terror their cry, 

They'd conquer'd and ruin'd a world beside; 
She took to her hills, and her arrows let fly. 

The daring invaders they fled or they died. 

The Cameleon-Savage disturb'd her repose, 

With tumult, disquiet, rebellion, and strife; 
Provok'd beyond bearing, at last she arose. 

And robb'd him at once of his hopes and his life: 
The Anglian lion, the terror of France, 

Oft prowling, ensanguin'd the Tweed's silver flood; 
But, taught by the bright Caledonian lance. 

He learned to fear in his own native wood. 

The fell Harpy-raven took wing from the north, 
The scourge of the seas, and the dread of the shore; 

The wild Scandinavian boar issued forth 
To wanton in carnage and wallow in gore: 

O'er countries and kingdoms their fury prevail'd, 
No arts could appease them, no arms could repel; 



POEMS AND SONGS 33 1 

But brave Caledonia in vain they assail'd, 
As Largs well can witness, and Loncartie tell. 

Thus bold, independent, unconquer'd, and free, 

Her bright course of glory for ever shall run: 
For brave Caledonia immortal must be; 

I'll prove it from Euclid as clear as the sun: 
Rectangle-triangle, the figure we'll chuse: 

The upright is Chance, and old Time is the base; 
But brave Caledonia's the hyjxjthenuse; 

Then, ergo, she'll match them, and match them always. 



TO MISS CRUICKSHANK 

A very Young Lady 

Written on the Blank Leaf of a Book, presented to her by the Author. 

Beauteous Rosebud, young and gay. 
Blooming in thy early May, 
Never may'st thou, lovely flower. 
Chilly shrink in sleety showerl 
Never Boreas' hoary path. 
Never Eurus' pois'nous breath. 
Never baleful stellar lights. 
Taint thee with untimely blightsl 
Never, never reptile thief 
Riot on thy virgin leaf! 
Nor even Sol too fiercely view 
Thy bosom blushing still with dewl 

May'st thou long, sweet crimson gem, 
Richly deck thy native stem; 
Till some ev'ning, sober, calm. 
Dropping dews, and breathing balm. 
While all around the woodland rings, 
And ev'ry bird thy requiem sings; 
Thou, amid the dirgeful sound. 
Shed thy dying honours round. 
And resign to parent Earth 
TTie loveliest form she e'er gave birth. 



332 ROBERT BURNS 

BEWARE O' BONIE ANN 

Ye gallants bright, I rede you right, 

Beware o' bonie Ann; 
Her comely face sae fu' o' grace, 

Your heart she will trepan: 
Her een sae bright, like stars by night, 

Her skin sae like the swan; 
Sae j imply lac'd her genty waist. 

That sweedy ye might span. 

Youth, Grace, and Love attendant move, 

And pleasure leads the van: 
In a' their charms, and conquering arms, 

They wait on bonie Ann. 
The captive bands may chain the hands. 

But love enslaves the man: 
Ye gallants braw, I rede you a'. 

Beware o' bonie Ann! 

ODE ON THE DEPARTED REGENCY BILL 

(March, 1789) 

Daughter of Chaos' doting years, 
Nurse of ten thousand hopes and fears, 
Whether thy airy, insubstantial shade 
(The rights of sepulture now duly paid) 

Spread abroad its hideous form 

On the roaring civil storm. 

Deafening din and warring rage 

Factions wild with factions wage; 
Or under-ground, deep-sunk, profound, 

Among the demons of the earth, 
With groans that make the mountains shake. 

Thou mourn thy ill-starr'd, blighted birth; 
Or in the uncreated Void, 

Where seeds of future being fight. 
With lessen'd step thou wander wide. 

To greet thy Mother — Ancient Night. 
And as each jarring, monster-mass is past. 



POEMS AND SONGS 333 

Fond recollect what once thou wast: 
In manner due, beneath this sacred oak, 
Hear, Spirit, hear! thy presence I invoke! 

By a Monarch's heaven-struck fate, 

By a disunited State, 

By a generous Prince's wrongs. 

By a Senate's strife of tongues. 

By a Premier's sullen pride. 

Louring on the changing tide; 

By dread Thurlow's powers to awe 

Rhetoric, blasphemy and law; 

By the turbulent ocean — 

A Nation's commotion, 

By the harlot-caresses 

Of borough addresses. 

By days few and evil, 

(Thy portion, poor devil!) 

By Power, Wealth, and Show, 

(The Gods by men adored,) 

By nameless Poverty, 

(Their hell abhorred,) 

By all they hope, by all they fear. 

Hear! and appear! 

Stare not on me, thou ghasdy Power! 
Nor, grim with chained defiance, lour: 
No Babel-structure would / build 

Where, order exil'd from his native sway. 

Confusion may the regent-sceptre wield, 

While all would rule and none obey: 

Go, to the world of man relate 

The story of thy sad, eventful fate; 

And call presumptuous Hope to hear 

And bid him check his blind career; 

And tell the sore-prest sons of Care, 
Never, never to despair! 

Paint Charles's speed on wings of fire. 

The object of his fond desire. 

Beyond his boldest hof>es, at hand: 

Paint all the triumph of the Pordand Band; 



334 ROBERT BURNS 

Hark how they lift the joy-elated voicel 

And who are these that equally rejoice? 

Jews, Gentiles, what a motley crew! 

The iron tears their flinty cheeks bedew; 

See how unfurled the parchment ensigns fly, 

And Principal and Interest all the cry! 

And how their num'rous creditors rejoice; 

But just as hopes to warm enjoyment rise, 

Cry Convalescence! and the vision flies. 
Then next pourtray a dark'ning twilight gloom. 

Eclipsing sad a gay, rejoicing morn. 
While proud Ambition to th' untimely tomb 

By gnashing, grim, despairing fiends is borne: 
Paint ruin, in the shape of high D[undas] 

Gaping with giddy terror o'er the brow; 
In vain he struggles, the fates behind him press. 

And clam'rous hell yawns for her prey below: 
How fallen That, whose pride late scaled the skies! 
And This, like Lucifer, no more to rise! 

Again pronounce the jxiwerful word; 
See Day, triumphant from the night, restored. 

Then know this truth, ye Sons of Men! 

(Thus ends thy moral tale,) 
Your darkest terrors may be vain, 

Your brightest hopes may fail. 

EPISTLE TO JAMES TENNANT OF GLENCONNER 

AfLD comrade dear, and brither sinner. 
How's a' the folk about Glenconner? 
How do you this blae eastlin wind. 
That's like to blaw a body blind P 
For me, my faculties are frozen, 
My dearest member nearly dozen'd. 
I've sent you here, by Johnie Simson, 
Twa sage philosophers to glimpse on; 
Smith, wi' his sympathetic feeling, 
An' Reid, to common sense appealing. 
Philosophers have fought and wrangled. 
An' meikle Greek an' Latin mangled, 



POEMS AND SONGS 335 

Till wi* their logic-jargon tir'd. 

And in the depdi of science mir'd. 

To common sense they now appeal, 

What wives and wabsters see and feel. 

But, hark ye, friend! I charge you stricdy. 

Peruse them, an' return them quickly: 

For now I'm grown sae cursed douce 

I pray and ponder butt the house; 

My shins, my lane, I there sit roastin'. 

Perusing Bunyan, Brown, an' Boston, 

Till by an' by, if I haud on, 

I'll grunt a real gospel-groan: 

Already I begin to try it, 

To cast my e'en up like a pyet. 

When by the gun she tumbles o'er 

Flutt'ring an' gasping in her gore: 

Sae shortly you shall see me bright, 

A burning an' a shining light. 

My heart-warm love to guid auld Glen, 
The ace an' wale of honest men: 
When bending down wi' auld grey hairs 
Beneath the load of years and cares. 
May He who made him still support him. 
An' views beyond the grave comfort him; 
His worthy fam'ly far and near, 
God bless them a' wi' grace and gear! 

My auld schoolfellow. Preacher Willie, 
The manly tar, my mason-billie. 
And Auchenbay, I wish him joy. 
If he's a parent, lass or boy. 
May he be dad, and Meg the mither. 
Just five-and-forty years thegither! 
And no forgetting wabster Charlie, 
I'm tauld he offers very fairly. 
An' Lord, remember singing Sannock, 
Wi' hale breeks, saxpence, an' a bannock! 
And next, my auld acquaintatKe, Nancy, 
Since she is fitted to her fancy, 



336 ROBERT BURNS 

An' her kind stars hae airted till her 

A guid chiel wi' a pickle siller. 

My kindest, best respects, I sen' it, 

To cousin Kate, an' sister Janet: 

Tell them, frae me, wi' chiels be cautious, 

For, faith, they'll aiblins fin' them fashions; 

To grant a heart is fairly civil. 

But to grant a maidenhead's the devil. 

An' lasdy, Jamie, for yoursel, 

May guardian angels tak a spell. 

An' steer you seven miles south o' hell: 

But first, before you see heaven's glory, 

May ye get mony a merry story, 

Mony a laugh, and mony a drink. 

And aye eneugh o' needfu' clink. 

Now fare ye weel, an' joy be wi' you: 
For my sake, this I beg it o' you, 
Assist poor Simson a' ye can, 
Ye'll fin' him just an honest man; 
Sae I conclude, and quat my chanter, 
Your's, saint or sinner, 

Rob the Ranter. 

A NEW PSALM FOR THE CHAPEL OF KILMARNOCK 
On the Thanksgiving-Day for His Majesty's Recovery. 

O SING a new song to the Lord, 

Make, all and every one, 
A joyful noise, even for the King 

His restoration. 

The sons of Belial in the land 

Did set their heads together; 
Come, let us sweep them off, said they. 

Like an o'erflowing river. 

They set their heads together, I say. 

They set their heads together; 
On right, on left, on every hand, 

We saw none to deliver. 



POEMS AND SONGS 337 

Thou madest strong two chosen ones 

To quell the Wicked's pride; 
That Young Man, great in Issachar, 

The burden-bearing tribe. 

And him, among the Princes chief 

In our Jerusalem, 
The judge that's mighty in thy law. 

The man that fears thy name. 

Yet they, even they, with all their strength, 

Began to faint and fail: 
Even as two howling, ravenous wolves 

To dogs do turn their tail. 

Th' ungodly o'er the just prevail'd. 

For so thou hadst appointed; 
That thou might' St greater glory give 

Unto thine own anointed. 

And now thou hast restored our State, 

Pity our Kirk also; 
For she by tribulations 

Is now brought very low. 

Consume that high-place. Patronage, 

From off thy holy hill; 
And in thy fury burn the book — 

Even of that man M'Gill.' 

Now hear our prayer, accept our song. 

And fight thy chosen's battle: 
We seek but litde. Lord, from thee. 

Thou kens we get as litde. 

' Dr. William M'Gill of Ayr, whose "Practical Essay on the Death of Jesus Christ" 
led to a charge of heresy against him. Burns took up his cause in "The Kirk of 
Scotland's Alarm" (p. 351). — Lang. 



338 ROBERT BURNS 

SKETCH IN VERSE 
Inscribed to the Right Hon. C. J. Fox. 

How Wisdom and Folly meet, mix, and unite, 
How Virtue and Vice blend their black and their white, 
How Genius, th' illustrious father of fiction, 
Confounds rule and law, reconciles contradiction, 
I sing: If these mortals, the critics, should busde, 
I care not, not I — let the Critics go whisde! 

But now for a Patron whose name and whose glory. 
At once may illustrate and honour my story. 

Thou first of our orators, first of our wits; 
Yet whose parts and acquirements seem just lucky hits; 
With knowledge so vast, and with judgment so strong. 
No man with the half of 'em e'er could go wrong; 
With passions so potent, and fancies so bright. 
No man with the half of 'em e'er could go right; 
A sorry, f)oor, misbegot son of the Muses, 
For using thy name, offers fifty excuses. 
Good Lord, what is Man! for as simple he looks. 
Do but try to develop his hooks and his crooks; 
With his depths and his shallows, his good and his evil, 
All in all he's a problem must puzzle the devil. 

. On his one ruling passion Sir Pope hugely labours, 
That, like th' old Hebrew walking-switch, eats up its neighbours: 
Mankind are his show-box — a friend, would you know him.' 
Pull the string. Ruling Passion the picture will show him. 
What pity, in rearing so beauteous a system. 
One trifling particular, Truth, should have miss'd him; 
For, spite of his fine theoretic positions. 
Mankind is a science defies definitions. 

Some sort all our qualities each to its tribe. 
And think human nature they truly describe; 
Have you found this, or t'other? There's more in the wind; 
As by one drunken fellow his comrades you'll find. 



POEMS AND SONGS 339 

But such is the flaw, or the depth of the plan, 
In the make of that wonderful creature called Man, 
No two virtues, whatever relation they claim. 
Nor even two different shades of the same. 
Though like as was ever twin brother to brother. 
Possessing the one shall imply you've the other. 

But truce with abstraction, and truce with a Muse 
Whose rhymes you'll perhaps. Sir, ne'er deign to peruse: 
Will you leave your justings, your jars, and your quarrels. 
Contending with Billy for proud-nodding laurels? 
My much-honour'd Patron, believe your poor poet, 
Your courage, much more than your prudence, you show it: 
In vain with Squire Billy for laurels you struggle; 
He'll have them by fair trade, if not, he will smuggle: 
Not cabinets even of kings would conceal 'em, 
He'd up the back stairs, and by God, he would steal 'em, 
Then feats like Squire Billy's you ne'er can achieve 'em; 
It is not, out-do him — the task is, out-thieve him! 

THE WOUNDED HARE 

Inhuman man I curse on thy barb'rous art, 

And blasted be thy murder-aiming eye; 

May never pity soothe thee with a sigh. 
Nor ever pleasure glad thy cruel heart! 

Go live, poor wand'rer of the wood and field! 
The bitter little that of life remains: 
No more the thickening brakes and verdant plains 

To thee a home, or food, or pastime yield. 

Seek, mangled wretch, some place of wonted rest. 

No more of rest, but now thy dying bed! 

The sheltering rushes whisding o'er thy head. 
The cold earth with thy bloody bosom prest. 

Perhaps a mother's anguish adds its woe; 

The playful pair crowd fondly by thy side; 

Ah! helpless nurslings, who will now provide 
That life a mother only can bestow! 



340 ROBERT BURNS 

Oft as by winding Nith I, musing, wait 
The sober eve, or hail the cheerful dawn, 
I'll miss thee sporting o'er the dewy lawn, 

And curse the ruffian's aim, and mourn thy hapless fate. 

DELIA, AN ODE 

"To the Editor of The Star. — Mr. Printer — If the productions of a 
simple ploughman can merit a place in the same paper with Sylvester 
Otway, and the other favourites of the Muses who illuminate the Star with 
the lustre of genius, your insertion of the enclosed trifle will be succeeded 
by future communications from — Yours, See, R. Burns. 

Ellisland. near Dumfries. i8th May, 1789." 

Fair the face of orient day. 

Fair the tints of op'ning rose; 
But fairer still my Delia dawns. 

More lovely far her beauty shows. 

Sweet the lark's wild warbled lay, 

Sweet the tinkling rill to hear; 
But, Delia, more delightful still, 

Steal thine accents on mine ear. 

The flower-enamour'd busy bee 

The rosy banquet loves to sip; 
Sweet the streamlet's limpid lapse 

To the sun-brown'd Arab's lip. 

But, Delia, on thy balmy lips 

Let me, no vagrant insect, rove; 
O let me steal one liquid kiss. 

For Oh! my soul is parch'd with love. 

THE GARD'NER WI' HIS PAIDLE 

Tune — "The Gardener't March." 

When rosy May comes in wi* flowers, 
To deck her gay, green-spreading bowers, 
Then busy, busy are his hours. 

The Gard'ner wi' his paidle. 



POEMS AND SONGS 34I 

The crystal waters gently fa', 

The merry bards are lovers a', 

The scented breezes round him blaw — 

The Gard'ner wi' his paidle. 

When purple morning starts the hare 

To steal upon her early fare; 

Then thro' the dews he maun repair — 

The Gard'ner wi' his paidle. 

When day, expiring in the west, 
The curtain draws o' Nature's rest, 
He flies to her arms he lo'es the best. 

The Gard'ner wi' his paidle. 

ON A BANK OF FLOWERS 

On a bank of flowers, in a summer day. 

For summer lightly drest. 
The youthful, blooming Nelly lay. 

With love and sleep opprest; 
When Willie, wand'ring thro' the wood, 
Who for her favour oft had sued; 
He gaz'd, he wish'd 
He fear'd, he blush 'd. 
And trembled where he stood. 

Her closed eyes, like weapons sheath'd. 

Were seal'd in soft repose; 
Her lip, still as she fragrant breath'd. 

It richer dyed the rose; 
The springing lilies, sweetly prest. 
Wild-wanton kissed her rival breast; 
He gaz'd, he wish'd. 
He fear'd, he blush'd, 
His bosom ill at rest. 

Her robes, light-waving in the breeze, 

Her tender limbs embrace; 
Her lovely form, her native ease. 

All harmony and grace; 
Tumultuous tides his pulses roll, 



342 ROBERT BURNS 

A faltering, ardent kiss he stole; 

He gaz'd, he wish'd, 

He fear'd, he blush'd, 
And sigh'd his very soul. 

As flies the partridge from the brake, 

On fear-inspired wings, 
So Nelly, starting, half-awake. 

Away affrighted springs; 

But Willie follow'd — as he should, 

He overtook her in the wood; 

He vow'd, he pray'd. 

He found the maid 

Forgiving all, and good. 

YOUNG JOCKIE WAS THE BLYTHEST LAD 

Young Jockie was the blythest lad, 
In a' our town or here awa; 

Fu' blythe he whistled at the gaud, 
Fu' lighdy danc'd he in the ha'. 

He roos'd my een sae bonie blue. 
He roos'd my waist sae genty sma'; 

An' aye my heart cam to my mou', 
When ne'er a body heard or saw. 

My Jockie toils upon the plain, 

Thro* wind and weet, thro' frost and snaw: 

And o'er the lea I leuk fu' fain. 

When Jockie's owsen hameward ca'. 

An' aye the night comes round again. 
When in his arms he taks me a'; 

An' aye he vows he'll be my ain, 
As lang's he has a breath to draw. 

THE BANKS OF NITH 

The Thames flows proudly to the sea. 
Where royal cities stately stand; 

But sweeter flows the Nith to me. 

Where Comyns ance had high command. 



POEMS AND SONGS 343 

When shall I see that honour'd land. 

That winding stream I love so dear! 
Must wayward Fortune's adverse hand 

For ever, ever keep me here! 

How lovely, Nith, thy fruitful vales. 

Where bounding hawthorns gaily bloom; 
And swecdy spread thy sloping dales, 

Where lambkins wanton through the broom. 
Tho' wandering now must be my doom, 

Far from thy bonie banks and braes, 
May there my latest hours consume, 

Amang the friends of early days! 



JAMIE, COME TRY ME 

Chorus. — Jamie, come try me, 
Jamie, come try me, 
If thou would win my love, 
Jamie, come try me. 

If thou should ask my love, 
Could I deny thee? 

If thou would win my love, 
Jamie, come try me! 
Jamie, come try me, &c. 

If thou should kiss me, love, 
Wha could espy thee? 

If thou wad be my love, 
Jamie, come try me! 
Jamie, come try me, &c. 



I LOVE MY LOVE IN SECRET 

My Sandy gied to me a ring, 
Was a' beset wi' diamonds fine; 
But I gied him a far better thing, 
I gied my heart in pledge o' his ring. 



344 ROBERT BURNS 

Chorus. — My Sandy O, my Sandy O, 

My bonie, bonie Sandy O; 
Tho' the love that I owe 
To thee I dare na show, 
Yet I love my love in secret, my Sandy O. 

My Sandy brak a piece o' gowd. 
While down his cheeks the saut tears row'd; 
He took a hauf, and gied it to me, 
And I'll keep it till the hour I die. 
My Sandy O, &c. 

SWEET TIBBIE DUNBAR 

O WILT thou go wi' me, sweet Tibbie Dunbar? 

wilt thou go wi' me, sweet Tibbie Dunbar? 
Wilt thou ride on a horse, or be drawn in a car. 
Or walk by my side, O sweet Tibbie Dunbar? 

1 care na thy daddie, his lands and his money, 
I care na thy kin, sac high and sae lordly; 
But sae that thou'lt hae me for better for waur. 
And come in thy coatie, sweet Tibbie Dunbar. 

THE CAPTAIN'S LADY 

Chorus. — O mount and go, mount and make you ready, 
O mount and go, and be the Captain's lady. 

When the drums do beat, and the cannons rattle. 
Thou shalt sit in state, and see thy love in battle: 
When the drums do beat, and the cannons rattle. 
Thou shalt sit in state, and see thy love in batde. 
O mount and go, &c. 

When the vanquish 'd foe sues for [x;ace and quiet. 
To the shades we'll go, and in love enjoy it: 
When the vanquish'd foe sues for peace and quiet. 
To the shades we'll go, and in love enjoy it. 
O mount and go, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 345 

JOHN ANDERSON, MY JO 

John Anderson, my jo, John, 

When we were first acquent; 
Your locks were like the raven, 

Your ix)nie brow was brent; 
But now your brow is held, John, 

Your locks are like the snaw; 
But blessings on your frosty pow, 

John Anderson, my jo. 

John Anderson, my jo, John, 

We clamb the hill thegither; 
And mony a cantie day, John, 

We've had wi' ane anither: 
Now we maun totter down, John, 

And hand in hand we'll go, 
And sleep thegither at the foot, 

John Anderson, my jo. 

MY LOVE, SHE'S BUT A LASSIE YET 

My love, she's but a lassie yet, 

My love, she's but a lassie yet; 
We'll let her stand a year or twa, 

She'll no be half sae saucy yet; 

I rue the day I sought her, O! 

I rue the day I sought her, O! 
Wha gets her needs na say she's woo'd. 

But he may say he's bought her, O. 

Come, draw a drap o' the best o't yet, 

Come, draw a drap o' the best o't yet, 
Gae seek for pleasure whare you will. 

But here I never miss'd it yet, 

We're a' dry wi' drinkin o't. 

We're a' dry wi' drinkin o't; 
The minister kiss'd the fiddler's wife; 

He could na preach for thinkin o't. 



346 ROBERT BURNS 

SONG— TAM GLEN 

My heart is a-breaking, dear Tittie, 
Some counsel unto me come len', 

To anger them a' is a pity, 

But what will I do wi' Tam Glen? 

I'm thinking, wi* sic a braw fellow. 
In poortith I might mak a fen; 

What care I in riches to wallow. 
If I maunna marry Tam Glen! 

There's Lowrie the Laird o' Dumeller — 
"Gude day to you, brute!" he comes ben: 

He brags and he blaws o' his siller. 
But when will he dance like Tam Glen! 

My minnie does constandy deave me, 
And bids me beware o' young men; 

They flatter, she says, to deceive me. 
But wha can think sae o' Tam Glen! 

My daddie says, gin I'll forsake him. 
He'd gie me gude hunder marks ten; 

But, if it's ordain'd I maun take him, 
O wha will I get but Tam Glen! 

Yestreen at the Valentines' dealing. 
My heart to my mou' gied a sten'; 

For thrice I drew ane without failing. 
And thrice it was written "Tam Glen"! 

The last Halloween I was waukia 
My droukit sark-sleeve, as ye ken, 

His likeness came up the house staukin, 
And the very grey breeks o' Tam Glen! 

Come, counsel, dear Tittie, don't tarry; 

I'll gie ye my bonie black hen, 
Gif ye will advise me to marry 

The lad I lo'e dearly, Tam Glen. 



POEMS AND SONGS 34/ 

CARLE, AN THE KING COME 

Chorus. — Carle, an the King come. 

Carle, an the King come. 
Thou shalt dance and I will sing, 
Carle, an the King come. 

An somebody were come again. 
Then somebody maun cross the main, 
And every man shall hae his ain. 
Carle, an the King come. 

Carle, an the King come, &c. 

I trow we swapped for the worse, 
We gae the boot and better horse; 
And that we'll tell them at the cross. 
Carle, an the King come. 

Carle, an the King come, flcc 

Coggie, an the King come, 
Coggie, an the King come, 
I'se be fou, and thou'se be toom 
Coggie, an the King come. 

Coggie, an the King come, &c. 

THE LADDIE'S DEAR SEL' 
There's a youth in this city, it were a great pity 

That he from our lassies should wander awa'; 
For he's bonie and braw, weel-favor'd witha', 

An' his hair has a natural buckle an' a'. 

His coat is the hue o' his bonnet sae blue, 
His fecket is white as the new-driven snaw; 

His hose they are blae, and his shoon like the slae, 
And his clear siller buckles, they dazzle us a'. 

For beauty and fortune the laddie's been courtin; 

Weel-featur'd, weel-tocher'd, weel-mounted an* braw; 
But chiefly the siller that gars him gang till her, 

The [Denny's the jewel that beautifies a'. 



348 ROBERT BURNS 

There's Meg wi' the mailen that fain wad a haen him, 
And Susie, wha's daddie was laird o' the Ha'; 

There's lang-tocher'd Nancy maist fetters his fancy, 
— But the laddie's dear sel', he loes dearest of a'. 

WHISTLE O'ER THE LAVE O'T 

First when Maggie was my care, 
Heav'n, I thought, was in her air, 
Now we're married — speir nae mair. 
But whisde o'er the lave o't! 

Meg was meek, and Meg was mild, 
Sweet and harmless as a child — 
Wiser men than me's beguil'd; 
Whistle o'er the lave o't! 

How we live, my Meg and me, 
How we love, and how we gree, 
I care na by how few may see — 
Whistle o'er the lave o't! 

Wha I wish were maggot's meat, 
Dish'd up in her winding-sheet, 
I could write — but Meg maun sec't— 
Whistle o'er the lave o't! 

MY EPPIE ADAIR 

Chorus. — An' O my Eppic, my jewel, my Eppie, 

Wha wad na be happy wi' Eppie Adair? 

By love, and by beauty, by law, and by duty, 
I swear to be true to my Eppie Adair! 
By love, and by beauty, by law, and by duty, 
I swear to be true to my Eppie Adair! 
And O my Eppie, &c. 

A' pleasure exile me, dishonour defile me, 
If e'er I beguile ye, my Eppie Adair! 
A' pleasure exile me, dishonour defile me. 
If e'er I beguile thee, my Eppie Adair! 
And O my Eppie, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 349 

ON THE LATE CAPTAIN GROSE'S PEREGRINATIONS 
THRO' SCOTLAND 

COLLECTING THE ANTIQUITIES OF THAT KINGDOM 

Hear, Land o' Cakes, and brither Scots, 
Frae Maidenkirk to Johnie Groat's; — 
If there's a hole in a' your coats, 

I rede you tent it: 
A chield's amang you takin notes. 

And, faith, he'll prent it: 

If in your bounds ye chance to light 
Upon a fine, fat, fodgel wight, 
O' stature short, but genius bright. 

That's he, mark weal; 
And wow! he has an unco sleight 

O' cauk and keel. 

By some auld, houlet-haunted biggin. 

Or kirk deserted by its riggin. 

It's ten to ane ye'U find him snug in 

Some eldritch part, 
Wi' deils, they say. Lord save's! coUeaguin 

At some black art. 

Ilk ghaist that haunts auld ha' or chaumer, 

Ye gipsy-gang that deal in glamour. 

And you, deep-read in hell's black grammar, 

Warlocks and witches, 
Ye'll quake at his conjuring hammer. 

Ye midnight bitches. 

It's tauld he was a sodger bred. 
And ane wad rather fa'n than fled; 
But now he's quat the spurtle-blade, 

And dog-skin wallet, 
And taen the — Antiquarian trade, 

I think they call it. 



350 ROBERT BURNS 

He has a fouth o' auld nick-nackets: 
Rusty airn caps and jinglin jackets, 
Wad haud the Lothians three in tackets, 

A towmont gude; 
And parritch-f>ats and auld saut-backets, 

Before the Flood. 

Of Eve's first fire he has a cinder; 
Auld Tubalcain's fire-shool and fender; 
That which distinguished the gender 

O' Balaam's ass: 
A broomstick o' the witch of Endor, 

Weel shod wi' brass. 

Forbye, hell shape you afl fu' gleg 
The cut of Adam's philibcg; 
The knife that nickit Abel's craig 

He'll prove you fully, 
It was a faulding jocteleg, 

Or lang-kail gullie. 

But wad ye see him in his glee, 
For meikle glee and fun has he, 
Then set him down, and twa or three 

Gude fellows wi' him: 
And port, O port! shine thou a wee. 

And THEN ye'll see him! 

Now, by the Pow'rs o' verse and prose! 
Thou art a dainty chield, O Grose! — 
Whae'er o' thee shall ill suppose. 

They sair misca* thee; 
I'd take the rascal by the nose. 

Wad say, "Shame fa' thee!" 

EPIGRAM ON FRANCIS GROSE THE ANTIQUARY 

The Devil got notice that Grose was a-dying 

So whip! at the summons, old Satan came flying; 

But when he approached where poor Francis lay moaning. 



POEMS AND SONGS 351 

And saw each bed-p>ost with its burthen a-groaning, 
Astonish'd, confounded, cries Satan — "By God, 
I'll want him, ere I take such a damnable load!" 

THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND'S ALARM 

A Ballad. 
Tune — ^"Come rouse. Brother Spornman!" 

Orthodox! orthodox, who believe in John Knox, 
Let me sound an alarm to your conscience: 

A heretic blast has been blown in the West, 
"TTiat what is no sense must be nonsense," 

Orthodox! That what is no sense must be nonsense. 

Doctor Mac! Doctor Mac, you should streek on a rack, 

To strike evil-doers wi' terror: 
To join Faith and Sense, upon any pretence. 

Was heretic, damnable error. 
Doctor Mac! ' 'Twas heretic, damnable error. 

Town of Ayr! town of Ayr, it was mad, I declare. 

To meddle wi' mischief a-brewing,' 
Provost John' is still deaf to the Church's relief. 

And Orator Bob* is its ruin. 
Town of Ayr! Yes, Orator Bob is its ruin. 

D'rymple mild! D'rymple mild, tho' your heart's like a child. 

And your life like the new-driven snaw. 
Yet that winna save you, auld Satan must have you. 

For preaching that three's ane an' twa, 
D'rymple mild !' For preaching that three's ane an' twa. 

Rumble John! nimble John, mount the steps with a groan, 

Cry the book is with heresy cramm'd; 
Then out wi' your ladle, deal brimstone like aidle. 

And roar ev'ry note of the damn'd. 
Rumble John!' And roar ev'ry note of the damn'd. 

' Dr. M'Gill, Ayr.— R. B. 'Sec the advertisement. — R. B. 

•John Ballantine.— R. B. < Robert Aiken. — R. B. 

' Dr. Dalrymple, Ayr.—/?. B. ' John Russell, Kilmarnock.— R. B. 



352 ROBERT BURNS 

Simper James! simper ]ames, leave your fair Killie dames, 

There's a holier chase in your view: 
ni lay on your head, that the pack you'll soon lead. 

For puppies like you there's but few. 
Simper James!' For puppies like you there's but few. 

Singet Sawnie! singet Sawnie, are ye huirdin the penny, 

Unconscious what evils await? 
With a jump, yell, and howl, alarm ev'ry soul. 

For the foul thief is just at your gate. 
Singet Sawnie 1' For the foul thief is just at your gate. 

Poet Willie! poet Willie, gie the Doctor a volley, 

Wi' your "Liberty's Chain" and your wit; 
O'er Pegasus' side ye ne'er laid a stride, 

Ye but smelt, man, the place where he sh-t. 
Poet Willie!' Ye but smelt man, the place where he sh-t. 

Barr Steenie! Barr Steenie, what mean ye, what mean ye? 

If ye meddle nae mair wi' the matter, 
Ye may hae some pretence to bavins and sense, 

Wi' people that ken ye nae better, 
Barr Steenie!'" Wi' people that ken ye nae better. 

Jamie Goose! Jamie Goose, ye made but toom roose, 

In hunting the wicked Lieutenant; 
But the Doctor's your mark, for the Lord's holy ark. 

He has coop)er'd an' ca'd a wrang pin in't, 
Jamie Goose!" He has cooper'd an' ca'd a wrang pin in't. 

Davie Bluster! Davie Bluster, for a saint ye do muster. 
The corps is no nice o' recruits; 

^ lames MackinUy, Kilmarnock. — R. B. 
• Alexander Moodie of Riccarton. — R. B. 

•William Peebles, in Newton-upon-Ayr, a poetaster, who, amon); many other 
things, published an ode on the "Centenary of the Revolution," in which was the line: 
"And bound in Liberty's endearing chain." — R. B. 

'" Stephen Young of Barr.—/?. B. 

" fames Young, in New Cumnock, who had lately been foiled in an ecclesiastical 
prosecution against a Lieutenant Mitchcl — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 353 

Yet to worth let's be just, royal blood ye might boast, 

If the Ass were the king o' the brutes, 
Davie Bluster!" If the Ass were the king o' the brutes. 

Irvine Side! Irvine Side, wi' your turkey-cock pride 

Of manhood but sma' is your share: 
Ye've the figure, 'tis true, ev'n your foes will allow. 

And your friends they dare grant you nae mair, 
Irvine Side!" And your friends they dare grant you nae mair. 

Muirland Jock! muirland Jock, when the Lord makes a rock. 

To crush common-sense for her sins; 
If ill-manners were wit, there's no mortal so fit 

To confound the poor Doctor at ance, 
Muirland Jock!'* To confound the poor Doctor at ance. 

Andro Gowk! Andro Gowk, ye may slander the Book, 
An' the Book nought the waur, let me tell ye; 

Tho' ye're rich, an' look big, yet, lay by hat an' wig. 
An' ye'U hae a calf's-head o' sma' value, 

Andro Gowk!" Ye'U hae a calf's head o' sma' value. 

Daddy Auld! daddy Auld, there's a tod in the fauld, 

A tod mcikle waur than the clerk; 
Tho' ye do little skaith, ye'H be in at the death. 

For gif ye canna bite, ye may bark. 
Daddy Auld!" Gif ye canna bite, ye may bark. 

Holy Will! holy Will, there was wit in your skull, 

When ye pilfer'd the alms o' the poor; 
The timmer is scant when ye're taen for a saunt, 

Wha should swing in a rape for an hour. 
Holy Will!" Ye should swing in a rape for an hour. 

Calvin's sons! Calvin's sons, seize your spiritual guns. 

Ammunition you never can need; 

" David Grant. Ochiltree.— R. B. " GeorRe Smith, Galston.— R. B. 

" John Shepherd Muirkirk.— R. B. " Dr. Andrew Mitchel, Monkton.— U. B. 
" William Auld, Mauchline; for the clerk, sec "Holy Willie's Prayer." — R. B. 
" Vide the "Praver" of this saint. — R. B. 



354 ROBERT BURNS 

Your hearts are the stuff will be powder enough. 

And your skulls are a storehouse o' lead, 
Calvin's sons I Your skulls are a storehouse o' lead. 

Poet Burns! poet Burns, wi' your priest-skelpin turns. 

Why desert ye your auld native shire? 
Your muse is a gipsy, yet were she e'en tipsy. 

She could ca' us nae waur than we are. 
Poet Burns! She could ca' us nae waur than we are. 

PRESENTATION STANZAS TO CORRESPONDENTS 

Factor John! Factor John, whom the Lord made alone. 

And ne'er made anither, thy peer. 
Thy f)Oor servant, the Bard, in respectful regard. 

He presents thee this token sincere. 
Factor John! He presents thee this token sincere. 

Aftoa's Laird! Afton's Laird, when your pen can be spared, 

A copy of this I bequeath, 
On the same sicker score as I mention'd before, 

To that trusty auld worthy, Clackleith, 
Afton's Laird! To that trusty auld worthy, Clackleith. 

SONNET ON RECEIVING A FAVOUR 

10 Aug., 1789. 

Addressed to Robert Graham, Esq. of Fintry. 

I call no Goddess to inspire my strains, 
A fabled Muse may suit a bard that feigns: 
Friend of my life! my ardent spirit burns, 
And all the tribute of my heart returns. 
For boons accorded, goodness ever new, 
The gifts still dearer, as the giver you. 
Thou orb of day! thou other paler light! 
And all ye many sparkling stars of night! 
If aught that giver from my mind efface. 
If I that giver's bounty e'er disgrace, 
Then roll to me along your wand'ring spheres, 
Only to number out a villain's years! 
I lay my hand upon my swelling breast, 
And grateful would, but cannot speak the rest. 



POEMS AND SONGS 355 

EXTEMPORANEOUS EFFUSION 
On being appointed to an Ejccise division. 

Searching auld wives' barrels, 

Ochon the day! 
That darty barm should stain my laurels: 

But — what'll ye say? 
These movin* things ca'd wives an' weans. 
Wad move the very hearts o' stanes! 

SONG— WILLIE BREW'D A PECK O' MAUT ' 

O Willie brew'd a peck o' maut. 

And Rob and Allen cam to see; 
Three blyther hearts, that lee-lang night, 

Ye wadna found in Christendie. 

Chorus. — We are na fou, we're nae that fou. 
But just a drappie in our ee; 
The cock may craw, the day may daw 
And aye we'll taste the barley bree. 

Here are we met, three merry boys, 

Three merry boys I trow are we; 
And mony a night we've merry been. 

And mony mae we hope to be! 
We are na fou, &c. 

It is the moon, I ken her horn. 

That's blinkin' in the lift sae hie; 
She shines sae bright to wyle us hame, 

But, by my sooth, she'll wait a wee! 
We are na fou, &c. 

Wha first shall rise to gang awa, 

A cuckold, coward loun is he! 
Wha first beside his chair shall fa*. 

He is the King amang us three. 
We are na fou, &c. 

' Willie is Nicol, Allan is Masterton the writing-master. The scene is between 
MolTat and the head of the Loch of the Lowes. Date, August-September, 1789. — Lang. 



356 ROBERT BURNS 

CA" THE YOWES TO THE KNOWES 

Chorus. — Ca' the yowes to the knowes, 

Ca' them where the heather grows, 
Ca' them where the burnie rowes, 
My bonie dearie. 

As I gaed down the water-side, 

There I met my shepherd lad: 

He row'd me sweetly in his plaid, 

And he ca'd me his dearie. 

Ca' the yowes, 8cc. 

Will ye gang down the water-side. 
And see the waves sae sweetly glide 
Beneath the hazels spreading wide. 
The moon it shines fu' clearly. 
Ca' the yowes, &c. 

Ye sail get gowns and ribbons meet, 
Cauf-leather shoon upon your feet, 
And in my arms ye'se lie and sleep, 
An' ye sail be my dearie. 
Ca' the yowes, &c. 

If ye'll but stand to what ye've said, 
I'se gang wi' thee, my shepherd lad. 
And ye may row me in your plaid. 
And I sail be your dearie. 
Ca' the yowes, 4cc. 

While waters wimple to the sea. 
While day blinks in the lift sae hie, 
Till clay-cauld death sail blin' my e'e. 
Ye sail be my dearie. 
Ca' the yowes, &c. 

I GAED A WAEFU' GATE YESTREEN 

I CAED a waefu' gate yestreen, 
A gate, I fear, I'll dearly rue; 

I gat my death frae twa sweet een, 
Twa lovely een o* bonie blue. 



POEMS AND SONGS 357 

'Twas not her golden ringlets bright. 

Her lips like roses wat wi' dew, 
Her heaving bosom, lily-white — 

It was her een sae bonie blue. 

She talk'd, she smil'd, my heart she wyl'd; 

She charm'd my soul I wist na how; 
And aye tl." stound, the deadly wound, 

Cam frae her een so bonie blue. 
But "spare to speak, and spare to speed;" 

She'll aiblins listen to my vow: 
Should she refuse, I'll lay my dead 

To her twa een sae bonie blue. 



HIGHLAND HARRY BACK AGAIN 



My Harry was a gallant gay, 

Fu' stately strade he on the plain; 

But now he's banish'd far away, 
I'll never see him back again. 

Chorus. — O for him back again! 

for him back again! 

1 wad gie a' Knockhaspie's land 
For Highland Harry back again. 

When a' the lave gae to their bed, 
I wander dowie up the glen; 

I set me down and greet my fill, 
And aye I wish him back again. 
O for him, &c. 

O were some villains hangit high. 
And ilka body had their ain! 

Then I might see the joyfu' sight. 
My Highland Harry back again. 
O for him, See. 



358 ROBERT BURNS 

THE BATTLE OF SHERRAMUIR 

Tune — "The Cameronian Rant." 

"O CAM ye here the fight to shun, 

Or herd the sheep wi' me, man? 
Or were ye at the Sherra-moor, 

Or did the batde see, man?" 
I saw the batde, sair and teugh, 
And reekin-red ran mony a sheugh; 
My heart, for fear, gaed sough for sough, 
To hear the thuds, and see the cluds 
O' clans frae woods, in tartan duds, 

Wha glaum'd at kingdoms three, man. 
La, la, la, la. Sec. 

The red-coat lads, wi' black cockauds. 
To meet them were na slaw, man; 

They rush'd and push'd, and blude outgush'd 
And mony a bouk did fa', man: 

The great Argyle led on his files, 

I wat they glanced twenty miles; 

They hough'd the clans like nine-pin kyles. 

They hack'd and hash'd, while braid-swords dash'd. 

And thro' they dash'd, and hew'd and smash 'd. 
Till fey men died awa, man. 
La, la, la, la, &c. 

But had ye seen the philibegs, 

And skyrin tartan trews, man; 
When in the teeth they dar'd our Whigs, 

."^nd covenant True-blues, man: 
In lines extended lang and large, 
When baiginets o'erpower'd the targe, 
And thousands hasten'd to the charge; 
Wi' Highland wrath they frae the sheath 
Drew blades o* death, till, out o' breath, 

They fled like frighted dows, man! 
La, la, la, la, &c. 

"O how deil, Tam, can that be true? 
The chase gaed frae the north, man; 



POEMS AND SONGS 359 

I saw mysel, they did pursue. 

The horsemen back to Forth, man; 
And at Dunblane, in my ain sight, 
They took the brig wi' a' their might, 
And straught to Stirling wing'd their flight; 
But, cursW lot! the gates were shut; 
And mony a huntit poor red<oat. 

For fear amaist did swarf, man!" 
La, la, la, la, &c. 

My sister Kate cam up the gate 

Wi' crowdie unto me, man; 
She swoor she saw some rebels run 

To Perth unto Dundee, man; 
Their left-hand general had nae skill; 
The Angus lads had nae gude will 
That day their neibors' blude to spill; 
For fear, for foes, that they should lose 
Their cogs o' brose; they scar'd at blows. 

And hameward fast did flee, man. 
La, la, la, la, &c. 

They've lost some gallant gentlemen, 

Amang the Highland clans, man! 
I fear my Lord Panmure is slain. 

Or fallen in Whiggish hands, man, 
Now wad ye sing this double fight, 
Some fell for wrang, and some for right; 
But mony bade the world gude-night; 
Then ye may tell, how pell and mcU, 
By red claymores, and muskets knell, 
Wi' dying yell, the Tories fell. 

And Whigs to hell did flee, man. 
La, la, la, la, &c. 

THE BRAES O' KILLIECRANKIE 

Where hae ye been sae braw, lad? 

Whare hae ye been sae brankie, O? 
Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad? 

Cam ye by Killiecrankic, O ? 



360 ROBERT BURNS 

Chorus. — An ye had been whare I hae been, 
Ye wad na been sae cantie, O; 
An ye had seen what I hae seen, 
r the Braes o' Killiecrankie, O. 

I faught at land, I faught at sea. 
At hame I faught my Auntie, O; 

But I met the devil an' Dundee, 
On the Braes o* Killiecrankie, O. 
An ye had been, &c. 

The bauld Pitcur fell in a furr. 
An' Clavers gat a dankie, O; 

Or I had fed an Athole gled. 
On the Braes o' Killiecrankie, O. 
An ye had been, ice. 

AW A' WHIGS, AW A' 

Chorus. — Awa' Whigs, awa'i 

Awa' Whigs, awa' I 
Ye're but a pack o' traitor louns, 
Ye'U do nae gude at a'. 

Our thrissles flourish'd fresh and fair, 
And bonie bloom 'd our roses; 

But Whigs cam' like a frost in June, 
An' wither'd a' our posies. 
Awa' Whigs, &c. 

Our ancient crown's fa'en in the dust — 
Deil blin' them wi' the stoure o't! 

An' write their names in his black beuk, 
Wha gae the Whigs the power o't. 
Awa* Whigs, &c. 

Our sad decay in church and state 

Surpasses my descriving: 
The Whigs cam' o'er us for a curse. 

An' we hae done wi' thriving. 
Awa' Whigs, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 36 1 

Grim vengeance lang has taen a nap, 

But we may see him wauken: 
Gude help the day when royal heads 

Are hunted like a maukin! 
Awa' Whigs, &c. 

A WAUKRIFE MINNIE 

Whare are you gaun, my bonie lass, 

Whare are you gaun, my hinnie? 
She answered me right saucilie, 

"An errand for my minnie." 

O whare live ye, my bonie lass, 

O whare live ye, my hinnie? 
"By yon burnside, gin ye maun ken, 

In a wee house wi' my minnie." 

But I foor up the glen at e'en. 

To see my bonie lassie; 
And lang before the grey morn cam. 

She was na hauf sae saucie. 

O weary fa' the waukrife cock. 

And the foumart lay his crawin! 
He wauken'd the auld wife frae her sleep, 

A wee blink or the dawin. 

An angry wife I wat she raise. 

And o'er the bed she brocht her; 
And wi' a meikle hazel rung 

She made her a weel-pay'd dochter. 

O fare thee weel, my bonie lass, 

O fare thee well, my hinnie! 
Thou art a gay an' a bonnie lass. 

But thou has a waukrife minnie. 

THE CAPTIVE RIBBAND 

Tune — "Robaidh dona gorach." 

Dear Myra, the captive ribband's mine, 
'Twas all my faithful love could gain; 



362 ROBERT BURNS 

And would you ask me to resign 
The sole reward that crowns my pain? 

Go, bid the hero who has run 

Thro' fields of death to gather fame, 

Go, bid him lay his laurels down. 

And all his well-earn 'd praise disclaim. 

The ribband shall its freedom lose — 
Lose all the bliss it had. with you, 

And share the fate I would impose 
On thee, wert thou my captive too. 

