The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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TO JOHN KENNEDY, DUMFRIES HOUSE |
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
TO JOHN KENNEDY, DUMFRIES HOUSE
I
Now, Kennedy, if foot or horseE'er bring you in by Mauchlin Corss
(Lord, man, there's lasses there wad force
A hermit's fancy;
And down the gate in faith! they're worse
An' mair unchancy):
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II
But as I'm sayin, please step to Dow's,An' taste sic gear as Johnie brews,
Till some bit callan bring me news
That ye are there;
An' if we dinna hae a bowse,
I'se ne'er drink mair.
III
It's no I like to sit an' swallow,Then like a swine to puke an' wallow;
But gie me just a true guid fallow
Wi' right ingíne,
And spunkie ance to mak us mellow,
An' then we'll shine!
IV
Now if ye're ane o' warl's folk,Wha rate the wearer by the cloak,
An' sklent on poverty their joke
Wi' bitter sneer,
Wi' you nae friendship I will troke,
Nor cheap nor dear.
V
But if, as I'm informèd weel,Ye hate as ill's the vera Deil
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Come, sir, here's tae you!
Hae, there's my han', I wiss you weel,
An' Gude be wi' you!
Robt. Burness.
Mossgiel, 3rd March 1786.
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |