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The Poetry of Robert Burns

Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson
  
  

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TO JOHN RANKINE
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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TO JOHN RANKINE

IN REPLY TO AN ANNOUNCEMENT

I

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.

II

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.
But now a rumour's like to rise—
A whaup's i' the nest!