It shall upon my bosom live. 
Or clasp me in a close embrace; 

And at its fortune if you grieve, 
Retrieve its doom, and take its place. 

MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS 

Tune — "Failte na Miosg." 

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North, 
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth; 
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove, 
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love. 

Chorus. — My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here, 
My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer; 
Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe. 
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go. 

Farewell to the mountains, high-cover'd with snow, 
Farewell to the straths and green vallies below; 
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods. 
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods. 
My heart's in the Highlands, &c. 

THE WHISTLE— A BALLAD 

I SING of a Whistle, a Whistle of worth, 

I sing of a Whistle, the pride of the North. 

Was brought to the court of our good Scottish King, 

And long with this Whistle all Scotland shall ring. 



POEMS AND SONGS 363 

Old Loda, still rueing the arm of Fingal, 
The god of the bottle sends down from his hall — 
"The Whistle's your challenge, to Scotland get o'er, 
And drink them to hell. Sir! or ne'er see me more!" 

Old poets have sung, and old chronicles tell, 
What champions ventur'd, what champions fell: 
The son of great Loda was conqueror still. 
And blew on the Whistle their requiem shrill. 

Till Robert, the lord of the Cairn and the Scaur, 
Unmatch'd at the bottle, unconquer'd in war. 
He drank his poor god-ship as deep as the sea; 
No tide of the Baltic e'er drunker than he. 

Thus Robert, victorious, the trophy has gain'd; 
Which now in his house has for ages remain'd; 
Till three noble chieftains, and all of his blood. 
The jovial contest again have renew 'd. 

Three joyous good fellows, with hearts clear of fJaw 
Craigdarroch, so famous for wit, worth, and law; 
And trusty Cilenriddel, so skill'd in old coins; 
And gallant Sir Robert, deep-read in old wines. 

Craigdarroch began, with a tongue smooth as oil. 
Desiring Glenriddel to yield up the spoil; 
Or else he would muster the heads of the clan, 
And once more, in claret, try which was the man. 

"By the gods of the ancients!" Glenriddel replies, 
"Before I surrender so glorious a prize, 
I'll conjure the ghost of the great Rorie More, 
And bumper his horn with him twenty times o'er." 

Sir Robert, a soldier, no speech would pretend. 
But he ne'er tum'd his back on his foe, or his friend; 
Said, "Toss down the Whistle, the prize of the field," 
And, knee-deep in claret, he'd die ere he'd yield. 



364 ROBERT BURNS 

To the board of Glenriddel our heroes repair, 

So noted for drowning of sorrow and care; 

But, for wine and for welcome, not more known to fame, 

Than the sense, wit, and taste, of a sweet lovely dame. 

A bard was selected to witness the fray. 
And tell future ages the feats of the day; 
A Bard who detested all sadness and spleen. 
And wish'd that Parnassus a vineyard had been. 

The dinner being over, the claret they ply. 

And ev'ry new cork is a new spring of joy; 

In the bands of old friendship and kindred so set. 

And the bands grew the tighter the more they were wet. 

Gay Pleasure ran riot as bumpers ran o'er: 
Bright Phcebus ne'er witness'd so joyous a core. 
And vow'd that to leave them he was quite forlorn. 
Till Cynthia hinted he'd see them next morn. 

Six botdes a-piece had well wore out the night. 
When gallant Sir Robert, to finish the fight, 
Turn'd o'er in one bumper a bottle of red. 
And swore 'twas the way that their ancestor did. 

Then worthy Glenriddel, so cautious and sage. 
No longer the warfare ungodly would wage; 
A high Ruling Elder to wallow in wine; 
He left the foul business to folks less divine. 

The gallant Sir Robert fought hard to the end; 
But who can with Fate and quart bumpers contend! 
Though Fate said, a hero should perish in light; 
So uprose bright Phoebus — and down fell the knight. 

Next uprose our Bard, like a prophet in drink: — 
"Craigdarroch, thou'lt soar when creation shall sink! 
But if thou would flourish immortal in rhyme, 
Come — one bottle more — and have at the sublime! 



POEMS AND SONGS 365 

"Thy line, that have struggled for freedom with Bruce, 

Shall heroes and patriots ever produce: 

So thine be the laurel, and mine be the bay; 

The field thou hast won, by yon bright god of day!" 

TO MARY IN HEAVEN 

Thou ling'ring star, with lessening ray. 

That lov'st to greet the early morn, 
Again thou usher'st in the day 

My Mary from my soul was torn. 
O Mary! dear departed shade! 

Where is thy place of blissful rest? 
See'st thou thy lover lowly laid? 

Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? 

That sacred hour can I forget, 

Can I forget the hallow 'd grove, 
Where, by the winding Ayr, we met, 

To live one day of parting love! 
Eternity will not efface 

Those records dear of transports past, 
Thy image at our last embrace. 

Ah! litde thought we 'twas our last! 

Ayr, gurgling, kiss'd his pebbled shore, 

O'erhung with wild-woods, thickening green; 
The fragrant birch and hawthorn hoar, 

'Twin'd amorous round the raptur'd scene: 
The flowers sprang wanton to be prest. 

The birds sang love on every spray; 
Till too, too soon, the glowing west, 

Proclaim'd the speed of winged day. 

Still o'er these scenes my mem'ry wakes. 

And fondly broods with miser-care; 
Time but th' impression stronger makes. 

As streams their channels deeper wear. 
My Mary! dear departed shade! 

Where is thy blissful place of rest? 
See'st thou thy lover lowly laid? 

Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? 



366 ROBERT BURNS 

EPISTLE TO DR. BLACKLOCK 

Ellisland, 2ist Oct., 1789. 
Wow, but your letter made me vauntiel 
And are ye hale, and weel and cantie? 
I ken'd it still, your wee bit jauntie 

Wad bring ye to: 
Lord send you aye as weel's I want ye I 

And then ye'U do. 

The ill-thief blaw the Heron south! 
And never drink be near his drouth! 
He tauld myself by word o' mouth, 

He'd lak my letter; 
I lippen'd to the chiel in trouth, 

And bade nae better. 

But aiblins, honest Master Heron 
Had, at the time, some dainty fair one 
To ware his theologic care on. 

And holy study; 
And tired o' sauls to waste his lear on, 

E'en tried the body. 

But what d'ye think, my trusty fere, 
I'm turned a gauger — Peace be here! 
Parnassian queans, I fear, I fear, 

Ye'U now disdain me! 
And then my fifty pounds a year 

Will litde gain me. 

Ye glaikit, gleesome, dainty damies, 
Wha, by Castalia's wimplin streamies, 
Lowp, sing, and lave your pretty limbics, 

Ye ken, ye ken. 
That Strang necessity supreme is 

'Mang sons o' men. 

I hae a wife and twa wee laddies; 

They maun hae brose and brats o' duddies; 



POEMS AND SONGS 367 

Ye ken yoursels my heart right proud is — 

I need na vaunt — 
But I'll sned besoms, thraw saugh woodies. 

Before they want. 

Lord help me thro' this warld o' care! 
I'm weary sick o't late and air! 
Not but I hae a richer share 

Than mony ithers; 
But why should ae man better fare, 

And a' men brithers? 

Come, Firm Resolve, take thou the van. 
Thou stalk o' carl-hemp in man! 
And let us mind, faint heart ne'er wan 

A lady fair: 
Wha does the utmost that he can. 

Will whiles do mair. 

But to conclude my silly rhyme 
(I'm scant o' verse and scant o' time). 
To make a happy fireside clime 

To weans and wife, 
That's the true pathos and sublime 

Of human life. 

My compliments to sister Beckie, 
And eke the same to honest Lucky; 
I wat she is a daintie chuckle. 

As e'er tread clay; 
And gratefully, my gude auld cockie, 

I'm yours for aye. 

RoBEKT Burns. 

THE FIVE CARLINS 
An Election Ballad. 
Tune — "Chevy Chase." 

There was five Carlins in the South, 

They fell up>on a scheme. 
To send a lad to London town. 

To bring them tidings hame. 



368 ROBERT BURNS 

Nor only bring them tidings hame, 
But do their errands there, 

And aiblins gowd and honor baith 
Might be that laddie's share. 

There was Maggy by the banks o' Nith, 
A dame wi' pride eneugh; 

And Marjory o' the mony Lochs, 
A Carlin auld and teugh. 

And blinkin Bess of Annandale, 
That dwelt near Solway-side; 

And whisky Jean, that took her gill, 
In Galloway sae wide. 

And auld black Joan frae Crichton Peel,' 

O' gipsy kith an' kin; 
Five wighter Carlins were na found 

The South countrie within. 

To send a lad to London town, 

They met upon a day; 
And mony a knight, and mony a laird. 

This errand fain wad gae. 

O mony a knight, and mony a laird. 
This errand fain wad gae; 

But nae ane could their fancy please, 
O ne'er a ane but twae. 

The first ane was a belted Knight, 
Bred of a Border band;* 

And he wad gae to London town. 
Might nae man him withstand. 

And he wad do their errands weel. 
And meikle he wad say; 

And ilka ane about the court 
Wad bid to him gude-day. 
' Sanquhar. ' Sir ]am« Johnston of Westerhall. 



POEMS AND SONGS 369 

The ncist cam in a Soger youth,' 

Who spak wi' modest grace, 
And he wad gae to London town. 

If sae their pleasure was. 

He wad na hecht them courtly gifts, 

Nor meikle speech pretend; 
But he wad hecht an honest heart, 

Wad ne'er desert his friend. 

Now, wham to chuse, and wham refuse. 

At strife thir Carlins fell; 
For some had Gentlefolks to please. 

And some wad please themsel'. 

Then out spak mim-mou'd Meg o' Nith, 

And she spak up wi' pride, 
And she wad send the Soger youth, 

Whatever might betide. 

For the auld Gudeman o' London court* 

She didna care a pin; 
But she wad send the Soger youth, 

To greet his eldest son.' 

Then up sprang Bess o' Annandale, 

And a deadly aith she's ta'en, 
That she wad vote the Border Knight, 

Though she should vote her lane. 

"For far-off fowls hae feathers fair, 

And fools o' change are fain; 
But I hae tried the Border Knight, 

And I'll try him yet again." 

Says black Joan frae Crichton Peel, 

A Carlin stoor and grim, 
"TTie auld Gudeman or young Gudeman, 

For me may sink or swim; 
» Captain Patrick Millar of Dalswinton. * The King. ' The Prince of Walet. 



370 ROBERT BURNS 

For fools will prate o' right or vvrang, 
While knaves laugh them to scorn; 

But the Soger's friends hae blawn the best, 
So he shall bear the horn." 

Then whisky Jean spak owre her drink, 

"Ye weel ken, kimmers a'. 
The auld gudeman o' London court. 

His back's been at the wa'; 

"And mony a friend that kiss'd his caup 

Is now a fremit wight; 
But it's ne'er be said o' whisky Jean — 

We'll send the Border Knight." 

Then slow raise Marjory o' the Lochs, 

And wrinkled was her brow, 
Her ancient weed was russet gray, 

Her auld Scots bluid was true; 

"There's some great folk set light by me, 

I set as light by them; 
But I will send to London town 

Wham I like best at hame." 

Sae how this mighty plea may end, 

Nae mortal wight can tell; 
God grant the King and ilka man 

May look weel to himsel. 

ELECTION BALLAD FOR WESTERHA' 

Tune — "Up aod waur them a', Willie." 

The Laddies by the banks o' Nith 

Wad trust his Grace' wi a', Jamie; 
But he'll sair them, as he sair'd the King — 

Turn tail and rin awa', Jamie. 

* The fourth Duke of Qucensberr>'. who supported the proposal that, during 
George Ill's illness, the Prince of Wales should assume the Government with full 
prerogative. 



POEMS AND SONGS 37I 

Chorus. — Up and waur them a', Jamie, 
Up and waur them a'; 
The Johnstones hae the guidin o't, 
Ye turncoat Whigs, awa'! 

The day he stude his country's friend, 

Or gied her faes a claw, Jamie, 
Or frae pair man a blessin wan, 

That day the Duke ne'er saw, Jamie. 
Up and waur them, &c. 

But wha is he, his country's boast? 

Like him there is na twa, Jamie; 
There's no a callent tents the kye, 

But kens o' Westerha', Jamie. 
Up and waur them, Sec. 

To end the wark, here's Whisdebirk, 

Lang may his whistle blaw, Jamie; 
And Maxwell true, o' sterling blue; 

And we'll be Johnstones a', Jamie. 
Up and waur them, &c. 

PROLOGUE SPOKEN AT THE THEATRE OF 
DUMFRIES 

On New Year's Day Evening, 1790. 

No song nor dance I bring from yon great city. 
That queens it o'er our taste — the more's the pity: 
Tho' by the bye, abroad why will you roam? 
Good sense and taste are natives here at home: 
But not for panegyric I appear, 
I come to wish you all a good New Year! 
Old Father Time deputes me here before ye, 
Not for to preach, but tell his simple story: 
The sage, grave Ancient cough'd, and bade me say, 
"You're one year older this important day," 
If wiser too — he hinted some suggestion, 
But 'twould be rude, you know, to ask the question; 
And with a would-be roguish leer and wink, 
Said — "Sutherland, in one word, bid them think!" 



372 ROBERT BURNS 

Ye sprightly youths, quite flush with hope and spirit. 
Who think to storm the world by dint of merit, 
To you the dotard has a deal to say, 
In his sly, dry, sententious, proverb way! 
He bids you mind, amid your thoughtless rattle. 
That the first blow is ever half the batdc; 
That tho' some by the skirt may try to snatch him. 
Yet by the forelock is the hold to catch him; 
That whether doing, suffering, or forbearing. 
You may do miracles by persevering. 

Last, tho' not least in love, ye youthful fair. 
Angelic forms, high Heaven's peculiar care! 
To you old Bald-pate smoothes his wrinkled brow, 
And humbly begs you'll mind the important — Nowl 
To crown your happiness he asks your leave, 
And offers, bliss to give and to receive. 

For our sincere, tho* haply weak endeavours. 
With grateful pride we own your many favours; 
And howsoe'er our tongues may ill reveal it. 
Believe our glowing bosoms truly feel it. 

SKETCH— NEW YEAR'S DAY [1790] 
To Mrs. Dunlop. 

This day, Time winds th' exhausted chain; 
To run the twelvemonth's length again: 
I see, the old bald-pated fellow, 
With ardent eyes, complexion sallow, 
Adjust the unimpair'd machine. 
To wheel the equal, dull routine. 

The absent lover, minor heir. 
In vain assail him with their prayer; 
Deaf as my friend, he sees them press. 
Nor makes the hour one moment less. 
Will you (the Major's with the hounds. 
The happy tenants share his rounds; 
Coila's fair Rachel's care to-day, 



POEMS AND SONGS 373 

And blooming Keith's engaged with Gray) 
From housewife cares a minute borrow, 
(That grandchild's cap will do to-morrow,) 
And join with me a-moralizing; 
This day's propitious to be wise in. 

First, what did yesternight deliver? 
"Another year has gone for ever." 
And what is this day's strong suggestion? 
"The passing moment's all we rest on!" 
Rest on — for what? what do we here? 
Or why regard the passing year? 
Will Time, amus'd with proverb'd lore, 
Add to our date one minute more? 
A few days may — a few years must — 
Repose us in the silent dust. 
Then, is it wise to damp our bliss? 
Yes — ^all such reasonings are amiss! 
The voice of Nature loudly cries, 
And many a message from the skies. 
That something in us never dies: 
That on this frail, uncertain state. 
Hang matters of eternal weight: 
That future life in worlds unknown 
Must take its hue from this alone; 
Whether as heavenly glory bright, 
Or dark as Misery's woeful night. 

Since then, my honour'd first of friends, 
On this poor being all depends. 
Let us th' important now employ, 
And live as those who never die. 
Tho' you, with days and honours crown'd. 
Witness that filial circle round, 
(A sight life's sorrows to repulse, 
A sight pale Envy to convulse). 
Others now claim your chief regard; 
Yourself, you wait your bright reward. 



374 ROBERT BURNS 

SCOTS' PROLOGUE FOR MR. SUTHERLAND 

On his Benefit-Night, at the Theatre, Dumfries. 

What needs this din about the town o' Lon'on, 
How this new play an' that new sang is comin? 
Why is outlandish stuff sae meikle courted? 
Does nonsense mend, like brandy, when imported? 
Is there nae p)oet, burning keen for fame. 
Will try to gie us sangs and plays at hameP 
For Comedy abroad he need na toil, 
A fool and knave are plants of every soil; 
Nor need he hunt as far as Rome or Greece, 
To gather matter for a serious piece; 
There's themes enow in Caledonian story. 
Would shew the Tragic Muse in a' her glory. — 

Is there no daring Bard will rise and tell 
How glorious Wallace stood, how hapless fell ? 
Where are the Muses fled that could produce 
A drama worthy o' the name o' Bruce? 
How here, even here, he first unsheath'd the sword 
'Gainst mighty England and her guilty Lord; 
And after mony a bloody, deathless doing, 
Wrench'd his dear country from the jaws of RuinI 
O for a Shakespeare, or an Otway scene, 
To draw the lovely, hapless Scottish Queen! 
Vain all th' omnipotence of female charms 
'Gainst headlong, ruthless, mad Rebellion's arms: 
She fell, but fell with spirit truly Roman, 
To glut that direst foe — a vengeful woman; 
A woman, (tho' the phrase may seem uncivil,) 
As able and as wicked as the Devil ! 
One Douglas lives in Home's immortal page. 
But Douglasses were heroes every age: 
And tho' your fathers, prodigal of life, 
A Douglas followed to the martial strife. 
Perhaps, if bowls row right, and Right succeeds, 
Ye yet may follow where a Douglas leads I 

As ye hae generous done, if a' the land 
Would take the Muses' servants by the hand; 



POEMS AND SONGS 375 

Not only hear, but patronize, befriend them. 
And where he jusdy can commend, commend them; 
And aibUns when they winna stand the test. 
Wink hard, and say The folks hae done their best! 
Would a' the land do this, then I'll be caition, 
Yc'U soon hae Poets o' the Scottish nation 
Will gar Fame blaw until her trumpet crack, 
And warsle Time, an' lay him on his back! 

For us and for our Stage, should ony spier, 
"Whase aught thae chiels maks a' this bustle here?" 
My best leg foremost, I'll set up my brow — 
We have the honour to belong to you I 
We're your ain bairns, e'en guide us as ye like. 
But like good mithers shore before ye strike; 
And gratefu' still, I trust ye'U ever find us, 
For gen'rous patronage, and meikle kindness 
We've got frae a' professions, sets and ranks: 
God help us! we're but poor — ye'se get but thanks. 

LINES TO A GENTLEMAN, 

Who had sent the Poet a Newspaper, and offered to continue 
it free of Expense. 

Kino Sir, I've read your paper through. 

And faith, to me, 'twas really new! 

How guessed ye. Sir, what maist I wanted ? 

This mony a day I've grain'd and gaunted. 

To ken what French mischief was brewin; 

Or what the drumlie Dutch were doin; 

That vile doujvskelper, Emjjeror Joseph, 

If Venus yet had got his nose off; 

Or how the coilieshangie works 

Atween the Russians and the Turks, 

Or if the Swede, before he halt. 

Would play anither Charles the twalt; 

If Denmark, any body spak o't; 

Or Poland, wha had now the tack o't: 

How cut-throat Prussian blades were hingin; 

How libbet Italy was singin; 



376 



ROBERT BURNS 



If Spaniard, Portuguese, or Swiss, 
Were sayin' or takin' aught amiss; 
Or how our merry lads at hame, 
In Britain's court kept up the game; 
How royal George, the Lx>rd leuk o'er him! 
Was managing St. Stephen's quorum; 
If sleekit Chatham Will was livin. 
Or glaikit Charlie got his nieve in; 
How daddie Burke the plea was cookin, 
If Warren Hastings' neck was yeukin; 
How cesses, stents, and fees were rax'd. 
Or if bare arses yet were tax'd; 
The news o' princes, dukes, and earls. 
Pimps, sharpers, bawds, and opera-girls; 
If that daft buckie, Geordie Wales, 
Was threshing still at hizzies' tails; 
Or if he was grown oughdins douser, 
And no a f>erfect kintra cooser: 
A' this and mair I never heard of; 
And, but for you, I might despair'd of. 
So, gratefu', back your news I send you. 
And pray a' gude things may attend you. 
Elluland, Monday Morning, 1790. 

ELEGY ON WILLIE NICOL'S MARE 

Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare. 

As ever trod on airn; 
But now she's floating down the Nith, 

And past the mouth o' Cairn. 

Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare, 
An' rode thro' thick and thin; 

But now she's floating down the Nith, 
And wanting even the skin. 

Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare. 
And ance she bore a priest; 

But now she's floating down the Nith, 
For Solway fish a feast. 



POEMS AND SONGS 377 

Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare, 

An' the priest he rode her sair; 
And much oppress'd and bruis'd she was, 

As priest-rid catde are, — &c. &c. 

THE GOWDEN LOCKS OF ANNA 

Yestreen I had a pint o' wine, 

A place where body saw na; 
Yestreen lay on this breast o' mine 

The gowden locks of Anna. 

The hungry Jew in wilderness, 

Rejoicing o'er his manna. 
Was naething to my hinny bliss 

Upon the lips of Anna. 

Ye monarchs, take the East and West 

Frae Indus to Savannah; 
Gie me, within my straining grasp. 

The melting form of Anna: 

There I'll despise Imperial charms. 

An Empress or Sultana, 
While dying raptures in her arms 

I give and take wi' Anna! 

Awa, thou flaunting God of Day! 

Awa, thou pale Diana! 
Ilk Star, gae hide thy twinkling ray, 

When I'm to meet my Anna! 

Ck)me, in thy raven plumage, Night, 
(Sun, Moon, and Stars, withdrawn a';) 

And bring an angel-pen to write 
My transports with my Anna! 

POSTSCRIPT 

The Kirk an' State may join an' tell. 

To do sic things I maunna: 
The Kirk an' State may gae to hell. 

And I'll gae to my Anna. 



378 ROBERT BURNS 

She is the sunshine o' my c'e. 
To live but her I canna; 

Had I on earth but wishes three, 
The first should be my Anna. 



SONG— I MURDER HATE 

I MURDER hate by flood or field, 

Tho' glory's name may screen us; 
In wars at home I'll spend my blood — 

Life-giving wars of Venus. 
The deities that I adore 

Are social Peace and Plenty; 
I'm better pleas'd to make one more. 

Than be the death of twenty. 

I would not die like Socrates, 

For all the fuss of Plato; 
Nor would I with Leonidas, 

Nor yet would I with Calo: 
The zealots of the Church and State 

Shall ne'er my mortal foes be; 
But let me have bold Zimri's fate. 

Within the arms of Cozbi! 

GUDEWIFE, COUNT THE LAWIN 

Gane is the day, and mirk's the night. 
But we'll ne'er stray for faut o' light; 
Gude ale and brandy's stars and moon, 
And blue-red wine's the risin' sun. 

Chorus. — Then gudewife, count the lawin, 
The lawin, the lawin. 
Then gudewife, count the lawin. 
And bring a coggie mair. 

There's wealth and ease for gentlemen, 
And simple folk maun fecht and fen'; 
But here we're a' in ae accord, 
For ilka man that's drunk's a lord. 
Then gudewife, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 379 

My coggie is a haly pool 
That heals the wounds o' care and dool; 
And Pleasure is a wanton trout, 
An ye drink it a', ye'll find him out. 
Then gudewife, &c. 

ELECTION BALLAD 

At the close of the contest for representing the Dumfries Burghs, 1790. 

Addressed to R. Graham, Esq. of Fintry. 

FiNTRV, my stay in worldly strife, 
Friend o' my muse, friend o' my life, 

Are ye as idle's I am? 
Come then, A\i' uncouth kintra fleg. 
O'er Pegasus I'll fling my leg, 

And ye shall see me try him. 

But where shall I go rin a ride. 
That I may splatter nane beside? 

I wad na be uncivil: 
In manhood's various paths and ways 
There's aye some doytin' body strays. 

And / ride like the devil. 

Thus I break aff wi' a' my birr. 
And down yon dark, deep alley spur, 

Where Theologies daunder: 
Alas! curst wi' eternal fogs. 
And damn'd in everlasting bogs, 

As sure's the creed I'll blunder! 

I'll stain a band, or jaup a gown. 
Or rin my reckless, guilty crown 

Against the haly door: 
Sair do I rue my luckless fate. 
When, as the Muse an' Deil wad hae't, 

I rade that road before. 

Suppose I take a spurt, and mix 
Amang the wilds o' Politics — 

Elector'; and elected. 



380 ROBERT BURNS 

Where dogs at Court (sad sons of bitches!) 
Septennially a madness touches, 

Till all the land's infected. 

All hail! Drumlanrig's haughty Grace, 
Discarded remnant of a race 

Once godlike — ^great in story; 
Thy forbears' virtues all contrasted, 
The very name of Douglas blasted. 

Thine that inverted glory! 

Hate, envy, oft the Douglas bore, 
But thou hast su[)eradded more. 

And sunk them in contempt; 
Follies and crimes have st^in'd the name, 
But, Queensljerry, thine the virgin claim, 

From aught that's good exempt! 

I'll sing the zeal Drumlanrig bears, 
Who left the all-important cares 

Of princes, and their darlings: 
And, bent on winning borough touns, 
Came shaking hands wi' wabstcr-loons. 

And kissing barefit carlins. 

Combustion thro' our boroughs rode. 
Whistling his roaring pack abroad 

Of mad unmuzzled lions; 
As Queensberry blue and bull unfurl'd. 
And Westerha' and Hopetoun hurled 

To every Whig defiance. 

But cautious Queensberry left the war, 
Th' unmanner'd dust might soil his star, 

Besides, he hated bleeding: 
But left behind him heroes bright, 
Heroes in Cassarean fight. 

Or Ciceronian pleading. 

O for a throat like huge Mons-Meg, 
To muster o'er each ardent Whig 

Beneath Drumlanrig's banners; 



POEMS AND SONGS 38 1 

Heroes and heroines commix. 
All in the field of p>olitics, 

To win immortal honours. 

M'Murdo and his lovely spouse, 

(Th' enamour'd laurels kiss her brows!) 

Led on the Loves and Graces: 
She won each gaping burgess' heart, 
While he, sub rosa, played his part 

Amang their wives and lasses. 

Craigdarroch led a light-arm *d core, 
Tropes, metaphors, and figures pour, 

Like Hecla streaming thunder: 
Glenriddel, skill'd in rusty coins, 
Blew up each Tory's dark designs. 

And bared the treason under. 

In either wing two champions fought; 
Redoubted Staig, who set at nought 

The wildest savage Tory; 
And Welsh who ne'er yet flinch'd his ground, 
High-wav'd his magnum-bonum round 

With Cyclojjeian fury. 

Miller brought up th' artillery ranks. 
The many-fKJunders of the Banks, 

Resistless desolation! 
While Maxwelton, that baron bold, 
'Mid Lawson's port entrench'd his hold, 

And threaten'd worse damnation. 

To these what Tory hosts oppos'd. 
With these what Tory warriors clos'd. 

Surpasses my descriving; 
Squadrons, extended long and large. 
With furious sjx>ed rush to the charge. 

Like furious devils driving. 

What verse can sing, what prose narrate. 
The butcher deeds of bloody Fate, 

Amid this mighty tulyie! 



382 



ROBERT BURNS 

Grim Horror girn'd, pale Terror roar'd, 
As Murder at his thrapple shor'd, 

And Hell mix'd in the brulyie. 

As Highland craigs by thunder cleft, 
When lightnings fire the stormy lift, 

Hurl down with crashing rattle; 
As flames among a hundred woods, 
As headlong foam from a hundred floods, 

Such is the rage of Battle. 

The stubborn Tories dare to die; 
As soon the rooted oaks would fly 

Before th' approaching fellers: 
The Whigs come on like Ocean's roar. 
When all his wintry billows pour 

Against the Buchan Bullers. 

Lo, from the shades of Death's deep night. 
Departed Whigs enjoy the fight. 

And think on former daring: 
The muffled murtherer of Charles 
The Magna Charter flag unfurls, 

All deadly gules its bearing. 

Nor wanting ghosts of Tory fame; 

Bold Scrimgeour follows gallant Graham; 

Auld Covenanters shiver — 
Forgive! forgive! much-wrong'd Montrose! 
Now Death and Hell engulph thy foes, 

Thou liv'st on high for ever. 

Still o'er the field the combat burns. 
The Tories, Whigs, give way by turns; 

But Fate the word has spoken: 
For woman's wit and strength o' man, 
Alas! can do but what they can; 

The Tory ranks are broken. 

O that my een were flowing burns! 
My voice, a lioness that mourns 

Her darling cubs' undoing! 



POEMS AND SONGS 383 

That I might greet, that I might cry. 
While Tories fall, while Tories fly, 

And furious Whigs pursuing! 

What Whig but melts for good Sir James, 
Dear to his country, by the names. 

Friend, Patron, Benefactor! 
Not Pulteney's wealth can Pulteney save; 
And Hopetoun falls, the generous, brave; 

And Stewart, bold as Hector. 

Thou, Pitt, shalt rue this overthrow, 
And Thurlow growl a curse of woe. 

And Melville melt in wailing: 
Now Fox and Sheridan rejoice. 
And Burke shall sing, "O Prince, arise! 

Thy power is all-prevailing!" 

For your poor friend, the Bard, afar 
He only hears and sees the war, 

A cool spectator purely! 
So, when the storm the forest rends. 
The robin in the hedge descends. 

And sober chirps securely. 

Now, for my friends' and brethren's sakes. 
And for my dear-Iov'd Land o' Cakes, 

I pray with holy (ire: 
Lord, send a rough-shod troop o' Hell 
O'er a' wad Scotland buy or sell. 

To grind them in the mire! 

ELEGY ON CAPTAIN MATTHEW HENDERSON 

A Gendeman who held the Patent for his Honours immediately 
from Almighty God. 

Should the poor be flattered? — Shal(.espeare. 

O Death! thou tyrant fell and bloody! 
The meikle devil wi' a woodie 
Haurl thee hame to his black smiddie, 
O'er hurcheon hides, 



384 ROBERT BURNS 

And like stock-fish come o'er his studdie 
Wi' thy auld sides! 

He's gane, he's gane! he's frae us torn, 

The ae best fellow e'er was born! 

Thee, Matthew, Nature's sel' shall mourn, 

By wood and wild, 
Where haply. Pity strays forlorn, 

Frae man exil'd. 

Ye hills, near neighbours o' the starns, 
That proudly cock your cresting cairns! 
Ye cliffs, the haunts of sailing earns. 

Where Echo slumbers! 
Come join, ye Nature's sturdiest bairns. 

My wailing numbers! 

Mourn, ilka grove the cushat kens! 

Ye haz'ly shaws and briery dens! 

Ye burnies, wimplin' down your glens, 

Wi' toddlin din. 
Or foaming, Strang, wi' hasty stens, 

Frae lin to lin. 

Mourn, little harebells o'er the lea; 
Ye stately foxgloves, fair to see; 
Ye woodbines hanging bonilie. 

In scented bow'rs; 
Ye roses on your thorny tree. 

The first o' flow'rs. 

At dawn, when ev'ry grassy blade 

Droops with a diamond at his head, 

At ev'n, when beans their fragrance shed, 

r th' rustling gale, 
Ye maukins, whiddin thro* the glade. 

Come join my wail. 

Mourn, ye wee songsters o' the wood; 
Ye grouse that crap the heather bud; 



POEMS AND SONGS 385 

Ye curlews, calling thro' a clud; 

Ye whistling plover; 
And mourn, we whirring paitrick brood; 

He's gane for ever! 

Mourn, sooty coots, and speckled teals; 
Ye fisher herons, watching eels; 
Ye duck and drake, wi' airy wheels 

Circling the lake; 
Ye bitterns, till the quagmire reels, 

Rair for his sake. 



Mourn, dam'ring craiks at close o' day, 
'Mang fields o' flow'ring clover gay; 
And when ye wing your annual way 

Frae our cauld shore, 
Tell thae far warlds wha lies in clay. 

Wham we deplore. 

Ye houlets, frae your ivy bow'r 
In some auld tree, or eldritch tow'r, 
What time the moon, wi' silent glow'r, 

Sets up her horn, 
Wail thro* the dreary midnight hour. 

Till waukrife morn! 

O rivers, forests, hills, and plains! 
Oft have ye heard my canty strains: 
But now, what else for me remains 

But tales of woe; 
And frae my een the drapping rains 

Maun ever flow. 

Mourn, Spring, thou darling of the year! 
Ilk cowslip cup shall kep a tear: 
Thou, Simmer, while each corny spear 

Shoots up its head. 
Thy gay, green, flow'ry tresses shear. 

For him that's dead! 



386 ROBERT BURNS 

Thou, Autumn, wi' thy yellow hair. 
In grief thy sallow mantle tear! 
Thou, Winter, hurling thro' the air 

The roaring blast. 
Wide o'er the naked world declare 

The worth we've lost! 

Mourn him, thou Sun, great source of light! 
Mourn, Empress of the silent night! 
And you, ye twinkling starnies bright. 

My Matthew mourn! 
For through your orbs he's ta'en his flight, 

Ne'er to return. 

Henderson! the man! the brother! 
And art thou gone, and gone for ever! 
And hast thou crost that unknown river, 

Life's dreary bound! 
Like thee, where shall I Hnd another. 
The world around! 

Go to your sculptur'd tombs, ye Great, 
In a' the tinsel trash o' state! 
But by thy honest turf I'll wait, 

Thou man of worth! 
And weep the ae best fellow's fate 

E'er lay in earth. 

THE EPITAPH 

Stop, passenger! my story's brief, 
And truth I shall relate, man; 

1 tell nae common tale o' grief. 

For Matthew was a great man. 

If thou uncommon merit hast, 

Yet spurn'd at Fortune's door, man; 

A look of pity hither cast. 
For Matthew was a poor man. 

If thou a noble sodger art. 

That passest by this grave, man; 



POEMS APTO SONGS 387 

There moulders here a gallant heart. 
For Matthew was a brave man. 

If thou on men, their works and ways, 

Canst throw uncommon light, man; 
Here lies wha weel had won thy praise, 

For Matthew was a bright man. 

If thou, at Friendship's sacred ca*. 

Wad life itself resign, man: 
Thy sympathetic tear maun fa', 

For Matthew was a kind man. 

If thou art staunch, without a stain, 

Like the unchanging blue, man; 
This was a kinsman o' thy ain. 

For Matthew was a true man. 

If thou hast wit, and fun, and fire, 

And ne'er guid wine did fear, man; 
This was thy billie, dam, and sire, 

For Matthew was a queer man. 

If ony whiggish, whingin' sot, 

To blame poor Matthew dare, man; 
May dool and sorrow be his lot, 

For Matthew was a rare man. 

But now, his radiant course is run, 

For Matthew's was a bright one! 
His soul was like the glorious sun, 

A matchless. Heavenly light, man. 

VERSES ON CAPTAIN GROSE 
Written on an Envelope, enclosing a Letter to Him. 

Ken ye aught o' Captain Grose? — I go, and ago, 

If he's amang his friends or foes.? — Iratn, coram, dago. 

Is he to Abra'm's bosom gane? — I go, and ago. 

Or haudin Sarah by the wame.' — ham, coram, dago. 



388 ROBERT BURNS 

Is he south or is he north? — I go, and ago. 

Or drowned in the river Forth? — Iram, coram, dago. 

Is he slain by Hielan' bodies? — I go, and ago, 

And eaten like a wether haggis? — Iram, coram, dago. 

Where'er he be, the Lord be near him ! — Igo, and ago. 

As for the deil, he daur na steer him. — Iram, coram, dago. 

But please transmit th' enclosed letter, — Igo, and ago. 
Which will oblige your humble debtor. — Iram, coram, dago. 

So may ye hae auld stanes in store, — Igo, and ago, 
TTie very stanes that Adam bore. — Iram, coram, dago. 

So may ye get in glad possession, — Igo, and ago. 
The coins o' Satan's coronation! — Iram coram dago. 

TAM O' SHANTER 

A Tale. 

"Of Brownyis and of BogillU full is this Buke." 

Gawin Doudju. 

When chapman billies leave the street, 
And drouthy neibors, neibors meet; 
As market days are wearing late, 
And folk begin to tak the gate. 
While we sit bousing at the nappy, 
An' getting fou and unco happy. 
We think na on the lang Scots miles, 
The mosses, waters, slaps and stiles. 
That lie between us and our hame. 
Where sits our sulky, sullen dame, 
Gathering her brows like gathering storm, 
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm. 

This truth fand honest Tam o' Shantek, 
As he frae Ayr ae night did canter: 
(Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses. 
For honest men and bonie lasses). 



POEMS AND SONGS 389 

O Tam! had'st thou but been sae wise, 
As taen thy ain wife Kate's advice! 
She tauld thee wecl thou was a skellum, 
A blethering, blustering, drunken blellutn; 
That frae November till October, 
Ae market-day thou was na sober; 
That ilka melder wi' the Miller, 
Thou sat as lang as thou had siller; 
That ev'ry naig was ca'd a shoe on 
The Smith and thee gat roarin' fou on; 
That at the Lord's house, ev'n on Sunday, 
Thou drank wi' Kirkton Jean till Monday, 
She prophesied that late or soon, 
Thou wad be found, deep drown'd in Doon, 
Or catch'd wi' warlocks in the mirk, 
By AUoway's auld, haunted kirk. 

Ah, gende dames! it gars me greet. 
To think how mony counsels sweet. 
How mony lengthen'd, sage advices. 
The husband frae the wife despises! 

But to our tale: Ae market night, 
Tam had got planted unco right. 
Fast by an ingle, bleezing finely, 
Wi reaming swats, that drank divinely; 
And at his elbow, Souter Johnie, 
His ancient, trusty, drouthy crony: 
Tam lo'ed him like a very brither; 
They had been fou for weeks thegither. 
The night drave on wi' sangs an' clatter; 
And aye the ale was growing better: 
The Landlady and Tam grew gracious, 
Wi' favours secret, sweet, and precious: 
The Souter tauld his queerest stories; 
The Landlord's laugh was ready chorus: 
The storm without might rair and rustle, 
Tam did na mind the storm a whistle. 

Care, mad to see a man sae happy. 
E'en drown'd himsel amang the nappy. 



390 ROBERT BURNS 

As bees flee hame wi' lades o* treasure, 
The minutes wing'd their way wi' pleasure: 
Kings may be blest, but Tarn was glorious. 
O'er a' the ills o' life victorious! 

But pleasures are like poppies spread, 
You seize the flow'r, its bloom is shed; 
Or like the snow falls in the river, 
A moment white — then melts for ever; 
Or like the Borealis race. 
That flit ere you can point their place; 
Or like the Rainbow's lovely form 
Evanishing amid the storm. — 
Nae man can tether Time nor Tide, 
The hour approaches Tarn maun ride; 
That hour, o' night's black arch the kcy-stane. 
That dreary hour he mounts his beast in; 
And sic a night he taks the road in. 
As ne'er fjoor sinner was abroad in. 

The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last; 
The raiding showers rose on the blast; 
The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd; 
Loud, deep, and lang, the thunder bellow 'd: 
That night, a child might understand, 
The deil had business on his hand. 

Weel-mountcd on his grey mare, Meg, 
A better never lifted leg. 
Tarn skelpit on thro' dub and mire. 
Despising wind, and rain, and fire; 
Whiles holding fast his gude blue bonnet, 
Whiles crooning o'er some auld Scots sonnet. 
Whiles glow'rin round wi' prudent cares, 
Lest bogles catch him unawares; 
Kirk-Alloway was drawing nigh. 
Where ghaists and houlets nighdy cry. 

By this time he was cross the ford, 
Where in the snaw the chapman smoor'd; 



POEMS AND SONGS 39 1 

And past the birks and meikle stane, 
Where drunken Charlie brak 's neck-bane; 
And thro' the whins, and by the cairn, 
Where hunters fand the murder'd bairn; 
And near the thorn, aboon the well. 
Where Mungo's mither hang'd hersel'. 
Before him Doon pours all his floods, 
The doubling storm roars thro' the woods. 
The lightnings flash from pole to pole. 
Near and more near the thunders roll, 
When, glimmering thro' the groaning trees, 
Kirk-Alloway seem'd in a bleeze, 
Thro' ilka bore the beams were glancing. 
And loud resounded mirth and dancing. 

Inspiring bold John Barleycorn! 
What dangers thou canst make us scorn! 
Wi' tippcnny, we fear nae evil; 
Wi' usquabae, we'll face the devil ! 
The swats sae ream'd in Tammie's noddle, 
Fair play, he car'd na deils a boddlc. 
But Maggie stood, right sair astonish 'd. 
Till, by the heel and hand admonish'd. 
She vcntur'd forward on the light; 
And, wow! Tarn saw an unco sight! 

Warlocks and witches in a dance: 
Nae cotillon, brent new frae France, 
But hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys, and reels. 
Put life and metde in their heels. 
A winnock-bunker in the east. 
There sat auld Nick, in shape o' beast; 
A towzie tyke, black, grim, and large. 
To gie them music was his charge: 
He screw'd the pipes and gart them skirl. 
Till roof and rafters a' did dirl. — 
Coffins stood round, like open presses. 
That shaw'd the Dead in their last dresses; 
And (by some devilish cantraip sleight) 
Each in its cauld hand held a light. 



392 ROBERT BURNS 

By which heroic Tarn was able 
To note upon the haly table, 
A murderer's banes, in gibbet-airns; 
Twa span-lang, wee, unchristcned bairns; 
A thief, new-cutted frae a rape, 
Wi' his last gasp his gab did gape; 
Five tomahawks, wi' blude red-rusted: 
Five scimitars, wi' murder crusted; 
A garter which a babe had strangled: 
A knife, a father's throat had mangled. 
Whom his ain son of life bereft. 
The grey-hairs yet stack to the heft; 
Wi' mair of horrible and awfu'. 
Which even to name wad be unlawfu*. 

As Tammie glowr'd, amaz'd, and curious, 
The mirth and fun grew fast and furious; 
The Pip)er loud and louder blew. 
The dancers quick and quicker flew, 
They reel'd, they set, they cross 'd, they cleckit. 
Till ilka carlin swat and reekit. 
And coost her duddies to the wark. 
And linkit at it in her sarki 

Now Tarn, O Tarn ! had they been queans, 
A' plump and strapping in their teens! 
Their sarks, instead o' creeshie flainen, 
Been snaw-white seventeen hunder linen! — 
Thir breeks o' mine, my only pair, 
That ance were plush o' guid blue hair, 
I wad hae gicn them off my hurdles. 
For ae blink o' the bonic burdies! 
But wither'd beldams, auld and droll, 
Rigwoodie hags wad spean a foal, 
Louping an' flinging on a crummock, 
I wonder did na turn thy stomach. 

But Tam kent what was what fu* brawlie: 
There was ae winsome wench and waulic 
That night enlisted in the core. 



POEMS AND SONGS 393 

Lang after ken'd on Carrick shore; 
( For mony a beast to dead she shot, 
And perish'd mony a bonie boat, 
And shook baith meikle corn and bear, 
And kept the country-side in fear); 
Her cutty sark, o' Paisley ham, 
That while a lassie she had worn, 
In longitude tho' sorely scanty, 
It was her best, and she was vauntie. 
Ah! litde ken'd thy reverend grannie. 
That sark she coft for her wee Nannie, 
Wi' twa pund Scots ('twas a' her riches). 
Wad ever grac'd a dance of witches! 

But here my Muse her wing maun cour, 
Sic flights are far beyond her power; 
To sing how Nannie lap and flang, 
(A souple jade she was and Strang), 
And how Tarn stood, like ane bewitch'd. 
And thought his very een enrich'd: 
Even Satan glowr'd, and fidg'd fu' fain. 
And hotch'd and blew wi' might and main: 
Till first ae caper, syne anither, 
Tarn tint his reason a thegither. 
And roars out, "Wcel done, Cutty-sark!" 
And in an instant all was dark: 
And scarcely had he Maggie rallied, 
When out the hellish legion sallied. 

As bees bizz out wi' angry fyke, 
When plundering herds assail their byke; 
As open pussie's mortal foes. 
When, pop! she starts before their nose; 
As eager runs the market-crowd. 
When "Catch the thief!" resounds aloud; 
So Maggie runs, the witches follow, 
Wi' mony an eldritch skreich and hollow. 

Ah, Tam! Ah, Tarn! thou'll get thy fairini 
In hell, they'll roast thee like a herrin! 



394 ROBERT BURNS 

In vain thy Kate awaits thy comin! 
Kate soon will be a woefu' woman! 
Now, do thy speedy-utmost, Meg, 
And win the key-stone o' the brig;' 
There, at them thou thy tail may toss, 
A running stream they dare na cross. 
But ere the keystane she could make, 
The ficnt a tail she had to shake! 
For Nannie, far before the rest. 
Hard u{x>n noble Maggie prest. 
And flew at Tam wi' furious ettle; 
But little wist she Maggie's mettle! 
Ae spring brought off her master hale, 
But left behind her ain grey tail: 
The carlin daught her by the rump. 
And left poor Maggie scarce a stump. 

Now, wha this tale o' truth shall read. 
Ilk man and mother's son, take heed: 
Whene'er to Drink you are inclin'd. 
Or Cutty-sarks rin in your mind. 
Think ye may buy the joys o'er dear; 
Remember Tam o' Shanter's mare. 

ON THE BIRTH OF A POSTHUMOUS CHILD 
Born in peculiar circumstances of family distress. 

Sweet flow'ret, pledge o' meikle love. 

And ward o' mony a prayer. 
What heart o' stane wad thou na move, 

Sae helpless, sweet, and fair? 

November hirples o'er the lea. 

Chill, on thy lovely form: 
And gane, alas! the shelt'ring tree. 

Should shield thee frae the storm. 

'It is a well-known fact that witches, or any evil spirits, have no power to follow 
a poor wight any farther than the middle of the next running stream. It may be 
proper likewise to mention to the benighted traveller, that when he falls in with 
bogles, whatever danger may be in his going forward, there is much more hazard in 
turning back. — R. B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 395 

May He who gives the rain to pour, 

And wings the blast to blaw. 
Protect thee frae the driving show'r, 

The bitter frost and snaw. 

