The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 72

CL.

THE HERON BALLADS.

[BALLAD THIRD.]

[This third and last ballad was written on the contest between Heron and Stewart, which followed close on that with Gordon. Heron carried the election, but was unseated by the decision of a Committee of the House of Commons: a decision which it is said he took so much to heart that it affected his health, and shortened his life.]

AN EXCELLENT NEW SONG.

Tune.--"_Buy broom besoms._"

Wha will buy my troggin, Fine election ware; Broken trade o' Broughton, A' in high repair.

Buy braw troggin, Frae the banks o' Dee; Wha wants troggin Let him come to me.

There's a n.o.ble Earl's[127]

Fame and high renown For an auld sang-- It's thought the gudes were stown.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Here's the worth o' Broughton[128]

In a needle's ee; Here's a reputation Tint by Balmaghie.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Here's an honest conscience Might a prince adorn; Frae the downs o' Tinwald--[129]

So was never worn.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Here's its stuff and lining, Cardoness'[130] head; Fine for a sodger A' the wale o' lead.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Here's a little wadset Buittle's[131] sc.r.a.p o' truth, p.a.w.n'd in a gin-shop Quenching holy drouth.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Here's armorial bearings Frae the manse o' Urr;[132]

The crest, an auld crab-apple Rotten at the core.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Here is Satan's picture, Like a bizzard gled, Pouncing poor Redcastle,[133]

Sprawlin' as a taed.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Here's the worth and wisdom Collieston[134] can boast; By a thievish midge They had been nearly lost.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Here is Murray's fragments O' the ten commands; Gifted by black Jock[135]

To get them aff his hands.

Buy braw troggin, &c.

Saw ye e'er sic troggin?

If to buy ye're slack, Hornie's turnin' chapman, He'll buy a' the pack.

Buy braw troggin, Frae the banks o' Dee; Wha wants troggin Let him come to me.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 127: The Earl of Galloway.]

[Footnote 128: Murray, of Broughton and Caillie.]

[Footnote 129: Bushby, of Tinwald-downs.]

[Footnote 130: Maxwell, of Cardoness.]

[Footnote 131: The Minister of Buittle.]

[Footnote 132: Morehead, of Urr.]

[Footnote 133: Laurie, of Redcastle.]

[Footnote 134: Copland, of Collieston and Blackwood.]

[Footnote 135: John Bushby, of Tinwald-downs.]

CLI.

POEM,

ADDRESSED TO

MR. MITCh.e.l.l, COLLECTOR OF EXCISE.

DUMFRIES, 1796.

[The gentlemen to whom this very modest, and, under the circ.u.mstances, most affecting application for his salary was made, filled the office of Collector of Excise for the district, and was of a kind and generous nature: but few were aware that the poet was suffering both from ill-health and poverty.]

Friend of the Poet, tried and leal, Wha, wanting thee, might beg or steal; Alake, alake, the meikle deil Wi' a' his witches Are at it, skelpin' jig and reel, In my poor pouches!

I modestly fu' fain wad hint it, That one pound one, I sairly want it, If wi' the hizzie down ye sent it, It would be kind; And while my heart wi' life-blood dunted I'd bear't in mind.

So may the auld year gang out moaning To see the new come laden, groaning, Wi' double plenty o'er the loanin To thee and thine; Domestic peace and comforts crowning The hale design.