WI braw new branks in mickle pride,
And eke a braw new brechan,
My Pegasus Im got astride,
And up Parnassus pechin;
Whiles owre a bush wi donwward crush,
The doited beastie stammers;
Then up he gets, and off he sets,
For sake o Willie Chalmers.
I doubt na, lass, that weel kend name
May cost a pair o blushes;
I am nae stranger to your fame,
Nor his warm urged wishes.
Your bonie face sae mild and sweet,
His honest heart enamours,
And faith yell no be lost a whit,
Tho waird on Willie Chalmers.
Auld Truth hersel might swear yere fair,
And Honour safely back her;
And Modesty assume your air,
And neer a ane mistak her:
And sic twa love-inspiring een
Might fire even holy palmers;
Nae wonder then theyve fatal been
To honest Willie Chalmers.
I doubt na fortune may you shore
Some mim-moud poutherd priestie,
Fu lifted up wi Hebrew lore,
And band upon his breastie:
But oh! what signifies to you
His lexicons and grammars;
The feeling hearts the royal blue,
And thats wi Willie Chalmers.
Some gapin, glowrin countra laird
May warsle for your favour;
May claw his lug, and straik his beard,
And hoast up some palaver:
My bonie maid, before ye wed
Sic clumsy-witted hammers,
Seek Heaven for help, and barefit skelp
Awa wi Willie Chalmers.
Forgive the Bard! my fond regard
For ane that shares my bosom,
Inspires my Muse to gie m his dues
For deil a hair I roose him.
May powers aboon unite you soon,
And fructify your amours,
And every year come in mair dear
To you and Willie Chalmers.