May He, the friend o* Woe and Want, 

Who heals life's various stounds, 
Protect and guard the mother plant, 

And heal her cruel wounds. 

But late she flourish'd, rooted fast, 

Fair in the summer morn, 
Now feebly bends she in the blast, 

Unsheltcr'd and forlorn. 

Blest be thy bloom, thou lovely gem, 

Unscath'd by ruffian hand! 
And from thee many a parent stem 

Arise to deck our land! 

ELEGY ON THE LATE MISS BURNET OF 
MONBODDO 

Life ne'er exulted in so rich a prize. 

As Burnet, lovely from her native skies; 
Nor envious death so triumph'd in a blow, 

As that which laid th' accomplish'd Burnet low. 

Thy form and mind, sweet maid, can I forget? 

In richest ore the brightest jewel set! 
In thee, high Heaven above was truest shown. 

As by His noblest work the Godhead best is known. 

In vain ye flaunt in summer's pride, ye groves; 

Thou crystal streamlet with thy flowery shore. 
Ye woodland choir that chaunt your idle loves, 

Ye cease to charm; Eliza is no more. 

Ye healthy wastes, immix'd with reedy fens; 

Ye mossy streams, with sedge and rushes stor'd: 
Ye rugged cliffs, o'erhanging dreary glens. 

To you I fly — ye with my soul accord. 



396 ROBERT BURNS 

Princes, whose cumb'rous pride was all their worth, 
Shall venal lays their {X)mpous exit hail, 

And thou, sweet Excellence! forsake our earth, 
And not a Muse with honest grief bewail ? 

We saw thee shine in youth and beauty's pride. 
And Virtue's light, that beams beyond the spheres; 

But, like the sun edips'd at morning tide, 
Thou left us darkling in a world of tears. 

The parent's heart that nestled fond in thee. 
That heart how sunk, a prey to grief and care; 

So deckt the woodbine sweet yon aged tree; 
So, from it ravish 'd, leaves it bleak and bare. 



LAMENT OF MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, ON THE 
APPROACH OF SPRING 

Now Nature hangs her mantle green 

On every blooming tree, 
And spreads her sheets o' daisies white 

Out o'er the grassy lea; 
Now Phoebus cheers the crystal streams. 

And glads the azure skies; 
But nought can glad the weary wight 

That fast in durance lies. 

Now laverocks wake the merry morn 

Aloft on dewy wing; 
The merle, in his noontide bow'r. 

Makes woodland echoes ring; 
The mavis wild wi' mony a note. 

Sings drowsy day to rest: 
In love and freedom they rejoice, 

Wi' care nor thrall opprest. 

Now blooms the lily by the bank. 

The primrose down the brae; 
TTie hawthorn's budding in the glen, 

And milk-white is the slae: 



POEMS AND SONGS 397 

The meanest hind in fair Scotland 

May rove their sweets amang; 
But I, the Queen of a' Scotland, 

Maun lie in prison Strang. 

I was the Queen o' bonie France, 

Where happy I hae been; 
Fu' lightly raise I in the morn, 

As blythe lay down at e'en: 
And I'm the sov'reign of Scodand, 

And mony a traitor there; 
Yet here I lie in foreign bands, 

And never-ending care. 

But as for thee, thou false woman. 

My sister and my fae, 
Grim Vengeance yet shall whet a sword 

That thro' thy soul shall gae; 
The weeping blood in woman's breast 

Was never known to thee; 
Nor th' balm that draps on wounds of woe 

Frae woman's pitying e'e. 

My son! my son! may kinder stars 

Upon thy fortune shine; 
And may those pleasures gild thy reign. 

That ne'er wad blink on mine! 
God keep thee frae thy mother's faes, 

Or turn their hearts to thee: 
And where thou meet'st thy mother's friend. 

Remember him for me! 

O! soon, to me, may Summer suns 

Nae mair light up the morn! 
Nac mair to me the Autumn winds 

Wave o'er the yellow corn? 
And, in the narrow house of death, 

Let Winter round me rave; 
And the next flow'rs that deck the Spring, 

Bloom on my peaceful grave! 



398 ROBERT BURNS 

THERE'LL NEVER BE PEACE TILL JAMIE COMES 

HAME 

By yon Castle wa', at the close of the day, 
I heard a man sing, the' his head it was grey: 
And as he was singing, the tears doon came, — 
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. 

The Church is in ruins, the State is in jars, 
Delusions, oppressions, and murderous wars. 
We dare na weel say't, but we ken wha's to blame, — 
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. 

My seven braw sons for Jamie drew sword, 
But now I greet round their green beds in the yerd; 
It brak the sweet heart o' my faithful auld dame, — 
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. 

Now life is a burden that bows me down, 
Sin' I tint my bairns, and he tint his crown; 
But till my last moments my words are the same, — 
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. 

SONG— OUT OVER THE FORTH 

Out over the Forth, I look to the North; 

But what is the north and its Highlands to me.' 
The south nor the east gie ease to my breast. 

The far foreign land, or the wide rolling sea. 

But I look to the west when I gae to rest. 

That happy my dreams and my slumbers may be; 

For far in the west lives he I loe best. 
The man that is dear to my babie and me. 

THE BANKS O' DOON 

FIRST VERSION 

Sweet are the banks — the banks o* Doon, 

The spreading flowers are fair, 
And everything is blythe and glad, 

But I am fu' o' care. 



POEMS AND SONGS 399 

Thou'll break my heart, thou bonie bird, 

That sings ufXJn the bough; 
Thou minds me o' the happy days 

When my fause Luve was true: 
Thou'll break my heart, thou bonie bird, 

That sings beside thy mate; 
For sae I sat, and sae I sang, 

And wist na o' my fate. 

Aft hae I rov'd by bonie Doon, 

To see the woodbine twine; 
And ilka birds sang o* its Luve, 

And sac did I o' mine: 
Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose. 

Upon its thorny tree; 
But my fause Luver staw my rose, 

And left the thorn wi' me: 
Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose, 

Upon a morn in June; 
And sae I flourished on the morn. 

And sae was pu'd or noon! 

THE BANKS O' DOON 

SECOND VERSION 

Ye flowery banks o' bonie Doon, 

How can ye blume sae fair? 
How can ye chant, ye little birds, 

And I sae fu' o care! 
Thou'll break my heart, thou bonie bird. 

That sings upon the bough! 
Thou minds me o' the happy days 

When my fause Luve was true. 
Thou'll break my heart, thou bonie bird, 

That sings beside thy mate; 
For sae I sat, and sae I sang. 

And wist na o' my fate. 

Aft hae I rov'd by bonie Doon, 
To see the woodbine twine; 



400 ROBERT BURNS 

And ilka bird sang o' its Luve, 

And sae did I o' mine. 
Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose, 

Upon its thorny tree; 
But my fause Luver staw my rose. 

And left the thorn wi' me. 
Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose. 

Upon a morn in June; 
And sae I flourished on the morn, 

And sae was pu'd or noon. 

THE BANKS O' DOON 

THIRD VERSION 

Ye banks and braes o' bonie Doon, 

How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair? 
How can ye chant, ye litde birds. 

And I sae weary fu' o' care! 
Thou'U break my heart, thou warbling bird, 

That wantons thro' the flowering thorn: 
Thou minds me o' departed joys. 

Departed never to return. 

Aft hae I rov'd by Bonie Doon, 

To see the rose and woodbine twine: 
And ilka bird sang o' its Luve, 

And fondly sae did I o' mine; 
Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose, 

Fu' sweet upon its thorny tree! 
And my fause Luver staw my rose. 

But ah ! he left the thorn wi' me. 

LAMENT FOR JAMES, EARL OF GLENCAIRN 

The wind blew hollow frae the hills, 

By fits the sun's departing beam 
Look'd on the fading yellow woods. 

That wav'd o'er Lugar's winding stream: 
Beneath a craigy steep, a Bard, 

Laden with years and meikle jjain. 
In loud lament bewail'd his lord, 

Whom Death had all untimely ta'en. 



POEMS AND SONGS 4OI 

He lean'd him to an ancient aik, 

Whose trunk was mould'ring down with years; 
His locks were bleached white with time, 

His hoary cheek was wet wi' tears! 
And as he touch'd his trembling harp, 

And as he tun'd his doleful sang. 
The winds, lamenting thro' their caves, 

To Elcho bore the notes alang. 

"Ye scatter'd birds that faindy sing. 

The reliques o' the vernal queir! 
Ye woods that shed on a' the winds 

The honours of the aged year! 
A few short months, and glad and gay. 

Again ye'U charm the car and e'e; 
But nocht in all-revolving time 

Can gladness bring again to me. 

"I am a bending aged tree, 

That long has stood the wind and rain; 
But now has come a cruel blast, 

And my last hald of earth is gane; 
Nae leaf o' mine shall greet the spring, 

Nae simmer sun exalt my bloom; 
But I maun lie before the storm, 

And ithers plant them in my room. 

"I've seen sae mony changefu' years. 

On earth I am a stranger grown: 
I wander in the ways of men, 

Alike unknowing, and unknown: 
Unheard, unpitied, unreliev'd, 

I bear alane my lade o' care. 
For silent, low, on beds of dust. 

Lie a' that would my sorrows share. 

"And last, (the sum of a' my griefs!) 

My noble master lies in cfay; 
TTie flow'r amang our barons bold. 

His country's pride, his country's stay: 



402 ROBERT BURNS 

In weary being now I pine. 
For a' the life of life is dead, 

And hope has left my aged ken. 
On forward wing for ever fled. 

"Awake thy last sad voice, my harp! 

The voice of woe and wild despairl 
Awake, resound thy latest lay. 

Then sleep in silence evcrmair! 
And thou, my last, best, only, friend, 

That fillest an untimely tomb. 
Accept this tribute from the Bard 

Thou brought from Fortune's mirkest gloom. 

"In Poverty's low barren vale. 

Thick mists obscure involv'd me round; 
Though oft I turn'd the wistful eye, 

Nae ray of fame was to be found: 
Thou found'st me, like the morning sun 

That melts the fogs in limpid air, 
The friendless bard and rustic song 

Became alike thy fostering care. 

"O! why has worth so short a date. 

While villains ripen grey with time.' 
Must thou, the noble, gen'rous, great, 

Fall in bold manhood's hardy prim 
Why did I live to see that day — 

A day to me so full of woe.' 
O! had I met the mortal shaft 

That laid my benefactor low! 

"The bridegroom may forget the bride 

Was made his wedded wife yestreen; 
The monarch may forget the crown 

That on his head an hour has been; 
The mother may forget the child 

That smiles sae sweedy on her knee; 
But I'll remember thee, Glencairn, 

And a' that thou hast done for me!" 



POEMS AND SONGS 403 

LINES SENT TO SIR JOHN WHITEFORD, BART 

WITH THE LAMENT ON THE DEATH OF THE EARL OF CLENCAIRN 

Thou, who thy honour as thy God rever'st, 

Who, save thy mind's reproach, nought earthly fear'st, 

To thee this votive offering I impart. 

The tearful tribute of a broken heart. 

The Friend thou valued'st, I, the Patron lov'd; 

His worth, his honour, all the world approved: 

We'll mourn till we too go as he has gone. 

And tread the shadowy path to that dark world unknown. 

CRAIGIEBURN WOOD 

Sweet closes the ev'ning on Craigieburn Wood, 

And blythely awaukens the morrow; 
But the pride o* the spring in the Craigieburn Wood 

Can yield to me nothing but sorrow. 

Chorus. — Beyond thee, dearie, beyond thee, dearie, 
And O to be lying beyond thee! 
O sweetly, soundly, wecl may he sleep 
That's laid in the bed beyond theel 

I see the spreading leaves and flowers, 

I hear the wild birds singing; 
But pleasure they hae nane for me, 

While care my heart is wringing. 
Beyond thee, 8cc. 

I can na tell, I maun na tell, 

I daur na for your anger; 
But secret love will break my heart, 

If I conceal it langer. 
Beyond thee, &c. 

I see thee gracefu', straight and tall, 

I see thee sweet and bonie; 
But oh, what will my torment be. 

If thou refuse thy Johnie! 
Beyond thee, &c. 



404 ROBERT BURNS 

To see thee in another's arms, 
In love to lie and languish, 

Twad be my dead, that will be seen. 
My heart wad burst wi' anguish. 
Beyond thee, &c. 

But Jeanie, say thou wilt be mine, 
Say thou lo'es nane before me; 

And a' my days o' life to come 

111 gratefully adore thee. 

Beyond thee, &c 



THE BONIE WEE THING 

Chorus. — Bonie wee thing, cannie wee thing. 
Lovely wee thing, wert thou min^ 
I wad wear thee in my bosom. 
Lest my jewel it should tine. 

Wishfully I look and languish 

In that bonie face o' thine. 
And my heart it stounds wi' anguish. 

Lest my wee thing be na mine. 

Bonie wee thing, &c 

Wit, and Grace, and Love, and Beauty, 

In ae constellation shine; 
To adore thee is my duty. 

Goddess o' this soul o' mine! 

Bonie wee thing, &c 



EPIGRAM ON MISS DAVIES 

On being asked why she had been formed so little, and 
Mrs. A so big. 

Ask why God made the gem so small ? 

And why so huge the granite? — 
Because God meant mankind should set 

That higher value on it. 



POEMS AND SONGS 405 

THE CHARMS OF LOVELY DAVIES 

Tune — "Miss Muir." 

HOW shall I, unskilfu*, try 
The poet's occupation? 

The tunefu' powers, in happy hours. 

That whisjjer inspiration; 
Even they maun dare an effort mair 

Than aught they ever gave us. 
Ere they rehearse, in equal verse. 

The charms o' lovely Davies. 

Each eye it cheers when she appears, 

Like Phffibus in the morning, 
When past the shower, and every flower 

The garden is adorning: 
As the wretch looks o'er Siberia's shore. 

When winter-bound the wave is; 
Sae droops our heart, when we maun part 

Frae charming, lovely Davies. 

Her smile's a gift frae 'boon the lift. 

That maks us mair than princes; 
A sceptred hand, a king's command. 

Is in her darting glances; 
The man in arms 'gainst female charms 

Even he her willing slave is. 
He hugs his chain, and owns the reign 

Of conquering, lovely Davies. 

My Muse, to dream of such a theme, 

Her feeble powers surrender: 
The eagle's gaze alone surveys 

The sun's meridian splendour. 

1 wad in vain essay the strain, 
The deed too daring brave is; 

I'll drap the lyre, and mute admire 
The charms o' lovely Davies. 



4o6 ROBERT BURNS 

WHAT CAN A YOUNG LASSIE DO WI' AN AULD MAN 

What can a young lassie, what shall a young lassie, 
What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man? 

Bad luck on the [jenny that tempted my minnie 
To sell her puir Jenny for siller an' Ian'! 

Bad luck on the penny that tempted my minnie 
To sell her puir Jenny for siller an' Ian'. 

He's always compleenin' frae mornin' to e'enin'. 
He hoasts and he hirples the weary day lang; 

He's doylt and he's dozin, his bludc it is frozen, — 
O, dreary's the night wi' a crazy auld man! 

He's doylt and he's dozin, his blude it is frozen, 
O, dreary's the night wi' a crazy auld man. 

He hums and he hankers, he frets and he cankers, 
I never can please him do a' that I can; 

He's peevish an' jealous o' a' the young fellows, — 
O, dool on the day I met wi' an auld man! 

He's peevish an' jealous o' a' the young fellows, 
O, dool on the day I met wi' an auld man. 

My auld auntie Katie uf>on me taks pity, 
I'll do my endeavour to follow her plan; 

I'll cross him an' wrack him, until I heartbreak him 
And then his auld brass will buy me a new pan, 

I'll cross him an' wrack him, until I heartbreak him. 
And then his auld brass will buy me a new pan. 

THE POSIE 

O LUVE will venture in where it daur na weel be seen, 
O luve will venture in where wisdom ance has been; 
But I will doun yon river rove, amang the wood sae green. 
And a' to pu' a Posie to my ain dear May. 

The primrose I will pu', the firstling o' the year. 
And I will pu' the pink, the emblem o' my dear; 
For she's the pink o' womankind, and blooms without a peer. 
And a' to be a Posie to my ain dear May. 



POEMS AND SONGS 407 

I'll pu' the budding rose, when Phoebus peeps in view, 
For it's like a baumy kiss o' her sweet, bonie mou; 
The hyacinth's for constancy wi' its unchanging blue, 
And a' to be a Posie to my ain dear May. 

The lily it is pure, and the lily it is fair. 

And in her lovely bosom I'll place the lily there; 

The daisy's for simplicity and unaffected air. 

And a' to be a Posie to my ain dear May. 

The hawthorn I will pu', wi' its locks o' siller gray. 
Where, like an aged man, it stands at break o' day; 
But the songster's nest within the bush I winna tak away 
And a' to be a Posie to my ain dear May. 

TTie woodbine I will pu', when the e'ening star is near. 
And the diamond draps o' dew shall be her een sae clear; 
The violet's for modesty, which weel she fa's to wear. 
And a' to be a Posie to my ain dear May. 

I'll tie the Posie round wi' the silken band o' luve, 
And I'll place it in her breast, and I'll swear by a' above. 
That to my latest draught o life the band shall ne'er remove, 
And this will be a Posie to my ain dear May. 

ON GLENRIDDELL'S FOX BREAKING HIS CHAIN 

A Fragment, 1791. 

Thou, Liberty, thou art my theme; 
Not such as idle fxsets dream. 
Who trick thee up a heathen goddess 
That a fantastic cap and rod has; 
Such stale conceits are poor and silly; 
I paint thee out, a Highland filly, 
A sturdy, stubborn, handsome dapple. 
As sleek's a mouse, as round's an apple. 
That when thou pleasest canst do wonders; 
But when thy luckless rider blunders. 
Or if thy fancy should demur there. 
Wilt break thy neck ere thou go further. 



4o8 



ROBERT BURNS 

These things premised, I sing a Fox, 
Was caught among his native rocks. 
And to a dirty kennel chained. 
How he his liberty regained. 

Glenriddell! Whig without a stain, 
A Whig in principle and grain, 
Could'st thou enslave a free-born creature, 
A native denizen of Nature? 
How could'st thou, with a heart so good, 
(A better ne'er was sluiced with blood!) 
Nail a poor devil to a tree, 
That ne'er did harm to thine or thee? 

The staunchest Whig Glenriddell was. 
Quite frantic in his country's cause; 
And oft was Reynard's prison passing. 
And with his brother-Whigs canvassing 
The Rights of Men, the Powers of Women, 
With all the dignity of Freemen. 

Sir Reynard daily heard debates 
Of Princes', Kings', and Nations' fates. 
With many rueful, bloody stories 
Of Tyrants, Jacobites, and Tories: 
From liberty how angels fell. 
That now are galley-slaves in hell; 
How Nimrod first the trade began 
Of binding Slavery's chains on Man; 
How fell Semiramis — Cod damn her! 
Did first, with sacrilegious hammer, 
(All ills till then were trivial matters) 
For Man dethron'd forge hen-f)cck fetters; 

How Xerxes, that abandoned Tory, 
Thought cutting throats was reaping glory, 
Until the stubborn Whigs of Sparta 
Taught him great Nature's Magna Charta; 
How mighty Rome her fiat hurl'd 
Resisdess o'er a bowing world, 



POEMS AND SONGS 4O9 

And, kinder than they did desire, 
Polish 'd mankind with sword and fire; 
With much, too tedious to relate. 
Of ancient and of modern date. 
But ending still, how Billy Pitt 
(Unlucky boy!) with wicked wit. 
Has gagg'd old Britain, drain'd her cofler, 
As butchers bind and bleed a heifer. 

Thus wily Reynard by degrees. 

In kennel listening at his ease, 

Suck'd in a mighty stock of knowledge. 

As much as some folks at a College; 

Knew Britain's rights and constitution, 

Her aggrandisement, diminution, 

How fortune wrought us good from evil; 

Let no man, then, despise the Devil, 

As who should say, 'I never can need him,' 

Since we to scoundrels owe our freedom. 

• ••••• 

POEM ON PASTORAL POETRY 

Hail, Poesie! thou Nymph reserv'd! 

In chase o' thee, what crowds hae swerv'd 

Frae common sense, or sunk enerv'd 

'Mang heaps o' clavers: 
And och! o'er aft thy joes hae starv'd, 

'Mid a' thy favours! 

Say, Lassie, why, thy train amang. 
While loud the trump's heroic clang. 
And sock or buskin skelp alang 

To death or marriage; 
Scarce anc has tried the shepherd-sang 

But wi' miscarriage? 

In Homer's craft Jock Milton thrives; 
Eschylus' pen Will Shakespeare drives; 
Wee Pope, the knurlin', till him rives 
Horatian fame; 



410 ROBERT BURNS 

In thy sweet sang, Barbauld, survives 
Even Sappho's flame. 

But thee, Theocritus, wha matches? 
They're no herd's ballats, Maro's catches; 
Squire Pope but busks his skinkHn' patches 

O' heathen tatters: 
I pass by hunders, nameless wretches, 

That ape their betters. 

In this braw age o' wit and lear, 

Will nane the Shepherd's whistle mair 

Blaw sweedy in its native air, 

And rural grace; 
And, wi' the far-fam'd Grecian, share 

A rival place.' 

Yes! there is ane — a Scottish callan! 
There's ane; come forrit, honest Allan! 
Thou need na jouk behint the hallan, 

A chiel sae clever; 
The teeth o' time may gnaw Tantallan, 

But thou's for ever. 

Thou paints auld Nature to the nines, 

In thy sweet Caledonian lines; 

Nae gowden stream thro' myrtle twines. 

Where Philomel, 
While nighdy breezes sweep the vines. 

Her griefs will tell! 

In gowany glens thy burnie strays. 
Where bonie lasses bleach their claes, 
Or trots by hazelly shaws and braes, 

Wi' hawthorns gray. 
Where blackbirds join the shepherd's lays, 

At close o' day. 

Thy rural loves are Nature's sel'; 
Nae bombast spates o' nonsense swell; 



POEMS AND SONGS 4II 

Nae snap conceits, but that sweet spell 

O' witchin love, 
That charm that can the strongest quell, 

The sternest move. 



VERSES ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WOODS 
NEAR DRUMLANRIG 

As on the banks o* wandering Nith, 

Ae smiling simmer morn I stray 'd, 
And traced its bonie howes and haughs, 

Where linties sang and lammies play'd, 
I sat me down upon a craig, 

And drank my fill o' fancy's dream, 
When from the eddying deep below. 

Up rose the genius of the stream. 

Dark, like the frowning rock, his brow. 

And troubled, like his wintry wave. 
And deep, as sughs the boding wind 

Amang his caves, the sigh he gave — 
"And come ye here, my son," he cried, 

"To wander in my birken shade? 
To muse some favourite Scottish theme. 

Or sing some favourite Scottish maid? 

"There was a time, it's nae lang syne. 

Ye might hae seen me in my pride, 
When a' my banks sae bravely saw 

Their woody pictures in my tide; 
When hanging beech and spreading elm 

Shaded my stream sae clear and cool: 
And stately oaks their twisted arms 

Threw broad and dark across the pool; 

"When, glinting thro' the trees, appear'd 
The wee white cot aboon the mill. 

And peacefu' rose its ingle reek. 
That, slowly curling, clamb the hill. 



412 ROBERT BURNS 

But now the cot is bare and cauld, 
Its leafy bield for ever gane, 

And scarce a stinted birk is left 
To shiver in the blast its lane." 

"Alas!" quoth I, "what ruefu' chance 

Has twin'd ye o' your stately trees? 
Has laid your rocky bosom bare — 

Has stripped the deeding o' your braes? 
Was it the bitter eastern blast, 

That scatters blight in early spring? 
Or was 't the wil'fire scorch'd their boughs, 

Or canker-worm wi' secret sting?" 

"Nae eastlin blast," the sprite replied; 

"It blaws na here sae fierce and fell. 
And on my dry and halesome banks 

Nae canker-worms get leave to dwell: 
Man! cruel man!" the genius sighed — 

As through the clifls he sank him down^ 
"The worm that gnaw'd my bonie trees, 

That reptile wears a ducal crown." ' 

THE GALLANT WEAVER 

Where Cart rins rowin' to the sea, 
By mony a flower and spreading tree. 
There lives a lad, the lad for me, 

He is a gallant Weaver. 
O, I had wooers aught or nine. 
They gied me rings and ribbons fine; 
And I was fear'd my heart wad tine, 

And I gied it to the Weaver. 

My daddie sign'd my tocher-band, 
To gie the lad that has the land. 
But to my heart I'll add my hand, 

And give it to the Weaver. 
While birds rejoice in leafy bowers. 
While bees delight in opening flowers, 
While corn grows green in summer showers, 

I love my gallant Weaver. 

' The Duke of Queensberry. 



POEMS AND SONGS 413 

EPIGRAM AT BROWNHILL INN ' 

At Brownhill we always get dainty good cheer. 
And plenty of bacon each day in the year; 
We've a' thing that's nice, and mostly in season, 
But why always Bacon — come, tell me a reason? 



YOU'RE WELCOME, WILLIE STEWART 

Chorus. — You're welcome, Willie Stewart, 
You're welcome, Willie Stewart, 
There's ne'er a flower that blooms in May, 
That's half sae welcome's thou art! 

Come, bumpers high, express your joy, 

The bowl we maun renew it. 
The tappet hen, gae bring her ben. 

To welcome Willie Stewart, 

You're welcome, Willie Stewart, &c. 

May foes be Strang, and friends be slack 

Ilk action, may he rue it, 
May woman on him turn her back 

That wrangs thee, Willie Stewart, 
You're welcome, Willie Stewart, &c. 



LOVELY POLLY STEWART 

Chorus. — O lovely Polly Stewart, 

O charming Polly Stewart, 
There's ne'er a flower that blooms in May, 
That's half so fair as thou art! 

The flower it blaws, it fades, it fa's. 

And art can ne'er renew it; 
But worth and truth, eternal youth 

Will gie to Polly Stewart, 
O lovely Polly Stewart, &c. 

' Bacon was the name of a presumaUjr intrusive host. The lines are said to have 
"afforded much amusement." — Ljing 



414 ROBERT BURNS 

May he whase arms shall fauld thy charms 
Possess a leal and true heart! 

To him be given to ken the heaven 
He grasps in Polly Stewart! 
O lovely Polly Stewart, &c. 

FRAGMENT-DAMON AND SYLVIA 

Tune — "The Tither Morn." 

YoN wandering rill that marks the hill, 

And glances o'er the brae. Sir, 
Slides by a bower, where mony a flower 

Sheds fragrance on the day. Sir; 
There Damon lay, with Sylvia gay. 

To love they thought no crime, Sir, 
The wild birds sang, the echoes rang, 

While Damon's heart beat time. Sir. 

JOHNIE LAD, COCK UP YOUR BEAVER 

When first my brave Johnie lad came to this town, 
He had a blue bonnet that wanted the crown; 
But now he has gotten a hat and a feather. 
Hey, brave Johnie lad, cock up your beaver! 

Cock up your beaver, and cock it fu' sprush, 
We'll over the border, and gie them a brush; 
There's somebody there we'll teach Ix^tter behaviour. 
Hey, brave Johnie lad, cock up your beaver! 

MY EPPIE MACNAB 

O SAW ye my dearie, my Eppie Macnab? 
O saw ye my dearie, my Eppie Macnab? 

She's down in the yard, she's kissin the laird. 
She winna come hame to her ain Jock Rab. 

O come thy ways to me, my Eppie Macnab; 
O come thy ways to me, my Eppie Macnab; 

Whate'er thou hast dune, be it late, be it sune, 
Thou's welcome again to thy ain Jock Rab. 



POEMS AND SONGS 415 

What says she, my dearie, my Eppie Macnab? 
What says she, my dearie, my Eppie Macnab? 
She let's thee to wit that she has thee forgot, 
And for ever disowns thee, her ain Jock Rab. 

O had I ne'er seen thee, my Eppie Macnab! 

had I ne'er seen thee, my Eppie Macnab! 

As hght as the air, and as fause as thou's fair, 
Thou's broken the heart o' thy ain Jock Rab. 

ALTHO' HE HAS LEFT ME 
Altho' he has left me for greed o' the siller, 
I dinna envy him the gains he can win; 

1 rather wad bear a* the lade o' my sorrow. 
Than ever hae acted sae faithless to him. 

MY TOCHER'S THE JEWEL 

O MEiKLE thinks my luve o' my beauty. 

And meikle thinks my luve o' my kin; 
But little thinks my luve I ken brawlie 

My tocher's the jewel has charms for him. 
It's a' for the apple he'll nourish the tree. 

It's a' for the hinny he'll cherish the bee. 
My laddie's sae meikle in luve wi' the siller. 

He canna hae luve to spare for me. 

Your proffer o' luve's an airle-pcnny, 

My tocher's the bargain ye wad buy; 
But an ye be crafty, I am cunnin', 

Sae ye wi anither your fortune may try. 
Ye're like to the timmer o' yon rotten wood, 

Ye're like to the bark o' yon rotten tree, 
Ye'll slip frae me like a knotless thread. 

And yell crack your credit wi' mae nor me. 

O FOR ANE AN' TWENTY, TAM 

Chorus. — An' O for ane an' twenty, Tam! 

And hey, sweet ane an' twenty, Tam! 
I'll learn my kin a rattlin' sang. 
An' I saw ane an' twenty, Tam. 



4l6 ROBERT BURNS 

They snool me sair, and haud me down, 
An' gar me look like bluntie, Tam; 

But three short years will soon wheel roun', 
An' then comes ane an' twenty, Tam. 
An' O for, &c. 

A glieb o' Ian', a claut o' gear. 
Was left me by my auntie, Tam; 

At kith or kin I need na spier, 
An I saw ane an' twenty, Tam. 
An' O for, &c. 

They'll hae me wed a wealthy coof, 
Tho' I mysel* hae plenty, Tam; 

But, hear'st thou laddie! there's my loof, 
I'm thine at ane an' twenty, Tam! 
An' O for, 4cc. 

THOU FAIR ELIZA 

Turn again, thou fair Eliza! 

Ae kind blink before we part; 
Rue on thy despairing lover, 

Can'st thou break his faithfu' heart? 
Turn again, thou fair Eliza! 

If to love thy heart denies. 
Oh, in pity hide the sentence 

Under friendship's kind disguise! 

Thee, sweet maid, hae I oflended ? 

My offence is loving thee; 
Can'st thou wreck his peace for ever, 

Wha for thine would gladly die.' 
While the life beats in my bosom. 

Thou shall mix in ilka throe: 
Turn again, thou lovely maiden, 

Ae sweet smile on me bestow. 

Not the bee upon the blossom. 
In the pride o' sinny noon; 

Not the little sporting fairy. 
All beneath the sinuner moon; 



POEMS AND SONGS 417 

Not the Minstrel in the moment 

Fancy lightens in his e 'e, 
Kens the pleasure, feels the rapture, 

That thy presence gies to me. 

MY BONIE BELL 

The smiling Spring comes in rejoicing. 

And surly Winter grimly flies; 
Now crystal clear are the falling waters, 

And bonie blue are the sunny skies. 
Fresh o'er the mountains breaks forth the morning, 

The ev'ning gilds the ocean's swell; 
All creatures joy in the sun's returning, 

And I rejoice in my bonie Bell. 

The flowery Spring leads sunny Summer, 

The yellow Autumn presses near; 
Then in his turn comes gloomy Winter, 

Till smiling Spring again appear: 
Thus seasons dancing, life advancing, 

Old Time and Nature their changes tell; 
But never ranging, still unchanging, 

I adore my bonie Bell. 

SWEET AFTON 

Flow gently, sweet Afton! amang thy green braes, 
Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise; 
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream. 
Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream. 

Thou stockdove whose echo resounds thro' the glen. 
Ye wild whisding blackbirds in yon thorny den. 
Thou green-crested lapwing thy screaming forbear, 
I charge you, disturb not my slumbering Fair. 

How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighbouring hills. 
Far mark'd with the courses of clear, winding rills; 
There daily I wander as noon rises high, 
My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in my eye. 



41 8 ROBERT BURNS 

How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below, 
Where, wild in the woodlands, the primroses blow; 
There oft, as mild Ev'ning weeps over the lea, 
The sweet-scented birk shades my Mary and me. 

Thy crystal stream, Afton, how lovely it glides, 
And winds by the cot where my Mary resides; 
How wanton thy waters her snowy feet lave. 
As, gathering sweet flowerets, she stems thy clear wave. 

Flow gently, sweet Afton, amang thy green braes. 
Flow gently, sweet river, the theme of my lays; 
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream, 
Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream. 



ADDRESS TO THE SHADE OF THOMSON 

On Crowning His Bust at Ednam, Roxburghshire, with a 
Wreath of Bays. 

While virgin Spring by Eden's flood. 
Unfolds her tender mantle green. 

Or pranks the sod in frolic mood. 
Or tunes Eolian strains between. 



While Summer, with a matron grace. 
Retreats to Dryburgh's cooling shade, 

Yet oft, delighted, stops to trace 
The progress of the spiky blade. 

While Autumn, benefactor kind. 
By Tweed erects his aged head. 

And sees, with self-approving mind. 
Each creature on his bounty fed. 

While maniac Winter rages o'er 

The hills whence classic Yarrow flows. 

Rousing the turbid torrent's roar. 
Or sweeping, wild, a waste of snows. 



POEMS AND SONGS 419 

So long, sweet Poet of the year! 

Shall bloom that wreath thou well hast won; 
While Scotia, with exulting tear, 

Proclaims that Thomson was her son. 

NITHSDALE'S WELCOME HAME 

The noble Maxwells and their powers 

Are coming o'er the border, 
And they'll gae big Terreagles' towers 

And set them a' in order. 
And they declare Terreagles fair, 

For their abode they choose it; 
There's no a heart in a' the land 

But's lighter at the news o't. 

Tho' stars in skies may disap(>ear. 

And angry tempests gather; 
The happy hour may soon be near 

That brings us pleasant weather: 
The weary night o' care and grief 

May hae a joyfu' morrow; 
So dawning day has brought relief, 

Fareweel our night o' sorrow. 

FRAE THE FRIENDS AND LAND I LOVE 

Tune. — "Carron Side." 

Frae the friends and land I love, 

Driv'n by Fortune's felly spite; 
Frae my best belov'd I rove. 

Never mair to taste delight: 
Never mair maun hop)e to find 

Ease frae toil, relief frae care; 
When Remembrance wracks the mind, 

Pleasures but unveil despair. 

Brightest dimes shall mirk appear, 

Desert ilka blooming shore, 
Till the Fates, nae mair severe. 

Friendship, love, and peace restore. 



420 ROBERT BURNS 

Till Revenge, wi' laurel'd head, 
Bring our banished hame again; 

And ilk loyal, bonie lad 
Cross the seas, and win his ain. 

SUCH A PARCEL OF ROGUES IN A NATION 

Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame, 

Fareweel our ancient glory; 
Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name, 

Sae fam'd in martial story. 
Now Sark rins over Solvvay sands. 

An' Tweed rins to the ocean, 
To mark where England's province stands — 

Such a parcel of rogues in a nation! 

What force or guile could not subdue, 

Thro' many warlike ages. 
Is wrought now by a coward few, 

For hireling traitor's wages. 
The English steel we could disdain, 

Secure in valour's station; 
But English gold has been our bane — 

Such a parcel of rogues in a nation! 

O would, or I had seen the day 

That Treason thus could sell us. 
My auld grey head had lien in clay, 

Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace! 
But pith and power, till my last hour, 

I'll mak this declaration; 
We're bought and sold for English gold — 

Such a parcel of rogues in a nation! 

YE JACOBITES BY NAME 

Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear, give an ear, 
Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear, 

Ye Jacobites by name. 

Your fautes I will proclaim. 
Your doctrines I maun blame, you shall hear. 



POEMS AND SONGS 42 1 

What is Right, and What is Wrang, by the law, by 

the law? 
What is Right and what is Wrang by the law? 

What is Right, and what is Wrang? 

A short sword, and a lang, 
A weak arm and a Strang, for to draw. 

What makes heroic strife, famed afar, famed afar? 
What makes heroic strife famed afar? 

What makes heroic strife? 

To whet th' assassin's knife. 
Or hunt a Parent's life, wi* bluidy war? 

Then let your schemes alone, in the state, in the state, 
Then let your schemes alone in the state. 

Then let your schemes alone. 

Adore the rising sun. 
And leave a man undone, to his fate. 



I HAE BEEN AT CROOKIEDEN 

I HAE been at Crookieden, 

My bonie laddie. Highland laddie, 
Viewing Willie and his men. 

My bonie laddie, Highland laddie. 
There our foes that burnt and slew. 

My bonie laddie, Highland laddie, 
There, at last, they gat their due, 

My bonie laddie. Highland laddie. 

Satan sits in his black neuk, 

My bonie laddie, Highland laddie. 
Breaking sticks to roast the Duke, 

My bonie laddie, Highland laddie. 
The bloody monster gae a yell, 

My bonie laddie, Highland laddie. 
And loud the laugh gied round a' hell 

My bonie laddie. Highland laddie. 



422 ROBERT BURNS 

O KENMURES ON AND AW A, WILLIE 

O Kenmure's on and awa, Willie, 
O Kenmure's on and awa: 

An' Kenmure's lord's the bravest lord 
That ever Galloway saw. 

Success to Kenmure's band, Williel 
Success to Kenmure's band! 

There's no a heart that fears a Whig, 
That rides by Kerunure's hand. 

Here's Kenmure's health in wine, Williel 
Here's Kenmure's health in wine! 

There's ne'er a coward o' Kenmure's blude, 
Nor yet o' Gordon's line. 

O Kenmure's lads are men, Willie, 
O Kenmure's lads are men; 

Their hearts and swords are metal true, 
And that their foes shall ken. 

They'll live or die wi' fame, Willie; 

They'll live or die wi' fame; 
But sune, wi' sounding victorie. 

May Kenmure's lord come hamel 

Here's him that's far awa, Willie! 

Here's him that's far awa! 
And here's the flower that I loe best, 

The rose that's like the snaw. 



EPISTLE TO JOHN MAXWELL, ESQ., OF 
TERRAUGHTY 

On His Birthday. 

Health to the Maxwells' veteran Chief! 
Health, aye unsour'd by care or grief: 
Inspir'd, I turn'd Fate's sibyl leaf. 

This natal morn, 
I see thy life is stuff o' prief. 

Scarce quite half-worn. 



POEMS AND SONGS 423 

TTiis day thou metes threescore eleven, 
And I can tell that bounteous Heaven 
(The second-sight, ye ken, is given 

To ilka Poet) 
On thee a. tack o' seven times seven 

Will yet bestow it. 

If envious buckies view wi' sorrow 

Thy lengthen'd days on this blest morrow, 

May Desolation's lang-teeth'd harrow. 

Nine miles an hour. 
Rake them. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, 

In brunstane stour. 

But for thy friends, and they are mony, 
Baith honest men, and lassies bonie, 
May couthie Fortune, kind and cannie, 

In social glee, 
Wi' mornings blythe, and e'enings funny, 

Bless them and thee! 

Fareweel, auld birkie ! Lord be near ye. 
And then the deil, he daurna steer ye: 
Your friends aye love, your faes aye fear ye; 

For me, shame fa' me, 
If neist my heart I dinna wear ye. 

While Burns they ca' me. 

SECOND EPISTLE TO ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ., 
OF FINTRY 

5th October 1791. 

Late crippl'd of an arm, and now a leg. 
About to Iwg a pass for leave to beg; 
Dull, listless, teas'd, dejected, and deprest 
(Nature is adverse to a cripple's rest); 
Will generous Graham list to his Poet's wail? 
(It soothes poor Misery, hearkening to her tale) 
And hear him curse the light he first survey 'd. 
And doubly curse the luckless rhyming trade? 



424 ROBERT BURNS 

Thou, Nature! partial Nature, I arraign; 
Of thy caprice maternal I complain; 
The lion and the bull thy care have found, 
One shakes the forests, and one spurns the ground; 
Thou giv'st the ass his hide, the snail his shell; 
Th' envenom 'd wasp, victorious, guards his cell; 
Thy minions kings defend, control, devour, 
In all th' omnipotence of rule and power; 
Foxes and statesmen subtile wiles ensure; 
The cit and pwlecat stink, and arc secure; 
Toads with their poison, doctors with their drug. 
The priest and hedgehog in their robes, are snug; 
Ev'n silly woman has her warlike arts. 
Her tongue and eyes — her dreaded spear and darts. 

But Oh I thou bitter stefvmother and hard. 
To thy poor, fenceless, naked child — the Bard! 
A thing untcachable in world's skill. 
And half an idiot too, more helpless still: 
No heels to bear him from the op'ning dun; 
No claws to dig, his hated sight to shun; 
No horns, but those by luckless Hymen worn. 
And those, alas! not, Amalthea's horn: 
No nerves olfact'ry. Mammon's trusty cur, 
Clad in rich Dulness' comfortable fur; 
In naked feeling, and in aching pride. 
He bears th' unbroken blast from ev'ry side: 
Vampyre booksellers drain him to the heart, 
And scorpion critics cureless venom dart. 

Critics — appali'd, I venture on the name; 
Those cut-throat bandits in the paths of fame: 
Bloody dissectors, worse than ten Monroes; 
He hacks to teach, they mangle to expose: 

His heart by causeless wanton malice wrung, 
By blockheads' daring into madness stung; 
His well-won bays, than life itself more dear. 
By miscreants torn, who ne'er one sprig must wear; 
Foil'd, bleeding, tortur'd in th' unequal strife, 
The hapless Poet flounders on thro' life: 



POEMS AND SONGS 425 

Till, fled each hope that once his bosom fir'd, 
And fled each muse that glorious once inspir'd, 
Low sunk in squalid, unprotected age. 
Dead even resentment for his injur'd page, 
He heeds or feels no more the ruthless critic's rage! 

So, by some hedge, the gen'rous steed deceas'd, 
For half-starv'd snarling curs a dainty feast; 
By toil and famine wore to skin and bone, 
Lies, senseless of each tugging bitch's son. 

Dulness! portion of the truly blest! 
Calm shelter'd haven of eternal rest! 

Thy sons ne'er madden in the fierce extremes 
Of Fortune's polar frost, or torrid beams. 
If mantling high she fills the golden cup, 
With sober selfish case they sip it up; 
Conscious the bounteous meed they well deserve. 
They only wonder "some folks" do not starve. 
The grave sage hern thus easy picks his frog, 
And thinks the mallard a sad worthless dog. 
When disappointment snaps the clue of hope, 
And thro' disastrous night they darkling grope, 
With deaf endurance sluggishly they bear. 
And just conclude that "fools are fortune's care." 
So, heavy, passive to the tempest's shocks. 
Strong on the sign-post stands the stupid ox. 

Not so the idle Muses' mad-cap train. 
Not such the workings of their moon-struck brain; 
In equanimity they never dwell, 
By turns in soaring heav'n, or vaulted hell. 

1 dread thee, Fate, relentless and severe, 
With all a poet's, husband's, father's fear! 
Already one strong hold of hope is lost — 
Glencairn, the truly noble, lies in dust 
(Fled, like the sun eclips'd as noon appears, 
And left us darkling in a world of tears); 
O! hear my ardent, grateful, selfish pray'r! 
Fintry, my other stay, long bless and spare! 



426 



ROBERT BURNS 



Thro' a long life his hopes and wishes crown, 
And bright in cloudless skies his sun go downl 
May bliss domestic smooth his private path; 
Give energy to life; and soothe his latest breath, 
With many a filial tear circling the bed of death! 

THE SONG OF DEATH 

Tune — "Oran an aoig." 

Scene — A Field of Battle. Time of the day — evening. The wounded and dying of 
the victorious army are supposed to join in the following song. 

Farewell, thou fair day, thou green earth, and ye skies. 

Now gay with the broad setting sun; 
Farewell, loves and friendships, ye dear tender ties, 

Our race of existence is run! 
Thou grim King of Terrors; thou Life's gloomy foe! 

Go, frighten the coward and slave; 
Go, teach them to tremble, fell tyrant! but know 

No terrors hast thou to the brave! 

Thou strik'st the dull peasant — he sinks in the dark. 

Nor saves e'en the wreck of a name; 
Thou strik'st the young hero — a glorious mark; 

He falls in the blaze of his fame! 
In the field of proud honour — our swords in our hands, 

Our King and our country to save; 
While victory shines on Life's last ebbing sands, — 

O! who would not die with the brave! 



POEM ON SENSIBILITY 

Sensibility, how charming, 
Dearest Nancy, thou canst tell; 

But distress, with horrors arming. 
Thou alas! hast known too well! 

Fairest flower, behold the lily 
Blooming in the sunny ray: 

Let the blast sweep o'er the valley. 
See it prostrate in the clay. 



POEMS AND SONGS 427 

Hear the wood lark charm the forest, 

Telling o'er his little joys; 
But alas! a prey the surest 

To each pirate o£ the skies. 

Dearly bought the hidden treasure 

Finer feelings can bestow: 
Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure 

Thrill the deepest notes of woe. 

THE TOADEATER 

Of Lordly acquaintance you boast, 

And the Dukes that you dined wi' yestreen, 

Yet an insect's an insect at most, 
Tho' it crawl on the curl of a Queen! 

DIVINE SERVICE IN THE KIRK OF LAMINGTON 

As cauld a wind as ever blew, 
A cauld kirk, an in't but few: 
As cauld a minister's e'er spak; 
Ye'se a' be het e'er I come back. 

THE KEEKIN'-GLASS 

How daur ye ca' me howlet-face, 

Ye blear-e'ed, withered spectre? 
Yc only spied the keekin'-glass. 

An' there ye saw your picture. 

A GRACE BEFORE DINNER, EXTEMPORE 

O THOU who kindly dost provide 

For every creature's want! 
We bless Thee, God of Nature wide, 

For all Thy goodness lent: 
And if it please Thee, Heavenly Guide, 

May never worse be sent; 
But, whether granted, or denied, 

Lx)rd, bless us with content. Amen! 



428 ROBERT BURNS 

A GRACE AFTER DINNER, EXTEMPORE 

O THOU, in whom we live and move — 

Who made the sea and shore; 
Thy goodness constandy we prove, 

And grateful would adore; 
And, if it please Thee, Power abovel 

Still grant us, with such store. 
The friend we trust, the fair we love — 

And we desire no more. Amen! 

O MAY, THY MORN 

O MAY, thy morn was ne'er so sweet 

As the mirk night o' December! 
For sparkling was the rosy wine. 

And private was the chamlier: 
And dear was she I dare na name. 

But I will aye remember: 
And dear was she I dare na name. 

But I will aye remember. 

And here's to them that, like oursel, 

Can push about the jorum! 
And here's to them that wish us weel. 

May a' that's guid watch o'er 'em! 
And here's to them, we dare na tell. 

The dearest o' the quorum! 
And here's to them, we dare na tell. 

The dearest o' the quorum. 

AE FOND KISS, AND THEN WE SEVER 

Tune — "Rory Dall's Port." 
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; 
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever! 
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee. 
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee. 
Who shall say that Fortune grieves him. 
While the star of hopx; she leaves him? 
Me, nae cheerful twinkle lights me; 
Dark despair around benights me. 



POEMS AND SONGS 429 

I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy, 
Naething could resist my Nancy: 
But to see her was to love her; 
Love but her, and love for ever. 
Had we never lov'd sae kindly. 
Had we never lov'd sae blindly. 
Never met — or never parted, 
We had ne'er been broken-hearted. 

Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest! 
Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest! 
Thine be ilka joy and treasure, 
Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure! 
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever! 
Ae farcwecl, alas, for ever! 
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee. 
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee. 

BEHOLD THE HOUR, THE BOAT, ARRIVE 

Behold the hour, the boat, arrive! 

My dearest Nancy, O fareweel ! 
Severed frae thee, can I survive, 

Frae thee whom I hae lov'd sae weel.? 

Endless and deep shall be my grief; 

Nae ray of comfort shall I see. 
But this most precious, dear belief. 

That thou wilt still remember me! 

Alang the solitary shore 

Where flitting sea-fowl round me cry. 

Across the rolling, dashing roar, 
I'll westward turn my wishful eye. 

"Happy thou Indian grove," I'll say, 
"Where now my Nancy's path shall be! 

While thro' your sweets she holds her way, 
O tell me, does she muse on me?" 



430 ROBERT BURNS 

THOU GLOOMY DECEMBER 

Ance mair I hail thee, thou gloomy December! 

Ance mair I hail thee wi' sorrow and care; 
Sad was the parting thou makes me remember — 

Parting wi' Nancy, oh, ne'er to meet mair! 

Fond lovers' parting is sweet, painful pleasure, 
Hope beaming mild on the soft parting hour; 

But the dire feeling, O farewell for ever! 
Is anguish unminglcd, and agony pure! 

Wild as the winter now tearing the forest, 
Till the last leaf o' the summer is flown; 

Such is the temf)est has shaken my bosom, 
Till my last hof>e and last comfort is gone. 

Still as I hail thee, thou gloomy December, 
Still shall I hail thee wi' sorrow and care; 

For sad was the parting thou makes me remember. 
Parting wi' Nancy, oh, ne'er to meet mair. 

MY NATIVE LAND SAE FAR AWA 

O SAD and heavy, should I part. 
But for her sake, sae far awa; 

Unknowing what my way may thwart, 
My native land sae far awa. 

Thou that of a' things Maker art. 
That formed this Fair sae far awa, 

Gie body strength, then I'll ne'er start 
At this my way sae far awa. 

How true is love to pure desert! 

Like mine for her sae far awa; 
And nocht can heal my bosom's smart. 

While, oh, she is sae far awa! 

Nane other love, nane other dart, 
I feel but her's sae far awa; 



POEMS AND SONGS 43 1 

But fairer never touch'd a heart 
Than her's, the Fair, sae far awa. 

I DO CONFESS THOU ART SAE FAIR 
Alteration of an Old Poem. 
I DO confess thou art sae fair, 

I wad been o'er the lugs in luve, 
Had I na found the slightest prayer 
That lips could speak thy heart could muve. 

I do confess thee sweet, but find 

Thou art so thriftless o' thy sweets, 
Thy favours are the silly wind 

That kisses ilka thing it meets. 

See yonder rosebud, rich in dew, 

Amang its native briers sae coy; 
How sune it tines its scent and hue, 

When pu'd and worn a common toy. 

Sic fate ere lang shall thee betide, 

Tho' thou may gaily bloom awhile; 
And sune thou shalt be thrown aside. 

Like ony common weed and vile. 

LINES ON FERGUSSON, THE POET 

Ill-fated genius! Heaven-taught Fergusson! 

What heart that feels and will not yield a tear. 
To think Life's sun did set e'er well begun 

To shed its influence on thy bright career. 

O why should truest Worth and Genius pine 
Beneath the iron grasp of Want and Woe, 

While tided knaves and idiot-Greatness shine 
In all the splendour Fortune can bestow? 

THE WEARY FUND O' TOW 

Chorus. — The weary pund, the weary pund, 
The weary pund o' tow; 
I think my wife will end her life, 
Before she spin her tow. 



432 ROBERT BURNS 

I BOUGHT my wife a stane o' lint. 
As gude as e'er did grow, 

And a' that she has made o' that 
Is ae puir pund o' tow. 
The weary pund, 4ic. 

There sat a bottle in a bole, 
Beyont the ingle low; 

And aye she took the tither souk, 
To drouk the stourie tow. 
The weary pund, &c. 

Quoth I, For shame, ye dirty dame, 
Gae spin your tap o' tow! 

She took the rock, and wi' a knock. 
She brak it o'er my pow. 
The weary pund, 4cc. 

At last her feet — I sang to see't! 

Gaed foremost o'er the knowe. 
And or I wad anither jad, 

I'll wallop in a tow. 
The weary pund, &c. 



WHEN SHE CAM' BEN SHE BOBBED 

O WHEN she cam' ben she bobbed fu' law, 
O when she cam' ben she bobbed fu' law. 
And when she cam' ben, she kiss'd Cockf)en, 
And syne denied she did it at a'. 

And was na Cockpen right saucy witha'? 
And was na Cockpen right saucy witha'? 
In leaving the daughter of a lord. 
And kissin' a collier lassie an' a'! 

O never look down, my lassie, at a*, 
O never look down, my lassie, at a'. 
Thy lips are as sweet, and thy figure complete, 
As the finest dame in casde or ha'. 



POEMS AND SONGS 433 

Tho' thou has nae silk, and holland sae sma', 
Tho' thou has nae silk, and holland sae sma', 
Thy coat and thy sark are thy ain handiwark, 
And lady )ean was never sae braw. 

SCROGGAM, MY DEARIE 

There was a wife wonn'd in Cockpen, 

Scroggam; 
She brew'd gude ale for gentlemen; 
Sing auld Cowl lay ye down by me, 
Scroggam, my dearie, ruffum. 

The gudewife's dochter fell in a fever, 

Scroggam; 
The priest o' the parish he fell in anither; 
Sing auld Cowl lay ye down by me, 
Scroggam, my dearie, ruffum. 

They laid the twa i' the bed thegither, 

Scroggam; 
That the heat o' the tane might cool the tither; 
Sing auld Cowl, lay ye down by me, 
Scroggam, my dearie, ruffum. 

MY COLLIER LADDIE 

"Whare live ye, my bonie lass? 

And tell me what they ca' ye;" 
"My name," she says, "is mistress Jean, 

And I follow the Collier laddie." 

"My name, she says, 8cc. 

"See you not yon hills and dales 

The sun shines on sae brawlie; 
They a' are mine, and they shall be thine. 

Gin ye '11 leave your Collier laddie. 
"They a' are mine, &c. 

"Ye shall gang in gay attire, 
Weel buskit up sae gaudy; 



434 ROBERT BURNS 

And ane to wait on every hand, 
Gin ye'll leave your Collier laddie." 
"And ane to wait, ice. 

"Tho* ye had a' the sun shines on, 
And the earth conceals sae lowly, 

I wad turn my back on you and it a', 
And embrace my Collier laddie. 

"I wad turn my back, &c. 

"I can win my five pennies in a day, 
An' spen't at night fu' brawlie: 

And make my bed in the collier's neuk. 
And lie down wi' my Collier laddie. 
"And make my bed, &c. 

"Love for love is the bargain for me, 
Tho' the wee cot-house should baud me; 

And the warld before me to win my bread. 
And fair fa' my Collier laddie!" 

"And the warld before me, &c. 

SIC A WIFE AS WILLIE HAD 

Willie Wastle dwalt on Tweed, 
The spot they ca'd it Linkumdoddie; 

Willie was a wabstcr gude. 
Could stown a clue wi' ony body: 

He had a wife was dour and din, 

Tinkler Maidgie was her mither; 
Sic a wife as Willie had, 

1 wad na gie a button for her! 

She has an e'e, she has but ane. 

The cat has twa the very colour; 
Five rusty teeth, forbye a stump, 

A clapper tongue wad deave a miller: 
A whiskin beard about her mou', 

Her nose and chin they threaten ither; 
Sic a wife as Willie had, 

I wadna gie a button for her I 



POEMS AND SONGS 435 

She's bow-hough 'd, she's hein-shin'd, 

Ae limpin leg a hand-breed shorter; 
She's twisted right, she's twisted left. 

To balance fair in ilka quarter: 
She has a lump upon her breast, 

The twin o' that upon her shouther; 
Sic a wife as Willie had, 

I wadna gie a button for her! 

Auld baudrons by the ingle sits, 

An' wi' her loof her face a-washin; 
But Willie's wife is nae sae trig, 

She dights her grunzie wi' a hushion; 
Her walie nieves like midden-creels, 

Her face wad fyle the Logan Water; 
Sic a wife as Willie had, 

I wadna gie a button for her! 

LADY MARY ANN 

O LADY Mary Ann looks o'er the Casde wa', 
She saw three bonie boys playing at the ba', 
The youngest he was the flower amang them a', 
My bonie laddie's young, but he's growin' yet. 

O father, O father, an ye think it fit. 
We'll send him a year to the college yet. 
We'll sew a green riblx)n round about his hat. 
And that will let them ken he's to marry yet. 

Lady Mary Ann was a flower in the dew. 
Sweet was its smell and bonie was its hue. 
And the longer it blossom 'd the sweeter it grew, 
For the lily in the bud will be bonier yet. 

Young Charlie Cochran was the sprout of an aik, 
Bonie and bloomin' and straught was its make. 
The sun took delight to shine for its sake. 
And it will be the brag o' the forest yet. 

The simmer is gane when the leaves they were green, 
And the days are awa' that we hae seen, 



436 ROBERT BURNS 

But far better days I trust will come again; 

For my bonie laddie's young, but he's growin' yet. 

KELLYBURN BRAES 

There lived a carl in Kellyburn Braes, 
Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 

And he had a wife was the plague of his days. 
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

Ae day as the carl gaed up the lang glen, 
Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 

He met with the Devil, says, "How do you fen?" 
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

I've got a bad wife, sir, that's a' my complaint. 
Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 

"For, savin your presence, to her ye're a saint," 
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

It's neither your stot nor your staig I shall crave. 
Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 

"But gie me your wife, man, for her I must have," 
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

"O welcome most kindly!" the blythe carl said, 
Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 

"But if ye can match her ye're waur than ye're ca'd," 
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

The Devil has got the auld wife on his back. 
Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 

And, like a poor f>edlar, he's carried his pack, 
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

He's carried her hame to his ain hallan door, 
Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 

Syne bade her gae in, for a bitch, and a whore. 
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 



POEMS AND SONGS 437 

Then straight he makes fifty, the pick o' his band, 

Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme: 
Turn out on her guard in the clap o' a hand, 

And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

The carlin gaed thro' them like ony wud bear. 
Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 

Whae'er she gat hands on cam near her nac mair. 
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

A reekit wee deevil looks over the wa', 

Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 
"O help, maister, help, or she'll ruin us a'!" 

And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

The Devil he swore by the edge o' his knife. 

Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 
He pitied the man that was tied to a wife. 

And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

The Devil he swore by the kirk and the bell, 

Hey, and the rue grows Ixjnie wi' thyme; 
He was not in wedlock, thank Heav'n, but in hell. 

And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

Then Satan has travell'd again wi' his pack. 

Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 
And to her auld husband he's carried her back, 

And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

I hae been a Devil the feck o' my life. 

Hey, and the rue grows bonie wi' thyme; 
"But ne'er was in hell till I met wi' a wife," 

And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue is in prime. 

THE SLAVE'S LAMENT 

It was in sweet Senegal that my foes did me enthral, 

For the lands of Virginia,-ginia, O: 
Torn from that lovely shore, and must never see it more; 

And alas! I am weary, weary O: 



438 ROBERT BURNS 

Torn from that lovely shore, and must never see it more; 
And alas' I am weary, weary O. 

All on that charming coast is no bitter snow and frost. 

Like the lands of Virginia.-ginia, O: 
There streams for ever flow, and there flowers for ever blow, 

And alas! I am weary, weary O: 
There streams for ever flow, and there flowers for ever blow. 

And alas! I am weary, weary O. 

The burden I must bear, while the cruel scourge I fear, 

In the lands of Virginia.-ginia, O; 
And I think on friends most dear, with the bitter, bitter tear, 

And alas! I am weary, weary O: 
And I think on friends most dear, with the bitter, bitter tear, 

And alas! I am weary, weary O. 

O CAN YE LABOUR LEA? 

Chorus — O can ye labour lea, young man, 
O can ye labour lea? 
It fee nor bountith shall us twine 
Gin ye can labour lea. 

I fee'd a man at Michaelmas, 

Wi' airle pennies three; 
But a' the faut I had to him, 

He could na labour lea, 

O can ye labour lea, 8tc. 

O clappin's gude in Febarwar, 
An' kissin's sweet in May; 

But my delight's the ploughman lad, 
That weel can labour lea, 
O can ye labour lea, &c. 

O kissin is the key o' luve, 

And clappin' is the lock; 
An' makin' o's the best thing yet. 

That e'er a young thing gat. 
O can ye labour lea, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 439 

THE DEUKS DANG O'ER MY DADDIE 

The bairns gat out wi' an unco shout, 

The deuks dang o'er my daddie, O! 
The fien-ma-care, quo' the feirrie auld wife, 

He was but a paidlin' body, O! 
He paidles out, and he paidles in, 

An' he paidles late and early, O! 
This seven lang years I hae lien by his side, 

An' he is but a fusionless carlie, O. 

haud your tongue, my feirrie auld wife, 
O haud your tongue, now Nansie, O: 

I've seen the day, and sac hae ye. 

Ye wad na ben sae donsie, O. 
I've seen the day ye butter'd my brose, 

And cuddl'd me late and early, O; 
But downa-do's come o'er me now. 

And oh, I find it sairly, O! 

THE DEIL'S AWA WI' THE EXCISEMAN 

The deil cam fiddlin' thro' the town, 

And danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman, 
And ilka wife cries, "Auld Mahoun, 

1 wish you luck o' the prize, man." 
Chorus — The deil's awa, the deil's awa, 

The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman, 
He's danc'd awa, he's danc'd awa, 
He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman. 

We'll mak our maut, and we'll brew our drink. 

We'll laugh, sing, and rejoice, man, 
And mony braw thanks to the meikle black deil, 

That danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman. 

The deil's awa, &c. 

There's threesome reels, there's foursome reels. 

There's hornpipes and strathspeys, man, 
But the ae best dance ere came to the land 

Was — the deil's awa wi' the Exciseman. 

The deil's awa, &c. 



44© ROBERT BURNS 

THE COUNTRY LASS 

In simmer, when the hay was mawn, 

And corn wav'd green in ilka field, 
While claver blooms white o'er the lea 

And roses blaw in ilka beild! 
Blythe Bessie in the milking shiel. 

Says — "I'll be wed, come o't what will"; 
Out spake a dame in wrinkled eild; 

"O' gude advisement comes nae ill. 

"It's ye hae wooers mony ane, 

And lassie, ye're but young ye ken; 
Then wait a wee, and cannie wale 

A routhie butt, a routhie ben; 
There's Johnie o' the Buskie-glen, 

Fu' is his barn, fu' is his byre; 
Take this frae me, my bonic hen. 

It's plenty beets the luver's fire." 

"For Johnie o' the Buskie-glen, 

I dinna care a single flie; 
He lo'es sae weel his craps and kye. 

He has nae love to spare for me; 
But blythe's the blink o' Robie's e'e, 

And weel I wat he lo'es me dear: 
Ae blink o' him I wad na gie 

For Buskie-glen and a' his gear." 

"O thoughdess lassie, life's a faught; 

The canniest gate, the strife is sair; 
But aye fu'-han't is fechtin' best, 

A hungry care's an unco care: 
But some will spend and some will spare. 

An' wilfu' folk maun hae their will; 
Syne as ye brew, my maiden fair. 

Keep mind that ye maun drink the yill." 

"O gear will buy me rigs o' land, 
And gear will buy me sheep and kye; 



POEMS AND SONGS 44 1 

But the tender heart o' leesome love. 

The gowd and siller canna buy; 
We may be poor — Robie and I — 

Light is the burden love lays on; 
Content and love brings peace and joy — 

What mair hae Queens upon a throne?" 

BESSY AND HER SPINNIN" WHEEL 

O LEEZE me on my spinnin' wheel, 
And leeze me on my rock and reel; 
Frae tap to tae that deeds me bien, 
And haps me biel and warm at e'en; 
I'll set me down and sing and spin. 
While laigh descends the simmer sun. 
Blest wi' content, and milk and meal, 
O leeze me on my spinnin' wheel. 

On ilka hand the burnies trot, 
And meet below my theckit cot; 
The scented birk and hawthorn white. 
Across the pool their arms unite. 
Alike to screen the birdie's nest. 
And little fishes' caller rest; 
The sun blinks kindly in the beil'. 
Where blythe I turn my spinnin' wheel. 

On lofty aiks the cushats wail. 
And Echo cons the doolfu' tale; 
The lintwhites in the hazel braes, 
Delighted, rival ither's lays; 
The craik amang the claver hay, 
The pairtrick whirring o'er the ley. 
The swallow jinkin' round my shiel, 
Amuse me at my spinnin' wheel. 

Wi' sma' to sell, and less to buy, 
Aboon distress, below envy, 
O wha wad leave this humble state, 
For a' the pride of a' the great? 
Amid their flairing, idle toys, 



442 ROBERT BURNS 

Amid their cumbrous, dinsome joys. 
Can they the peace and pleasure feel 
Of Bessy at her spinnin' wheel? 

LOVE FOR LOVE 

Ithers seek they ken na what. 
Features, carriage, and a' that; 
Gie me love in her I court. 
Love to love maks a' the sport. 

Let love sparkle in her e'e; 
Let her lo'e nae man but me; 
That's the tocher-gude I prize, 
There the luver's treasure lies. 

SAW YE BONIE LESLEY 

O SAW ye bonie Lesley, 

As she gaed o'er the Border? 

She's gane, like Alexander, 
To spread her conquests farther. 

To see her is to love her, 
And love but her for ever; 

For Nature made her what she is, 
And never made anither! 

Thou art a queen, fair Lesley, 
Thy subjects, we before thee; 

Thou art divine, fair Lesley, 
The hearts o' men adore thee. 

The deil he could na scaith thee, 
Or aught that wad belang thee; 

He'd look into thy bonie face. 
And say — "I canna wrang thee!" 

The Powers aboon will tent thee. 
Misfortune sha'na steer thee; 

Thou'rt like themselves sac lovely. 
That ill they'll ne'er let near thee. 



POEMS AND SONGS 443 

Return again, fair Lesley, 

Return to Caledonie! 
That we may brag we hae a lass 

There's nane again sae bonie. 

FRAGMENT OF SONG 

No cold approach, no altered mien. 
Just what would make suspicion start; 

No pause the dire extremes between, 
He made me blest — ^and broke my heart. 

I'LL MEET THEE ON THE LEA RIG 

When o'er the hill the eastern star 

Tells bughtin time is near, my jo, 
And owsen frae the furrow 'd field 

Return sae dowf and weary O; 
Down by the burn, where birken buds 

Wi' dew are hangin clear, my jo, 
I'll meet thee on the lea-rig. 

My ain kind Dearie O. 

At midnight hour, in mirkest glen, 

I'd rove, and ne'er be eerie O, 
If thro' that glen I gaed to thee. 

My ain kind Dearie O; 
Altho' the night were ne'er sae wild. 

And I were ne'er sae weary O, 
I'll meet thee on the lea-rig. 

My ain kind Dearie O. 

The hunter lo'es the morning sun; 

To rouse the mountain deer, my jo; 
At noon the fisher seeks the glen 

Adown the burn to steer, my jo: 
Gie me the hour o' gloamin' grey, 

It maks my heart sae cheery O, 
To meet thee on the lea-rig. 

My ain kind Dearie O. 



444 ROBERT BURNS 

MY WIFE'S A WINSOME WEE THING 

Air^-"My Wife's a Wanton Wee Thing." 

Chorus. — She is a winsome wee thing, 
She is a handsome wee thing, 
She is a lo'esome wee thing. 
This dear wee wife o' mine. 

I NEVER saw a fairer, 
I never lo'ed a dearer, 
And neist my heart I'll wear her, 
For fear my jewel tine. 
She is a winsome, &c. 

The warld's wrack we share o't; 
The warsde and the care o't; 
Wi' her I'll blythely bear it. 
And think my lot divine. 
She is a winsome, &c. 

HIGHLAND MARY 

Time — "Kathcrine Ogie." 

Ye banks, and braes, and streams around 

The castle o' Montgomery! 
Green be your woods, and fair your flowers, 

Your waters never drumlie: 
TTiere Simmer first unfauld her robes, 

And there the langest tarry; 
For there I took the last Farewell 

O' my sweet Highland Mary. 

How sweedy bloom'd the gay, green birk. 

How rich the hawthorn's blossom. 
As underneath their fragrant shade, 

I dasp'd her to my bosom! 
The golden Hours on angel wings, 

Flew o'er me and my Dearie; 
For dear to me, as light and life, 

Was my sweet Highland Mary. 



POEMS AND SONGS 445 

Wi' mony a vow, and lock'd embrace, 

Our parting was fu' tender; 
And, pledging aft to meet again, 

We tore oursels asunder; 
But oh! fell Death's untimely frost, 

That nipt my Flower sae early! 
Now green's the sod, and cauld's the clay 

That wraps my Highland Mary! 

O pale, pale now, those rosy lips, 

I aft hae kiss'd sae fondly! 
And clos'd for aye, the sparkling glance 

That dwalt on me sae kindly! 
And mouldering now in silent dust. 

That heart that lo'ed me dearly! 
But still within my bosom's core 

Shall live my Highland Mary. 



AULD ROB MORRIS 

There's Auld Rob Morris that wons in yon glen. 
He's the King o' gude fellows, and wale o' auld men; 
He has gowd in his coffers, he has owsen and kine, 
And ae bonie lass, his dautie and mine. 

She's fresh as the morning, the fairest in May; 
She's sweet as the cv'ning amang the new hay; 
As blythe and as artless as the lambs on the lea, 
And dear to my heart as the light to my e'e. 

But oh! she's an Heiress, auld Robin's a laird. 
And my daddie has nought but a cot-house and yard; 
A wooer like me maunna hope to come speed, 
The wounds I must hide that will soon be my dead. 

The day comes to me, but delight brings me nane; 
The night comes to me, but my rest it is gane; 
I wander my lane like a night-troubled ghaist. 
And I sigh as my heart it wad burst in my breast. 



446 ROBERT BURNS 

had she but been of a lower degree, 

1 then might hae hop'd she wad smil'd upon me! 
O how past descriving had then been my bliss, 
As now my distraction nae words can express. 

THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN 

An Occasional Address. 

Spoken by Miss Fontenelle on her benefit night, 
November 26, 1792. 

While Europe's eye is fix'd on mighty things. 
The fate of Empires and the fall of Kings; 
While quacks of State must each produce his plan, 
And even children lisp the Rights of Man; 
Amid this mighty fuss just let me mention, 
The Rights of Woman merit some attention. 

First, in the Sexes' intermix'd connection, 
One sacred Right of Woman is, protection. — 
The tender flower that lifts its head, elate. 
Helpless, must fall before the blasts of Fate, 
Sunk on the earth, defac'd its lovely form, 
Unless your shelter ward th' impending storm. 

Our second Right — but needless here is caution. 
To keep that right inviolate's the fashion; 
Each man of sense has it so full before him. 
He'd die before he'd wrong it — 'tis decorum. — 
There was, indeed, in far less polish'd days, 
A time, when rough rude man had naughty ways. 
Would swagger, swear, get drunk, kick up a riot. 
Nay, even thus invade a Lady's quiet. 

Now, thank our stars! those Gothic times are fled; 
Now, well-bred men — and you are all well-bred — 
Most justly think (and we are much the gainers) 
Such conduct neither spirit, wit, nor manners. 

For Right the third, our last, our best, our dearest, 
That right to fluttering female hearts the nearest; 
Which even the Rights of Kings, in low prostration. 



POEMS AND SONGS 447 

Most humbly own — 'tis dear, dear admiration! 
In that blest sphere alone we live and move; 
There taste that life of life — immortal love. 
Smiles, glances, sighs, tears, fits, flirtations, airs; 
'Gainst such an host what flinty savage dares, 
When awful Beauty joins with all her charms — 
Who is so rash as rise in rebel arms? 

But truce with kings, and truce with constitutions, 
With bloody armaments and revolutions; 
Let Majesty your first attention summon, 

AM ffl iral THE MAJESTY OF WOMAN ! 

EPIGRAM ON SEEING MISS FONTENELLE IN A 
FAVOURITE CHARACTER 

Sweet naivetd of feature, 

Simple, wild, enchanting elf. 
Not to thee, but thanks to Nature, 

Thou art acting but thyself. 

Wert thou awkward, stiff, affected. 

Spurning Nature, torturing art; 
Lx)ves and Graces all rejected. 

Then indeed thou'd'st act a part. 

EXTEMPORE ON SOME COMMEMORATIONS 
OF THOMSON 

Dost thou not rise, indignant shade, 

And smile wi' spurning scorn, 
When they wha wad hae starved thy life, 

Thy senseless turf adorn? 

Helpless, alane, thou clamb the brae, 

Wi* meikle honest toil. 
And claught th' unfading garland there — 

Thy sair-worn, rightful spoil. 

And wear it thou! and call aloud 
This axiom undoubted — 



44^ ROBERT BURNS 



Would thou hae Nobles' patronage? 
First learn to live without it! 

To whom hae much, more shall be given. 

Is every Great man's faith; 
But he, the helpless, needful wretch. 

Shall lose the mite he hath. 

DUNCAN GRAY 

Duncan Gray cam' here to woo. 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't, 
On blythe Yule-night when we were foil. 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't, 
Maggie coost her head fu' heigh, 
Look'd asklent and unco skeigh, 
Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh; 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't. 

Duncan fleech'd and Duncan pray'd; 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't, 
Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig, 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't: 
Duncan sigh'd baith out and in, 
Grat his e'en baith blear't an' blin', 
Spak o' lowpin o'er a linn; 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't. 

"Hme and Chance are but a tide, 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't. 
Slighted love is sair to bide. 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't: 
Shall I like a fool, quoth he. 
For a haughty hizzie die? 
She may gae to — France for mel 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't. 

How it comes let doctors tell. 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't; 
Meg grew sick, as he grew hale, 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't. 



POEMS AND SONGS 449 

Something in her bosom wrings, 
For relief a sigh she brings: 
And oh! her een they spak sic things! 
Ha, ha, the wooing o't. 

Duncan was a lad o' grace, 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't: 
Maggie's was a piteous case, 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't: 
Duncan could na he her death, 
Swelling Pity smoor'd his wrath; 
Now they're crouse and canty baith. 

Ha, ha, the wooing o't. 

HERE'S A HEALTH TO THEM THAT'S AWA 

Here's a health to them that's awa, 

Here's a health to them that's awa; 
And wha winna wish gude luck to our cause. 
May never gude luck be their fa'! 
It's gude to be merry and wise, 

It's gude to be honest and true; 
It's gude to suppwrt Caledonia's cause. 

And bide by the buff and the blue. 

Here's a health to them that's awa. 
Here's a health to them that's awa. 
Here's a health to Charlie' the chief o' the clan, 
Altho' that his band be but sma'! 
May Liberty meet wi' success! 

May Prudence protect her frae evil! 
May tyrants and tyranny tine i' the mist. 

And wander their way to the devil! 

Here's a health to them that's awa, 
Here's a health to them that's awa; 
Here's a health to Tammie,' the Norlan' laddie. 
That lives at the lug o' the law! 
Here's freedom to them that wad read, 

Here's freedom to them that wad write, 
' Charles James Fox. ' Hon. Thos. Erskine, afterwards Lord Erskine. 



450 ROBERT BURNS 

There's nane ever fear'd that the truth should be 
heard, 
But they whom the truth would indite. 

Here's a health to them that's awa, 
An' here's to them that's awa! 
Here's to Maitland and Wycombe, let wha doesna 
like 'em 
Be built in a hole in the wa'; 
Here's timmer that's red at the heart 

Here's fruit that is sound at the core; 
And may he be that wad turn the buff and blue coat 
Be turn'd to the back o' the door. 

Here's a health to them that's awa. 
Here's a health to them that's awa; 
Here's chieftain M'Leod, a chieftain worth gowd, 
Tho' bred amang mountains o' snaw; 
Here's friends on baith sides o' the firth. 

And friends on baith sides o' the Tweed; 
And wha wad betray old Albion's right, 
May they never eat of her bread! 

A TIPPLING BALLAD 

On the Duke of Brunswick's Breaking up his Camp, and the 
defeat of the Austrians, by Dumourier, November 1792. 

When Princes and Prelates, 

And hot-headed zealots, 
A' Europe had set in a low, a low, 

The poor man lies down. 

Nor envies a crown. 
And comforts himself as he dow, as he dow. 
And comforts himself as he dow. 

The black-headed eagle. 
As keen as a beagle. 
He hunted o'er height and o'er howe. 
In the braes o' Gemappe, 
He fell in a trap. 



POEMS AND SONGS 451 

E'en let him come out as he dow, dow, dow, 

E'en let him come out as he dow. 

• •••••• 

But truce with commotions, 

And new-fangled notions, 
A bumper, I trust you'll allow. 

Here's George our good king, 

And Charlotte his queen, 
And lang may they ring as they dow, dow, dow. 
And lang may they ring as they dow. 

POORTITH CAULD AND RESTLESS LOVE 

Tune — "Cauld Kail in Aberdeen." 

O POORTITH cauld, and resdess love. 

Ye wrack my peace between ye; 
Yet poortith a' I could forgive. 

An 'twere na for my Jeanie. 

Chorus — O why should Fate sic pleasure have, 
Life's dearest bands untwining? 
Or why sae sweet a flower as love 
Depend on Fortune's shining.' 

The warld's wealth, when I think on, 

It's pride and a' the lave o't; 
O fie on silly coward man. 

That he should be the slave o't! 
O why, &c. 

Her e'en, sae bonie blue, betray 

How she repays my passion; 
But prudence is her o'erword aye. 

She talks o' rank and fashion. 
O why, Scc. 

O wha can prudence think upon. 

And sic a lassie by him ? 
O wha can prudence think upon. 

And sae in love as I am? 
O why, 8cc. 



452 ROBERT BURNS 

How blest the simple cotter's fate! 

He woos his artless dearie; 
The silly bogles, wealth and state, 

Can never make him eerie. 
O why, &c. 

ON POLITICS 

In Politics if thou would'st mix, 
And mean thy fortunes be; 

Bear this in mind, — be deaf and blind, 
Let great folk hear and see. 

BRAW LADS O' GALLA WATER 

Braw, braw lads on Yarrow-braes, 
They rove amang the blooming heather; 

But Yarrow braes, nor Ettrick shaws 
Can match the lads o' Galla Water. 

But there is ane, a secret ane, 
Aboon them a' I loe him better; 

And I'll be his, and he'll be mine, 
The bonie lad o' Galla Water. 

Altho' his daddie was nae laird. 
And tho' I hae nae meikle tocher, 

Yet rich in kindest, truest love, 

We'll tent our flocks by Galla Water. 

It ne'er was wealth, it ne'er was wealth. 
That coft contentment, p)eace, or pleasure; 

The bands and bliss o' mutual love, 
O that's the chiefest warld's treasure. 

SONNET WRITTEN ON THE AUTHOR'S 
BIRTHDAY, 

On hearing a Thrush sing in his Morning Walk. 

SiNC on, sweet thrush, upon the leafless bough. 
Sing on, sweet bird, I listen to thy strain, 
See aged Winter, 'mid his surly reign. 

At thy blythe carol, clears his furrowed brow. 



POEMS AND SONGS 453 

So in lone Poverty's dominion drear. 

Sits meek Content with light, unanxious heart; 
Welcomes the rapid moments, bids them part, 

Nor asks if they bring ought to hope or fear. 

I thank thee, Author of this opening day! 

Thou whose bright sun now gilds yon orient skiesi 

Riches denied, thy boon was purer joys — 
What wealth could never give nor take away! 

Yet come, thou child of poverty and care. 
The mite high heav'n bestow 'd, that mite with thee I'll 
share. 

WANDERING WILLIE 
First Version 

Here awa, there awa, wandering Willie, 

Now tired with wandering, baud awa hame; 
Come to my bosom, my ae only dearie. 

And tell me thou bring'st me my Willie the same. 
Loud blew the cauld winter winds at our parting; 

It was na the blast brought the tear in my e'e: 
Now welcome the Simmer, and welcome my Willie, 

The Simmer to Nature, my Willie to me. 

Ye hurricanes rest in the cave o' your slumbers, 

O how your wild horrors a lover alarms! 
Awaken ye breezes, row gently ye billows, 

And waft my dear laddie ance mair to my arms. 
But if he's forgotten his faithfuUest Nannie, 

O still flow between us, thou wide roaring main; 
May I never see it, may I never trow it, 

But, dying, believe that my Willie's my ain! 



454 ROBERT BURNS 

WANDERING WILLIE 
Revised Version 

Here awa, there awa, wandering Willie, 

Here awa, there awa, haud awa hame; 
Come to my bosom, my ain only dearie, 

Tell me thou bring'st me my Willie the same. 
Winter winds blew loud and cauld at our parting, 

Fears for my Willie brought tears in my e'e, 
Welcome now Simmer, and welcome, my Willie, 

The Simmer to Nature, my Willie to me! 

Rest, ye wild storms, in the cave of your slumbers, 

How your dread howling a lover alarms! 
Wauken, ye breezes, row gently, ye billows. 

And waft my dear laddie ance mair to my arms. 
But oh, if he's faithless, and minds na his Nannie, 

Flow still between us, thou wide roaring tnaia! 
May I never see it, may I never trow it. 

But, dying, believe that my Willie's my aio! 

LORD GREGORY 

O MIRK, mirk is this midnight hour, 

And loud the tempest's roar; 
A waefu' wanderer seeks thy tower. 

Lord Gregory, ope thy door. 
An exile frae her father's ha'. 

And a' for loving thee; 
At least some pity on me shaw. 

If love it may na be. 

Lord Gregory, mind'st thou not the grove 

By bonie Irwine side. 
Where first I own'd that virgin love 

I lang, lang had denied. 
How aften didst thou pledge and vow 

Thou wad for aye be mine! 
And my fond heart, itsel' sae true. 

It ne'er mistrusted thine. 



POEMS AND SONGS 455 

Hard is thy heart, Lord Gregory, 

And flinty is thy breast: 
Thou bolt of Heaven that flashest by, 

O, wilt thou bring me rest! 
Yp mustering thunders from above, 

Your willing victim see; 
But spare and pardon my fause Love, 

His wrangs to Heaven and me. 

OPEN THE DOOR TO ME, OH 

Oh, open the door, some pity to shew. 

Oh, open the door to me, oh, 
Tho' thou hast been false, I'll ever prove true. 

Oh, open the door to me, oh. 

Cauld is the blast upon my pale cheek. 

But caulder thy love for me, oh: 
The frost that freezes the life at my heart, 

Is nought to my pains frae thee, oh. 

The wan Moon is setting beyond the white wave. 

And Time is setting with me, oh: 
False friends, false love, farewell! for mair 

I'll ne'er trouble them, nor thee, oh. 

She has open'd the door, she has open'd it wide, 

She sees the pale corse on the plain, oh: 
"My true love!" she cried, and sank down by his 
side. 

Never to rise again, oh. 

LOVELY YOUNG JESSIE 

True hearted was he, the sad swain o' the Yarrow, 

And fair are the maids on the banks of the Ayr; 
But by the sweet side o' the Nith's winding river. 

Are lovers as faithful, and maidens as fair: 
To equal young Jessie seek Scotland all over; 

To equal young Jessie you seek it in vain, 
Grace, beauty, and elegance, fetter her lover, 

And maidenly modesty fixes the chain. 



456 ROBERT BURNS 

O, fresh is the rose in the gay, dewy morning, 

And sweet is the lily, at evening close; 
But in the fair presence o' lovely young Jessie, 

Unseen is the lily, unheeded the rose. 
Love sits in her smile, a wizard ensnaring; 

Enthron'd in her cen he delivers his law: 
And still to her charms she alone is a stranger; 

Her modest demeanour's the jewel of a'. 

MEG O' THE MILL 

O KEN ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten. 
An* ken ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten? 
She gotten a coof wi' a claut o' siller. 
And broken the heart o' the barley Miller. 

The Miller was strappin, the Miller was ruddy; 
A heart like a lord, and a hue like a lady; 
The laird was a widdifu', bleerit knurl; 
She's left the gude fellow, and taen the churl. 

The Miller he hecht her a heart leal and loving. 
The laird did address her wi' matter mair moving, 
A fine pacing-horse wi' a clear chained bridle, 
A whip by her side, and a bonie side-saddle. 

O wae on the siller, it is sae prevailin'. 
And wae on the love that is fixed on a mailen! 
A tocher's nae word in a true lover's parle. 
But gie me my love, and a fig for the warl'l 

MEG O' THE MILL 

Another Version 

O KEN ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten. 
An' ken ye what Meg o' the Mill has gotten? 
A braw new naig wi' the tail o' a rottan, 
And that's what Meg o' the Mill has gotten. 

O ken ye what Meg o' the Mill lo'es dearly. 
An' ken ye what Meg o' the Mill lo'es dearly? 



POEMS AND SONGS 457 

A dram o' gude strunt in the morning early, 
And that's what Meg o' the Mill lo'es dearly. 

O ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was married, 
An' ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was married? 
The priest he was oxter'd, the dark he was carried, 
And that's how Meg o' the Mill was married. 

O ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was bedded, 
An' ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was bedded? 
The groom gat sae fou', he fell awald beside it. 
And that's how Meg o' the Mill was bedded. 

THE SOLDIER'S RETURN 

.<(>— "The Mill, mill, O." 

When wild war's deadly blast was blawn. 

And gentle peace returning, 
Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless, 

And mony a widow mourning; 
I left the lines and tented field, 

Where lang I'd been a lodger. 
My humble knapsack a' my wealth, 

A poor and honest sodger. 

A leal, light heart was in my breast. 

My hand unstain'd wi' plunder; 
And for fair Scotia hame again, 

I cheery on did wander: 
I thought upon the banks o' Coil, 

I thought uf)on my Nancy, 
I thought upon the witching smile 

That caught my youthful fancy. 

At length I reach'd the bonie glen. 

Where early life I sported; 
I pass'd the mill and trysting thorn. 

Where Nancy aft I courted: 
Wha spied I but my ain dear maid, 

Down by her mother's dwelling! 
And turn'd me round to hide the flood 

That in my een was swelling. 



458 ROBERT BURNS 

Wi* alter'd voice, quoth I, "Sweet lass. 

Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom, 
O! happy, happy may he be. 

That's dearest to thy bosom: 
My purse is light, I've far to gang. 

And fain would be thy lodger; 
I've serv'd my king and country lang — 

Take pity on a sodger." 

Sae wistfully she gaz'd on me. 

And lovelier was than ever; 
Quo' she, "A sodger ance I lo'ed. 

Forget him shall I never: 
Our humble cot, and hamely fare. 

Ye freely shall partake it; 
That gallant badge — the dear cockade, 

Ye're welcome for the sake o't." 



She gaz'd — she redden'd like a rose — 

Syne pale like ony lily; 
She sank within my arms, and cried, 

"Art thou my ain dear Willie?" 
"By him who made yon sun and sky! 

By whom true love's regarded, 
I am the man; and thus may still 

True lovers be rewarded. 

"The wars are o'er, and I'm come hame, 

And find thee still true-hearted; 
Tho' poor in gear, we're rich in love. 

And mair we'se ne'er be parted." 
Quo' she, "My grandsire left me gowd, 

A mailen plenish'd fairly; 
And come, my faithfu' sodger lad, 

Thou'rt welcome to it dearly!" 

For gold the merchant ploughs the main. 
The farmer ploughs the manor; 

But glory is the sodger's prize. 
The sodger's wealth is honor: 



POEMS AND SONGS 459 

The brave poor sodger ne'er despise. 

Nor count him as a stranger; 
Remember he's his country's stay, 
In day and hour of danger. 

VtT<ttU<. 9.9. 1793 
THE TRUE LOYAL NATIVES 

Ye true "Loyal Natives" attend to my song 
In uproar and riot rejoice the night long; 
From Envy and Hatred your corps is exempt, 
But where is your shield from the darts of ContemptI 

ON COMMISSARY GOLDIE'S BRAINS 

Lord, to account who dares thee call. 

Or e'er dispute thy pleasure? 
Else why, within so thick a wall, 

Enclose so poor a treasure? 

LINES INSCRIBED IN A LADY'S POCKET 
ALMANAC 

Grant me, indulgent Heaven, that I may live, 
To see the miscreants feel the pains they give; 
Deal Freedom's sacred treasures free as air, 
Till Slave and Despot be but things that were. 

THANKSGIVING FOR A NATIONAL VICTORY 

Ye hypocrites! are these your pranks? 
To murder men and give God thanks! 
Desist, for shame! — proceed no further; 
God won't accept your thanks for murther! 

LINES ON THE COMMEMORATION OF RODNEY'S 
VICTORY 

Instead of a Song, boys, I'll give you a Toast; 
Here's to the memory of those on the twelfth that we lost!^ 
That we lost, did I say? — nay, by Heav'n, that we found; 
For their fame it will last while the world goes round. 



460 ROBERT BURNS 

The next in succession I'll give you's the King! 
Whoe'er would betray him, on high may he swing! 
And here's the grand fabric, our free Constitution, 
As built on the base of our great Revolution! 
And longer with Politics not to be cramm'd, 
Be Anarchy curs'd, and Tyranny damn'd! 
And who would to Liberty e'er prove disloyal, 
May his son be a hangman — and he his first trial! 



THE RAPTURES OF FOLLY 

Thou greybeard, old Wisdom! may boast of thy treasures; 

Give me with young Folly to live; 
I grant thee thy calm-blooded, time-settled pleasures, 

But Folly has raptures to give. 



KIRK AND STATE EXCISEMEN 

Ye men of wit and wealth, why all this sneering 
'Gainst poor Excisemen? Give the cause a hearing: 
What are your Landlord's rent-rolls? Taxing ledgers! 
What Premiers? What ev'n Monarchs? Mighty Gaugers I 
Nay, what are Priests? (those seeming godly wise-men,) 
What are they, pray, but Spiritual Excisemen! 



EXTEMPORE REPLY TO AN INVITATION 

The King's most humble servant, I 

Can scarcely spare a minute; 
But I'll be wi' you by an' by; 

Or else the Deil's be in it. 



GRACE AFTER MEAT 

Lord, we thank, and thee adore. 
For temf>oral gifts we litde merit; 

At present we will ask no more — 
Let William Hislop give the spirit. 



POEMS AND SONGS 46 1 

GRACE BEFORE AND AFTER MEAT 

O Lord, when hunger pinches sore, 

Do thou stand us in stead, 
And send us, from thy bounteous store, 

A tup or wether head! Amen. 



O Lord, since we have feasted thus. 

Which we so little merit. 
Let Meg now take away the flesh, 

And Jock bring in the spirit! Amen. 

IMPROMPTU ON GENERAL DUMOURIER'S DESERTION 
FROM THE FRENCH REPUBLICAN ARMY 

You're welcome to Despxjts, Dumourier; 
You're welcome to Despots, Dumourier: 

How does Dampiere do? 

Ay, and Bournonville too? 
Why did they not come along with you, Dumourier? 

I will fight France with you, Dumourier; 
I will fight France with you, Dumourier; 

I will fight France with you, 

I will take my chance with you; 
By my soul, I'll dance with you, Dumourier. 

Then let us fight about, Dumourier; 
Then let us fight about, Dumourier; 

Then let us fight about. 

Till Freedom's spark be out. 
Then we'll be damn'd, no doubt, Dumourier. 

THE LAST TIME I CAME O'ER THE MOOR 

The last time I came o'er the moor, 

And left Maria's dwelling, 
What throes, what tortures passing cure. 

Were in my bosom swelling: 
Condcmn'd to see my rival's reign. 

While I in secret languish; 



462 ROBERT BURNS 

To feel a fire in every vein, 
Yet dare not speak my anguish. 

Love's veriest wretch, despairing, I 

Fain, fain, my crime would cover; 
Th' unweeting groan, the bursting sigh, 

Betray the guilty lover. 
I know my doom must be despair. 

Thou wilt nor canst relieve me; 
But oh, Maria, hear my prayer, 

For Pity's sake forgive me! 

The music of thy tongue I heard, 

Nor wist while it enslav'd me; 
I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd, 

Till fear no more had sav'd me: 
The unwary sailor thus, aghast. 

The wheeling torrent viewing, 
'Mid circling horrors yields at last 

To overwhelming ruin. 

LOGAN BRAES 

Tune — "Logan Water." 

O LocAN, sweetly didst thou glide. 
That day I was my Willie's bride. 
And years sin syne hae o'er us run. 
Like Logan to the simmer sun: 
But now thy flowery banks appear 
Like drumlie Winter, dark and drear, 
While my dear lad maun face his faes, 
Far, far frae me and Logan braes. 

Again the merry month of May 

Has made our hills and valleys gay; 

The birds rejoice in leafy bowers, 

The bees hum round the breathing flowers; 

Blythe Morning lifts his rosy eye, 

And Evening's tears are tears o* joy: 

My soul, delighdess a' surveys. 

While Willie's far frae Logan braes. 



POEMS AND SONGS 463 

Within yon milk-white hawthorn bush, 
Amang her nestlings sits the thrush: 
Her faithfu' mate will share her toil. 
Or wi' his song her cares beguile; 
But I wi' my sweet nurslings here, 
Nae mate to help, nae mate to cheer. 
Pass widow 'd nights and joyless days, 
While Willie's far frae Logan braes. 

O wae be to you. Men o' State, 
That brethren rouse to deadly hate! 
As ye make mony a fond heart mourn, 
Sae may it on your heads return! 
How can your flinty hearts enjoy 
The widow's tear, the orphan's cry? 
But soon may f>eace bring happy days, 
And Willie hame to Logan braes! 

BLYTHE HAE I BEEN ON YON HILL 

Tune — "The Quaker's Wife." 

Blythe hae I been on yon hill. 

As the lambs before mc; 
Careless ilka thought and free. 

As the breeze flew o'er me; 
Now nae langer sport and play. 

Mirth or sang can please me; 
Lesley is sae fair and coy, 

Care and anguish seize me. 

Heavy, heavy is the task, 

Hopeless love declaring; 
Trembling, I dow nocht but glow'r. 

Sighing, dumb despairing! 
If she winna ease the thraws 

In my bosom swelling, 
Underneath the grass-green sod. 

Soon maun be my dwelling. 



464 ROBERT BURNS 

O WERE MY LOVE YON LILAC FAIR 

Air — "Hughie Graham." 

O WERE my love yon Lilac fair, 

Wi' purple blossoms to the Spring, 
And I, a bird to shelter there, 

When wearied on my little wing! 
How I wad mourn when it was torn 

By Autumn wild, and Winter rude! 
But I wad sing on wanton wing. 

When youthfu' May its bloom renew'd. 

O gin my love were yon red rose. 

That grows uf)on the castle wa'; 
And I myself a drap o' dew, 

Into her bonie breast to fa'! 
O there, beyond expression blest, 

I'd feast on beauty a' the night; 
Seal'd on her silk-saft faulds to rest, 

Till fley'd awa by Phcebus* light! 

BONIE JEAN— A BALLAD 

To its ain tune. 

There was a lass, and she was fair, 
At kirk or market to be seen; 

When a' our fairest maids were met. 
The fairest maid was bonie Jean. 

And aye she wrought her mammie's wark. 
And aye she sang sae merrilie; 

The blythest bird upon the bush 
Had ne'er a lighter heart than she. 

But hawks will rob the tender joys 
That bless the little lintwhite's nest; 

And frost will blight the fairest flowers. 
And love will break the soundest rest. 

Young Robie was the brawest lad. 
The Eowei and pride of a' the glen; 



POEMS AND SONGS 465 

And he had owsen, sheep, and kye, 
And wanton naigies nine or ten. 

He gaed wi' Jeanie to the tryste. 

He danc'd wi' Jeanie on the down; 
And, lang ere widess Jeanie wist, 

Her heart was tint, her peace was stownl 

As in the bosom of the stream. 

The moon-beam dwells at dewy e'en; 
So trembling, pure, was tender love 

Within the breast of bonie Jean. 

And now she works her mammie's wark. 

And aye she sighs wi' care and pain; 
Yet wist na what her ail might be, 

Or what wad make her weel again. 

But did na Jeanie's heart loup light. 

And didna joy blink in her e'e, 
As Robie tauld a tale o' love 

Ae e'ening on the lily lea? 

The sun was sinking in the west. 

The birds sang sweet in ilka grove; 
His cheek to hers he fondly laid. 

And whisper'd thus his tale o' love: 

"O Jeanie fair, I lo'e thee dear; 

O canst thou think to fancy me, 
Or wilt thou leave thy mammie's cot. 

And learn to tent the farms wi' me? 

"At barn or byre thou shalt na drudge, 

Or naething else to trouble thee; 
But stray amang the heather-bells, 

And tent the waving corn wi' me." 

Now what could ardess Jeanie do? 

She had nae will to say him na: 
At length she blush *d a sweet consent. 

And love was aye between them twa. 



466 ROBERT BURNS 

LINES ON JOHN MMURDO, ESQ. 
Blest be M'Murdo to his latest day! 
No envious cloud o'ercast his evening ray; 
No wrinkle, furrow 'd by the hand of care, 
Nor ever sorrow add one silver hair! 
O may no son the father's honour stain, 
Nor ever daughter give the mother pain! 

EPITAPH ON A LAP-DOG 

NAMED ECHO 

In wood and wild, ye warbling throng. 

Your heavy loss deplore; 
Now, half extinct your powers of song, 

Sweet Echo is no more. 

Ye jarring, screeching things around, 

Scream your discordant joys; 
Now, half your din of tuneless sound 

With Echo silent lies. 

EPIGRAMS AGAINST THE EARL OF GALLOWAY 

What dost thou in that mansion fair? 

Flit, Galloway, and find 
Some narrow, dirty, dungeon cave, 

The picture of thy mind. 



No Stewart art thou, Galloway, 
The Stewarts all were brave; 

Besides, the Stewarts were but fools, 
Not one of them a knave. 

Bright ran thy line, O Galloway, 
Thro' many a far-fam'd sire! 

So ran the far-famed Roman way. 
And ended in a mire. 



Spare me thy vengeance, Galloway! 

In quiet let me live: 
I ask no kindness at thy hand. 

For thou hast none to give. 



POEMS AND SONGS 467 



EPIGRAM ON THE LAIRD OF LAGGAN 

When Morinc, deceas'd, to the Devil went down, 
'Twas nothing would serve him but Satan's own crown; 
"Thy fool's head," quoth Satan, "that crown shall wear never, 
I grant thou'rt as wicked, but not quite so clever." 

SONG— PHILLIS THE FAIR 

Tune — "Robin Adair." 

While larks, with little wing, 

Fann'd the pure air. 
Tasting the breathing Spring, 

Forth I did fare: 
Gay the sun's golden eye 
Peep'd o'er the mountains high; 
Such thy morn! did I cry, 

Phillis the fair. 

In each bird's careless song. 

Glad I did share; 
While yon wild-flowers among, 

Chance led me there! 
Sweet to the op'ning day, 
Rosebuds bent the dewy spray; 
Such thy bloom! did I say, 

Phillis the fair. 

Down in a shady walk. 

Doves cooing were; 
I mark'd the cruel hawk 

Caught in a snare: 
So kind may fortune be. 
Such make his destiny. 
He who would injure thee, 

Phillis the fair. 

SONG-HAD I A CAVE 

Tune — "Robin Adair." 

Had I a cave on some wild distant shore, 

Where the winds howl to the waves' dashing roar: 



468 ROBERT BURNS 

There would I weep my woes. 
There seek my lost repwse. 
Till grief my eyes should close. 
Ne'er to wake more! 

Falsest of womankind, can'st thou declare 
All thy fond, plighted vows fleeting as airl 

To thy new lover hie. 

Laugh o'er thy fjerjury; 

Then in thy bosom try 
What peace is there! 



SONG.— BY ALLAN STREAM 

By Allan stream I chanc'd to rove, 

While Phcebus sank beyond Benledi; 
The winds are whisjjering thro* the grove, 

The yellow corn was waving ready: 
I listen'd to a lover's sang, 

An* thought on youthfu* pleasures mony; 
And aye the wild-wood echoes rang — 

"O, dearly do I love thee, Annie! 

"O, happy be the woodbine bower, 

Nae nightly bogle make it eerie; 
Nor ever sorrow stain the hour. 

The place and time I met my Dearie! 
Her head upon my throbbing breast. 

She, sinking, said, Tm thine for ever!* 
While mony a kiss the seal imprest — 

The sacred vow we ne'er should sever." 

The haunt o' Spring's the primrose-brae. 

The Summer joys the flocks to follow; 
How cheery thro' her short'ning day. 

Is Autumn in her weeds o' yellow; 
But can they melt the glowing heart, 

Or chain the soul in speechless pleasure? 
Or thro' each nerve the rapture dart, 

Like meeting her, our bosom's treasure? 



POEMS AND SONGS 469 

WHISTLE, AND I'LL COME TO YOU, MY LAD 

Chorus. — O WHISTLE, an' I'll come to ye, my lad, 
O whistle, an' I'll come to ye, my lad, 
Tho' father an' mother an' a' should gae mad, 
O whisde, an' I'll come to ye, my lad. 

But warily tent when ye come to court me. 
And come nae unless the back-yett ix; a-jee; 
Syne up the back-stile, and let naebody see. 
And come as ye were na comin' to me. 
And come as ye were na comin' to me. 
O whistle an' I'll come, &c. 

At kirk, or at market, whene'er ye meet me. 
Gang by me as tho' that ye car'd na a flie; 
But steal me a blink o' your bonie black e'e, 
Yet look as ye were na lookin' to me. 
Yet look as ye were na lookin' to me. 
O whistle an' I'll come, &c. 

Aye vow and protest that ye care na for me. 
And whiles ye may lightly my beauty a-wee; 
But court na anither, tho' jokin' ye be. 
For fear that she wile your fancy frae me, 
For fear that she wile your fancy frae me. 
O whistle an' I'll come, &c. 



PHILLIS THE QUEEN O' THE FAIR 

Tune — "The Muckin o' Gcordie's Byre." 

Adown winding Nith I did wander. 
To mark the sweet flowers as they spring; 

Adown winding Nith I did wander. 
Of Phillis to muse and to sing. 

Chorus. — Awa' wi' your belles and your beauties. 
They never wi' her can compare, 
Whaever has met wi' my Phillis, 
Has met wi' the queen o* the fair. 



470 ROBERT BURNS 

The daisy amus'd my fond fancy, 
So artless, so simple, so wild; 

Thou emblem, said I, o' my Phillis — 
For she is Simplicity's child. 
Awa' wi' your belles. Sec 

The rose-bud's the blush o' my charmer. 
Her sweet balmy lip when 'tis prest: 

How fair and how pure is the lily! 

But fairer and purer her breast. 

Awa' wi' your belles, &c. 

Yon knot of gay flowers in the aiix)ur, 
They ne'er wi' my Phillis can vie: 

Her breath is the breath of the woodbine. 
Its dew-drop o' diamond her eye. 
Awa' wi' your belles, &c. 

Her voice is the song o' the morning. 

That wakes thro' the green-spreading grove 

When Phoebus peeps over the mountains, 
On music, and pleasure, and love. 
Awa' wi' your belles. See. 

But beauty, how frail and how fleetingi 
The bloom of a fine summer's day; 

While worth in the mind o' my Phillis, 
Will flourish without a decay. 
Awa' wi' your belles, 4cc. 

COME, LET ME TAKE THEE TO MY BREAST 

Come, let me take thee to my breast. 

And pledge we ne'er shall sunder; 
And I shall spurn as vilest dust 

The world's wealth and grandeur: 
And do I hear my Jeanie own 

That equal transports move her? 
I ask for dearest life alone. 

That I may live to love her. 



POEMS AND SONGS \]\ 

Thus, in my arms, wi' a' her charms, 

I clasp my countless treasure; 
I'll seek nae mail o' Heav'n to share, 

Than sic a moment's pleasure: 
And by thy e'en sae bonie blue, 

I swear I'm thine for ever! 
And on thy lips I seal my vow, 

And break it shall I never. 

DAINTY DAVIE 

Now rosy May comes in wi' flowers, 
To deck her gay, green-spreading bowers; 
And now comes in the happy hours. 
To wander wi' my Davie. 

Chorus. — Meet me on the warlock knowe. 
Dainty Davie, Dainty Davie; 
There I'll spend the day wi' you. 
My ain dear Dainty Davie. 

The crystal waters round us fa", 
The merry birds are lovers a'. 
The scented breezes round us blaw, 
A wandering wi' my Davie. 
Meet me on, &c. 

As purple morning starts the hare. 
To steal upon her early fare, 
Then thro' the dews I will repair. 
To meet my faithfu' Davie. 
Meet me on, &c. 

When day, expiring in the west. 
The curtain draws o' Nature's rest, 
I flee to his arms I lo'e the best, 
And that's my ain dear Davie. 
Meet me on, &c. 



472 ROBERT BURNS 

ROBERT BRUCE'S MARCH TO BANNOCKBURN 

Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled, 
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led, 
Welcome to your gory bed. 
Or to Victorie! 

Now's the day, and now's the hour; 
See the front o' battle lour; 
See approach proud Edward's power- 
Chains and Slaverie! 

Wha will be a traitor knave? 
Wha can fill a coward's grave? 
Wha sae base as be a Slave? 

Let him turn and fleet 

Wha, for Scodand's King and Law, 
Freedom's sword will strongly draw. 
Free-man stand, or Free-man fa'. 
Let him on wi' me! 

By Oppression's woes and pains! 
By your Sons in servile chains! 
We will drain our dearest veins. 

But they shall be free! 

Lay the proud Usurpers low! 
Tyrants fall in every foe! 
Liberty's in every blow! — 

Let us Do or Die! 

BEHOLD THE HOUR, THE BOAT ARRIVE 

Behold the hour, the boat arrive; 

Thou goest, the darling of my heart; 
Sever'd from thee, can I survive, 

But Fate has will'd and we must part. 
I'll often greet the surging swell. 

Yon distant Isle will often hail: 
"E'en here I took the last farewell; 

There, latest mark'd her vanish'd sail." 



POEMS AND SONGS 473 

Along the solitary shore, 

While flitting sea-fowl round me cry, 
Across the rolling, dashing roar, 

I'll westward turn my wistful eye: 
"Happy thou Indian grove," I'll say, 

"Where now my Nancy's path may be! 
While thro' thy sweets she loves to stray, 

O tell me, does she muse on mel" 

DOWN THE BURN, DAVIE 

As down the burn they took their way. 

And thro' the flowery dale; 
His cheek to hers he aft did lay, 

And love was aye the tale: 

With "Mary, when shall we return. 

Sic pleasure to renew?" 
Quoth Mary — "Love, I like the burn, 

And aye shall follow you." 

THOU HAST LEFT ME EVER, JAMIE 

Tune — "Fee him, father, fee him." 

Thou hast left me ever, Jamie, 

Thou hast left me ever; 
Thou hast left me ever, Jamie, 

Thou hast left me ever: 
Aften hast thou vow'd that £)eath 

Only should us sever; 
Now thou'st left thy lass for aye — 

I maun see thee never, Jamie, 

I'll see thee never. 

Thou hast me forsaken, Jamie, 

Thou hast me forsaken; 
Thou hast me forsaken, Jamie, 

Thou hast me forsaken; 
Thou canst love another jo. 

While my heart is breaking; 



474 ROBERT BURNS 

Soon my weary een I'll close, 
Never mair to waken, Jamie, 
Never mair to waken! 

WHERE ARE THE JOYS I HAVE MET? 

Tune — "Saw ye my father." 

Where are the joys I have met in the morning. 
That danc'd to the lark's early song? 

Where is the peace that awaited my wand'ring. 
At evening the wild-woods among? 

No more a winding the course of yon river. 
And marking sweet flowerets so fair. 

No more I trace the light footsteps of Pleasure, 
But Sorrow and sad-sighing Care. 

Is it that Summer's forsaken our valleys. 
And grim, surly Winter is near? 

No, no, the bees humming round the gay roses 
Proclaim it the pride of the year. 

Fain would I hide what I fear to discover, 
Yet long, long, too well have I known; 

All that has caused this wreck in my bosom. 
Is Jenny, fair Jenny atone. 

Time cannot aid me, my griefs are immortal. 
Nor Hope dare a comfort bestow: 

Come then, enamour'd and fond of my anguish. 
Enjoyment I'll seek in my woe. 

DELUDED SWAIN, THE PLEASURE 

Tune — "The Collier's Dochtcr." 

DELin>ED swain, the pleasure 
The fickle Fair can give thee, 

Is but a fairy treasure, 
Thy hopes will soon deceive thee: 

The billows on the ocean. 
The breezes idly roaming, 



POEMS AND SONGS 475 

The cloud's uncertain motion, 
They are but types of Woman. 

O art thou not asham'd 

To doat uf)on a feature? 
If Man thou wouldst be nam'd, 

Despise the silly creature. 
Go, find an honest fellow, 

Good claret set before thee, 
Hold on till thou art mellow. 

And then to bed in glory! 

THINE AM I, MY FAITHFUL FAIR 

Tunc — "The Quaker's Wife." 

Thine am I, my faithful Fair, 

Thine, my lovely Nancy, 
Ev'ry pulse along my veins, 

Ev'ry roving fancy. 
To thy bosom lay my heart. 

There to throb and languish; 
Tho' despair had wrung its core. 

That would heal its anguish. 

Take away those rosy lips, 

Rich with balmy treasure; 
Turn away thine eyes of love, ■ 

Lest I die with pleasure! 
What is life when wanting Love? 

Night without a morning: 
Love's the cloudless summer sun. 

Nature gay adorning. 

ON MRS. RIDDELL'S BIRTHDAY 

4th November 1793. 

Old Winter, with his frosty beard, 
Thus once to Jove his prayer preferred: 
"What have I done of all the year. 
To bear this hated doom severe? 



476 ROBERT BURNS 

My cheerless suns no pleasure know; 
Night's horrid car drags, dreary slow; 
My dismal months no joys are crowning, 
But spleeny English hanging, drowning. 

"Now Jove, for once be mighty civil. 

To counterbalance all this evil; 

Give me, and I've no more to say, 

Give me Maria's natal day! 

That brilliant gift shall so enrich me. 

Spring, Summer, Autumn, cannot match me." 

" 'Tis done!" says Jove; so ends my story. 

And Winter once rejoiced in glory. 



MY SPOUSE NANCY 

Tune — "My Jo Janet." 

"Husband, husband, cease your strife, 

Nor longer idly rave. Sir; 
Tho' I am your wedded wife 

Yet I am not your slave, Sir." 
"One of two must still obey, 

Nancy, Nancy; 
Is it Man or Woman, say, 

My sp>ouse Nancy?" 

"If 'tis still the lordly word. 

Service and obedience; 
I'll desert my sov'reign lord. 

And so, good bye, allegiance!" 
"Sad shall I be, so bereft, 

Nancy, Nancy; 
Yet I'll try to make a shift. 

My spouse Nancy." 

"My poor heart, then break it must. 
My last hour I am near it: 

When you lay me in the dust. 
Think how you will bear it." 



POEMS AND SONGS 477 

"I will hope and trust in Heaven, 

Nancy, Nancy; 
Strength to bear it will be given. 

My spouse Nancy." 

"Well, Sir, from the silent dead. 

Still I'll try to daunt you; 
Ever round your midnight bed 

Horrid sprites shall haunt you!" 
"I'll wed another like my dear 

Nancy, Nancy; 
Then all hell will fly for fear. 

My spouse Nancy." 

ADDRESS 

Spoken by Miss Fontenelle on her Benefit Night, December 4th, 1793, 
at the Theatre, Dumfries. 

Still anxious to secure your partial favour, 
And not less anxious, sure, this night, than ever, 
A Prologue, Epilogue, or some such matter, 
'Twould vamp my bill, said I, if nothing better; 
So sought a poet, roosted near the skies. 
Told him I came to feast my curious eyes; 
Said, nothing like his works was ever printed; 
And last, my prologue-business slily hinted. 
"Ma'am, let me tell you," quoth my man of rhymes, 
"I know your bent — these are no laughing times: 
Can you — but. Miss, I own I have my fears — 
Dissolve in pause, and sentimental tears; 
With laden sighs, and solemn-rounded sentence. 
Rouse from his sluggish slumbers, fell Repentance; 
Paint Vengeance as he takes his horrid stand. 
Waving on high the desolating brand. 
Calling the storms to bear him o'er a guilty land.'" 

I could no more — askance the creature eyeing, 
"D'ye think," said I, "this face was made for crying? 
ni laugh, that's poz — nay more, the world shall know it; 
And so, your servant! gloomy Master Poet!" 



478 



ROBERT BURNS 

Firm as my creed, Sirs, 'tis my fix'd belief, 
That Misery's another word for Grief: 
I also think — so may I be a bride! 
That so much laughter, so much life enjoy 'd. 

Thou man of crazy care and ceaseless sigh, 
Still under bleak Misfortune's blasting eye; 
Doom'd to that sorest task of man alive — 
To make three guineas do the work of five: 
Laugh in Misfortune's face — the beldam witch! 
Say, you'll be merry, tho' you can't be rich. 

TTiou other man of care, the wretch in love. 
Who long with jiltish airs and arts hast strove; 
Who, as the boughs all temptingly project, 
Measur'st in desperate thought — a rope — thy neck- 
Or, where the heeding cliff o'erhangs the deep, 
Peerest to meditate the healing leap: 
Would'st thou be cur'd, thou silly, moping elf? 
Laugh at her follies — laugh e'en at thyself: 
Learn to despise those frowns now so terrific. 
And love a kinder — that's your grand specific. 

To sum up all, be merry, I advise; 

And as we're merry, may we still be wise. 

COMPLIMENTARY EPIGRAM ON MARIA 
RIDDELL 

"Praise Woman still," his lordship roars, 
"Deserv'd or not, no matter?" 

But thee, whom all my soul adores, 
Ev'n Flattery cannot flatter: 

Maria, all my thought and dream, 

Inspires my vocal shell; 
The more I praise my lovely theme, 

The more the truth I tell. 



POEMS AND SONGS 479 

REMORSEFUL APOLOGY 

The friend whom, wild from Wisdom's way. 

The fumes of wine infuriate send, 
(Not moony madness more astray) 

Who but deplores that hapless friend? 

Mine was th* insensate frenzied part. 

Ah! why should I such scenes oudive? 
Scenes so abhorrent to my heart! — 

Tis thine to pity and forgive. 

WILT THOU BE MY DEARIE? 

Tune — "The Sutor's Dochter." 

Wilt thou be my Dearie? 
When Sorrow wring thy gentle heart, 

O wilt thou let me cheer thee! 
By the treasure of my soul, 

That's the love I bear thee: 
I swear and vow that only thou 

Shall ever be my Dearie! 
Only thou, I swear and vow. 

Shall ever be my Dearie! 

Lassie, say thou lo'es me; 
Or, if thou wilt na be my ain, 

O say na thou'lt refuse me! 
If it winna, canna be, 

Thou for thine may choose me. 
Let me, lassie, quickly die, 

Still trusting that thou lo'es me! 
Lassie, let me quickly die. 

Still trusting that thou lo'es me! 

A FIDDLER IN THE NORTH 

Tune — "The King o' France he rade a race." 

Amang the trees, where humming bees, 
At buds and flowers were hinging, O, 



480 ROBERT BURNS 

Auld Caledon drew out her drone, 
And to her pipe was singing, O: 

'Twas Pibroch, Sang, Strathsjjeys, and Reels, 
She dirl'd them aff fu' clearly, O: 

When there cam' a yell o' foreign squeels, 
That dang her tapsalteerie, O. 

Their capon craws an' queer "ha, ha*s," 

They made our lugs grow eerie, O; 
The hungry bike did scrape and fyke. 

Till we were wae and weary, O: 
But a royal ghaist, wha ance was cas'd, 

A prisoner, aughteen year awa', 
He fir'd a Fiddler in the North, 

That dang them tapsalteerie, O. 

THE MINSTREL AT LINCLUDEN 

Tune — "Cumnock Psalms." 

As I Stood by yon roofless tower. 

Where the wa'flow'r scents the dewy air. 

Where the howlet mourns in her ivy bower, 
And tells the midnight moon her care. 

Chorus — A lassie all alone, was making her moan. 
Lamenting our lads beyond the sea: 
In the bluidy wars they fa', and our honour's 
gane an' a'. 
And broken-hearted we maun die. 

The winds were laid, the air was still. 
The stars they shot along the sky; 

The tod was howling on the hill, 
And the distant-echoing glens reply. 
A lassie all alone, &c. 

The burn, adown its hazelly path. 
Was rushing by the ruin'd wa*. 

Hasting to join the sweeping Nith, 
Whase roarings seem'd to rise and fa'. 
A lassie all alone, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 48 1 

The cauld blae North was streaming forth 

Her lights, wi' hissing, eerie din, 
Athort the Hft they start and shift. 

Like Fortune's favours, tint as win. 
A lassie all alone, Sec. 

Now, looking over firth and fauld. 

Her horn the pale-faced Cynthia rear'd, 

When lo! in form of Minstrel auld, 
A stern and stalwart ghaist appear'd. 
A lassie all alone, &c. 

And frae his harp sic strains did flow. 

Might rous'd the slumbering £)ead to hear; 

But oh, it was a tale of woe. 
As ever met a Briton's ear! 
A lassie all alone, &c. 

He sang wi' joy his former day. 

He, weeping, wail'd his latter times; 
But what he said — it was nae play, 

I winna venture 't in my rhymes. 
A lassie all alone, &c. 

A VISION 

As I stood by yon roofless tower. 
Where the wa 'flower scents the dewy air, 

Where the howlet mourns in her ivy bower, 
And tells the midnight moon her care. 

The winds were laid, the air was still. 

The stars they shot alang the sky; 
The fox was howling on the hill. 

And the distant echoing glens reply. 

The stream, adown its hazelly path. 

Was rushing by the ruin'd wa's. 
Hasting to join the sweeping Nith, 

Whase distant roaring swells and fa's. 



482 ROBERT BURNS 

The cauld blae North was streaming forth 
Her lights, wi' hissing, eerie din; 

Athwart the lift they start and shift. 
Like Fortune's favors, tint as win. 

By heedless chance I turn'd mine eyes, 
And, by the moonbeam, shook to see 

A stern and stalwart ghaist arise, 
Attir'd as Minstrels wont to be. 

Had I a statue been o' stane. 

His daring look had daunted me; 

And on his bonnet grav'd was plain. 
The sacred posy — "Libertie!" 

And frae his harp sic strains did flow. 

Might rous'd the slumb'ring Dead to hear; 

But oh, it was a tale of woe. 
As ever met a Briton's car! 

He sang wi' joy his former day. 

He, weeping, wailed his latter times; 

But what he said — it was nac play, 
I winna venture't in my rhymes. 

A RED, RED ROSE 

O MY Luvc's like a red, red rose. 
That's newly sprung in June: 

O my Luve's like the melodie. 
That's sweetly play'd in tune. 

As fair art thou, my bonie lass. 

So deep in luve am I; 
And I will luve thee still, my dear. 

Till a' the seas gang dry. 

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, 
And the rocks melt wi' the sun; 

And I will luve thee still, my dear. 
While the sands o' life shall run. 



POEMS AND SONGS 483 

And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve! 

And fare-thee-weel, a while! 
And I will come again, my Luve, 

Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile I 



YOUNG JAMIE, PRIDE OF A' THE PLAIN 

Tune — "The Carlin of the Glen." 

Young Jamie, pride of a' the plain, 
Sae gallant and sae gay a swain, 
Thro' a' our lasses he did rove, 
And reign'd resisdess King of Love. 

But now, wi' sighs and starting tears. 
He strays amang the woods and breirs; 
Or in the glens and rocky caves, 
His sad complaining dowie raves: — 

"I wha sae late did range and rove. 
And chang'd with every moon my love, 
I little thought the time was near, 
Repentance I should buy sae dear. 



"The slighted maids my torments see. 
And laugh at a' the pangs I dree; 
While she, my cruel, scornful Fair, 
Forbids me e'er to see her main" 



THE FLOWERY BANKS OF CREE 

Here is the glen, and here the bower 
All underneath the birchen shade; 

The village-bell has told the hour, 
O what can stay my lovely maid.' 

Tis not Maria's whispering call; 

Tis but the balmy breathing gale, 
Mixt with some warbler's dying fall, 

The dewy star of eve to hail. 



484 ROBERT BURNS 

It is Maria's voice I hear; 

So calls the woodlark in the grove, 
His little, faithful mate to cheer; 

At once 'tis music and 'tis love. 

And art thou come! and art thou true! 

O welcome dear to love and me! 
And let us all our vows renew, 

Along the flowery banks of Cree. 

MONODY 
On a lady famed for her Caprice. 

How cold is that bosom which folly once fired. 

How pale is that cheek where the rouge lately glisten'd; 

How silent that tongue which the echoes oft tired. 
How dull is that ear which to flatt'ry so listen'd! 

If sorrow and anguish their exit await. 

From friendship and dearest affection remov'd; 

How doubly severer, Maria, thy fate, 
Thou dicdst unwept, as thou livedst unlov'd. 

Loves, Graces, and Virtues, I call not on you; 

So shy, grave, and distant, ye shed not a tear: 
But come, all ye offspring of Folly so true. 

And flowers let us cull for Maria's cold bier. 

We'll search through the garden for each silly flower, 
We'll roam thro' the forest for each idle weed; 

But chiefly the nettle, so typical, shower. 

For none e'er approach'd her but rued the rash deed. 

We'll sculpture the marble, we'll measure the lay; 

Here Vanity strums on her idiot lyre; 
There keen Indignation shall dart on his prey, 

Which spurning Contempt shall redeem from his ire. 

THE EPITAPH 

Here lies, now a prey to insulting neglect, 
What once was a butterfly, gay in life's beam: 

Want only of wisdom denied her resf)ect. 
Want only of goodness denied her esteem. 



POEMS AND SONGS 485 

PINNED TO MRS. WALTER RIDDELL'S CARRIAGE 

If you rattle along like your Mistress's tongue, 

Your speed will outrival the dart; 
But a fly for your load, you'll break down on the road, 

If your stuff be as rotten's her heart. 

EPITAPH FOR MR. WALTER RIDDELL 

Sic a reptile was Wat, sic a miscreant slave, 
TTiat the worms ev'n damn'd him when laid in his grave; 
"In his flesh there's a famine," a starved reptile cries, 
"And his heart is rank poison!" another replies. 

EPISTLE FROM ESOPUS TO MARIA 

From those drear solitudes and frowsy cells. 
Where Infamy with sad Repentance dwells; 
Where turnkeys make the jealous portal fast. 
And deal from iron hands the spare repast; 
Where truant 'prentices, yet young in sin. 
Blush at the curious stranger peeping in; 
Where strumpets, relics of the drunken roar. 
Resolve to drink, nay, half, to whore.no more; 
Where tiny thieves not destin'd yet to swing. 
Beat hemp for others, rifjcr for the string: 
From these dire scenes my wretched lines I date, 
To tell Maria her Esopus' fate. 

"Alas! I feel I am no actor here!" 

Tis real hangmen real scourges bear! 

Prepare Maria, for a horrid tale 

Will turn thy very rouge to deadly pale; 

Will make thy hair, tho' erst from gipsy poU'd, 

By barber woven, and by barber sold. 

Though twisted smooth with Harry's nicest care. 

Like hoary bristles to erect and stare. 

The hero of the mimic scene, no more 

I start in Hamlet, in Othello roar; 

Or, haughty Chieftain, 'mid the din of arms 

In Highland Bonnet, woo Malvina's charms; 



486 ROBERT BURNS 

While sans-culottcs stoop up the mountain high, 

And steal from me Maria's prying eye. 

Blest Highland bonnet! once my proudest dress, 

Now prouder still, Maria's temples press; 

I see her wave thy towering plumes afar, 

And call each coxcomb to the wordy war: 

I see her face the first of Ireland's sons, 

And even out-Irish his Hibernian bronze; 

The crafty Colonel leaves the tartan'd lines. 

For other wars, where he a hero shines: 

The hopeful youth, in Scottish senate bred. 

Who owns a Bushby's heart without the head. 

Comes 'mid a string of coxcombs, to display 

That veni, vidi, vici, is his way: 

The shrinking Bard adown the alley skulks. 

And dreads a meeting worse than Woolwich hulks: 

Though there, his heresies in Church and State 

Might well award him Muir and Palmer's fate: 

Still she undaunted reels and rattles on. 

And dares the public like a noontide sun. 

What scandal called Maria's jaunty stagger 

The ricket reeling of a crooked swagger? 

Whose spleen (e'en worse than Burns's venom, when 

He dips in gall unmix'd his eager pen, 

And pours his vengeance in the burning line,) — 

Who christen'd thus Maria's lyre-divine 

The idiot strum of Vanity bemus'd. 

And even the abuse of Poesy abus'd? — 

Who called her verse a Parish Workhouse, made 

For motley foundling Fancies, stolen or strayed? 

A Workhouse! ah, that sound awakes my woes. 
And pillows on the thorn my rack'd repwse! 
In durance vile here must I wake and weep, 
And all my frowsy couch in sorrow steep; 
That straw where many a rogue has lain of yore. 
And vermin'd gipsies litter'd heretofore. 

Why, Lonsdale, thus thy wrath on vagrants |X>ur? 
Must earth no rascal save thyself endure? 
Must thou alone in guilt immortal swell. 



POEMS AND SONGS 487 

And make a vast monopoly of hell? 

Thou know'st the Virtues cannot hate thee worse; 

The Vices also, must they club their curse? 

Or must no tiny sin to others fall, 

Because thy guilt's supreme enough for all? 

Maria, send me too thy griefs and cares; 

In all of thee sure thy Esopus shares. 

As thou at all mankind the flag unfurls, 

Who on my fair one Satire's vengeance hurls — 

Who calls thee, pert, affected, vain coquette, 

A wit in folly, and a fool in wit! 

Who says that fool alone is not thy due, 

And quotes thy treacheries to prove it true! 

Our force united on thy foes we'll turn, 

And dare the war with ail of woman born: 

For who can write and speak as thou and I? 

My periods that deciphering defy. 

And thy still matchless tongue that conquers all reply! 

EPITAPH ON A NOTED COXCOMB 

Capt. Wm. Roddick, of Corbiston. 

Light lay the earth on Billy's breast. 

His chicken heart so tender; 
But build a castle on his head, 

His scull will prop it under. 

ON CAPT. LASCELLES 

When Lascelles thought fit from this world to depart. 
Some friends warmly thought of embalming his heart; 
A bystander whispers — "Pray don't make so much o't, 
The subject is fwison, no reptile will touch it." 

ON WM. GRAHAM, ESQ., OF MOSSKNOWE 

"Stop thief!" dame Nature call'd to Death, 
As Willy drew his latest breath; 
How shall I make a fool again? 
My choicest model thou hast ta'en. 



488 ROBERT BURNS 

ON JOHN BUSHBY, ESQ, TINWALD DOWNS 

Here lies John Bushby — honest man, 
Cheat him, Devil — if you can! 

SONNET ON THE DEATH OF ROBERT RIDDELL 
Of Glenriddell and Friars' Carse. 

No more, ye warblers of the wood! no more; 

Nor pour your descant grating on my soul; 

Thou young-eyed Spring! gay in thy verdant stole. 
More welcome were to me grim Winter's wildest roar. 

How can ye charm, ye flowers, with all your dyes? 

Ye blow upon the sod that wraps my friend I 

How can I to the tuneful strain attend? 
That strain flows round the untimely tomb where Riddell lies. 

Yes, pour, ye warblers! pour the notes of woe. 
And soothe the Virtues weeping o'er his bier: 
The man of worth — and hath not left his pearl 

Is in his "narrow house," for ever darkly low. 

Thee, Spring! again with joy shall others greet; 
Me, memory of my loss will only meet. 

THE LOVELY LASS O' INVERNESS 

The lovely lass o' Inverness, 

Nae joy nor pleasure can she see; 
For, e'en to morn she cries, alas! 

And aye the saut tear blin's her e'e. 

"Drumossie moor, Drumossie day — 

A waefu' day it was to me! 
For there I lost my father dear, 

My father dear, and brethren three. 

"Their winding-sheet the bluidy clay. 
Their graves are growin' green to see; 



POEMS AND SONGS 489 

And by them lies the dearest lad 
That ever blest a woman's e'e! 

"Now wae to thee, thou cruel lord, 

A bluidy man I trow thou be; 
For mony a heart thou has made sair, 

That ne'er did wrang to thine or thee!" 

CHARLIE, HE'S MY DARLING 

"TwAs on a Monday morning, 

Right early in the year. 
That Charlie came to our town, 

The young Chevalier. 

Chorus — An' Charlie, he's my darling, 
My darling, my darling, 
Charlie, he's my darling. 
The young Chevalier. 

As he was walking up the street. 

The city for to view, 
O there he spied a bonie lass 

The window looking through. 
An' Charlie, &c. 

Sae light's he jumped up the stair. 

And tirl'd at the pin; 
And wha sae ready as hersel* 

To let the laddie in. 
An' Charlie, &c. 

He set his Jenny on his knee. 

All in his Highland dress; 
For brawly weel he ken'd the way 

To please a bonie lass. 
An' Charlie, Sec. 

It's up yon heathery mountain. 

An' down yon scroggie glen. 
We daur na gang a milking. 

For Charlie and his men, 
An' Charlie, Sec. 



490 ROBERT BURNS 

BANNOCKS O' BEAR MEAL 

Chorus — Bannocks o' bear meal, 
Bannocks o' barley, 
Here's to the Highlandman's 
Bannocks o' barley! 

Wha, in a brulyie, will 

First cry a parley? 
Never the lads wi' the 

Bannocks o' barley, 

Bannocks o' bear meal, &C. 

Wha, in his wae days. 
Were loyal to Charlie? 

Wha but the lads wi' the 
Bannocks o' barley! 

Bannocks o' bear meal. Sec 

THE HIGHLAND BALOU 

Hee balou, my sweet wee Donald, 
Picture o' the great Clanronald; 
Brawlie kens our wanton Chief 
Wha gat my young Highland thief. 

Leeze me on thy bonie craigie. 
An' thou live, thou'll steal a naigie, 
Travel the country thro' and thro', 
And bring hame a Carlisle cow. 

Thro' the Lawlands, o'er the Border, 
Weel, my babie, may thou furder! 
Herry the louns o' the laigh Countrie, 
Syne to the Highlands hame to me. 

THE HIGHLAND WIDOW'S LAMENT 

Oh I am come to the low Countrie, 

Ochon, Ochon, Ochrie! 
Without a penny in my purse. 

To buy a meal to me. 



POEMS AND SONGS 49 1 

It was na sae in the Highland hills, 

Ochon, Ochon, Ochrie! 
Nae woman in the Country wide, 

Sae happy was as me. 

For then I had a score o' kye, 

Ochon, Ochon, Ochrie! 
Feeding on yon hill sae high, 

And giving milk to me. 

And there I had three score o' yowes, 

Ochon, Ochon, Ochrie! 
Skipping on yon bonie knowes, 

And casting woo' to me. 

I was the happiest of a' the Clan, 

Sair, sair, may I repine; 
For Donald was the brawest man. 

And Donald he was mine. 

Till Charlie Stewart cam at last, 

Sae far to set us free; 
My Donald's arm was wanted then, 

For Scodand and for me. 

Their waefu' fate what need I tell. 

Right to the wrang did yield; 
My Donald and his Country fell. 

Upon CuUoden field. 

Oh I am come to the low Countrie, 

Ochon, Ochon, Ochrie! 
Nae woman in the warld wide, 

Sae wretched now as me. 

IT WAS A' FOR OUR RIGHTFU" KING 

It was a' for our rightfu' King 

We left fair Scotland's strand; 
It was a' for our rightfu' King 

We e'er saw Irish land, my dear, 

We e'er saw Irish land. 



492 ROBERT BURNS 

Now a' is done that men can do, 
And a' is done in vain; 

My Love and Native Land fareweel, 
For I maun cross the main, my dear, 
For I maun cross the main. 

He turn'd him right and round about, 
Upon the Irish shore; 

And gae his bridle reins a shake, 
With adieu for evermore, my dear, 
And adieu for evermore. 

The soger frae the wars returns. 
The sailor frae the main; 

But I hae parted frae my Love, 
Never to meet again, my dear. 
Never to meet again. 

When day is gane, and night is come. 
And a' folk, bound to sleep; 

I think on him that's far awa. 

The lee-lang night, and weep, my dear, 
The lee-lang night, and weep. 



ODE FOR GENERAL WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY 

No Spartan tube, no Attic shell. 

No lyre ^Eolian I awake; 
'Tis liberty's bold note I swell. 

Thy harp, Columbia, let me take! 
See gathering thousands, while I sing, 
A broken chain exulting bring. 

And dash it in a tyrant's face, 
And dare him to his very beard. 
And tell him he no more is feared — 

No more the despwt of Columbia's race! 
A tyrant's proudest insults brav'd. 
They shout — a People freed ! They hail an Empire 
saved. 



POEMS AND SONGS 493 

Where is man's god-like form? 

Where is that brow erect and bold — 

That eye that can unmov'd behold 
The wildest rage, the loudest storm 
That e'er created fury dared to raise? 
Avaunt! thou caitiil, servile, base, 
That tremblest at a despot's nod. 
Yet, crouching under the iron rod. 

Canst laud the hand that struck th' insulting 
blow! 
Art thou of man's Imperial line? 
Dost boast that countenance divine? 

Each skulking feature answers, No! 
But come, ye sons of Liberty, 
Columbia's offspring, brave as free. 
In danger's hour still flaming in the van. 
Ye know, and dare maintain, the Royalty of ManI 

Alfred! on thy starry throne. 

Surrounded by the tuneful choir. 

The bards that erst have struck the patriot lyre, 

And rous'd the freeborn Briton's soul of fire, 
No more thy England own! 
Dare injured nations form the great design. 

To make detested tyrants bleed? 

Thy England execrates the glorious deed! 

Beneath her hostile banners waving. 

Every pang of honour braving, 
England in thunder calls, "The tyrant's cause is mine!" 
That hour accurst how did the fiends rejoice 
And hell, thro' all her confines, raise the exulting voice. 
That hour which saw the generous English name 
Linkt with such damned deeds of everlasting shame! 

Thee, Caledonia! thy wild heaths among, 

Fam'd for the martial deed, the heaven-taught song, 

To thee I turn with swimming eyes; 
Where is that soul of Freedom fled? 
Immingled with the mighty dead. 

Beneath that hallow 'd turf where Wallace lies 



494 ROBERT BURNS 

Hear it not, Wallace! in thy bed of death. 

Ye babbling winds! in silence sweep. 

Disturb not ye the hero's sleep. 
Nor give the coward secret breath! 
Is this the ancient Caledonian form, 
Firm as the rock, resisdess as the storm? 
Show me that eye which shot immortal hate. 

Blasting the despxjt's proudest bearing; 
Show me that arm which, nerv'd with thundering fate, 

Crush 'd Usurpation's boldest daring! — 
Dark-quench'd as yonder sinking star, 
No more that glance lightens afar; 
That palsied arm no more whirls on the waste of war. 

INSCRIPTION TO MISS GRAHAM OF FINTRY 

Here, where the Scottish Muse immortal lives. 
In sacred strains and tuneful numbers joined, 

Accept the gift; though humble he who gives, 
Rich is the tribute of the grateful mind. 

So may no ruffian-feeling in my breast. 
Discordant, jar thy bosom-chords among; 

But Peace attune thy gende soul to rest. 
Or Love, ecstatic, wake his seraph song, 

Or Pity's notes, in luxury of tears. 
As modest Want the tale of woe reveals; 

While conscious Virtue all the strains endears. 
And heaven-born Piety her sanction seals. 

ON THE SEAS AND FAR AWAY 

Tune — ^"O'er the hills and far away." 
How can my poor heart be glad. 
When absent from my sailor lad; 
How can I the thought forego — 
He's on the seas to meet the foe? 
Let me wander, let me rove. 
Still my heart is with my love; 
Nightly dreams, and thoughts by day, 
Are with him that's far away. 



POEMS AND SONGS 495 

Chorus. — On the seas and far away, 

On stormy seas and far away; 
Nightly dreams and thoughts by day, 
Are aye with him that's far away. 

When in summer noon I faint, 
As weary flocks around me pant. 
Haply in this scorching sun. 
My sailor's thund'ring at his gun; 
Bullets, spare my only joy! 
Bullets, spare my darling boy! 
Fate, do with me what you may, 
Spare but him that's far away. 

On the seas and far away, 

On stormy seas and far away; 

Fate, do with me what you may. 

Spare but him that's far away. 

At the starless, midnight hour 

When Winter rules with boundless power. 

As the storms the forests tear. 

And thunders rend the howling air, 

Listening to the doubling roar. 

Surging on the rocky shore. 

All I can — I weep and pray 

For his weal that's far away. 

On the seas and far away. 

On stormy seas and far away; 

All I can — I weep and pray. 

For his weal that's far away. 

Peace, thy olive wand extend. 
And bid wild War his ravage end, 
Man with brother Man to meet, 
And as a brother kindly greet; 
Then may heav'n with prosperous gales. 
Fill my sailor's welcome sails; 
To my arms their charge convey. 
My dear lad that's far away. 
On the seas and far away, 



496 ROBERT BURNS 

On stormy seas and far away; 
To my arms their charge convey, 
My dear lad that's far away. 

CA' THE YOWES TO THE KNOWES 

SECOND VERSION 

Chorus. — Ca' the yowes to the knowes, 

Ca' them where the heather grows, 
Ca' them where the burnie rowes. 
My bonie Dearie. 

Hark the mavis' e'ening sang, 
Sounding Clouden's woods amang; 
Then a-faulding let us gang, 
My bonie Dearie. 
Ca' the yowes, 8cc. 

We'll gae down by Clouden side. 
Thro' the hazels, spreading wide. 
O'er the waves that sweetly glide, 
To the moon sae clearly. 
Ca' the yowes, &c. 

Yonder Clouden's silent towers,' 
Where, at moonshine's midnight hours, 
O'er the dewy-bending flowers. 
Fairies dance sae cheery. 
Ca' the yowes, &c 

Ghaist nor bogle shalt thou fear, 
Thou'rt to Love and Hcav'n sae dear, 
Nocht of ill may come thee near; 
My bonie Dearie. 
Ca' the yowes, &c. 

Fair and lovely as thou art. 

Thou hast stown my very heart; 

I can die — but canna part. 

My bonie Dearie. 

Ca' the yowes, &c. 

* An old ruin in a sweet situation at the confluence of the Clouden and the Nith. 
—R.B. 



POEMS AND SONGS 497 

SHE SAYS SHE LOES ME BEST OF A' 

Tune — "Oonagh"s Waterfall." 

Sae flaxen were her ringlets, 

Her eyebrows of a darker hue, 
Bewitchingly o'er-arching 

Twa laughing e'en o' lovely blue; 
Her smiling, sae wyling, 

Wad make a wretch forget his woe; 
What pleasure, what treasure, 

Unto these rosy lips to grow! 
Such was my Chloris' bonie face, 

When first that bonie face I saw; 
And aye my Chloris' dearest charm — 

She says, she lo'es me best of a'. 

Like harmony her motion. 

Her pretty ankle is a spy, 
Betraying fair proportion, 

Wad make a saint forget the sky: 
Sae warming, sae charming, 

Her faultless form and gracefu' air; 
Ilk feature — auld Nature 

Declar'd that she could do nae mair: 
Hers are the willing chains o' love. 

By conquering Beauty's sovereign law; 
And still my Chloris' dearest charm — 

She says, she lo'es me best of a'. 

Let others love the city. 

And gaudy show, at sunny noon; 
Gie me the lonely valley. 

The dewy eve and rising moon. 
Fair beaming, and streaming. 

Her silver light the boughs amang; 
While falling, recalling, 

TTie amorous thrush concludes his sang; 
Tliere, dearest Chloris, wilt thou rove. 

By wimpling burn and leafy shaw. 
And hear my vows o' truth and love, 

And say, thou lo'es me best of a' 



49^ ROBERT BURNS 

TO DR. MAXWELL 
On Miss Jessy Staig's recovery. 

Maxwell, if merit here you crave, 

That merit I deny; 
You save fair Jessie from the grave! — 

An Angel could not die! 

TO THE BEAUTIFUL MISS ELIZA J ^N 

On her Principles of Liberty and Equality. 

How, Liberty! girl, can it be by thee nam'd? 
Equality too! hussey, art not asham'dP 
Free and Equal indeed, while mankind thou enchainest. 
And over their hearts a proud Despot so reignest. 

ON CHLORIS 
Requesting me to give her a Sprig of Blossomed Thorn. 

From the white-blossom 'd sloe my dear Chloris requested 

A sprig, her fair breast to adorn: 
No, by Heavens! I exclaim 'd, let me perish, if ever 

I plant in that bosom a thorn ! 

ON SEEING MRS. KEMBLE IN YARICO 

Kemble, thou cur'st my unbelief 

Of Moses and his rod; 
At Yarico's sweet note of grief 

The rock with tears had flow'd. 

EPIGRAM ON A COUNTRY LAIRD, 
not quite so wise as Solomon. 

Bless Jesus Christ, O Cardoness, 

With grateful, lifted eyes. 
Who taught that not the soul alone. 

But body too shall rise; 



POEMS AND SONGS 499 

For had He said "the soul alone 

From death I will deliver," 
Alas, alas! O Cardoness, 

Then hadst thou lain for ever. 

ON BEING SHEWN A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY SEAT 
Belonging to the same Laird. 

We grant they're thine, those beauties all. 

So lovely in our eye; 
Keep them, thou eunuch, Cardoness, 

For others to enjoy! 

ON HEARING IT ASSERTED FALSEHOOD 
is expressed in the Rev. Dr. Babington's very looks. 

That there is a falsehood in his looks, 

I must and will deny: 
They tell their Master is a knave. 

And sure they do not lie. 

ON A SUICIDE 

Earth'd up, here lies an imp o' hell. 

Planted by Satan's dibble; 
Poor silly wretch, he's damned himsel*, 

To save the Lord the trouble. 

ON A SWEARING COXCOMB 

Here cursing, swearing Burton lies, 

A buck, a beau, or "Dem my eyes!" 

Who in his life did little good. 

And his last words were "Dem my blood!" 

ON AN INNKEEPER NICKNAMED "THE MARQUIS" 

Here lies a mock Marquis, whose titles were shamm'd. 
If ever he rise, it will be to be damn'd. 



500 ROBERT BURNS 

ON ANDREW TURNER 

In se'enteen hunder 'n forty-nine, 
The deil gat stuff to male a swine. 

An' coost it in a corner; 
But wilily he chang'd his plan, 
An' shap'd it something hke a man, 

An' ca'd it Andrew Turner. 

PRETTY PEG 

As I gaed up by yon gate-end, 
When day was waxin' weary, 

Wha did I meet come down the street. 
But pretty Peg, my dearie! 

Her air sae sweet, an' shape complete, 
Wi' nae proportion wanting, 

The Queen of Love did never move 
Wi' motion mair enchanting. 

Wi' linked hands we took the sands, 
Adown yon winding river; 

Oh, that sweet hour and shady bower. 
Forget it shall I never! 

ESTEEM FOR CHLORIS 
Ah, Chloris, since it may not be. 

That thou of love wilt hear; 
If from the lover thou maun flee, 

Yet let the friend be dear. 

Altho' I love my Chloris mair 
Than ever tongue could tell; 

My passion I will ne'er declare — 
I'll say, I wish thee well. 

Tho' a' my daily care thou art. 
And a' my nightly dream, 

I'll hide the struggle in my heart. 
And say it is esteem. 



POEMS AND SONGS 5OI 

SAW YE MY DEAR, MY PHILLY 

Tune — "When she cam" ben she bobbit." 

O SAW ye my Dear, my Philly ? 
O saw ye my Dear, my Philly, 
She's down i' the grove, she's wi' a new Love, 
She winna come hame to her Willy. 

What says she my dear, my Philly? 
What says she my dear, my Philly? 
She lets thee to wit she has thee forgot. 
And forever disowns thee, her Willy. 

O had I ne'er seen thee, my Philly! 

had I ne'er seen thee, my Philly! 

As light as the air, and fause as thou's fair, 
Thou's broken the heart o' thy Willy. 

HOW LANG AND DREARY IS THE NIGHT 

How lang and dreary is the night 

When I am frae my Dearie; 
I restless lie frae e'en to morn 

TTiough I were ne'er sae weary. 

Chorus. — For oh, her lauely nights are lang! 
And oh, her dreams are eerie; 
And oh, her widow 'd heart is sair. 
That's absent frae her Dearie! 

When I think on the lightsome days 

1 spent wi' thee, my Dearie; 
And now what seas between us roar, 

How can I be but eerie? 
For oh, gcc. 

How slow ye move, ye heavy hours; 

The joyless day how dreary: 
It was na sae ye glinted by. 

When I was wi' my Dearie! 
For oh, &c. 



502 ROBERT BURNS 

INCONSTANCY IN LOVE 

Tune — "DuiKan Gray." 

Let not Woman e'er complain 

Of inconstancy in love; 
Let not Woman e'er complain 

Fickle Man is apt to rove: 
Look abroad thro' Nature's range, 
Nature's mighty Law is change, 
Ladies, would it not seem strange 

Man should then a monster prove! 

Mark the winds, and mark the skies. 

Ocean's ebb, and ocean's flow. 
Sun and moon but set to rise. 

Round and round the seasons go. 
Why then ask of silly Man 
To oppose great Nature's plan? 
We'll be constant while we can — 

You can be no more, you know. 

THE LOVER'S MORNING SALUTE TO HIS 
MISTRESS 

Tune — "Deil tak the war»." 

Sleep'st thou, or wak'st thou, fairest creature? 

Rosy morn now lifts his eye. 
Numbering ilka bud which Nature 

Waters wi' the tears o' joy. 

Now, to the streaming fountain. 

Or up the heathy mountain. 
The hart, hind, and roe, freely, wildly-wanton stray; 

In twining hazel bowers, 

Its lay the linnet p>ours. 

The laverock to the sky 

Ascends, wi' sangs o' joy. 
While the sun and thou arise to Uess the day. 

Phoebus gilding the brow of morning. 
Banishes ilk darksome shade, 



POEMS AND SONGS 503 

Nature, gladdening and adorning; 

Such to me my lovely maid. 

When frae my Chloris parted, 

Sad, cheerless, broken-hearted. 
The night's gloomy shades, cloudy, dark, o'ercast my sky: 

But when she charms my sight. 

In pride of Beauty's light — 

When thro' my very heart 

Her burning glories dart; 
Tis then — 'tis then I wake to life and joy! 

THE WINTER OF LIFE 

But lately seen in gladsome green. 

The woods rejoic'd the day. 
Thro' gende showers, the laughing flowers 

In double pride were gay: 
But now our joys are fled 

On winter blasts awa; 
Yet maiden May, in rich array, 

Again shall bring them a'. 

But my white pow, nae kindly thowe 

Shall melt the snaws of Age; 
My trunk of eild, but buss or beild. 

Sinks in Time's wintry rage. 
Oh, Age has weary days. 

And nights o' sleepless pain: 
Thou golden time, o' Youthfu' prime, 

Why comes thou not again! 

BEHOLD, MY LOVE, HOW GREEN THE GROVES 

Tune — ^"My lodging is on the cold ground." 

Behold, my love, how green the groves. 

The primrose banks how fair; 
The balmy gales awake the flowers. 

And wave thy flowing hair. 

The lav'rock shuns the palace gay. 
And o'er the cottage sings: 



504 ROBERT BURNS 

For Nature smiles as sweet, I ween, 
To Shepherds as to Kings. 

Let minstrels sweep the skilfu' string, 

In lordly lighted ha': 
The Shepherd stops his simple reed, 

Blythe in the birken shaw. 

The Princely revel may survey 
Our rustic dance wi' scorn; 

But are their hearts as light as ours, 
Beneath the milk-white thorn I 

The shepherd, in the flowery glen; 

In shepherd's phrase, will woo: 
The courtier tells a finer tale. 

But is his heart as true! 

These wild-wood flowers I've pu'd, to deck 
That spodess breast o' thine: 

The courtiers' gems may witness love. 
But, 'tis na love like mine. 

THE CHARMING MONTH OF MAY 

Tune — "Daintic Davie." 

It was the charming month of May, 
When all the flow'rs were fresh and gay. 
One morning, by the break of day, 

The youthful, charming Chloe — 
From peaceful slumber she arose, 
Girt on her mantle and her hose, 
And o'er the flow'ry mead she goes — 

The youthful, charming Chloe. 

Chorus. — Lovely was she by the dawn. 

Youthful Chloe, charming Chloe, 
Tripping o'er the pearly lawn, 
The youthful, charming Chloe. 

The feather'd f)eople you might see 
Perch 'd all around on every tree. 



POEMS AND SONGS 505 

In notes of sweetest melody 

They hail the charming Chloe; 
Till, painting gay the eastern skies. 
The glorious sun began to rise, 
Outrival'd by the radiant eyes 

Of youthful, charming Chloe. 
Lovely was she, &c. 

LASSIE Wr THE LINT-WHITE LOCKS 

Tune — "Rothiemurchic's Rant." 

Chorus. — Lassie wi' the lint-white locks, 
Bonie lassie, ardess lassie. 
Wilt thou wi' me tent the flocks, 
Wilt thou be my Dearie, O? 

Now Nature deeds the flowery lea. 
And a' is young and sweet like thee, 
O wilt thou share its joys wi* me. 
And say thou'lt be my Dearie, O. 
Lassie wi' the, &c. 

The primrose bank, the wimpling burn. 
The cuckoo on the milk-white thorn. 
The wanton lambs at early morn, 
Shall welcome thee, my Dearie, O. 
Lassie wi' the, Sec. 

And when the welcome simmer shower 
Has cheer'd ilk drooping litde flower, 
We'll to the breathing woodbine bower. 
At sultry noon, my Dearie, O. 
Lassie wi' the, &c. 

When Cynthia lights, wi' silver ray, 
The weary shearer's hameward way, 
Thro' yellow waving fields we'll stray, 
And talk o' love, my Dearie, O. 
Lassie wi' the, &c. 



506 ROBERT BURNS 

And when the howling wintry blast 
Disturbs my Lassie's midnight rest, 
Enclasped to my faithfu' breast, 
I'll comfort thee, my Dearie, O. 
Lassie wi' the, &c. 

DIALOGUE SONG— PHILLY AND WILLY 

Tune — "The Sow's tail to Gcordie." 

He. O Philly, happy be that day. 

When roving thro' the gather'd hay, 
My youthfu' heart was stown away, 
And by thy charms, my Philly. 
She. O Willy, aye I bless the grove 

Where first I own'd my maiden love, 
Whilst thou did pledge the Powers above. 

To be my ain dear Willy. 
Both. For a' the joys that gowd can gie, 
I dinna care a single flie; 

'^''{lass}''°^'''''^niass}^°''"'' 
And that's my ain dear < pi-ii f 

He. As songsters of the early year. 
Are ilka day mair sweet to hear, 
So ilka day to me mair dear 
And charming is my Philly. 
She. As on the brier the budding rose. 

Still richer breathes and fairer blows. 
So in my tender bosom grows 

The love I bear my Willy. 
Both. For a' the joys, ficc. 

He. The milder sun and bluer sky 

That crown my harvest cares wi' joy, 
Were ne'er sae welcome to my eye 
As is a sight o' Philly. 

She. The little swallow's wanton wing, 
Tho' wafting o'er the flowery Spring, 



POEMS AND SONGS 507 

Did ne'er to me sic tidings bring. 

As meeting o' my Willy. 
Both. For a' the joys, &c. 

He. The bee that thro' the sunny hour 
Sips nectar in the op'ning flower, 
Compar'd wi* my delight is poor. 
Upon the lips o' Philly. 
She.The woodbine in the dewy weet. 

When ev'ning shades in silence meet. 
Is nocht sae fragrant or sae sweet 

As is a kiss o' Willy. 
Both. For a' the joys, &c. 

He.Let fortune's wheel at random rin. 

And fools may tine and knaves may win; 
My thoughts are a' bound up in ane, 
And that's my ain dear Philly. 
She. What's a' the joys that gowd can gie? 
I dinna care a single (lie; 
The lad I love's the lad for me. 
And that's my ain dear Willy. 
Both. For a' the joys, &c. 

CONTENTED WI' LITTLE AND CANTIE WI' MAIR 

Tune — "Lumps o* Puddin'." 

Contented wi' litde, and cantie wi' mair. 
Whene'er I forgather wi' Sorrow and Care, 
I gie them a skelp as they're creeping alang, 
Wi' a cog o' gude swats and an auld Scottish sang. 

Chorus — Contented wi' little, &c. 

I whiles claw the elbow o' troublesome thought; 
But Man is a soger, and Life is a faught; 
My mirth and gude humour are coin in my pouch, 
And my Freedom's my Lairdship nae monarch dare touch. 

Contented wi' little, &c. 

A townmond o' trouble, should that be may fa', 
A night o' gude fellowship sowthers it a': 



508 ROBERT BURNS 

When at the biythe end o' our journey at last, 
Wha the deil ever thinks o' the road he has past? 

Contented wi' httle, &c. 

Blind Chance, let her snapper and stoyte on her way; 
Be't to me, be't frae me, e'en let the jade gae: 
Come Ease, or come Travail, come Pleasure or Pain, 
My warst word is: "Welcome, and welcome again!" 

Contented wi' little, 4cc 

FAREWELL THOU STREAM 

Air — "Nansic's to the greenwood gane." 

Farewell, thou stream that winding flows 
Around Eliza's dwelling; 

mem'ry! spare the cruel thoes 
Within my bosom swelling. 

Condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain 
And yet in secret languish; 

To feel a fire in every vein. 
Nor dare disclose my anguish. 

Love's veriest wretch, unseen, unknown, 
I fain my griefs would cover; 

The bursting sigh, th' unweeting groan. 
Betray the hapless lover. 

1 know thou doom'st me to despair. 

Nor wilt, nor canst relieve me; 
But, O Eliza, hear one prayer — 
For pity's sake forgive me! 

The music of thy voice I heard. 

Nor wist while it enslav'd me; 
I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd. 

Till fears no more had sav'd me: 
Th' unwary sailor thus, aghast 

The wheeling torrent viewing, 
'Mid circling horrors sinks at last. 

In overwhelming ruin. 



POEMS AND SONGS 509 

CANST THOU LEAVE ME THUS, MY KATIE 

T«B<— "Roy's Wife." 

Chorus — Canst thou leave me thus, my Katie ? 

Canst thou leave me thus, my Katie? 
Well thou know'st my aching heart. 

And canst thou leave me thus, for pity? 

Is this thy plighted, fond regard, 

Thus cruelly to part, my Katie? 
Is this thy faithful swain's reward — 

An aching, broken heart, my Katie! 
Canst thou leave me, 8cc. 

Farewell! and ne'er such sorrows tear 

That fickle heart of thine, my Katie! 
Thou mayst find those will love thee dear. 

But not a love like mine, my Katie, 
Canst thou leave me, &c. 

MY NANIE'S AWA 

Tune — "There'll never be peace till Jamie comes liame." 

Now in her green mantle blythc Nature arrays. 
And listens the lambkins that bleat o'er her braes; 
While birds warble welcomes in ilka green shaw, 
But to me it's delighdess — my Nanie's awa. 

The snawdrap and primrose our woodlands adorn. 
And violets bathe in the weet o' the morn; 
They pain my sad bosom, sae sweetly they blaw. 
They mind me o' Nanie — and Nanie's awa. 

Thou lav'rock that springs frae the dews of the lawn, 
The shepherd to warn o' the grey-breaking dawn. 
And thou mellow mavis that hails the night-fa'. 
Give over for pity — my Nanie's awa. 

Come Autumn, sae pensive, in yellow and grey. 
And soothe me wi' tidings o' Nature's decay: 
The dark, dreary Winter, and wild-driving snaw 
Alane can delight me — now Nanie's awa. 



5IO ROBERT BURNS 

THE TEAR-DROP 

Wae is my heart, and the tear's in my e'e; 
Lang, lang has Joy been a stranger to me: 
Forsaken and friendless, my burden I bear. 
And the sweet voice o' Pity ne'er sounds in my ear. 

Love thou hast pleasures, and deep hae I luv'd; 
Love, thou hast sorrows, and sair hae I pruv'd; 
But this bruised heart that now bleeds in my breast, 
I can feel, by its throbbings,will soon be at rest. 

Oh, if I were — where happy I hae been — 

Down by yon stream, and yon bonie castle-green; 

For there he is wand'ring and musing on me, 

Wha wad soon dry the tear-drop that clings to my e'e. 

FOR THE SAKE O' SOMEBODY 

My heart is sair — I dare na tell, 

My heart is sair for Somebody; 
I could wake a winter night 
For the sake o' Somebody. 
O-hon! for Somebody! 
O-hey! for Somebody! 
I could range the world around. 
For the sake o' Somebody. 

Ye Powers that smile on virtuous love, 

O, sweetly smile on Somebody ! 
Frae ilka danger keep him free. 
And send me safe my Somebody! 
O-hon! for Somebody! 
O-hey! for Somebody! 
I wad do — what wad I not? 
For the sake o' Somebody. 



POEMS AND SONGS 5II 

A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT 

Tune — "For a' that." 

Is there for honest Poverty 

That hings his head, an' a' that; 
The coward slave — we pass him by. 

We dare be poor for a' that! 
For a' that, an' a' that. 

Our toils obscure an' a' that. 
The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 

The Man's the gowd for a' that. 

What though on hamely fare we dine. 

Wear hoddin grey, an' a' that; 
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, an' a' that; 
The honest man, the' e'er sae poor, 

Is king o' men for a' that. 

Ye sec yon birkie, ca'd a lord, 

Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that; 
Tho' hundreds worship at his word. 

He's but a coof for a' that: 
For a' that, an' a' that, 

His ribband, star, an' a' that: 
The man o' independent mind 

He looks an' laughs at a' that. 

A prince can mak a belted knight, 

A marquis, duke, an' a' that; 
But an honest man's aboon his might, 

Gudc faith, he maunna fa' that! 
For a' that, an' a' that. 

Their dignities an' a' that; 
The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth. 

Are higher rank than a' that. 



512 ROBERT BURNS 

TTien let us pray that come it may, 

(As come it will for a' that,) 
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth, 

Shall bear the gree, an' a' that. 
For a' that, an' a' that. 

It's coming yet for a' that. 
That Man to Man, the world o'er. 

Shall brothers be for a' that. 



CRAIGIEBURN WOOD 



Sweet fa's the eve on Craigieburn, 
And blythe awakes the morrow; 

But a' the pride o' Spring's return 
Can yield me nocht but sorrow. 

I see the flowers and spreading trees, 
I hear the wild birds singing; 

But what a weary wight can please. 
And Care his bosom wringing! 

Fain, fain would I my griefs impart. 

Yet dare na for your anger; 
But secret love will break my heart. 

If I conceal it langer. 

If thou refuse to pity me. 

If thou shalt love another, 
When yon green leaves fade frae the tree, 

Around my grave they'll wither. 



Vtt«itle< of 1795 
THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT 

The Solemn League and Covenant 
Now brings a smile, now brings a tear; 

But sacred Freedom, too, was theirs: 
If thou'rt a slave, indulge thy sneer. 



POEMS AND SONGS 5^3 

COMPLIMENTS OF JOHN SYME OF RYEDALE 
Lines sent with a Present of a E>ozen of Porter. 

O HAD the mah thy strength of mind, 

Or hops the flavour of thy wit, 
Twere drink for first of human kind, 

A gift that e'en for Syme were fit. 

jEKUiALEM TavKRN, DuUPIIIE*. 

INSCRIPTION ON A GOBLET 

There's Death in the cup, so beware! 

Nay, more — there is danger in touching; 
But who can avoid the fell snare, 

The man and his wine's so bewitching! 

APOLOGY FOR DECLINING AN INVITATION 
TO DINE 

No more of your guests, be they titled or not. 

And cookery the first in the nation; 
Who is proof to thy personal converse and wit. 

Is proof to all other temptation. 

EPITAPH FOR MR. GABRIEL RICHARDSON 

Here Brewer Gabriel's fire's extinct. 

And empty all his barrels: 
He's blest — if, as he brew'd, he drink. 

In upright, honest morals. 

EPIGRAM ON MR. JAMES GRACIE 

Gracie, thou art a man of worth, 

O be thou Dean for ever! 
May he be damned to hell henceforth, 

Who fauts thy weight or measure! 



514 ROBERT BURNS 

BONIE PEG-A-RAMSAY 

Cauld is the e'cnin blast, 

O' Boreas o'er the pool, 
An' dawin' it is dreary, 

When birks are bare at Yule. 

Cauld blaws the c'enin blast, 

When bitter bites the frost, 
And, in the mirk, and dreary drift, 

The hills and glens are lost: 

Ne'er sae murky blew the night 

That drifted o'er the hill. 
But bonie Peg-a-Ramsay 

Gat grist to her mill. 

INSCRIPTION AT FRIARS' CARSE HERMITAGE 
To the Memory of Robert Riddeli. 

To Riddeli, much lamented man, 

This ivied cot was dear; 
Wand'rer, dost value matchless worth? 

This ivied cot revere. 

THERE WAS A BONIE LASS 

There was a bonie lass, and a bonie, bonie lass, 

And she lo'ed her bonie laddie dear; 
Till War's loud alarms tore her laddie frae her arms, 

Wi' mony a sigh and tear. 
Over sea, over shore, where the cannons loudly roar, 

He still was a stranger to fear; 
And nocht could him quail, or his bosom assail. 

But the bonie lass he lo'ed sae dear. 

WEE WILLIE GRAY 

Tune — "Wee Totum Fogg." 
Wee Willie Gray, and his leather wallet, 
Peel a willow wand to be him boots and jacket; 
The rose upon the breir will be him trews an' doublet. 
The rose upon the breir will be him trews an' doublet. 



POEMS AND SONGS 515 

Wee Willie Gray, and his leather wallet, 
Twice a lily-flower will be him sark and cravat; 
Feathers of a flee wad feather up his bonnet. 
Feathers of a flee wad feather up his bonnet. 

O AYE MY WIFE SHE DANG ME 

Chorus — O aye my wife she dang me, 

An' aft my wife she bang'd me, 
If ye gie a woman a' her will, 
Gude faith! she'll soon o'er-gang ye. 

On peace an' rest my mind was bent. 

And, fool I was! I married; 
But never honest man's intent 

Sae cursedly miscarried. 
O aye my wife, &c. 

Some sairie comfort at the last. 

When a' thir days are done, man, 
My pains o' hell on earth is past, 

I'm sure o' bliss aboon, man, 
O aye my wife, &c. 

GUDE ALE KEEPS THE HEART ABOON 

Chorus — O gude ale comes and gude ale goes; 
Gude ale gars me sell my hose, 
Sell my hose, and pawn my shoon — 
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon! 

I HAD sax owsen in a pleugh. 
And they drew a' weel eneugh: 
I sell'd them a' just ane by ane — 
Gude ale keeps the heart aboon! 
O gude ale comes, «cc. 

Gude ale bauds me bare and busy. 
Gars me moop wi' the servant hizzie, 
Stand i' the stool when I hae done — 
Gude ale keeps the heart aboon ! 
O gude ale comes, &c. 



5l6 ROBERT BURNS 

O STEER HER UP AN' HAUD HER GAUN 

O STEER her up, an' haud her gaun, 

Her mither's at the mill, jo; 
An' gin she winna tak a man, 

E'en let her tak her will, jo. 
First shore her wi' a gentle kiss, 

And ca' anither gill, jo; 
An' gin she tak the thing amiss. 

E'en let her flyte her fill, jo. 

O steer her up, an' be na blate, 

An' gin she tak it ill, jo. 
Then leave the lassie till her fate, 

And time nae langer spill, jo: 
Ne'er break your heart for ae rebute. 

But think u(>on it still, jo: 
That gin the lassie winna do't, 

Ye'll find anither will, jo. 



THE LASS O' ECCLEFECHAN 

Tunc — "Jack o' Latin." 

Gat ye me, O gat ye me, 

O gat ye me wi' naething? 
Rock an reel, and spinning wheel, 

A mickle quarter basin: 
Bye attour my Gutcher has 

A heich house and a laich ane, 
A' forbye my bonie sel, 

The toss o* Ecdefechan. 

haud your tongue now. Lucky Lang, 

haud your tongue and jauner 

1 held the gate till you I met. 
Syne I began to wander: 

I tint my whistle and my sang, 

1 tint my peace and pleasure; 

But your green grafl, now Lucky Lang, 
Wad airt me to my treasure. 



POEMS AND SONGS 5^7 

O LET ME IN THIS AE NIGHT 

O LASSIE, are ye sleepin yet, 
Or are ye waukin, I wad wit? 
For Love has bound me hand an' fit. 
And I would fain be in, jo. 

Chorus — O let me in this ae night, 
This ae, ae, ae night; 
O let me in this ae night, 
I'll no come back again, jol 

O hear'st thou not the wind an' weet? 
Nae star blinks thro' the driving sleet; 
Tak pity on my weary feet. 

And shield me frae the rain, jo. 
O let me in, &c. 

The bitter blast that round me blaws, 
Unheeded howls, unheeded fa's; 
The cauldness o' thy heart's the cause 
Of a' my care and pine, jo. 

O let me in, &c. 

HER ANSWER 

O tell na me o' wind an' rain. 
Upbraid na me wi' cauld disdain, 
Gae back the gate ye cam again, 
I winna let ye in, jo. 

Chorus — I tell you now this ae night, 
This ae, ae, ae night; 
And ance for a' this ae night, 
I winna let ye in, jo. 

The snellest blast, at mirkest hours. 
That round the pathless wand'rer pours 
Is nocht to what poor she endures. 
That's trusted faithless man, jo. 

I tell you now. Sec. 



5l8 ROBERT BURNS 

The sweetest flower that deck'd the mead, 
Now trodden like the vilest weed — 
Let simple maid the lesson read 
The weird may be her ain, jo. 

I tell you now, Sec 

The bird that charm 'd his summer day. 
Is now the cruel Fowler's prey; 
Let witless, trusting, Woman say 
How aft her fate's the same, jo! 

I tell you now, Scc. 

I'LL AYE CA' IN BY YON TOWN 

Air — "I'll gang nae mair to yon toun." 

Chorus — I'll aye ca' in by yon town, 

And by yon garden-green again; 
I'll aye ca' in by yon town, 
And see my bonie Jean again. 

There's nane sail ken, there's nane can guess 
What brings me back the gale again. 

But she, my fairest faithfu' lass, 
And stownlins we sail meet again. 
I'll aye ca' in, &c. 

She'll wander by the aiken tree. 

When trystin time draws near again; 

And when her lovely form I see, 
O haithl she's doubly dear again. 
I'll aye ca' in, &c. 

O WAT YE WHA'S IN YON TOWN 

Tune — "I'll gang nae mair to yon toun." 

Chorus — O wat ye wha's in yon town. 
Ye see the e'enin sun upon. 
The dearest maid's in yon town. 
That e'ening sun is shining on. 



POEMS AND SONGS 519 

Now haply down yon gay green shaw, 

She wanders by yon spreading tree; 
How blest ye flowers that round her blaw, 

Ye catch the glances o' her e'e! 

O wat ye wha's, &c. 

How blest ye birds that round her sing, 

And welcome in the blooming year; 
And doubly welcome be the Spring, 

The season to my Jeanie dear. 

O wat ye wha's, &c. 

The sun blinks blythe on yon town, 

Among the broomy braes sae green; 
But my delight in yon town. 

And dearest pleasure, is my Jean. 

O wat ye wha's, Jcc. 

Without my Fair, not a' the charms 

O' Paradise could yield me joy; 
But give mc Jeanie in my arms 

And welcome Lapland's dreary sky! 
O wat ye wha's, &c. 

My cave wad be a lover's bower, 

Tho' raging Winter rent the air; 
And she a lovely litde flower. 

That I wad tent and shelter there. 
O wat ye wha's, Jcc. 

sweet is she in yon town. 

The sinkin' sun's gane down upon; 
A fairer than's in yon town. 

His setting beam ne'er shone upon. 
O wat ye wha's, ice. 

If angry Fate is sworn my foe. 

And suff'ring I am doom'd to bear; 

1 careless quit aught else below, 
But spare, O spare mc Jeanie dear. 

O wat ye wha's, See. 



520 ROBERT BURNS 

For while life's dearest blood is warm, 
Ae thought frae her shall ne'er depart, 

And she, as fairest is her form. 
She has the truest, kindest heart. 

O wat ye wha's, &c. 

9allab< on illr. J^tfon* dcclion, 1793 

BALLAD FIRST 

Whom will you send to London town, 

To Parliament and a' that? 
Or wha in a' the country round 
The best deserves to fa' that? 
For a' that, and a' that. 
Thro' Galloway and a' that. 
Where is the Laird or belted Knight 
The best deserves to fa' that ? 

Wha sees Kerroughtree's open yett, 

(And wha is't never saw that?) 
Wha ever wi' Kerroughtree met. 
And has a doubt of a' that? 
For a' that, and a' that, 
Here's Heron yet for a' that! 
The independent patriot. 

The honest man, and a' that. 

Tho' wit and worth, in cither sex, 
Saint Mary's Isle can shaw that, 
Wi' Dukes and Lords let Selkirk mix, 
And wecl does Selkirk fa' that. 
For a' that, and a' that. 
Here's Heron yet for a' that! 
The indejjendent commoner 
Shall be the man for a' that. 

But why should we to Nobles jouk. 

And is't against the law, that? 
For why, a Lord may be a gowk. 



POEMS AND SONGS $21 

Wi' ribband, star and a' that, 

For a' that, and a' that. 

Here's Heron yet for a' that! 
A Lord may be a lousy loun, 

Wi' ribband, star and a' that. 

A beardless boy comes o'er the hills, 

VVi' uncle's purse and a' that; 
But we'll hae ane frae mang oursels, 
A man we ken, and a' that. 
For a' that, and a' that. 
Here's Heron yet for a' that! 
For we're not to be bought and sold. 
Like naigs, and nowt, and a' that. 

Then let us drink — The Stewartry, 
Kcrroughtree's laird, and a' that. 
Our representative to be, 
For weel he's worthy a' that. 
For a' that, and a' that. 
Here's Heron yet for a' that! 
A House of Commons such as he. 
They wad be blest that saw that. 

BALLAD SECOND— ELECTION DAY 

Tune — "Fy, let us a' to the Bridal." 

Fy, let us a' to Kirkcudbright, 

For there will be bickerin' there; 
For Murray's light horse are to muster, 

And O how the heroes will swear! 
And there will be Murray, Commander, 

And (lordon, the baide to win; 
Like brothers they'll stand by each other, 

Sae knit in alliance and kin. 

And there will be black-nebbit fohnie. 

The tongue o' the trump to them a'; 
An he get na Hell for his haddin', 

TTic Dcil gets na justice ava. 



522 ROBERT BURNS 

And there will be Kempleton's birkie, 
A boy no sae black at the bane; 

But as to his fine Nabob fortune, 
We'll e'en let the subject alane. 

And there will be Wigton's new Sheriff; 

E>ame Justice fu' brawly has sped. 
She's gotten the heart of a Bushby, 

But, Lord! what's become o' the head? 
And there will be Cardoness, Esquire, 

Sae mighty in Cardoness' eyes; 
A wight that will weather damnation, 

The Devil the prey will despise. 

And there will be Douglasses doughty. 

New christening towns far and near; 
Abjuring their democrat doings. 

By kissin' the o' a Peer: 

And there will be folk frae Saint Mary's 

A house o' great merit and note; 
The deil ane but honours them highly — 

The deil ane will gie them his vote! 

And there will be Kenmure sae gen'rous, 

Whose honour is proof to the storm, 
To save them from stark reprobation. 

He lent them his name in the Firm. 
And there will be lads o' the gospel, 

Muirhead wha's as gude as he's true; 
And there will be Buittle's Aposde, 

Wha's mair o' the black than the blue. 

And there will be Logan M'Dowall, 

Sculdudd'ry an' he will be there, 
And also the Wild Scot o' Galloway, 

Sogcring, gunpowder Blair. 
But we winna mention Redcastle, 

The body, e'en let him escape! 
He'd venture the gallows for siller, 

An 'twere na the cost o' the rape. 



POEMS AND SONGS 5^3 

But where is the Doggerbank hero, 

That made "Hogan Mogan" to skulk? 
Poor Keith's gane to hell to be fuel. 

The auid rotten wreck of a Hulk. 
And where is our King's Lord Lieutenant, 

Sae fam'd for his gratefu' return? 
The birkie is gettin' his Questions 

To say in Saint Stephen's the morn. 

But mark ye! there's trusty Kerroughtree, 

Whose honor was ever his law; 
If the Virtues were pack'd in a parcel. 

His worth might be sample for a'; 
And Strang an' respectfu's his backing, 

The maist o* the lairds wi' him stand; 
Nae gipsy-like nominal barons, 

Wha's property's papet — not land. 

And there, frae the Niddisdale borders. 

The Maxwells will gather m droves, 
Teugh Jockie, staunch Geordie, an' Wellwood, 

That griens for the fishes and loaves; 
And there will be Heron, the Major, 

Wha'U ne'er be forgot in the Greys; 
Our flatt'ry we'll keep for some other. 

Him, only it's justice to praise. 

And there will be maiden Kilkerran, 

And also Barskimming's gude Knight, 
And there will be roarin Birtwhisde, 

Yet luckily roars i' the right. 
And there'll be Stamp Office Johnie, 

(Tak tent how ye purchase a dram!) 
And there will be gay Cassencarry, 

And there'll be gleg Colonel Tam. 

And there'll be wealthy young Richard, 
Dame Fortune should hing by the neck. 

For prodigal, thriftless bestowing — 
His merit had won him respect. 



524 ROBERT BURNS 

And there will be rich brother Nabobs, 
(Tho' Nabobs, yet men not the worst,) 

And there will be Collieston's whiskers. 
And Quintin — a lad o the first. 

Then hey! the chaste Interest o' Broughton, 

And hey! for the blcssin's 'twill bring; 
It may send Balmaghic to the Commons, 

In Sodom 'twould make him a king; 
And hey! for the sanctified Murray, 

Our land wha wi' chapels has stor'd; 
He founder'd his horse among harlots, 

But gicd the auld naig to the Lord. 

BALLAD THIRD 

John Bushby's Lamentation. 

Tune — "Babes in the Wciod." 

TwAs in the seventeen hunder year 

O' grace, and ninety-five. 
That year I was the wae'est man 

Of ony man alive. 

In March the three-an'-twentieth morn, 
The sun raise clear an' bright; 

But oh! I was a wacfu' man, 
Ere to-fa' o' the night. 

Yerl Galloway lang did rule this land, 
Wi' equal right and fame. 

And thereto was his kinsmen join'd. 
The Murray's noble name. 

Yerl Galloway's man o' men was I, 
And chief o' Broughton's host; 

So twa blind beggars, on a string. 
The faithfu' tyke will trust. 

But now Yerl Galloway's sceptre's broke, 
And Broughton's wi' the slain, 

And I my ancient craft may try, 
Sin' honesty is gane. 



POEMS AND SONGS 525 

*Twas by the banks o' bonie Dee, 

Beside Kirkcudbright's towers, 
The Stewart and the Murray there, 

Did muster a' their powers. 

Then Murray on the auld grey yaud, 

Wi' winged spurs did ride, 
That auld grey yaud a' Nidsdale rade, 

He staw upon Nidside. 

And there had na been the Yerl himsel, 

O there had been nae play; 
But Garlies was to London gane. 

And sae the kye might stray. 

And there was Balmaghie, I ween, 

In front rank he wad shine; 
But Balmaghie had better been 

Drinkin' Madeira wine. 

And frae Glenkens cam to our aid 

A chief o' doughty deed; 
In case that worth should wanted be, 

O* Kenmure we had need. 

And by our banners march'd Muirhead, 

And Buittle was na slack; 
Whase haly priesthood nane could stain. 

For wha could dye the black? 

And there was grave squire Cardoness, 

Lxx)k'd on till a' was done; 
Sae in the tower o' Cardoness 

A howlet sits at noon. 

And there led I the Bushby clan, 

My gamesome billie. Will, 
And my son Maitland, wise as brave. 

My footsteps foUow'd still. 



526 ROBERT BURNS 

The E>ouglas and the Heron's name. 
We set nought to their score; 

The Douglas and the Heron's name, 
Had felt our weight before. 

But Douglasses o* weight had we, 
The pair o' lusty lairds, 

For building cot-houses sae fam'd, 
And christenin' kail-yards. 

And there Redcasde drew his sword, 
That ne'er was stain'd wi' gore, 

Save on a wand'rer lame and blind. 
To drive him frae his door. 

And last cam creepin' Collieston, 
Was mair in fear than wrath; 

Ae knave was constant in his mind — 
To keep that knave frae scaith. 
• • • • 



INSCRIPTION FOR AN ALTAR OF INDEPENDENCE 

At Kerroughtree, the Seat of Mr. Heron. 

Thou of an independent mind. 

With soul resolv'd, with soul resign'd; 

Prepar'd Power's proudest frown to brave, 

Who wilt not be, nor have a slave; 

Virtue alone who dost revere. 

Thy own reproach alone dost fear — 

Approach this shrine, and worship here. 

THE CARDIN O'T, THE SPINNIN O'T 

I coFT a stane o' haslock woo*. 

To mak a wab to Johnie o't; 
For Johnie is my only jo, 

I loe him best of onie yet. 



POEMS AND SONGS 527 

Chorus — The cardin' o't, the spinnin' o't. 

The warpin' o't, the winnin' o't; 
When ilka ell cost me a groat. 
The tailor staw the lynin' o't. 

For tho' his locks be lyart grey. 

And tho' his brow be beld aboon. 
Yet I hae seen him on a day, 

The pride of a' the parishen. 
The cardin o't, &c. 

THE COOPER O' CUDDY 

Tune — "Bab at the bowstcr." 

Chorus — We'll hide the Cooper behint the door, 
Behint the door, behint the door, 
We'll hide the Coojxr behint the door. 
And cover him under a mawn, O. 

The Cooper o' Cuddy came here awa. 
He ca'd the girrs out o'er us a'; 
An' our gudewife has gotten 3 ca'. 
That's anger'd the silly gudeman O. 
We'll hide the Cooper, &c. 

He sought them out, he sought them in, 
Wi' deil hae her! an', deil hae him! 
But the body he was sae doited and blin'. 
He wist na where he was gaun O. 
We'll hide the Cooper, &c. 

They coofjer'd at e'en, they coojjer'd at morn. 
Till our gudeman has gotten the scorn; 
On ilka brow she's planted a horn, 

And swears that there they sail stan' O. 
We'll hide the Cooper, &c. 

THE LASS THAT MADE THE BED TO ME 

When Januar' wind was blawing cauld. 

As to the north I took my way, 
The mirksome night did me enfauld, 

I knew na where to lodge till day: 



528 ROBERT BURNS 

By my gude luck a maid I met, 

Just in the middle o' my care. 
And kindly she did me invite 

To walk into a chamber fair. 

I bow'd fu' low unto this maid. 

And thank'd her for her courtesie; 
I bow'd fu' low unto this maid, 

An' bade her make a bed to me; 
She made the bed baith large and wide, 

Wi' twa white hands she spread it doun; 
She put the cup to her rosy lips, 

And drank — "Young man, now sleep ye soun*. 

Chorus — The bonie lass made the bed to me. 
The braw lass made the bed to me, 
I'll ne'er forget till the day I die, 
The lass that made the bed to me. 

She snatch'd the candle in her hand, 

And frae my chamber went wi' sjjeed; 
But I call'd her quickly back again. 

To lay some mair below my head: 
A cod she laid below my head, 

And served me with due respect, 
And, to salute her wi' a kiss, 

I put my arms about her neck. 
The bonie lass, &c. 

"Haud afl your hands, young man!" she said, 

"And dinna sae uncivil be; 
Gif ye hae ony luve for me, 

O wrang na my virginitie." 
Her hair was like the links o' gowd, 

Her teeth were like the ivorie. 
Her cheeks like lilies dipt in wine, 

Tlie lass that made the bed to me: 
The bonie lass, &c. 

Her bosom was the driven snaw, 
Twa drifted heaps sae fair to see; 



POEMS AND SONGS 529 

Her limbs the polish 'd marble stane. 

The lass that made the bed to me. 
I kiss'd her o'er and o'er again, 

And aye she wist na what to say: 
I laid her 'tween me and the wa*; 

The lassie thocht na lang till day. 
The bonie lass, &c. 

Uf)on the morrow when we raise, 

I thank'd her for her courtesie; 
But aye she blush 'd and aye she sigh'd. 

And said, "Alas, ye've ruin'd me." 
I clasp'd her waist, and kiss'd her syne, 

While the tear stood twinkling in her e'e; 
I said, my lassie, dinna cry. 

For ye aye shall make the bed to me. 
The bonie lass, 6cc. 

She took her mither's holland sheets. 

An' made them a' in sarks to me; 
Blythe and merry may she be. 

The lass that made the bed to me. 

Chorus — The bonie lass made the bed to me. 
The braw lass made the bed to me. 
I'll ne'er forget till the day I die, 
The lass that made the bed to me. 

HAD I THE WYTE? SHE BADE ME 

Had I the wyte, had I the wyte, 

Had I the wyte? she bade me; 
She watch 'd me by the hie-gate side, 

And up the loan she shaw'd me. 
And when I wadna venture in, 

A coward loon she ca'd me: 
Had Kirk an' State been in the gate, 

I'd lighted when she bade me. 

Sae craftilie she took me ben. 

And bade me mak nae clatter; 
"For our ramgunshoch, glum gudeman 

Is o'er ayont the water." 



530 ROBERT BURNS 

Whae'er shall say I wanted grace, 
When I did kiss and dawte her. 

Let him be planted in my place. 
Syne say, I was the fautor. 

Could I for shame, could I for shame, 

Could I for shame refus'd her; 
And wadna manhood been to blame, 

Had I unkindly used her! 
He claw'd her wi' the ripplin-kame. 

And blae and bluidy bruis'd her; 
When sic a husband was frae hame. 

What wife but wad excus'd her! 

I dighted aye her e'en sae blue, 

An' bann'd the cruel randy, 
And weel I wat, her willin' mou 

Was sweet as sugar-candie. 
At gloamin-shot, it was I wot, 

I lighted on the Monday; 
But I cam thro' the Tyseday's dew, 

To wanton Willie's brandy. 

DOES HAUGHTY GAUL INVASION THREAT? 

Tune — "Push about the Jorum." 

Does haughty Gaul invasion threat.' 

Then let the louns beware, Sir; 
There's wooden walls upxjn our seas, 

And volunteers on shore. Sir: 
The Nith shall run to Corsincon, 

And Criffel sink in Solway, 
Ere we permit a Foreign Foe 

On British ground to rally! 
We'll ne'er permit a Foreign Foe 

On British ground to rally! 

O let us not, like snarling curs, 

In wrangling be divided. 
Till, slap! come in an unco loun, 

And wi' a rung decide it! 



POEMS AND SONGS 53 1 

Be Britain still to Britain true, 

Amang ourselves united; 
For never but by British hands 

Maun British wrangs be rightedl 
No! never but by British hands 

Shall British wrangs be righted! 

The Kettle o' the Kirk and State, 

Perhaps a clout may fail in't; 
But deil a foreign tinkler loun 

Shall ever ca' a nail in't. 
Our father's blude the Ketde bought, 

And wha wad dare to spoil it; 
By Hcav'ns! the sacrilegious dog 

Shall fuel be to boil it! 
By Hcav'ns! the sacrilegious dog 

Shall fuel be to boil it! 

The wretch that would a tyrant own, 

And the wretch, his true-born brother. 
Who would set the Mob aboon the Throne, 

May they be damn'd together! 
Who will not sing "God save the King," 

Shall hang as high's the steeple; 
But while we sing "God save the King," 

We'll ne'er forget The People! 
But while we sing "God save the King," 

We'll ne'er forget The People! 



ADDRESS TO THE WOODLARK 

Tune — "Loch Erroch Side." 

O STAY, sweet warbling woodlark, stay. 
Nor quit for me the trembling spray, 
A hapless lover courts thy lay, 

Thy soothing, fond complaining. 
Again, again that tender part, 
That I may catch thy melting art; 
For surely that wad touch her heart 

Wha kills me wi' disdaining. 



532 ROBERT BURNS 

Say, was thy little mate unkind, 
And heard thee as the careless wind? 
Oh, nocht but love and sorrow join'd, 

Sic notes o' woe could wauken! 
Thou tells o' never-ending care; 
O' speechless grief, and dark despair: 
For pity's sake, sweet bird, nae mair! 

Or my poor heart is broken. 

SONG.-ON CHLORIS BEING ILL 

Tune — "Aye wauken O." 

Chorus —Long, long the night. 

Heavy comes the morrow 
While my soul's delight 
Is on her bed of sorrow. 

Can I cease to care? 

Can I cease to languish. 
While my darling Fair 

Is on the couch of anguish? 
Long, long, &c. 

Ev'ry hope is fled, 

Ev'ry fear is terror; 
Slumber ev'n I dread, 

Ev'ry dream is horror. 
Long, long, &c. 

Hear me, Powers Divine! 

Oh, in pity, hear me! 
Take aught else of mine, 

But my Chloris spare me! 
Long, long, See. 

HOW CRUEL ARE THE PARENTS 

Altered from an old English song. 
Tune — "John Anderson, my jo." 

How cruel are the parents 
Who riches only prize. 

And to the wealthy booby 
Poor Woman sacrifice! 



POEMS AND SONGS 533 

Meanwhile, the hapless Daughter 

Has but a choice of strife; 
To shun a tyrant Father's hate — 

Become a wretched Wife. 

The ravening hawk pursuing. 

The trembling dove thus flies, 
To shun impelling ruin, 

Awhile her pinions tries; 
Till, of escape despairing, 

No shelter or retreat, 
She trusts the ruthless Falconer, 

And drops beneath his feet. 

MARK YONDER POMP OF COSTLY FASHION 

Air — "Deil talc the wars." 

Mark yonder pomp of cosdy fashion 

Round the wealthy, tided bride: 
But when compar'd with real passion, 

Poor is all that princely pride. 

Mark yonder, &c. {four lines repeated). 

What are the showy treasures, 

What are the noisy pleasures? 
The gay, gaudy glare of vanity and art: 

The polish 'd jewels' blaze 

May draw the wond'ring gaze; 

And courtly grandeur bright 

The fancy may delight. 
But never, never can come near the heart. 

But did you see my dearest Chloris, 

In simplicity's array; 
Lovely as yonder sweet opening flower is. 

Shrinking from the gaze of day. 
But did you see, &c. 

O then, the heart alarming. 
And all resisdess charming. 



534 ROBERT BURNS 

In Love's delightful fetters she chains the willing soul! 

Ambition would disown 

The world's inif)erial crown, 

Ev'n Avarice would deny. 

His worshipp'd deity, 
And feel thro' every vein Love's raptures roll. 

'TWAS NA HER BONIE BLUE E'E 

Tune — "Laddie, lie near me." 

TwAS na her bonie blue e'e was my ruin. 
Fair tho' she be, that was ne'er my undoin'; 
'Twas the dear smile when nae body did mind us, 
'Twas the bewitching, sweet, stown glance o' kindness: 
'Twas the bewitching, sweet, stown glance o' kindness. 

Sair do I fear that to hope is denied me, 
Sair do I fear that despair maun abide me, 
But the' fell fortune should fate us to sever, 
Queen shall she be in my bosom for ever: 
Queen shall she be in my bosom for ever. 

Chloris, I'm thine wi' a passion sincerest. 
And thou hast plighted me love o' the dearest! 
And thou'rt the angel that never can alter, 
Sooner the sun in his motion would falter: 
Sooner the sun in his motion would falter. 



THEIR GROVES O' SWEET MYRTLE 

Tune — "Humours of Glen." 

Their groves o' sweet myrtle let Foreign Lands reckon. 

Where bright-beaming summers exalt the perfume; 
Far dearer to me yon lone glen o' green breckan, 

Wi' the burn stealing under the lang, yellow broom. 
Far dearer to me are yon humble broom bowers 

Where the blue-bell and gowan lurk, lowly, unseen; 
For there, lightly tripping,among the wild flowers, 

A-list'ning the linnet, aft wanders my Jean. 



POEMS AND SONGS 535 

Tho' rich is the breeze in their gay, sunny valleys, 

And cauld Caledonia's blast on the wave; 
Their sweet-scented woodlands that skirt the proud palace, 

What are they? — the haunt of the Tyrant and Slave. 
The Slave's spicy forests, and gold-bubbling fountains. 

The brave Caledonian views wi' disdain; 
He wanders as free as the winds of his mountains. 

Save Love's willing fetters — the chains of his Jean. 

FORLORN, MY LOVE, NO COMFORT NEAR 

Air — "Let me in this ae night." 

Forlorn, my Love, no comfort near. 
Far, far from thee, I wander here; 
Far, far from thee, the fate severe. 
At which I most repine. Love. 

Chorus — O wen thou. Love, but near me! 
But near, near, near me. 
How kindly thou wouldst cheer me. 
And mingle sighs with mine. Love. 

Around me scowls a wintry sky. 
Blasting each bud of hope and joy; 
And shelter, shade, nor home have I; 
Save in these arms of thine. Love. 
O wert thou, &c. 

Cold, alter'd friendship's cruel part. 

To poison Fortune's ruthless dart — 

Let me not break thy faithful heart, 

And say that fate is mine. Love. 

O wert thou, &c. 

But, dreary tho' the moments fleet, 
O let me think we yet shall meet; 
That only ray of solace sweet, 
Can on thy Chloris shine, Love! 
O wert thou, &c. 



536 ROBERT BURNS 

FRAGMENT— WHY, WHY TELL THE LOVER 

Tune — "Caledonian Munt's delight." 

Why, why tell thy lover 

Bliss he never must enjoy? 
Why, V. hy undeceive him, 

And give all his hopes the lie? 
O why, while fancy, raptur'd slumbers, 

Chloris, Chloris all the theme. 
Why, why would'st thou, cruel — 

Wake thy lover from his dream? 

THE BRAW WOOER 

Tune — "The Lothian Lassie." 

Last May, a bravv wooer cam doun the lang glen. 
And sair wi' his love he did deave me; 

I said, there was naething I hated like men — 
The deuce gae wi'm, to believe me, believe me; 
The deuce gae wi'm to believe me. 

He spak o' the darts in my bonie black e'en. 
And vow'd for my love he was diein, 

I said, he might die when he liked for Jear» — 
The Lord forgie me for liein, for liein; 
The Lord forgie me for liein! 

A weel-stocked mailen, himscl' for the laird. 
And marriage aff-hand, were his proffers; 

I never loot on that I kenn'd it, or car'd; 

But thought I might hae waur offers, waur offers; 
But thought I might hae waur offers. 

But what wad ye think? — in a fortnight or less — 
The deil tak his taste to gae near her! 

He up the Gate-slack to my black cousin, Bess — 

Guess ye how, the jad! I could bear her, could bear her; 
Guess ye how, the jad ! I could bear her. 

But a' the niest week, as I f)Ctted wi' care, 
I gaed to the tryst o' Dalgarnock; 



POEMS AND SONGS 537 

But wha but my fine fickle wooer was there, 
I glowr'd as I'd seen a warlock, a warlock, 
I glowr'd as I'd seen a warlock. 

But owre my left shouther I gae him a blink, 

Lest neibours might say I was saucy; 
My wooer he caper'd as he'd been in drink, 

And vow'd I was his dear lassie, dear lassie, 

And vow'd I was his dear lassie. 

I spier'd for my cousin fu' couthy and sweet. 

Gin she had rccovcr'd her hcarin'. 
And how her new shoon fit her auld schachl't feet. 

But heavens! how he fell a swearin, a swearin. 

But heavens! how he fell a swearin. 

He begged, for gudesake, I wad be his wife. 

Or else I wad kill him wi' sorrow; 
So e'en to preserve the poor body in life, 

I think I maun wed him to-morrow, to-morrow; 

I think I maun wed him to-morrow. 

THIS IS NO MY AIN LASSIE 

Tune — "This is no ray house." 

Chorus — This is no my ain lassie. 
Fair tho' the lassie be; 
Wecl ken I my ain lassie. 
Kind love is in her e'e. 

I SEE a form, I see a face. 
Ye wcel may wi' the fairest place; 
It wants, to me, the witching grace, 
The kind love that's in her e'e. 
This is no my ain, &c. 

She's bonie, blooming, straight, and tall. 
And lang has had my heart in thrall; 
And aye it charms my very saul, 
The kind love that's in her e'e. 

This is no my ain, &c. 



538 ROBERT BURNS 

A thief sac pavvkie is my Jean, 
To steal a blink, by a' unseen; 
But gleg as light are lover's een, 
When kind love is in her e'e. 

This is no my ain, &c. 

It may escape the courtly sparks. 
It may escape the learned clerks; 
But well the watching lover marks 
The kind love that's in her eye. 
This is no my ain, &c. 

O BONIE WAS YON ROSY BRIER 

O BONIE was yon rosy brier. 

That blooms sae far frae haunt o' man; 

And bonie she, and ah, how dear! 
It shaded frae the e'enin sun. 

Yon rosebuds in the morning dew, 

How pure, amang the leaves sae green; 

But purer was the lover's vow 

They witness'd in their shade yestreen. 

All in its rude and prickly bower, 

TTiat crimson rose, how sweet and fair; 

But love is far a sweeter flower. 
Amid life's thorny path o' care. 

The pathless wild, and wimpling burn, 

Wi' Chloris in my arms, be mine; 
And I the warld nor wish nor scorn, 

Its joys and griefs alike resign. 

SONG INSCRIBED TO ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM 

Now spring has clad the grove in green, 
And strew 'd the lea wi' flowers; 

The furrow 'd, waving corn is seen 
Rejoice in fostering showers. 

While ilka thing in nature join 
Their sorrows to forego, 



POEMS AND SONGS 539 

O why thus all alone are mine 
The weary steps o' woe! 

The trout in yonder wimpling burn 

That glides, a silver dart, 
And, safe beneath the shady thorn, 

Defies the angler's art — 
My life was ance that careless stream. 

That wanton trout was I; 
But Love, wi' unrelenting beam. 

Has scorch'd my fountains dry. 

That little floweret's peaceful lot. 

In yonder cUfi that grows. 
Which, save the linnet's flight, I wot, 

Nae ruder visit knows. 
Was mine, till Love has o'er me past. 

And blighted a' my bloom; 
And now, beneath the withering blast, 

My youth and joy consume. 

The waken'd lav'rock warbling springs. 

And climbs the early sky. 
Winnowing blythc his dewy wings 

In morning's rosy eye; 
As little rcck'd I sorrow's power. 

Until the flowery snare 
O' witching Love, in luckless hour, 

Made me the thrall o' care. 

O had my fate been Greenland snows. 

Or Afric's burning zone, 
Wi' man and nature leagued my foes, 

So Peggy ne'er I'd known! 
The wretch whose doom is "Hope nae mair" 

What tongue his woes can tell; 
Within whase bosom, save Despair, 

Nae kinder spirits dwell. 



540 ROBERT BURNS 

O THAT'S THE LASSIE O' MY HEART 

Tune — "Morag." 

O WAT ye wha that lo'es me 
And has my heart a-keeping? 

O sweet is she that lo'es me, 
As dews o' summer weeping, 
In tears the rosebuds steeping! 

Chorus — O that's the lassie o' my heart. 
My lassie ever dearer; 
O she's the queen o' womankind, 
And ne'er a ane to peer her. 

If thou shalt meet a lassie. 

In grace and beauty charming. 

That e'en thy chosen lassie, 

Ercwhile thy breast sae warming. 
Had ne'er sic powers alarming; 
O that's the lassie, &c. 

If thou hadst heard her talking. 
And thy attention's plighted. 

That ilka body talking. 

But her, by thee is slighted. 
And thou art ail-delighted; 
O that's the lassie, &c. 

If thou hast met this Fair One, 

When frae her thou hast parted. 
If every other Fair One 
But her, thou hast deserted. 
And thou art broken-hearted; 

O that's the lassie o' my heart, 

My lassie ever dearer; 
O that's the queen o' womankind. 
And ne'er a ane to peer her. 



POEMS AND SONGS 54 1 

INSCRIPTION 

Written on the blank leaf of a copy of the last edition of my poems, 
presented to the Lady whom, in so many fictitious reveries of passion, 
but with the most ardent sentiments of real friendship, I have so often 
sung under the name of — "Chloris." ' 

Tis Friendship's pledge, my young, fair Friend, 

Nor thou the gift refuse, 
Nor with unwilling ear attend 

The moralising Muse. 

Since thou, in all thy youth and charms. 

Must bid the world adieu, 
(A world 'gainst Peace in constant arms) 

To join the Friendly Few. 

Since, thy gay morn of life o'ercast, 

Chill came the tempest's lour; 
(And ne'er Misfortune's eastern blast 

Did nip a fairer flower.) 

Since life's gay scenes must charm no more. 

Still much is left behind, 
Still nobler wealth hast thou in store — 

The comforts of the mind! 

Thine is the self-approving glow. 

Of conscious Honour's part; 
And (dearest gift of Heaven below) 

Thine Friendship's truest heart. 

The joys refin'd of Sense and Taste, 

With every Muse to rove: 
And doubly were the Poet blest. 

These joys could he improve. 



R.B. 



' Mist Lorimer. 



542 ROBERT BURNS 

FRAGMENT.— LEEZIE LINDSAY 

Will ye go to the Hielands, Leczie Lindsay, 
Will ye go to the Hielands wi' me? 

Will ye go to the Hielands, Leezie Lindsay, 
My pride and my darling to be. 

FRAGMENT.— THE WRENS NEST 

The Robin to the Wren's nest 

Cam keekin' in, cam keekin' in; 
O weel's me on your auld pow. 

Wad ye be in, wad ye be in? 
Thou's ne'er get leave to lie without, 

And I within, and I within, 
Sae lang's I hae an auld clout 

To rowe ye in, to rowe ye in, 

NEWS, LASSIES, NEWS 

There's news, lassies, news, 
Gude news I've to tell! 

There's a boatfu' o' lads 
Come to our town to sell. 

Chorus — The wean wants a cradle. 

And the cradle wants a cod: 
I'll no gang to my bed, 
Until I get a nod. 

Father, quo' she, Mither, quo she, 

Do what you can, 
I'll no gang to my bed. 

Until I get a man. 

The wean, &c. 

I hae as gude a craft rig 
As made o' yird and stane; 

And waly fa' the ley-crap, 
For I maun till'd again. 

The wean, 6tc. 



POEMS AND SONGS 543 

CROWDIE EVER MAIR 

O THAT I had ne'er been married, 

I wad never had nae care, 
Now I've gotten wife an' weans, 

An' they cry "Crowdie" evermair. 

Chorus — Ance crowdie, twice crowdie. 

Three times crowdie in a day 
Gin ye crowdie ony mair, 

Ye'U crowdie a* my meal away. 

Waefu' Want and Hunger fley me, 

Glowrin' by the hallan en'; 
Sair I fcclit them at the door. 

But aye I'm eerie they come ben. 
Ance crowdie, &c. 

MALLY'S MEEK, MALLY'S SWEET 

Chorus — Mally's meek, Mally's sweet, 

Mally's modest and discreet; 
Mally's rare, Mally's fair, 
Mally's every way complete. 

As I was walking up the street, 

A barefit maid I chanc'd to meet; 
But O the road was very hard 

For that fair maiden's tender feet. 
Mally's meek, &c. 

It were mair meet that those fine feet 

Were weel laced up in silken shoon; 
An' 'twere more fit that she should sit 

Within yon chariot gilt aboon, 
Mally's meek, &c. 

Her yellow hair, beyond compare, 
Comes trinklin down her swan-like neck. 

And her two eyes, like stars in skies, 
Would keep a sinking ship frae wreck, 
Mally's meek, &c. 



544 ROBERT BURNS 

JOCKEY'S TAEN THE PARTING KISS 

Air — "Bonic lass tak a man." 

Jockey's taen the parting kiss. 

O'er the mountains he is gane, 
And with him is a' my bliss, 

Nought but griefs with me remain, 
Spare my Love, yc winds that blaw, 

Plashy sleets and beating rain! 
Spare my Love, thou feath'ry snaw, 

Drifting o'er the frozen plain! 

When the shades of evening creep 

O'er the day's fair, gladsome e'e, 
Sound and safely may he sleep. 

Sweetly biythe his waukening be. 
He will think on her he loves. 

Fondly he'll rejjeat her name; 
For where'er he distant roves. 

Jockey's heart is still the same. 

VERSES TO COLLECTOR MITCHELL 

Friend of the Poet, tried and leal, 
Wha, wanting thee, might beg or steal; 
Alake, alake, the meikle deil 

Wi' a' his witches 
Are at it skelpin jig and reel, 

In my poor pouches.' 

I modesriy fu' fain wad hint it. 
That One-pound-one, I sairly want if. 
If wi' the hi7,?;ie down ye sent it. 

It would be kind; 
And while my heart wi' life-blood dunted, 

I'd bear't in mind. 

So may the Auld year gang out moanin' 
To see the New come laden, groanin', 



POEMS AND SONGS 545 

Wi' double plenty o'er the loanin*. 

To thee and thine: 
Domestic jjeace and comforts crownin* 

The hale design. 

POSTSCRIPT 

Ye've heard this while how I've been lickit. 
And by fell Death was nearly nickit; 
Grim loon! he got me by the fecket. 

And sair me sheuk; 
But by gude luck I lap a wicket. 

And turn'd a neuk. 

But by that health, I've got a share o't. 
But by that life, I'm promis'd mair o't. 
My hale and weel, I'll tak a care o't, 

A tentier way; 
Then farewell folly, hide and hair o't. 

For ance and aye! 

THE DEAN OF FACULTY 

A New Ballad 
Tune— "The Dragon of Wantley." 

Dire was the hate at old Harlaw, 

That Scot to Scot did carry; 
And dire the discord Langside saw 

For beauteous, hapless Mary: 
But Scot to Scot ne'er met so hot, 

Or were more in fury seen, Sir, 
Than 'twixt Hal and Bob for the famous job. 

Who should be the Faculty's Dean, Sir. 

This Hal for genius, wit and lore, 

Among the first was number'd; 
But pious Bob, 'mid learning's store. 

Commandment the tenth rcmember'd: 
Yet simple Bob the victory got, 

And wan his heart's desire. 
Which shews that heaven can boil the pot, 

Tho' the devil piss in the fire. 



546 ROBERT BURNS 

Squire Hal, besides, had in this case 

Pretensions rather brassy; 
For talents, to deserve a place. 

Are qualifications saucy. 
So their worships of the Faculty, 

Quite sick of merit's rudeness. 
Chose one who should owe it all, d'ye see, 

To their gratis grace and goodness. 

As once on Pisgah purg'd was the sight 

Of a son of Circumcision, 
So may be, on this Pisgah height, 

Bob's purblind mental vision — 
Nay, Bobby's mouth may be opened yet, 

Till for eloquence you hail him, 
And swear that he has the angel met 

That met the ass of Balaam. 

In your heretic sins may you live and die, 

Ye heretic Eight-and-Thirty! 
But accept, ye sublime Majority, 

My congratulations hearty. 
With your honours, as with a certain king, 

In your servants this is striking, 
The more incapacity they bring, 

The more they're to your liking. 

EPISTLE TO COLONEL DE PEYSTER 

My honor'd Colonel, deep I feel 
Your interest in the Poet's weal; 
Ah! now sma' heart hae I to speel 

The steep Parnassus, 
Surrounded thus by bolus pill, 

And potion glasses. 

O what a canty world were it. 

Would pain and care and sickness spare it; 

And Fortune favour worth and merit 

As they deserve; 
And aye rowth o' roast-beef and claret, 

Syne, wha wad starve? 



POEMS AND SONGS 547 

Dame Life, tho' fiction out may trick her, 
And in paste gems and frippery deck her; 
Oh! flickering, feeble, and unsicker 

I've found her still. 
Aye wavering like the willow-wicker, 

'Tween good and ill. 

Then that curst carmagnole, auld Satan, 
Watches like baudrons by a ratton 
Our sinfu' saul to get a claut on, 

Wi' felon ire; 
Syne, whip! his tail ye '11 ne'er cast saut on, 

He's aff like fire. 

Ah Nick! ah Nick! it is na fair. 
First showing us the tempting ware, 
Bright wines, and bonie lasses rare. 

To put us daft 
Syne weave, unseen, thy spider snare 

hell's damned waft. 

Poor Man, the flie, aft bizzes by. 
And aft, as chance he comes thee nigh. 
Thy damn'd auld elbow yeuks wi' joy 

And hellish pleasure! 
Already in thy fancy's eye, 

Thy sicker treasure. 

Soon, heels o'er gowdie, in he gangs. 
And, like a sheep-head on a tangs. 
Thy girning laugh enjoys his pangs, 

And murdering wrcsde, 
As, dangling in the wind, he hangs, 

A gibbet's tassel. 

But lest you think I am uncivil 

To plague you with this draunting drivel, 

Abjuring a' intentions evil, 

1 quat my pen, 
The Lord preserve us frae the devil! 

Amen! Amen! 



548 ROBERT BURNS 

A LASS Wr A TOCHER 

Tune — "Ballinamona Ora." 

Awa' wi' your witchcraft o' Beauty's alarms, 
The slender bit Beauty you grasp in your arms, 
O, gie me the lass that has acres o' charms, 
O, gie me the lass wi' the weel-stockit farms. 

Chorus — Then hey, for a lass wi' a tocher, 

Then hey, for a lass wi' a tocher; 

Then hey, for a lass wi' a tocher; 

The nice yellow guineas for me. 

Your Beauty's a flower in the morning that blows, 
And withers the faster, the faster it grows: 
But the rapturous charm o the bonic green knowes. 
Ilk spring they're new deckit wi' bonic white yowes. 
Then hey, for a lass, &c. 

And e'en when this Beauty your bosom hath blest 
The brightest o' Beauty may cloy when possess'd; 
But the sweet, yellow darlings wi' Geordie impress'd, 
The langer ye hae them, the mair they're carest. 
Then hey, for a lass, &c. 



HERON ELECTION BALLAD, NO. IV. 
The Trogger. 

Tune — "Buy Broom Besoms." 

Wha will buy my troggin, fine election ware. 
Broken trade o' Broughton, a' in high repair? 

Chorus — Buy braw troggin frae the banks o* Dee; 
Wha wants troggin let him come to me. 

There's a noble Earl's fame and high renown, 
For an auld sang — it's thought the gudes were stown — 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 



POEMS AND SONGS 549 

Here's the worth o' Broughton in a needle's e'e; 
Here's a reputation tint by Balmaghie. 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 

Here's its stuff and lining, Cardoness's head, 
Fine for a soger, a' the wale o' lead. 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 

Here's a litde wadset, Buittle's scrap o' truth, 
Pawn'd in a gin-shop, quenching holy drouth. 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 

Here's an honest conscience might a prince adorn; 
Frae the downs o' Tinwald, so was never worn. 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 

Here's armorial bearings frae the manse o' Urr; 
The crest, a sour crab-apple, rotten at the core. 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 

Here is Satan's picture, like a bizzard gled. 
Pouncing poor Redcasdc, sprawlin' like a tacd. 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 

Here's the font where Douglas stane and mortar names; 
Lately used at Caily christening Murray's crimes. 
Buy braw troggin. Sec. 

Here's the worth and wisdom Collieston can boast; 
By a thievish midge they had been nearly lest. 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 

Here is Murray's fragments o' the ten commands; 
Gifted by black Jock to get them aff his hands. 
Buy braw troggin, 4cc. 

Saw ye e'er sic troggin ? if to buy ye're slack, 
Hornie's turnin chapman — he'll buy a' the pack. 
Buy braw troggin, &c. 



550 ROBERT BURNS 

COMPLIMENTARY VERSICLES TO JESSIE LEWARS 

THE TOAST 

Fill me with the rosy wine, 
Call a toast, a toast divine: 
' Give the Poet's darling flame. 
Lovely Jessie be her name; 
Then thou mayest freely boast. 
Thou hast given a peerless toast. 

THE MENAGERIE 

Talk not to me of savages, 

From Afric's burning sun; 
No savage e'er could rend my heart. 

As Jessie, thou hast done: 
But Jessie's lovely hand in mine, 

A mutual faith to plight, 
Not even to view the heavenly choir, 

Would be so blest a sight. 

Jessie's illness 

Say, sages, what's the charm on earth 

Can turn Death's dart aside! 
It is not purity and worth, - 

Else Jessie had not died. 

ON HER RECOVERY 

But rarely seen since Nature's birth. 

The natives of the sky; 
Yet still one seraph's left on earth, 

For Jessie did not die. 



O LAY THY LOOP IN MINE, LASS 

Chorus — O lay thy loof in mine, lass, 
In mine, lass, in mine, lass; 
And swear on thy white hand, lass. 
That thou wilt be my ain. 



POEMS AND SONGS 55 1 

A SLAVE to Love's unbounded sway. 
He aft has wrought me meikle wae; 
But now he is my deadly fae. 
Unless thou be my ain. 
O lay thy loof, &c. 

There's mony a lass has broke my rest. 
That for a blink I hac lo'ed best; 
But thou art Queen within my breast. 
For ever to remain. 

O lay thy loof, &c. 



A HEALTH TO ANE I LOE DEAR 

Chorus — Here's a health to ane I loe dear, 
Here's a health to ane I loe dear; 
Thou art sweet as the smile when fond lovers 
meet, 
And soft as their parting tear — ^Jessy. 

Altho' thou maun never be mine, 

Altho' even hope is denied; 
"Tis sweeter for thee despairing, 

Than ought in the world beside — Jessy. 
Here's a health, &c. 

I mourn thro' the gay, gaudy day, 
As hopeless I muse on thy charms; 

But welcome the dream o' sweet slumber. 
For then I am lockt in thine arms — Jessy. 
Here's a health, &c. 

I guess by the dear angel smile, 

I guess by the love-rolling e'e; 
But why urge the tender confession, 

'Gainst Fortune's fell, cruel decree? — Jessy. 
Here's a health, &c. 



552 ROBERT BURNS 

O WERT THOU IN THE CAULD BLAST 

O WERT thou in the cauld blast, 

On yonder lea, on yonder lea, 
My plaidie to the angry airt, 

I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee; 
Or did Misfortune's bitter storms 

Around thee blaw, around thee blaw, 
Thy bield should be my bosom. 

To share it a'l to share it a'. 

Or were I in the wildest waste, 

Sae black and bare, sae black and bare. 
The desert were a Paradise, 

If thou wert there, if thou wert there; 
Or were I Monarch o' the globe, 

Wi' thee to reign, wi' thee to reign, 
The brightest jewel in my Crown 

Wad be my Queen, wad be my Queen. 



INSCRIPTION TO MISS JESSY LEWARS 

On a copy of the Scots Musical Museum, in four volumes, 
presented to her by Burns.' 

Thine be the volumes, Jessy fair. 
And with them take the Poet's prayer, 
That Fate may, in her fairest page. 
With cv'ry kindliest, best presage 
Of future bliss, enroll thy name: 
With native worth and spotless fame. 
And wakeful caution, still aware 
Of ill — but chief, Man's felon snare; 

All blameless joys on earth we find. 
And all the treasures of the mind — 
These be thy guardian and reward; 
So prays thy faithful friend, the Bard. 
Dumfries, lune 26, 1769. 
' Written for music played by Miss Lewars, who nursed him in his last illoesi. 



POEMS AND SONGS 553 

FAIREST MAID ON DEVON BANKS 

Tune — "Rothiemurchie." 

Chorus — Fairest maid on Devon banks, 

Crystal Devon, winding Devon, 
Wilt thou lay that frown aside, 

And smile as thou wert wont to do? 

Full well thou know'st I love thee dear, 
Couldst thou to malice lend an ear! 
O did not Love exclaim : "Forbear, 
Nor use a faithful lover so." 
Fairest maid, Sic. 

Then come, thou fairest of the fair. 
Those wonted smiles, O let me share; 
And by thy beauteous self I swear. 

No love but thine my heart shall know. 
Fairest maid, &c. 



GLOSSARY 



a; all. 

A-hack,, behind, away. 

Abirgh, aloof, off. 

Ablins, V. atblins. 

Aboon, above, up. 

Ahread, abroad. 

Abreed, in breadth. 

Ae, one. 

Aff. off. 

Aff-hand, at once. 

Aff-lool, offhand. 

A-fiel, afield. 

Afore, before. 

Aft, oft 

Aflen, often. 

Agley, awry. 

/<Am, behind. 

Aiblins, perhaps. 

.,Y((//f, foul water. 

AH, oak. 

AHeti, oaken. 

Aiii, own. 

y<i>, early. 

ylir/c, earnest money. 

Aim, iron. 

/lirr, direction. 

Airt, to direct. 

y^iVA, oath. 

Ailt, oats. 

Aivrr, an old hone. 

./Yiz/f, a cinder. 

A-jee, ajar; to one side. 

Atak.'> 3'3s. 

Alane, alone. 

Along, along. 

Amaist, almost. 

Amang, among. 

An, if. 

An', and. 

/Incr, once. 

Ane, one. 

Anealh, beneath. 

Anes, ones. 

Anither, another. 

Aqua-fonlis, spring water. 

Aqua-vitte, whiskey. 



Arte, V. lirle. 
Ate, ashes. 

Atl^Uni, askew, askance. 
As par, aspread. 
Asteer, astir. 
A'lhrgither, altogether. 
Alhori, athwart. 
Aiwccl, in truth. 
Aiween, between. 
Aught, eight. 
Aught, possessed of. 
Aughten, eighteen. 
Aughtlins, at all. 
Auld. old. 

Auldfarran, auldfarrant, shrewd, old- 
fashioned, sagacious. 
Auld Reeliie, Edinburgh. 
Auld-u/arld, old-world. 
Aumous, alms. 
Ava, at all. 
Awa, away. 

Awald, backways and doubled up. 
Awaul{, awake. 
Awaul^en, awaken. 
Awe, owe. 
Awl^art, awkward. 
Awnie, bearded. 
AyonI, beyond. 

Ba', a ball. 

Backet, bucket, box. 

Bac^it, backed. 

Backlins-comin, coming back. 

Back-yelt, gate at the back. 

Bade, endured. 

Bade, asked. 

Baggie, stomach. 

Batg'nets, bayonets. 

Baillie, magistrate of a Scots burgh. 

Bainie, bony. 

Bairn, child. 

Bairntime, brood. 

Baith, both. 

Bakes, biscuits. 

Ballats, ballads. 

Balou, lullaby. 



555 



556 



GLOSSARY 



Ban, swear. 

Ban', band (of the Presbyterian clergy- 
man). 

Bane, bone. 

Bang, an effort; a blow; a large number. 

Bang, to thump. 

Banie, v. bainie. 

Bannet, bonnet 

Bannock., bonnock, a thick oatmeal cake. 

Bardie, dim. of bard. 

Bare fit, barefooted. 

Barret, barked. 

Barley-brie, or bree, barley-brew — ale or 
whiskey. 

Barm, yeast. 

Barmie, yeasty. 

Barn-yard, stackyard. 

Barlie, the Devil. 

Bashing, abashing. 

Batch, a number. 

Batls, the botts; the colic. 

Bauc^ie-bird , the bat. 

Baudrons, Baiidrans, the cat. 

Bauk,, cross-beam. 

Batik,, V. hawk- 

Bauk-en', beam-end. 

Bauld, bold. 

Bauldest, boldest. 

Bauldly. boldly. 

Baumy, balmy. 

Bawbee, a half-penny. 

Bawdrons, v. baudrons. 

Bawk, a field path. 

Baws'nt, white-streaked. 

Bear, barley. 

Bcas', beasts, vermin. 

Beastie, dim. of beast. 

Beck, a curtsy. 

Beet, feed, kindle. 

Beild, V. biel. 

Belong, belong. 

Beld, bald. 

Belliim, assault. 

Bellys, bellows. 

Belyve, by and by. 

Ben, a parlor (/'. e., the inner apartment): 
into the parlor. 

Benmost, inmost. 

Be-north, to the northward of. 

Be-south, to the southward of. 

Bethankit, grace after meat. 

Beuk. a book: devil's pictur'd beuks — 
playing-cards. 

Bicker, a wooden cup. 

Bicker, a short run. 



Bicker, to flow swiftly and with a slight 

noise. 
Bickerin, noisy contention. 
Bickering, hurrying. 
Bid, to ask, to wish, to offer. 
Bide, abide, endure. 
Biel, bield, a shelter; a sheltered spot. 
Biel, comfortable. 
Bien, comfortable. 
Bien, bienly. comfortably. 
Big, to build. 
Biggin, building. 
Bike, V. byke. 
Bill, the bull. 

Billie, fellow, comrade, brother. 
Bings, heaps. 

Birdie, dim. of bird; alio maidens. 
Birk, the birch. 
Birken, birchen. 
Birkie, a fellow. 
Birr, force, vigor. 
Birring, whirring. 
Birses, bristles. 
Birth, berth. 

Bit, small (e. g., bit lassie). 
Bit, nick of time. 
Bilch-jou, completely drunk. 
Bizz, a flurry. 
Bizz, buzz. 
Bizzard, the buzzard. 
Bizzie, busy. 

Black-bonnet , the Presbyterian elder. 
Black-nebbit, black-beaked. 
Blad, V. blaud. 
Blae, blue, livid. 
Blaslet, blajtit, blasted. 
Blastie, a blasted (i. e., damned) creature; 

a little wretch. 
Blate, modest, bashful. 
Blather, bladder. 
Blaud, a large quantity. 
Blaud, to slap, pelt. 
Blaw, blow. 
Blaw, to brag. 
Blawing, blowing. 
Blawn, blown. 
Bleer, to blear. 
Bleer't, bleared. 
Bleeze, blaze. 

Blellum, a babbler: a railcr; a blusterer. 
Blether, blethers, nonsense. 
Blether, to talk nonsense. 
BIctherin', talking nonsense. 
Blin', blind. 
Blink, 3 glance, a moment. 



Blitil^, to glance, to shine. 

Blinl(ers, spies, oglcrs. 

Blinkin, smirking, leering. 

Blin't, blinded. 

Blitter, the snipe. 

Blue-gown, the livery of the licensed 

beggar. 
Blutd. blood. 
Bluidy, bloody. 
Blume, to bloom. 
Blunlie, a stupid. 
Blypes, shreds. 
Bobbed, curtsied. 
Backed, vomited. 
Boddle, a farthing. 
Bode, look for. 
Bodk.in, tailor's needle. 
Body, bod:e, a person. 
Boggie, dim. of bog. 
Bogle, a bogie, a hobgoblin. 
Bole, a hole, or small recess in the wall. 
Bonie, bonnie, pretty, beautiful. 
Bonilie, prettily. 
Bonnock^, v. Bannocl^. 
'Boon, above. 
Board, board, surface. 
Boord-en', board^end. 
Boorlrees, elders. 
Boost, must needs. 
Boot, payment to the bargain. 
Bore, a chink, recess. 
Botch, an angry tumor. 
Bouk,, a human trunk; bulk. 
Bountith, bounty. 
'Bout, about. 

Bow-hough'd, bandy-thighed. 
Bow-kail, cabbage. 
Bow't, bent. 
Brachens, ferns. 
Brae, the slope of a hill. 
Braid, broad. 
Broad-claith, broad<loth. 
Braik,, a harrow. 
Braing't, plunged. 
Brak, broke. 
Brak's, broke his. 
Brankie, gay, fine. 
Brands, a wooden curb, a bridle. 
Bran'y, brandy. 
Brash, short attack. 
Brats, small pieces, rags. 
Brats, small children. 
Brattle, a scamper. 
Brattle, noisy onset. 
Braw, handsome, fine, gaily dressed. 



GLOSSARY 557 

Brawlie, finely, perfectly, heartily. 
Braxies, sheep that have died of braxie 

(a disease). 
Breattie, dim. of breast. 
Breastit, sprang forward. 
Brechan, ferns. 
Breeds, breeches. 
Dreer, brier. 
Brent, brand. 
Brent, straight, steep (i. e., not sloping 

from baldness). 
Brie, v. barley-brie. 
Brief, writ. 
Brier, briar. 
Brig, bridge. 
Brisket, breast. 
Bnther, brother. 
Brock, a badger. 
Brogue, a trick. 
Broo, soup, broth, water; liquid in which 

anything is cooked. 
Brooses, wedding races from the church 

to the home of the bride. 
Brose, a thick mixture of meal and warm 

water; also a synonym for porridge. 
Browster wives, ale wives. 
Brugh, a burgh. 
Briilzie, brulyie, a brawl. 
Brunstane, brimstone. 
Brunt, burned. 
Brust, burst. 

Buckie, dim. of buck; a smart younker. 
Buckle, a curl. 
Biicksk'") Virginian: the buckskin kye, 

negroes. 
Budget, tinker's bag of tools. 
Buff, to bang, to thiunp. 
Bughtin, folding. 
liuirdly, stalwart. 
Bum, the buttocks. 
Bum, to hum. 

Bum-clock, beetle, cockchafer, Juncbug. 
Bummle, a drone, a useless fellow. 
Bunker, a seat. 
Bunters, harlots. 
Burdies, dim. of bird or burd (a lady); 

maidens. 
Bare, bore. 
Burn, a rivulet. 
Burnewin, the blacksmith (/. e., burn the 

wind). 
Burnie, dim. of burn, a rivulet. 
Burr-thistle, spear-thistle. 
Busk, to dress; to garb; to dress up; to 

adorn. 



558 



GLOSSARY 



Bust, a bush. 

Bussle, bustle. 

But, without. 

But, butt, in the kitchen (i. e., the outer 

apartment). 
By, past, aside. 
By, beside. 

By himset, beside himself. 
Bye attour (i. e., by and altour), beside 

and at a distance. 
Byl^e, a bees' nest; a hive; a swarm; a 

crowd. 
Byre, a cow-house. 

Ca', call, knock, drive. 

Cadger, a hawker (especially of fish). 

Catiie, caddie, a fellow. 

Caff, chaff. 

Caird, a tinker. 

Calf-H/ard, grazing plot for calves (/'. e., 

churchyard). 
Callan, callant, a stripling. 
Caller, cool, refreshing. 
Callel, a trull. 
Cam, came. 
Canie, cannie, gentle, tractable, quiet, 

prudent, careful. 
Cankrie, crabbed. 
Carina, can not. 
Canniest, quietest. 
Cannilie, cannity, quietly, prudently, 

cautiously. 
Cantie, cheerful, lively, jolly, merry. 
Cantraip, magic, witching. 
Cants, merry stories, canters or sprees 

or merry doings. 
Cape-stanc, copcstone. 
Capon, castrate. 
Care na by, do not care. 
Carl, carle, a man, an old man. 
Carl-hemp, male-hemp. 
Carlie, a manikin. 
Carlin, carline, a middle-aged, or old, 

woman; a beldam, a witch. 
Carmagnole, a violent Jacobin. 
Carles, playing-cards. 
Cartie, dim. of cart. 
Catch-the-plack,, the hunt for money. 
Caudron, a caldron. 
Cauf. calf. 

Cauf-leather, calf-leather, 
Cauk., chalk. 
Cauld, cold. 
Cauldron, caldron. 
Caup, a wooden drinking vessel. 



Causey-cleaners, causeway-cleaners. 

Cavie, a hen-coop. 

Chamer, chaumer, chamber. 

Change-house, tavern. 

Chanter, bagpijics; the pipe of the bag- 
pipes which prtxiuces the melody; song. 

Chap, a fellow, a young fellow. 

Chap, to strike. 

Chapman, a pedler. 

Chaup, chap, a stroke, a blow. 

Chear, cheer. 

Chearju', cheerful. 

Chearless, cheerless. 

Cheary, cheery. 

Chee\-ior-chou>, cheel^-by-jouil (»>. 
close beside). 

Cheep, peep, squeak. 

Chiel, chield (i. e., child), a fellow, a 
young fellow. 

Chimla, chimney. 

Chittering, shivering. 

Chows, chews. 

Chuck., a hen, a dear. 

Chuckle, dim. of chuck, but usually sig- 
nifies mother hen, an old dear. 

Chuffie, fat-faced. 

Chuse, to choose. 

Cit, the civet. 

Cit, a citizen, a merchant. 

Clachan, a small village about a church. 

Claeding, clothing. 

does, claise, clothes. 

Claith, cloth. 

Claithing, clothing. 

Clankie, a severe knock. 

Clap, the clapper of a mill. 

Clark, a clerk. 

Clark, clerkly, scholarly. 

Clarkit, clerked, wrote. 

Clarly, dirty. 

Clash, an idle tale; gossip. 

Clash, to tattle. 

Clatter, noise, tattle, talk, disputation, 
babble. 

Clatter, to make a noise by striking; to 
babble; to prattle. 

Claught, clutched, seized. 

Claughtin, clutching, grasping. 

Claut, a clutch, a handful. 

Claut, to scrape. 

Claver, clover. 

Clavers, gossip, nonsense. 

Claw, a scratch, a blow. 

Claw, to scratch, to strike. 



GLOSSARY 



559 



Clay-cauld, clay<old. 

Claymore, a two-handed Highland sword. 

Cteckin, a brood. 

deed, to clothe. 

Cleek,, to snatch. 

Cleek.it, linked arms. 

Cleg, gadfly. 

Clink,, a sharp stroke; jingle. 

Clink, money, coin. 

Clink, to chink. 

Clink, 'o rhyme. 

Clinkin, with a smart motion. 

Clinkum, clinkumhell , the beadle, the 
bellman. 

Clips, shears. 

Clish-ma-ctaver, gossip, talctelling; non- 
sense. 

Clockin-lime, clucking- (i. e., hatching-) 
time. 

Ctoot, the hoof. 

Clootie, ctools, hoofic, hoofs (a nickname 
of the Devil). 

Clour, a bump or swelling after a blow. 

Clour, a cloth, a patch. 

Chut, to patch. 

Clud, a cloud. 

Clunk, to make a hollow sound. 

Coble, a broad and flat boat. 

Cock, the mark (in curling). 

Cockie, dim. of cock (applied to an old 
man). 

Cocks, fellows, good fellows. 

Cod, a pillow. 

Coft, bought. 

Cog, a wooden drinking vessel, a por- 
ridge dish, a corn measure for horses. 

Coggie, dim. of cog, a little dish. 

Coil, Coila, Kyle (one of the ancient dis- 
tricts of Ayrshire). 

Collieshangie, a squabble. 

Cood, cud. 

Coof, V. cuif. 

Cookit, hid. 

Coor, cover. 

Cooser, a courser, a stallion. 

Coost («. e., cast), looped, threw off, 
tossed, chucked. 

Cootie, a small pail. 

Cootie, leg-plumed. 

Corbies, ravens, crows. 

Core, corps. 

Corn mou, corn heap. 

Corn't, fed with corn. 

Corse, corpse. 

Corss, cross. 



Cou'dna, couldna, couldn't. 

Counira, country. 

Coup, to capsize. 

Couthie, couthy, loving, affable, cosy, 
comfortable. 

Cowe, to scare, to daunt. 

Cowe, to lop. 

Crack, tale; a chat; talk. 

Crack, to chat, to talk. 

Craft, croft. 

Craft-rig, croft-ridge. 

Craig, the throat. 

Craig, a crag. 

Craigie, dim. of craig, the throat. 

Craigy, craggy. 

Craik, the corn<rake, the land-rail. 

Cramho-clink, rhyme. 

Crambo-jingle, rhyming. 

Cran, the support for a pot or kettle. 

Crankous, fretful. 

Cranks, creakings. 

Cranreuch, hoar-frost. 

Crap, crop, top. 

Craw, crow. 

Creel, an osier basket. 

Creepie-chair, stool of repentance. 

Creeshie, greasy. 

Crocks, old ewes. 

Cronie, intimate friend. 

Crooded, cooed. 

Croods, coos. 

Croon, moan, low. 

Croon, to toll. 

Crooning, humming. 

Croose, crouse, cocksure, set, proud, cheer- 
ful. 

Crouchie, hunchbacked. 

Crousely, confidently. 

Crowdie, meal and cold water, meal and 
milk, porridge. 

Crowdie-time, porridge-time (i. e., break- 
fast-time). 

C.rowlin, crawling. 

Crummie, a horned cow. 

Crummock, cummock, a cudgel, a 
crooked staff. 

Crump, crisp. 

Crunt, a blow. 

Cuddle, to fondle. 

Cuif, coof, a dolt, a ninny; a dastard. 

Cummock, v. crummock- 

Curch, a kerchief for the head. 

Curchie, a curtsy. 

Curler, one who plays at curling. 

Curmurring, commotion. 



560 



GLOSSARY 



Curpin, the crupper of a horse. 

Curple, the crupper (/. e., buttoclu). 

Cushat, the wood pigeon. 

Custock., the pith of the colewort. 

Cutcs, feet, ankles. 

Cutty, short. 

Cutty-stools, stools of repentance. 

Dad, daddie, father. 

Daex't, dazed. 

Daffin, larking, fun. 

Daft, mad, foolish. 

Dails, planks. 

Daimen ic^er, an odd ear of corn. 

Dam, pent-up water, urine. 

Damie, dim. of dame. 

Dang, pret. of ding. 

Danton, v. daunton. 

Darcna, dare not. 

Darg, labor, task, a day's work. 

Dar^lins, in the dark. 

Daud, a large piece. 

Daud, to pelt. 

Daundcr, saunter. 

Daunton, to daunt. 

Daur, dare. 

Dauma, dare not 

Daur't, dared. 

Daut, dawte, to fondle. 

Daviely, spiritless. 

Daw, to dawn. 

Dawds, lumps. 

Dawiingly, prettily, caressingly. 

Dead, death. 

Dead-sweer, extremely reluctant. 

Deave, to deafen. 

Dal, devil. 

Dril-hael, nothing (Devil have it). 

Deit-ma-care, Devil may care. 

Deleeret, delirious, mad. 

Dehnn, digging. 

Dem'd, hid. 

Descrive, to describe. 

Deuk,, duck. 

Devrl, a stunning blow. 

Diddle, to move quickly. 

Dight, to wipe. 

Dig/it, winnowed, sifted. 

Din, dun, muddy of complexion. 

Ding, to beat, to surpass. 

Din ft,, trim. 

Dinna, do not. 

Dirl, to vibrate, to ring. 

Diz'n, dizzen, dozen. 

Dochler, daughter. 



Doited, muddled, doting; stupid, be- 
wildered. 

Donsie, vicious, bad-tempered; restive; 
testy. 

Dool, wo, sorrow. 

Doolju', doleful, woful. 

Dorty, pettish. 

Douce, douse, sedate, sober, prudent 

Douce, doucely, dousely, sedately, pru- 
dently. 

Doudld, dandled. 

Dought (pret. of dow), could. 

Doul^ed, clucked. 

Doiip, the bottom. 

Doup-slielper, bottom -smacker. 

Dour, doure, stubborn, obstinate; cutting. 

