I earlier
posted the one-stanza farewell Burns wrote to Joh Kennedy when he (Burns) was
planning to sail for the New World.
____________________________
To John
Kennedy, Dumfries House
Now,
Kennedy, if foot or horse
E'er
bring you in by Mauchlin corse,
(Lord,
man, there's lasses there wad force
A
hermit's fancy;
An' down
the gate in faith they're worse,
An' mair
unchancy).
But as
I'm sayin, please step to Dow's,
An' taste
sic gear as Johnie brews,
Till some
bit callan bring me news
That ye
are there;
An' 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 an' wallow;
But gie
me just a true good fallow,
Wi' right
ingine,
And
spunkie ance to mak us mellow,
An' then
we'll shine.
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 friendship 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 to you!
Hae,
there's my haun', I wiss you weel,
An' gude
be wi' you.
Robt. Burness.
Mossgiel
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