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The Poetry of Robert Burns

Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson
  
  

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236

ON WILLIAM SMELLIE

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 to shaving-night);
His uncomb'd, hoary locks, wild-staring, thatch'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.