NOW, Kennedy, if foot or horse
Eer bring you in by Mauchlin corse,
(Lord, man, theres lasses there wad force
A hermits fancy;
An down the gate in faith theyre worse,
An mair unchancy).
But as Im sayin, please step to Dows,
An taste sic gear as Johnie brews,
Till some bit callan bring me news
That ye are there;
An if we dinna hae a bouze,
Ise neer drink mair.
Its no I like to sit an swallow,
Then like a swine to puke an wallow;
But gie me just a true good fallow,
Wi right ingine,
And spunkie ance to mak us mellow,
An then well shine.
Now if yere ane o warls 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.
But if, as Im informèd weel,
Ye hate as ills the very deil
The flinty heart that canna feel
Come, sir, heres to you!
Hae, theres my haun, I wiss you weel,
An gude be wi you.ROBT. BURNESS.MOSSGIEL, 3rd March, 1786.