 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
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.
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |