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'fe be acquainted better Before we part. Awa ye selfish warly race, Wha think that havins, fenfe, an' grace, Ev'n love an' friendship, should give place To catch-the-plack! I dinna like to see your face, Nor hear your crack. But ye whom focial pleasure charms, Whofe 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 But, to conclude my lang epiftle, As my auld pen's worn to the grissle; Twa lines frae you wad gar me fissle, Who am, moft fervent, While I can either fing, or whissle, Your friend and fervant. TO TO THE SAME. April 21. 1785. WHILE new-ca'd kye rout at the stake, An' pownies reek in pleugh or braik, This hour on e'enin's edge I take, To own I'm debtor, To honeft-hearted, auld L*****k, For his kind letter. Forjesket Forjefket fair, with weary legs, Rattlin the corn out-owre the rigs, Their ten hours bite, My awkart Mufse fair pleads and begs, I wou'd na write. The tapetlefs ramfeezl'd hizzie, She's faft at best, and fomething lazy, Quo' fhe, Ye ken, we've been fae bufy, This month an' mair, • That trouth my head is grown right dizzie, Her dowff excufes pat me mad; ' Conscience,' fays I, ye thowless jad! I'll write, an' that a hearty blaud, Shall bauld L*****k, the king o' hearts, 'Tho' mankind were a pack o' cartes, 'Roofe you fae weel for your deferts, In terms fae friendly, 'Yet ye'll neglect to shaw your parts, An' thank him kindly!' Sae I gat paper in a blink, An' down gaed stumpie in the ink: 'I vow I'll close it; 'An' if ye winna mak it clink, 'By Jove I'll prose it!" Sae I've begun to fcrawl, but whether Let time mak proof; But I fhall fcribble down fome blether Juft clean aff-loof. My |