The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 85

LXXIV.

[The sentiment which these lines express, was one familiar to Burns, in the early, as well as concluding days of his life.]

Though fickle Fortune has deceived me, She promis'd fair and perform'd but ill; Of mistress, friends, and wealth bereav'd me, Yet I bear a heart shall support me still.--

I'll act with prudence as far's I'm able, But if success I must never find, Then come misfortune, I bid thee welcome, I'll meet thee with an undaunted mind.

LXXV.

TO JOHN KENNEDY.

[The John Kennedy to whom these verses and the succeeding lines were addressed, lived, in 1796, at Dumfries-house, and his taste was so much esteemed by the poet, that he submitted his "Cotter's Sat.u.r.day Night" and the "Mountain Daisy" to his judgment: he seems to have been of a social disposition.]

Now, Kennedy, if foot or horse E'er bring you in by Mauchline Cross, L--d, man, there's la.s.ses there wad force A hermit's fancy.

And down the gate in faith they're worse And mair unchancy.

But as I'm sayin', please step to Dow's, And taste sic gear as Johnnie brews, Till some bit callan bring me news That ye are there, And if we dinna hae a bouze I'se ne'er drink mair.

It's no I like to sit an' swallow, Then like a swine to puke and wallow, But gie me just a true good fellow, Wi' right ingine, And s.p.u.n.kie ance to make us mellow, And then we'll s.h.i.+ne.

Now if ye're ane o' warl's folk, Wha rate the wearer by the cloak, An' sklent on poverty their joke Wi' bitter sneer, Wi' you nae friends.h.i.+p I will troke, Nor cheap nor dear.

But if, as I'm informed weel, Ye hate as ill's the very deil The flinty heart that canna feel-- Come, Sir, here's tae you!

Hae, there's my haun, I wiss you weel, And gude be wi' you.

ROBERT BURNESS.

_Mossgiel, 3 March, 1786._

LXXVI.

TO JOHN KENNEDY.

Farewell, dear friend! may guid luck hit you, And 'mang her favourites admit you!

If e'er Detraction sh.o.r.e to smit you, May nane believe him!

And ony deil that thinks to get you, Good Lord deceive him!

R. B.

_Kilmarnock, August, 1786_

LXXVII.

[Cromek found these characteristic lines among the poet's papers.]

There's naethin like the honest nappy!

Whaur'll ye e'er see men sae happy, Or women, sonsie, saft an' sappy, 'Tween morn an' morn As them wha like to taste the drappie In gla.s.s or horn?

I've seen me daezt upon a time; I scarce could wink or see a styme; Just ae hauf muchkin does me prime, Ought less is little, Then back I rattle on the rhyme, As gleg's a whittle.

LXXVIII.

ON THE BLANK LEAF

OF A

WORK BY HANNAH MORE.

PRESENTED BY MRS C----.

Thou flattering work of friends.h.i.+p kind, Still may thy pages call to mind The dear, the beauteous donor; Though sweetly female every part, Yet such a head, and more the heart, Does both the s.e.xes honour.

She showed her taste refined and just, When she selected thee, Yet deviating, own I must, For so approving me!

But kind still, I'll mind still The giver in the gift; I'll bless her, and wiss her A Friend above the Lift.

_Mossgiel, April_, 1786.

LXXIX.