Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| 97. To John Kennedy, Dumfries House |
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| 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, | 5 |
| An’ mair unchancy). | |
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| 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; | 10 |
| An’ if we dinna hae a bouze, | |
| I’se ne’er drink mair. | |
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| 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, | 15 |
| Wi’ right ingine, | |
| And spunkie ance to mak us mellow, | |
| An’ then we’ll shine. | |
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| Now if ye’re ane o’ warl’s folk, | |
| Wha rate the wearer by the cloak, | 20 |
| An’ sklent on poverty their joke, | |
| Wi’ bitter sneer, | |
| Wi’ you nae friendship I will troke, | |
| Nor cheap nor dear. | |
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| But if, as I’m informèd weel, | 25 |
| Ye hate as ill’s the very deil | |
| The flinty heart that canna feel— | |
| Come, sir, here’s to you! | |
| Hae, there’s my haun’, I wiss you weel, | |
An’ gude be wi’ you.
ROBT. BURNESS.
MOSSGIEL, 3rd March, 1786. | 30 |
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