Dow, dowe, am (is or are) able, can. 

Dow, a dove. 

Dowj, dowff, dull. 

Dowie, drooping, mournful. 

Dowilie, drooping. 

Downa, can not. 

Downa-do (can not do), lack of power. 

Doylt, stupid, stupefied. 

Doytin, doddering. 

Dozen'd, torpid. 

Dozin, torpid. 

Draigil. draggled. 

Dram, prosing. 

Drap, drop. 

Dtaunling, tedious. 

Dree, endure, suffer. 

Dreigh, v. dreight. 

Dribble, drizzle. 

Driddle, to toddle. 

Dreigh, tedious, dull. 

Droddum, the breech. 

Drone, part of the bagpipe. 

Droop-rumpl't, short- rumped. 

Drouk,. to wet, to drench. 

Drou^it, wetted. 

Drouth, thirst. 

Droulhy, thirsty. 

Drul^en, drucl^en, drunken. 

Drumlie, muddy, turbid. 

Drummock., raw meal and cold water. 

Drum, the huff. 

Dry, thirsty. 

Dub, puddle, slush. 

Duddie, ragged. 

Duddies, dim. of duds, rags. 

Duds, rags, clothes. 

Dung, v. dang. 

Dunled, throbbed, beat. 

Dunis, blows. 



GLOSSARY 



561 



Dur{. dirk. 

Dusht, pushed or thrown down violently. 

DwalUng, dwelling. 

Dwalt, dwelt. 

Dykf, a fence (of stone or turf), a wall. 

Dyvor, a bankrupt. 

Ear', early. 

Earn, eagle. 

Eastlin, eastern. 

E'e, eye. 

E'ebrie, eyebrow. 

Een, eyes. 

E'en, even. 

E'en, evening. 

E'cnin', evening. 

E'er, ever. 

Eerie, apprehensive; inspiring ghostly fear. 

Eild, eld. 

El^e, also. 

Elbuck., elbow. 

Eldritch, unearthly, haunted, fearsome. 

Elekit, elected. 

Ell (Scots), thirty-seven inches. 

Eller, elder. 

En', end. 

Eneugh, enough. 

Enjauld, infold. 

Enow, enough. 

Erse, Gaelic. 

Elher-itane, adder-stone. 

Etile, aim. 

Evermmr, evermore. 

Ev'n down, downright, positive. 

Eydent, diligent. 

Fa', fall. 

Fa', lot, portion. 

Fa', to get; suit; claim. 

Faddom'd, fathomed. 

Foe, foe. 

Faem, foam. 

Fail(et, let off, excused. 

Fain, fond, glad. 

Fainness, fondness. 

Fair fa', good befall! welcome! 

Fairin, a present from a fair. 

Fallow, fellow. 

Ftt'n, fallen. 

Fand, found. 

Far-aff, far-ofl. 

Farls, oaKakes. 

Fash, annoyance. 

Fash, to trouble; worry. 

Fash'd, fash't, bothered; irked. 



Fashiout, troublesome. 

Fasten-e'en, Fasten's Even (the evening 
before Lent). 

Faiighi, a fight. 

Fauld, the sheep-fold. 

Fauld, folded. 

Faulding, sheep-folding. 

Faun, fallen. 

Fause, false. 

Fause-house, hole in a cornstack. 

Faut, fault. 

Faulor, transgressor. 

Fawsont, seemly, well-doing; good-look- 
ing. 

Feat, spruce. 

Fecht, fight. 

Feck,, the bulk, the most part. 

Feck., value, return. 

Fecket, waistcoat; sleeve waistcoat (used 
by farm-servants as both vest and 
jacket). 

Feckless, weak, pithless, feeble. 

Feckty, mosdy. 

Feg, a fig. 

Fegs, faith I 

Feide, feud. 

Feint, V. pent. 

Feirrie, lusty. 

Fell, keen, cruel, dreadful, deadly; pun- 
gent. 

Fell, the cuticle under the skin. 

Felly, relentless. 

Fen', a shift. 

Fen', fend, to look after; to care for; 
keep off. 

Fenceless, defenseless. 

Ferlie, ferly, a wonder. 

Ferlie, to marvel. 

Fetches, catches, gurgles. 

Fetch' I, stopped suddenly. 

Fey, fated to death. 

Fidge, to fidget, to wriggle. 

Fidgin-fain, tingling-wild. 

Fiel, well. 

Fient, fiend, a petty oath. 

Fient a, not a, devil a. 

Fient haet, nothing (fiend have it). 

Fient haet o', not one of. 

Fient-ma-care, the fiend may care (I 
don'tl). 

Fier, fiere, companion. 

Fier, sound, active. 

Fin', to find. 

Fissle, tingle, fidget with delight. 

Fit, foot 



562 



GLOSSARY 



Filtie-lan', the near horse of the hind- 
most pair in the plough. 

Flat, a flea. 

Flafflin, flapping. 

Ftainin, flanncn, flannel. 

Flang, flung. 

Flee, to fly. 

Fleech, wheedle. 

Fleesh, fleece. 

Fleg, scare, blow, jerk. 

Fleth'rin, flattering. 

Flewit, a sharp lash. 

Fley, to scare. 

Flichlerin, fluttering. 

Flinders, shreds, broken pieces. 

Flinging, kicking out in dancing; capering. 

Flingin-tree, a piece of timber hung by 
way of partition between two horses 
in a stable; a flail. 

Flisl^it, fretted, capered. 

Flit, to shift. 

Flittering, fluttering. 

Flyte, scold. 

Fock., foetus, folk. 

Fodgel, dumpy. 

Foot, fared (;. e., went). 

Foorsday, Thursday. 

Forbears, forebears, forefathers. 

Forby, forbye, besides. 

Forfairn, worn out; forlorn. 

Forfoughten, exhausted. 

Forgather, to meet with. 

Forgie, to forgive. 

Forjesl(et, jaded. 

Forrit, forward. 

Fother, fodder. 

Fou, fow, full (('. e., drunk). 

Foughten, troubled. 

Foumart, a polecat. 

Foursome, a quartet. 

Fouth, fulness, abundance. 

Fow, V. fou. 

Fow, a bushel. 

Frae, from. 

Freath, to froth. 

Fremit, estranged, hostile. 

Fu\ full. 

Fu'-han't, full-handed. 

Fud, a short tail (of a rabbit or hare). 

Fuff't, puffed. 

Fur, furr, a furrow. 

Fur-ahin, the hindmost plough-horse in 

the furrow. 
Furder, success. 

Furder, to succeed. 



Furm, a wooden form. 

Fusionless, pithless, sapless, tasteless, 

Fylie, fret. 

Fyl^e, to fuss; fidget. 

Fyle, to defile, to foul. 

Gab, the mouth. 

Gab, to talk. 

Gabs, talk. 

Gae, gave. 

Gae, to go. 

Gaed, went. 

Gaen, gone. 

Gaets, ways, manners. 

Gairs, gores. 

Gane, gone. 

Gang, to go. 

Gangrel, vagrant. 

Gar, to cause, to make, to compel. 

Garcoci(, the moorcock. 

Garten, garter. 

Gash, wise; self-complacent (implying 

prudence and prosjxrity); talkative. 
Gas/ling, talking, gabbing. 
Gat, got. 

Gate, way-road, manner. 
Gatty, enervated. 
Gaucie, v. Gawsie. 
Gaud, a goad. 
Gaudsman, goadsman, driver of the 

plough-team. 
Gau'n, gavin. 
Gaun, going. 
Gaunted, gaped, yawned. 
Gawliy, a foolish woman or lad. 
Gawky, foolish. 
Gawsie, buxom; jolly. 
Gaylies, gaily, rather. 
Gear, money, wealth; goods; stuff. 
Geek., to sport; toss the head. 
Ged, a pike. 
Gentles, gentry. 
Genty, trim and elegant. 
Geordie, dim. of George, a guinea. 
Get, issue, offspring, breed. 
Ghaist, ghost. 
Gie, to give. 
Gied, gave. 
Gien, given. 
Gif, if. 

Giftie, dim. of gift. 

Giglets, giggling youngsters or maids. 
Gillie, dim. of ,^11 (glass of whiskey). 
Gilpey, young girl. 
Gimmer, a young ewe. 



GLOSSARY 



563 



Gin, if, should, whether; by. 

Girdle, plate of metal for firing cakes, 

bannocks. 
Girn, to grin, to twist the face (but from 

pain or rage, not joy); gapes; snarls. 
Gizz, wig. 

Glttik.it, foolish, thoughtless, giddy. 
Glaizie, glossy, shiny. 
Glaum'd, grasped. 
Gled, a hawk, a kite. 
Gleede, a glowing coal. 
Gleg, nimble, sharp, keen-witted. 
Gleg, smartly. 
Glieh, a portion of land. 
Glib-gabhet, smooth-tongued. 
Glint, sparkle. 

Gloamin, twilight; gloamin-ihot , sunset. 
Glow'r, stare. 
Glunch, frown, growl. 
Goavin, looking dazedly; mooning. 
Gotten, got. 

Goman, the wild, or mountain, daisy. 
Gouiany, covered with wild daisies. 
Gowd, gold. 
Gowdie, the head. 

Gowff'd, struck, as in the game of golf. 
Gowk, 'he cuckoo, a dolt. 
Gowling, lamenting (as a dog in grief). 
Graff, a grave, a vault. 
Grain'd, groaned. 
Grttip, a dung-fork. 

Graith, implements, gear; furniture; attire. 
Grailhing, gearing, vestments. 
Grane, groan. 

Grannie, graunie, grandmother. 
Grape, grope. 
Grot, wept. 

Gree, the prize (degree). 
Gree, to agree. 
Greet, to weep. 
Groanin maut, groaning malt, brewed for 

a lying-in. 
Grozet, a gooseberry. 
Grumphie, the pig. 
Grun', the ground. 
Gruntlr, the face. 
Gruntle, dim. of grunt. 
Grunzie, growing. 
Grutten, wept. 
Gude, God. 
Guid, gude, good. 
Guid-e'en, good evening. 
Guid-father, father-in-law. 
Guid-man, husband. 
Guid-wije, mistress of the house. 



Ciiid-willie, hearty, full of good-will. 

Cuilie, gully, a large knife. 

Culravage, riotous play. 

Gumlie, muddy. 

Gumption, wisdom. 

Gusty, tasty. 

Gutcher, goodsire, grandfather. 

Ha\ hall. 

Ha' folk, the servants. 

Haddin, holding, inheritance. 

Hae, have. 

Haet, a thing. 

Haffet, hauffet, the temple, the side ol 
the head. 

Haffets, side-locks. 

Hafflins, half, partly. 

Hag, a moss, a broken bog. 

Haggis, a si>ecial Scots pudding, made ol 
sheep's lungs, liver and heart, onions 
and oatmeal, boiled in a sheep's 
stomach. 

Hain, to spare, to save. 

Hairsi, har'sl, harvest. 

Haith, faith (an oath). 

Haivers, v. havers. 

Hal', hold, holding, possession. 

Hale, hail, the whole. 

Hale, health. 

Hale, hail, whole, healthy. 

Halesome, wholesome. 

Hallan, a partition wall, a porch, outer 
door. 

Halloween, All Saints' Eve (3i$t of 
October). 

Hallowmas, All Saints' Day (ist of No- 
vember). 

Holy, holy. 

Home, home. 

Han', httun, hand. 

Han-darg, v. darg. 

Hand-wal'd, hand-picked (1. e., choicest). 

Hangie, hangman (nickname of the 
Devil). 

Hansel, the first gift; earnest. 

Hap, a wrap, a covering against cold. 

Hap, to shelter. 

Hap, to hop. 

Happer, hopper (of a mill). 

Hap-slep-an '-lowp, hop-step-and- jump. 

Harkit, hearkened. 

Harn, coarse cloth. 

Hash, an oaf. 

Haslock. woo, the wool on the neck of 
a sheep. 



564 



GLOSSARY 



Haud, to hold, to keep. 

Hauf. half. 

Haughs, low-lying rich lands by a river. 

Haun, V. han'. 

Haurl, to trail. 

Hausc, cuddle, embrace. 

Haveril, hav'rel, one who talks nonsense. 

Havers, nonsense. 

Havins, manners, conduct. 

Hamkic, a white-faced cow; a cow. 

Heat, V. hale. 

Heal some, v. halesome. 

Hecht, to promise; threaten. 

Hecl(le, a flax<omb. 

Heels-o'er-gowdie, v. gouidie. 

Heeze, to hoist. 

Heich, heigh, high. 

Hem-shin'd, crooked-shin'd. 

Herd, a herd-boy. 

Here awa, hereabout. 

Herry, to harry. 

Herryment, spoliation. 

Herset, herself. 

Het, hot. 

Heugh, a hollow or pit; a crag, a steep 
bank. 

Heuk., a hook. 

HiUh, to hobble. 

Hiltie-skiltie, helter-skelter. 

Himsel, himself. 

Hiney, hinny, honey. 

Hing, to hang. 

Hirple, to move unevenly; to limp. 

Hissels, so many cattle as one person can 
attend (R. B.). 

Histie, bare. 

Hizzie, a hussy, a wench. 

HoasI, cough. 

Hoddin, the motion of a sage countryman 
riding on a cart-horse (R. 6.). 

Hoddin-grey, coarse gray woolen. 

Hoggie, dim. of hog; a lamb. 

Hog-score, a line on the curling rink 

Hog-shouther, a kind of horse-play by 
jostling with the shoulder; to jnstlc. 

Hoodie-craw, the hooded crow, the car- 
rion crow. 

Hoodock., grasping, vulturish. 

Hooded, caught. 

Hool, the outer case, the sheath. 

Hoolie, sofdy. 

Hoord, hoard. 

Hoordel, hoarded. 

Horn, a horn spoon; a comb of horn. 

Hornie, the Devil. 



Host, V. hoatl. 

Hotch'd, jerked. 

Houghmagandie, fornication. 

Houlel, V. howlel. 

Houpe, hope. 

Hove, swell. 

Howdte, howdy, a midwife. 

Howe, hollow. 

How\, to dig. 

Howlet, the owl. 

Hoyse, a hoist. 

Hoy't, urged (R. B.). 

Hoyle, to amble crazily (R. B.). 

Htighoc, dim. of Hugh. 

Htdtions, slovens. 

Hiinder, a hundred. 

Hunl^ers, hams. 

Hurcheort, the hedgehog. 

Hurchin, urchin. 

Hurdles, the loins, (he crup|)er (R. B.) 

(1. e., the buttocks). 
Hurl, to trundle. 
Hushion, a foodess stocking, 
Hy/r, furious. 

/', in. 

letter, an ear of corn. 

ler-oe, a great-grandchild. 

IHl^, ilka, each, every. 

/// o't, bad at iL 

lU-taen, ill-taken. 

Ill-thief, the Devil. 

lll-willie, ill-natured, niggardly. 

Indenlin, indenturing. 

tngine, genius, ingenuity; wit. 

Ingle, (he fire, (he hrcsidc. 

lngle-cheel(, fireside (properly the jamb 

of the fireplace). 
Ingle-lowe, ingle-low, flame of the fire. 
I'se, I shall, or will, 
Itsel', itself. 
Ither, other, another. 

]ad. a jade. 
fanwar, January. 
Iaul(, to trifle, to dally. 
Jatiner, gabber. 
jaunlie, dim. of jaunt. 
laup, splash. 
law, talk, impudence. 
law, to throw, to dash. 
leeg, to jog. 
lillet, a jilt. 
limp, small, slender 
limply, neatly. 



GLOSSARY 



565 



fimpj, stays. 

/<»/(, the slip. 

linJ(, to frisk, to sport, to dodge. 

linger, dodder (coquette); a jinker noble; 

a noble goer. 
Jirl{inel, bodice. 
Jin, a jerk. 
/I'z, a wig. 
fo, a sweetheart. 
locldeg, a clasp-knife. 
foul^, to duck, to cower, to dodge. 
low, to jow, a verb which included both 

the swinging motion and pealing sound 

of a large bell (R. B.). 
Jumpet, jumpit, jumped. 
Jundie, to josde. 
Jurr, a servant wench. 

Kae, a jackdaw. 

Kcul, /(ale, the colewort; cabbage; Scots' 
broth. 

Kail-blade, the leaf of the colewort. 

Kail-gullie, a cabbage knife. 

Kail-runt, the stem of the colewort. 

Kail-whillle, a cabbage knife. 

Kail-yard, a kitchen garden. 

Kain, l(ane, rents in kind. 

Kame, a comb. 

Kehars, rafters. 

Kehbuck., a cheese; a kebbuck heel b> the 
last crust of a cheese. 

Keckfe, to cackle, to giggle. 

Keek,, look, glance. 

Keekin-glais, the looking-glass. 

Keel, red chalk. 

Kelpies, river demons. 

Ken, to know. 

Kenna, know not. 

Kennin, a very little (merely as much as 
can be perceived). 

Kep, to catch. 

Ket, the fleece on a sheep's body. 

ACry, quay. 

Kiaugh, anxiety. 

Kill, to tuck up. 

Kimmer, a wench, a gossip; a wife. 

Kin', kind. 

King'i-hood, the 2d stomach in a rumi- 
nant (equivocal for the scrotum). 

Kintra, country. 

Kirk,, church. 

Kirn, a churn. 

Kirn, harvest home. 

Kirsen, to christen. 

Kist, chest, counter. 



Kitchen, to relish. 

Kittle, difficult, ticklish, delicate, fickle. 

Kittle, to tickle. 

Kittlin, kitten. 

Kiutlin, cuddling. 

Knaggie, knobby. 

Knappin-hammers, hammers for breaking 

stones. 
Knowe, knoll. 
Knurl, knurlin, dwarf. 
Kye, cows. 
Kytes, bellies. 
Kythe, to show. 

Laddie, dim. of lad. 

Lade, a load. 

Lag, backward. 

Laggen, the bottom angle of a wooden 

dish. 
Laigh, low. 
Laik. lack. 
Lair, lore, learning. 
Laird, landowner. 
Lairing, sticking or sinking in moss or 

mud. 
Laitfi, loath. 

Lailhju', loathful, sheepish. 
Lallan, lowland. 

Lallans, Scots Lowland vernacular. 
Lammie, dim. of lamb. 
Lan', land. 
Lan'-afore, the foremost horse on the un- 

plowcd land side. 
Lan'-ahin, the hindmost horse on the un- 

plowed land side. 
Lane, lone. 
Lang, long. 

Lang syne, long since, long ago. 
Lap, leapt. 
Lave, the rest. 

Laverock, lav'rock, the lark. 
Lawin, the reckoning. 
Lea, grass, unfilled land. 
Lear, lore, learning. 
Leddy, lady. 
Lee-lang, live-long. 
Leesome, lawful. 
Leeze me on, dear is to me; blessings on; 

commend me to. 
Leister, a fish-spear. 
I^n', to lend. 
Leugh, laugh'd. 
Leuk, look. 
Ley-crap, lea-crop. 
Libbet, castrated. 



566 



GLOSSARY 



Licks, a beating. 

Lien, lain. 

Lieve, lief. 

Lift, the sky. 

Li/i, a load. 

Lightly, to disparage, to scorn. 

Lilt, to sing. 

Limmer, to jade; mistress. 

Lin, V. /<nn. 

Linn, a waterfall. 

L;nr. flax. 

Lint-white, flax<olored. 

Lintwhile, the linnet. 

Lippen'd, trusted. 

Lippic, dim. of lip. 

Loan, a lane. 

Loanin, the private road leading to a 
farm. 

Lo'ed, loved. 

Lon'on, London. 

Loof (pi. looves), the palm of the band. 

Loon, loan, lown, a fellow, a varlet. 

Loosome, lovable. 

Loot, let. 

hoove, love. 

Looves, V. /oo/. 

LojA, a minced oath. 

Lough, a pond, a lake. 

Loup, lowp, to leap. 

Low, /oifr, a flame. 

Lowin, lowing, flaming, burning. 

Lown, V. /ooR. 

Lowp, V. /ou/>. 

Lowsc, louse, to untie, let loose. 

Lucky, a grandmother, an old woman; an 
ale wife. 

Lug, the ear. 

Lugget, having ears. 

Luggie, a porringer. 

Lum, the chimney. 

Lume, a loom. 

Lunardi, a balloon bonnet. 

Lunches, full portions. 

L«n/, a column of smoke or steam. 

Luntin, smoking. 

Luve, love. 

Lyart, gray in general; discolored by de- 
cay or old age. 

Lynin, lining. 

Mae, more. 

Mailen, mailin, a farm. 

Mailie, Molly. 

Mair, more. 

Moist, most. 



Maist, almost. 

Mak, make. 

Mttk. o', make o', to pet, to fondle. 

Mall, Mally. 

Manleele, a mantle. 

Mark, merk, an old Scots coin (13 i-3d. 

sterling). 
Mashlum, of mixed meal. 
Maskin-pat, the teapot. 
Maukin, a hare. 
Maun, must. 
Maunna, mustn't 
Mttut, malt. 
Mavis, the thrush. 
Mawin, mowing. 
Mawn, mown. 
Mawn, a large basket. 
Mear, a mare. 

Meikle, mickle, muckle, much, great. 
Melder, a grinding of corn. 
Mell, to meddle. 

Melvie, to powder with meal^lust. 
A/rn', mend. 

Mense, tact, discretion, politeness. 
Menseless, unmannerly. 
Merle, the blackbird. 
Merran, Marian. 
Mess fohn, Mass John, the parish priest, 

the minister. 
Messin, a cur, a mongrel. 
Midden, a dunghill. 
Midden-creels, manure-baskets. 
Midden duh. midden puddle. 
Midden-hole, a gutter at the bottom of 

the dunghill. 
Milking shiel, the milking shed. 
Mim, prim, affectedly meek. 
Mim-mou'd, prim-lip|)cd. 
Min', mind, remembrance. 
Mind, to remember, to bear in mind. 
Minnie, mother. 
Mirk, dark. 

Misca', to miscall, to abuse. 
Mishanler, mishap. 
Mislear'd, mischievous, unmannerly. 
Mistak, mistake. 
Misteiik, mistook. 
Mither, mother. 
Mixtie-maxtie, confused. 
Monie, many. 

Moots, crumbling earth, grave. 
Moop, to nibble, to keep close company. 

to meddle. 
Mottie, dusty. 
Mou', the mouth. 



GLOSSARY 



567 



Moudieworls, moles. 
Muck/e, V. meikfe. 
Muslin-I{ail, bccflcss broth. 
Muichkfn, an English pint. 

Na, nae, no, not. 

Naelhing, naithing, nothing. 

Naig, a nag. 

Nane, none. 

Nappy, ale, liquor. 

Natch, a notching implement; abuse. 

Neebor, ncibor, neighbor. 

tieedna, needn't. 

Neist, next. 

Neuk,, newk., a nook, a corner. 

New-ca'd, newly driven. 

Nick. (Auld), Nickfc-ben, a name o£ the 

Devil. 
Nick, to sever; to slit; to nail, to seize 

away. 
Nickic-hen, v. Nick' 
Nick-nackets, curiosities. 
Nick', cuts; the rings on a cow's horns. 
Nieve, the fist. 
Niepe-fu, fistful. 
Niffer, exchange. 
Nil, a nut. 
No, not. 
Nochi, nothing. 
Norland, northern. 
Nowl, nowtc, catde. 

0', of. 

O'erword, the refrain; catchword. 

Onie, any. 

Or, ere, before. 

Orra, extra. 

O't, of it. 

Ought, aught. 

Oughilins, ttughtUns, aught in the least; 

at all. 
Ouric, shivering, drooping. 
Outler, unhoused. 
Owre, over, too. 
Owten, oxen. 
Owlhor, author. 
Oxter'd, held up under the arms. 

Pack <"■' thick, confidential. 

Paidle, to paddle, to wade; to walk with 

a weak action. 
Paidle, nail -bag. 
Painch, the paunch. 
Ptttlrick, a partridge; used equivocally of 

a wanton girL 



Pang, to cram. 

Parishen, the parish. 

Parritch, porridge. 

Parrilch-pals, porridge-pots. 

Pat, pot. 

Pat, put. 

Pattle, pettU, a plow-suff. 

Patighly, haughty. 

Paukie. paiiky, pawkie, artful, sly. 

Pechan, the stomach. 

Pechin, panting, blowing. 

Penny-fee, wage in money. 

Penny-wheep, small beer. 

Pettle, V. pattle. 

Philibeg, the Highlander's kilt. 

Phraisin, flattering, wheedling. 

Phrase, to flatter, to wheedle. 

Pickle, a few, a little. 

Pint (Scots), three imperial pints. 

Pit, put. 

Placads, proclamations. 

Plack, four pennies (Scots). 

Plackless, penniless. 

Plaid en, coarse woolen cloth. 

Plaitter, plaster. 

Pleniih'd, stocked. 

Pleugh, pleiv, a plow. 

Pliskie, a trick. 

Pliver, a plover. 

Pock, 3 poke, a bag, a wallet. 

Poind, to seize, to distrain, to impound. 

Poortith, poverty. 

Pou, to pull. 

Pouch, pocket. 

Pouk, to poke. 

Poupit, pulpit. 

Pouse, a push. 

Poussie, a hare (also a cat). 

Pouther, powlher, powder. 

Pouts, chicks. 

Pow, the poll, the head. 

Pownie, a pony. 

Pow'l, pulled. 

Pree'd, pried (proved), tasted. 

Preen, a pin. 

Prent, print. 

Prie, to taste. 

Priei, proof. 

Priggin, haggling. 

Primsie, dim. of prim, precise. 

Proveses, provosts. 

Pu', to pull. 

Puddock-stools, toadstools, mushrooms. 

Puir, poor. 

Pun', pund, pound. 



568 



GLOSSARY 



Pursie, dim. o£ pursA 
Puttie, a hare. 
Pyel, a magpie. 
Pyke, to pick. 
Pylet, grains. 

Qiiat, quit, quitted. 

Quean, a young woman, a lass. 

Queir, choir. 

Quey, a young cow. 

Quietlin-wise , quietly. 

Quo', quod, quoth. 

Rob, rob. 

/Jfli/tf, rode. 

Raep, a rope. 

Ragweed, ragwort. 

Rmblet, recites by rote. 

Rmr, to roar. 

Rairin, roaring. 

Rair't, roared. 

Rmte, rase, rose. 

Raize, to excite, anger. 

Ramfeezl'd, exhausted. 

Ramgunthoch, surly. 

Ram-ttam, headlong. 

Randie, lawless, obstreperous. 

Randie, randy, a scoundrel, a rascal. 

/2anr, to rollick, to roister. 

Rantt, merry meetings; rows. 

Rape, V. raep. 

Raploch, homespun. 

Rath, a rush. 

Rath-butt, a clump of rushes. 

Rathy, rushy. 

Rattan, ration, a rat. 

Ratton-k.ey, the rat-quay. 

Raucle, rough, bitter, sturdy. 

Raught, reached. 

Raw, a row. 

Rax, to stretch, to extend. 

Ream, cream, foam. 

Ream, to cream, to foam. 

Reave, to rob. 

Rebute, rebuff. 

Red, advised, afraid. 

Red, rede, to advise, to counsel. 

Red-wat-thod, red-wet-shod. 

Red-wud, stark mad. 

Reek, smoke. 

Reekie, reeky, smoky. 

Reettit, scorched. 

Reettil, refused to go, 

Reif, thieving. 

Remead, remedy. 



Rick}ei, small stacks of corn in the fields. 

RieU plunder. 

Rig, a ridge. 

Rtggin, the roof -tree, the roof. 

Rigwoodie, lean. 

Rin, to run. 

Ripp, a handful of corn from the sheaf. 

Ripplin-kame, the wool or flax comb. 

Ritkil, cracked. 

Rive, to split, to tear, to tug, to bunt. 

Rock, a distaff. 

Rockin, a social meeting. 

Roon, round, shred. 

Rooie, to praise, to flatter. 

Roote, reputation. 

Rootty, rusty. 

Rattan, a rat. 

Roun', round. 

Roupet, exhausted in voice. 

Routh, V. rowth. 

Rout hie, well -stocked. 

Row, rowe, to roll; to flow, as a river; to 

wrap. 
Rowte. to low, to bellow. 
Rowth. plenty, a store. 
Rozet, resin. 

Run-deilt. downright devils. 
Rung, a cudgel. 
RunkI'd, wrinkled. 
Runt, a cabbage or colewort stalk. 
Ryke, to reach. 

Sab, to sob. 

Sae, so. 

Saft, soft. 

Sair, sore, hard, severe, strong. 

Sair, to serve. 

Sair, tairly, sorely. 

Sairie, sorrowful, sorry. 

Sail, shall. 

Sandy, Sannack. dim. of Alexander. 

Sark. a shirt. 

Saugh. the willow. 

Saul, soul. 

Saumont. tawmonl, the salmoiL 

Saunt. saint. 

Saut. salt. 

Saut-backett. v. backets. 

Saw. to sow. 

Sawney, v. tandy. 

Sax, six. 

Scar, to scare. 

Scar, v. tcaur. 

Scathe, tcaith, damage; v. tkidth. 

Scaud, to scald. 



GLOSSARY 



569 



Scaul, scold. 

Scauld, to scold. 

Scaur, afraid; apt to be scared. 

Scaur, a jutting rock or bank of earth. 

Scho, she. 

Scone, a soft flour cake. 

Scanner, disgust. 

Scanner, sicken. 

Scraichin, calling hoarsely. 

Screed, a rip, a rent. 

Screed, to repeat rapidly, to rattle. 

Scriechin, screeching. 

Scriegh, skriegh, v. skriegh. 

Scrievin, careering. 

Scrimpit, scanty. 

Scroggie, scraggy, scrubby. 

Sculdudd'ry, bawdry. 

See'd, saw. 

Seisins, freehold possessions. 

Sel. set', sell, self. 

Sell'd, sell-/, sold. 

Semple, simple. 

Sen', send. 

Set, to set off; to start. 

Set, sat. 

Sets, becomes. 

Shachl'd, shapeless. 

Shaird, shred, shard. 

Shanagan, a cleft stick. 

Shanna, shall not. 

Shaul, shallow. 

Shaver, a funny fellow. 

Shavie, trick. 

Shaw, a wood. 

Shaw, to show. 

Shearer, a reaper. 

Sheep-shanl(, a sheep's trotter; nae sheep- 
shank. hane = i person of no small 
importance. 

Sheerly, wholly. 

Sheers, scissors. 

Sherra-moor, sherifTmuir. 

Sheugh, a ditch, a furrow; gutter. 

Sheuk,, shook. 

Shiel, a shed, cottage. 

Shill, shrill. 

Shag, a shake. 

Shool, a shovel, 

Shoon, shoes. 

Shore, to offer, to threaten. 

Short syne, a little while ago. 

Shoutdna, should not. 

Shouther, showther, shoulder. 

Shure, shore (did shear). 

Sic, such. 



Siccan, such a. 

Sicker, steady, certain; ncl(er /rorr ao strict 

conditions. 
Sidelins, sideways. 
Siller, silver; money in general. 
Simmer, summer. 
Sin, son. 
Sin', since. 
Sindry, sundry. 
Singel, singed, shriveled. 
Sinn, the sun. 
Smny, sunny. 
Sl^aith, damage. 
Sleigh, s^iegh, skittish. 
Skellum, a good-for-nothing. 
S^elp, a slap, a smack. 
S^elp, to spank; t^elpin at 1'/= driving 

at it. 
Sl^elpie-limmer's-face, a technical term in 

female scolding (R. B.). 
S^elfy, shelvy. 
Sk.iegh, V. sleigh. 
Slinking, watery. 
S^in^lin, glittering. 
Skirl, to cry or sound shrilly. 
Sklent, a slant, a turn. 
Sklent, to slant, to squint, to cheat. 
Skouth, scope. 
Skriech, a scream. 
Skriegh, to scream, to whinny. 
Skyrin, flaring. 
Skyte, squirt, lash. 
Slade, slid. 
Slae, the sloe. 

Slap, a breach in a fence; a gate. 
Slaw, slow. 
Slee, sly, ingenious. 
Sleekit. sleek, crafty. 
Slidd'ry, slippery. 
Slaken, to slake. 
Sly pet, slipped. 
Sma', small. 
Smedditm, a powder. 
Smeek, smoke. 
Smiddy, smithy. 
Smoor'd, smothered. 
Smoutie, smutty. 

Smytrie, a small collection; a litter. 
Snakin, sneering. 
Snap, smart. 
Snapper, to stumble. 
Snash, abuse. 
Snaw, snow. 

Snaw-broo, snow-brew (melted snow). 
Sned, to lop, to prune. 



570 GLOSSARY 

Sneeshin mill, a snufl-box. 

Snell, bitter, biting. 

Snic^, a latch; snicl(-Jrawing = icheiniDg; 

he weel a snick, can draw = he is good 

at cheating. 
Snirllr, to snigger. 
Snoods, fillets worn by maids. 
Snool, to cringe, to snub. 
Snoovc, to go slowly. 
Snowkil, snuffed. 
Sodger, soger, a soldier. 
Sonsie, sonsy, pleasant, good-natured, 

jolly. 
Soom, to swim. 
Soar, sour. 
Sough, V. sugh. 
Souk, suck. 
Soupe, sup, liquid. 
Souple. supple. 
Souier, cobbler. 
Sowens, porridge of oat flour. 
Sowps, sups. 

Sowth, to hum or whisde in a low tune. 
Sowther, to solder. 
Spae, to foretell. 
Spoils, chips. 

Spairge, to splash; to spatter. 
Spak,, spoke. 
Spates, floods. 
Spavie, the spavin. 
Spavit, spavined. 
Spean, to wean. 
Speat, a flood. 
Speel, to climb. 
Speer, spier, to ask. 
Speet, to spit. 
Spence, the parlor. 
Spier, V. speer. 
Spleuchan, pouch. 
Splore, a frolic; a carousal. 
Sprachl'd, clambered. 
Spraltte, scramble. 
Spreckled, speckled. 
Spring, a quick tune; a dance. 
Sprittie, full of roots or sprouts (a kind 

of rush). 
Sprush, spruce. 

Spunk, a match; a spark; fire, spirit. 
Spunkie, full of spirit. 
Spunkie, liquor, spirits. 
Spunkies, jack-o'-lanterns, will-o' -wisps. 
Spurtle-blade. the pot-stick. 
Squatter, to flap. 
Squattle, to squat; to setde. 
Stacker, to totter. 



Siaggie, dim. of staig. 

Staig, a young horse. 

Stan', stand. 

Stane, stone. 

Sian't, stood. 

Stang, sting. 

Stank, a moat; a pond. 

Stap, to stop. 

Stapple, a stopper. 

Stark, strong. 

Starnies, dim. of slam, star. 

Slams, stars. 

Startle, to course. 

Staumrel, half-witted. 

Slaw, a stall. 

Staw, to surfeit; to sicken. 

Staw, stole. 

Stechin, cramming. 

Steek, a stitch. 

Steek, to shut; to close. 

Steer, to stir; to touch, meddle with. 

Steeve, compact. 

Stell, a still. 

Slen, a leap; a spring. 

Sten't, sprang. 

Stenied, erected; set on high. 

Stents, assessments, dues. 

Sleyest, steepest. 

Stihhle, stubble. 

Stibble-rig, chief reaper. 

Stick-an-slowe, completely. 

Stilt, limp (with the aid of stilts). 

Stimpart, a quarter peck. 

Stirk, a young bullock. 

Stock, a plant of cabbage; colewort. 

Sloited, stumbled. 

Stoiter'd, staggered. 

Stoor, harsh, stern. 

Stoun', pang, throb. 

Sloure, dust. 

Stourie, dusty. 

Stown, stolen. 

Stownlins, by stealth. 

Stoyle, to stagger. 

Strae death, death in bed. (j. e., on straw). 

Slaik, to stroke. 

Strak, struck. 

Strang, strong. 

Straught, straight. 

Straught, to stretch. 

Streekit, stretched. 

Striddle, xo straddle. 

Stron't, lanted. 

Strunt, liquor. 

Strum, to swagger. 



Studdie, an anvil. 

Slumpie, dim. of stump; a worn quill. 

Sturt, worry, trouble. 

Stun, to fret; to vex. 

Sturtin, frighted, staggered. 

Styme, the faintest trace. 

Suck^er, sugar. 

Sud, should. 

Sugh, sough, sigh, moan, wail, iwish. 

Sumph, churl. 

Sunc, soon. 

Suthron, southern. 

Swaird, sward. 

Swall'd, swelled. 

Swank,, limber. 

Swan^ies, strapping fellows. 

Swap, exchange. 

Swapped, swopped, exchanged. 

Swarf, to swoon. 

Swat, sweated. 

Swatch, sample. 

Swats, new ale. 

Swcer, V. dcad-sweer. 

Swirl, curl. 

Swirlie, twisted, knaggy. 

Swith, haste; off and away. 

Suither, doubt, hesitation. 

Swoom, swim. 

Swoor, swore. 

Sybow, a young union. 

Syne, since, then. 

Tack., possession, lease. 

Tacket. shoe-nail. 

Tae, to. 

Tae, toe. 

Tae'd, toed. 

Taed, toad. 

Taen, taken. 

Taei, small quantity. 

Tairge, to target. 

Tttk, take. 

Tald, told. 

Tane, one in contrast to other. 

Tangs, tongs. 

Tap, top. 

Tapelless, senseless. 

Tapmost, topmost. 

Tappet-hen, a crested hen-shaped bottle 

holding three quarts of claret. 
Tap-pickle, the grain at the top of the 

stalk. 
Topsalteerie, topsy-turvy. 
Targe, to examine. 



GLOSSARY 571 

Tarrow, to tarry; to be reluctant, to 
murmur; to weary. 

Tassie, a goblet. 

Tauk. talk. 

Tauld, told. 

Tawie, tractable. 

Tawpie, a foolish woman. 

Tawted, matted. 

Teats, small quantities. 

Teen, vexation. 

TeWd, told. 

Temper-pin, a fiddle-peg; the regulating 
pin of the spirming-wheel. 

Tent, heed. 

Tent, to tend; to heed; to observe. 

Tentie, watchful, careful, heedful. 

Tentier, more watchful. 

Tentless, careless. 

Tester, an old silver coin about sixpence 
in value. 

Teugh, tough. 

Teuk, took. 

Thack, thatch; thack and rape =. the cover- 
ing of a house, and so, home necessities. 

Thae, those. 

Thairm, small guts; catgut (a fiddle- 
string). 

Theckit. thatched. 

Thegither, together. 

Thick, V. pack <">' thick- 

Thieveless, forbidding, spiteful. 

Thtggin, begging. 

Thir, these. 

Thirl'd, thrilled. 

Thole, to endure; to suffer. 

Thou'se, thou shalt. 

Thowe, thaw. 

Thowless, lazy, useless. 

Thrang, busy; thronging in crowds. 

Thrang, a throng. 

Thrapple, the windpipe. 

Thrave, twenty-four sheaves of corn. 

Thraw, a twist. 

Thraw, to twist; to turn; to thwart. 

Thraws, throes. 

Threap, maintain, argue. 

Threesome, trio. 

Thretteen, thirteen. 

Thretty, thirty. 

Thrissle, thistle. 

Thristed, thirsted. 

Through, mak to through =sma}ie good. 

Throu'ther (through other), pell-mell. 

Thummart, polecat. 

Thy lane, alone. 



572 GLOSSARY 

Tight, girt, prepared. 
Till. to. 
TiU't, to it. 

Timmer, timber, material. 
Tine, to lose; to be lost. 
Tinkler, tinl^er. 
Tint, lost. 

Tippence, twopence. 
Tip. V. toop. 
Tirl, to strip. 

Tirl, to knock for entrance. 
Tither, the other. 
Tittlin, whispering. 
Tocher, dowry. 
Tocher, to give a dowry. 
Tocher-gude, marriage portion. 
Tod, the fox. 
To-la'. the fall. 
Toom, empty. 
Toop, tup, ram. 
Toss, the toast. 
Toun, town; farm steading. 
Tousie, shaggy. 
Tout, blast. 
Tow, flax, a rope. 

Towmond, towmont, a twelvemonth. 
Towsing, rumpling (equivocal). 
Toyte, to totter. 
Tozie, flushed with drink. 
Trams, shafts. 
Transmogrify, change. 
Trashtrie, small trash. 
Trews, trousers. 
Trig, neat, trim. 
Trinl(lin, flowing. 
Trinle, the wheel of a barrow. 
Trogger, packman. 
Troggin, wares. 
Trol(e, to barter. 
Trouse, trousers. 
Trowth, in truth. 
Trump, a Jew's harp. 
Tryste, a fair; a cattle-market. 
Trysted, appointed. 
Trysting, meeting. 
Tulyie, tulzie, a squabble; a tussle. 
Twtt, two. 

Twafauld, twofold, double. 
Twal, twelve; the /«/«/ = twelve at night. 
Twalpennie worth, a penny worth (Eng- 
lish money). 
Twang, twinge. 
Twa-three, two or three. 
Tway, two. 
Twin, twine, to rob; to deprive; bereave. 



Twistle, a twist; a sprain. 
Tyl^e, a dog. 
Tynr, v. tine. 
Tysday, Tuesday. 

Uhie, oil. 

Unchancy, dangerous. 

Unco, remarkably, uncommonly, exces- 
sively. 

Unco, remarkable, uncommon, terrible 
(sarcastic). 

Uncos, news, strange things, wonders. 

Unl^end, unknown. 

Unsick,er, uncertain. 

Unskailhed, unhurt. 

Usquabae, usquebae, whisky. 

Vauntie, proud. 

Vera, very. 

Virls, rings. 

Viltle, victual, grain, food. 

Vogie, vain. 

Wa', waw, a wall. 

Wah, a web. 

Wabster, a weaver. 

Wad, to wager. 

Wad, to wed. 

Wad, would, would have. 

Wad'a, would have. 

Wadna, would not. 

Wadset, a mortgage. 

Wae, woful, sorrowful. 

Wae, wo; wae's me = v/o is to me. 

Waesuc^s, alas I 

Wae worth, wo befall. 

Wair, V. ware. 

Wale, to choose. 

Wale, choice. 

Watie, wawlie, choice, ample, large. 

Wallop, to kick; to dangle; to gallop; to 

dance. 
Waly fa, ill befall! 
Wame, the belly. 
Wamefou, bellyful. 
Wan, won. 

Wanchancie, dangerous. 
Wanrestfu, restless. 
Ware, wair, to spend; bestow. 
Ware. worn. 
Warl{^, work. 
War^-lume, tool. 
Warl', wartd, world. 
Warlocl;^, a wizard. 
Warl'y, worldly, worldly. 



GLOSSARY 



573 



Warran, warrant 

Wane, worse. 

Warslc, warstle, wrestle. 

Wast, west. 

Wastrie, waste. 

Wat, wet 

Wat, wot, know. 

Water-fit, water-foot (the river'j mouth). 

Waler-Z^elptet, v. k.elpiet. 

Wauble, to wobble. 

Waught, a draft. 

Wauk., to awake. 

Wauk^en, to awaken. 

Waukin, awake. 

Wauk.it (with toil), horny. 

Waukrife, wakeful. 

Waulte, jolly. 

Waur, worse. 

Waur, to worst. 

Waur't, worsted, beat. 

Wean (wee one), a child. 

Weanies, babies. 

Weojon, weasand. 

Wecht, a measure for corn. 

Wee, a little; a wee = i short space or 

time. 
Wee things, children. 
Weel, well. 

Weel-faured, well-favored. 
Weel-gaun, well-tjoing. 
Weel-hain'd, well-saved. 
Weepers, mournings (on the ueeve or 

hat). 
Werena, were not. 
We'se, we shall. 
Weitltn, western. 
Wha, who. 
Whaizle, wheeze. 
Whalpet, whelped. 
Wham, whom. 
Whan, when. 
Whang, a shive. 
W hang, floR. 
Whar, uihare, where. 
Wha's, whose. 
Whtt's, who is. 
Whase, whose. 

What for, whatfore, wherefore. 
Whatna, what. 

What reck., what matter; nevertheless. 
Whatt, whittled. 
Whatip, the curlew. 
Whaur, where. 
Wheep, v. penny-whecp. 
Wheep. ierk. 



WAiV/, a fib. 

Whiddin, scudding. 

Whids, gambols. 

W higmeleeries , crotches. 

Whingin, whining. 

Whins, furze. 

Whirlygigumt, flourbhes. 

Whist, silence. 

Whissle, whistle. 

W hitter, a draft. 

Whittle, a knife. 

Wi', with. 

Wick a bore, hit a curling-stone obliquely 

and send it through an opening. 
Wi's, with his. 
Wi't, with it. 
Widdifu', gallows-worthy. 
Widdle, wriggle. 
Wiel, eddy. 
Wight, strong, stout. 
Wighter, more influential. 
Willcat, wildcat. 
Willyart, disordered. 
Wimple, to meander. 
Win, won. 
Winn, to winnow. 
Winna, will not. 
Winnin, winding. 
Winnock, window. 
Winnock-bunker, v. bunker. 
Win't, did wind. 
Wintle, a somersault. 
Wintle, to stagger; to swing; to wriggle. 
Winze, a curse. 
Wiss, wish. 
Won, to dwell. 
Wonner, a wonder. 
Woo', wool. 
Woodie, woody, a rope (originally of 

withes); a gallows rope. 
Woodies, twigs, withes. 
Wooer-babs, love-knots. 
Wordy, worthy. 
W or set, worsted. 
Worth, V. woe worth. 
Wraith, ghost. 
Wrang, wrong. 
Wud, wild, mad. 
Wumble, wimble. 
Wyliecoat, undervest. 
Wyte (weight), blame. 
Wyte, to blame; to reproach. 

Yard, a garden; a stackyard. 
Yaud, an old mare. 



574 

YeaJings, coevals. 
Yell, dry (milkless). 
Yerd, earth. 
Yerkft, jerked. 
Yerl. earl. 
Ye'se, ye shall. 
Yestreen, last nighL 
Yett, a gate. 
Yeuk. to itch. 



GLOSSARY 



YUl. ale. 

Yill-Caup, ale-stoup. 

Yird, yearth, earth. 

Yoltin, yoking; a spell; a day's work. 

Yon, yonder. 

'Yont, beyond. 

Yowe, ewe. 

Yowie, dim. of ewe; a pet ewe. 

Yule, Christmas.