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University of Virginia Library

The Poetry of Robert Burns

Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson

Burns, Robert (1759-1796)

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I.

KILMARNOCK 1786

ADDED, EDINBURGH 1787

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ADDED, EDINBURGH 1793

WRITTEN IN FRIARS CARSE HERMITAGE, ON NITHSIDE

ODE, SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MRS. OSWALD OF AUCHENCRUIVE

ELEGY ON CAPTAIN MATTHEW HENDERSON

LAMENT OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

TO ROBERT GRAHAM OF FINTRY, ESQ.

LAMENT FOR JAMES EARL OF GLENCAIRN

LINES TO SIR JOHN WHITEFOORD, Bart.

TAM O' SHANTER A TALE

ON SEEING A WOUNDED HARE LIMP BY ME WHICH A FELLOW HAD JUST SHOT AT

ADDRESS TO THE SHADE OF THOMSON

ON THE LATE CAPTAIN GROSE'S PEREGRINATIONS THRO' SCOTLAND

TO MISS CRUICKSHANK

SONG: ANNA THY CHARMS

ON READING IN A NEWSPAPER THE DEATH OF JOHN M'LEOD, ESQ.

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF BRUAR WATER

ON SCARING SOME WATER-FOWL IN LOCH TURIT

VERSES WRITTEN WITH A PENCIL

LINES ON THE FALL OF FYERS NEAR LOCH NESS

ON THE BIRTH OF A POSTHUMOUS CHILD

THE WHISTLE A Ballad

2.

III.

IV.

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BONIE WEE THING

Chorus

Bonie wee thing, cannie wee thing,
Lovely wee thing, wert thou mine,
I wad wear thee in my bosom
Lest my jewel it should tine.

I

Wishfully I look and languish
In that bonie face o' thine,
And my heart it stounds wi' anguish,
Lest my wee thing be na mine.

II

Wit and Grace and Love and Beauty
In ae constellation shine!
To adore thee is my duty,
Goddess o' this soul o' mine!

104

Chorus

Bonie wee thing, cannie wee thing,
Lovely wee thing, wert thou mine,
I wad wear thee in my bosom
Lest my jewel it should tine.