University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The works of Allan Ramsay

edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law]

collapse sectionI. 
  
  
expand section 
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
expand sectionII. 
expand sectionIII. 
expand sectionIV. 

The Callan and the Pig

Deep in a narrow craiged Pig
Lay mony a dainty Nut and Fig.
A greedy Callan, haf a Sot,
Shot his wee Nive into the Pot,
And thought to bring as mony out
As a' his Fangs cou'd gang about;
But the strait Neck o't wadna suffer
The Hand of this young foolish Truffer,
Sae struted, to return again,
Which gae the Gowkie nae sma' Pain.
He gowls to be sae disappointed,
And drugs till he has 'maist disjointed,
His Shekelbane.—Anither Lad
Stood by, wha some mair Judgment had,
Said, Billy, dinna grip at a',
And you with Ease, a Part may draw.
This same Advice, to Men I'd lend,
Ne'er for o'er much at anes contend,
But take the cannyest Gate to Ease,
And pike out Joys by Twa's and Three's.