Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire, That's a' the learning I defire; Then though I drudge thro' dub an' mire At pleugh or cart, My Mufe, though hamely in attire, May touch the heart. O for a spunk o' Allan's glee, Or Ferguson's, the bauld and flee, Or bright L*****k's, my friend to be, If I can hit it! That would be lear eneugh for me, If I could get it. Now, Sir, if ye hae friends enow, Tho' real friends, I b'lieve are few, Yet, if your catalogue be fou, ་་་ But gif ye v I winna blaw about myfel; As ill I like my fauts to tell; But friends and folks that wish me well, They fometimes roofe me; Tho' I maun own, as monie still As far abufe me. There's ae wee faut they whiles lay to me, I like the laffes-Gude forgie me! For monie a plack they wheedle frae me, At dance or fair; Maybe fome ither thing they gie me They weel can spare, But Mauchline Race, or Mauchline Fair, I should be proud to meet you there; We'fe gie ae night's discharge to care, If we forgather, An' hae a fwap o' rhymin-ware Wi' ane anither. The The four gill chap, we'fe gar him clatter, An' kirfen him wi' reekin water; Syne we'll fit down an' tak our whitter, To chear our heart; An' faith, we'se be acquainted better Before we part. Awa ye felfish warly race, Wha think that havins, fenfe, an' grace, Ev'n love an' friendship, fhould give place To catch-the-plank! I dinna like to see your face, Nor hear your crack, But ye whom focial pleasure charms, Whose hearts the tide of kindness warms, Who hold your being on the terms, • Each aid the others,' Come to my bowl, come to my arms, My friends, my brothers! But, |