Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| 40. 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. |
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| 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’, | 5 |
| Breaks a’ thegither. | |
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| I hae been in for’t ance or twice, | |
| And winna say o’er far for thrice; | |
| Yet never met wi’ that surprise | |
| That broke my rest; | 10 |
| But now a rumour’s like to rise— | |
| A whaup’s i’ the nest! | |
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