54
THE POEMS OF BURNS.
Their tricks and craft hae put me daft,
They've ta'en me in, and a' that;
But clear your decks, and "Here's the Sex!"
I like the jads for a' that.
They've ta'en me in, and a' that;
But clear your decks, and "Here's the Sex!"
I like the jads for a' that.
For a' that, and a' that,
And twice as meikle's a' that,
My dearest bluid, to do them guid,
They're welcome till't, for a' that.
And twice as meikle's a' that,
My dearest bluid, to do them guid,
They're welcome till't, for a' that.
RECITATIVO.
So sang the bard—and Nansie's wa's
Shook with a thunder of applause,
Re-echo'd from each mouth;
They toom'd their pocks, an' pawn'd their duds,
They scarcely left to co'er their fuds,
To quench their lowan drouth
Shook with a thunder of applause,
Re-echo'd from each mouth;
They toom'd their pocks, an' pawn'd their duds,
They scarcely left to co'er their fuds,
To quench their lowan drouth
Then owre again, the jovial thrang
The poet did request,
To lowse his pack an' wale a sang,
A ballad o' the best;
The poet did request,
To lowse his pack an' wale a sang,
A ballad o' the best;
He, rising, rejoicing,
Between his twa Deborahs,
Looks round him, an' found them
Impatient for the chorus.
Between his twa Deborahs,
Looks round him, an' found them
Impatient for the chorus.
AIR.
Tune—'Jolly Mortals. Fill your Glasses.'
Tune—'Jolly Mortals. Fill your Glasses.'
See! the smoking bowl before us,
Mark our jovial ragged ring;
Round and round take up the chorus,
And in raptures let us sing:
Mark our jovial ragged ring;
Round and round take up the chorus,
And in raptures let us sing:
CHORUS.
A fig for those by law protected!
Liberty's a glorious feast!
Courts for cowards were erected,
Churches built to please the priest.
Liberty's a glorious feast!
Courts for cowards were erected,
Churches built to please the priest.
What is title? what is treasure?
What is reputation's care?
If we lead a life of pleasure,
'Tis no matter, how or where!
A fig, etc.
What is reputation's care?
If we lead a life of pleasure,
'Tis no matter, how or where!
A fig, etc.
With the ready trick and fable,
Round we wander all the day;
And at night, in barn or stable,
Hug our doxies on the hay.
A fig, etc.
Round we wander all the day;
And at night, in barn or stable,
Hug our doxies on the hay.
A fig, etc.
Does the train-attended carriage
Thro' the country lighter rove?
Does the sober bed of marriage
Witness brighter scenes of love?
A fig, etc.
Thro' the country lighter rove?
Does the sober bed of marriage
Witness brighter scenes of love?
A fig, etc.
Life is all a variorum,
We regard not how it goes;
Let them cant about decorum
Who have character to lose.
A fig, etc.
We regard not how it goes;
Let them cant about decorum
Who have character to lose.
A fig, etc.
Here's to budgets, bags, and wallets!
Here's to all the wandering train!
Here's our ragged brats and callets!
One and all cry out, Amen!
A fig, etc.
Here's to all the wandering train!
Here's our ragged brats and callets!
One and all cry out, Amen!
A fig, etc.
A WINTER NIGHT.
Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are.
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm!
How shall your houseless heads, and unfed sides,
Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you,
From seasons such as these?
Shakespeare
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm!
How shall your houseless heads, and unfed sides,
Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you,
From seasons such as these?
Shakespeare
When biting Boreas, fell and doure,
Sharp shivers thro' the leafless bow'r;
When Phœbus gies a short-liv'd glow'r,
Far south the lift,
Dim-dark'ning thro' the flaky show'r,
Or whirling drift:
Sharp shivers thro' the leafless bow'r;
When Phœbus gies a short-liv'd glow'r,
Far south the lift,
Dim-dark'ning thro' the flaky show'r,
Or whirling drift:
