"The night was still, and o'er the hill The moon shone on the castle wa'; The mavissang, while dew-drops hang Around her on the castle wa'; Saemerrily they danced the ring Fraeeenin' tillthe cockdid craw; And aye the o'erwordo'the spring Was ""Irvine's bairns are boniea'."""
Wi' braw new branksin micklepride, And ekea brawnew brechan, My Pegasus I'm got astride, And up Parnassus pechin; Whiles owrea bush wi' donwward crush, The doitedbeastiestammers; Then up he gets, and off he sets, For sake o' Willie Chalmers. I doubt na, lass, that weelken'd name May cost a pair o'blushes; I am nae stranger
Sir, Yours this moment I unseal, And faith I'm gay and hearty! To tell the truth and shame the deil, I am as fouas Bartie: ButFoorsday, sir, my promise leal, Expect me o'your partie, If on a beastieI can speel, Orhurlin a cartie. Yours, Robert Burns. Mauchlin, Monday night, 10 o'clock.
Friday first's the day appointed Bythe Right Worshipful anointed, To hold our grand procession; To geta blado' Johnie's morals, And taste a swatcho'Manson's barrels I'the way of our profession. The Master and the Brotherhood Would a'be glad to see you; For me I would be mairthan proud To share the mercies wi' you. If Death,
All hail! inexorable lord! At whose destruction-breathing word, The mightiest empires fall! Thy cruel, woe-delighted train, The ministers of grief and pain, A sullen welcome, all! With stern-resolv'd, despairing eye, I see each aimed dart; For one has cut my dearest tie, And quivers in my heart. Then low'ring, and pouring, The storm no more
Sir, o'er a gill I gatyour card, I trow it made me proud; "See wha taks notice o' the bard!" I lapand cried fu' loud. Now deil-ma-careabout their jaw, The senseless, gawkymillion; I'll cockmy nose abune them a', I'm roos'd by Craigen-Gillan! 'Twas noble, sir; 'twas like yourself', To grant your high protection: A great
Now, Kennedy, if foot orhorse E'erbring you in by Mauchlin corse, (Lord, man, there's lasses there wadforce A hermit's fancy; An' down the gatein faith they're worse, An' mairunchancy). But as I'm sayin, please step to Dow's, An' taste sicgearas Johnie brews, Tillsome bitcallanbring me news That ye are there; An' if we dinnahaea bouze,
I hold it, sir, my bounden duty To warn you how that Master Tootie, Alias, LairdM'Gaun, Was here to hire yonlad away 'Bout whom ye spakthe titherday, An' wadhae don't affhan'; But lest he learn the callantricks- An' faith I muckledoubt him- Like scrapin out auldCrummie's nicks, An' tellin lies about them; As lievethen, I'd