The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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TO COLLECTOR MITCHELL |
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
TO COLLECTOR MITCHELL
I
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 an' reel
In my poor pouches!
II
I modestly fu' fain wad hint it,That One-pound-one, I sairly want it;
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It would be kind;
And while my heart wi' life-blood dunted,
I'd bear't in mind!
III
So may the Auld Year gang out moaninTo see the New come laden, groanin
Wi' double plenty o'er the loanin
To thee and thine:
Domestic peace and comforts crownin
The hale design!
POSTSCRIPT
IV
Ye've heard this while how I've been licket,And by fell Death was nearly nicket:
Grim loon! He got me by the fecket,
And sair me sheuk;
But by guid luck I lap a wicket,
And turn'd a neuk.
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But by that health, I've got a share o't,And 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 ay!
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |