Poems And Songs Of Robert Burns Part 73

Then whisky Jean spak owre her drink, "Ye weel ken, kimmers a', The auld gudeman o' London court, His back's been at the wa';

"And mony a friend that kiss'd his caup Is now a fremit wight; But it's ne'er be said o' whisky Jean-- We'll send the Border Knight."

Then slow raise Marjory o' the Lochs, And wrinkled was her brow, Her ancient weed was russet gray, Her auld Scots bluid was true;

"There's some great folk set light by me, I set as light by them; But I will send to London town Wham I like best at hame."

Sae how this mighty plea may end, Nae mortal wight can tell; G.o.d grant the King and ilka man May look weel to himsel.

Election Ballad For Westerha'

Tune--"Up and waur them a', Willie."

The Laddies by the banks o' Nith Wad trust his Grace^1 wi a', Jamie; But he'll sair them, as he sair'd the King-- Turn tail and rin awa', Jamie.

[Footnote 1: The fourth Duke of Queensberry, who supported the proposal that, during George III's illness, the Prince of Wales should a.s.sume the Government with full prerogative.]

Chorus.--Up and waur them a', Jamie, Up and waur them a'; The Johnstones hae the guidin o't, Ye turncoat Whigs, awa'!

The day he stude his country's friend, Or gied her faes a claw, Jamie, Or frae puir man a blessin wan, That day the Duke ne'er saw, Jamie.

Up and waur them, &c.

But wha is he, his country's boast?

Like him there is na twa, Jamie; There's no a callent tents the kye, But kens o' Westerha', Jamie.

Up and waur them, &c.

To end the wark, here's Whistlebirk, Lang may his whistle blaw, Jamie; And Maxwell true, o' sterling blue; And we'll be Johnstones a', Jamie.

Up and waur them, &c.

Prologue Spoken At The Theatre Of Dumfries

On New Year's Day Evening, 1790.

No song nor dance I bring from yon great city, That queens it o'er our taste--the more's the pity: Tho' by the bye, abroad why will you roam?

Good sense and taste are natives here at home: But not for panegyric I appear, I come to wish you all a good New Year!

Old Father Time deputes me here before ye, Not for to preach, but tell his simple story: The sage, grave Ancient cough'd, and bade me say, "You're one year older this important day,"

If wiser too--he hinted some suggestion, But 'twould be rude, you know, to ask the question; And with a would-be roguish leer and wink, Said--"Sutherland, in one word, bid them Think!"

Ye sprightly youths, quite flush with hope and spirit, Who think to storm the world by dint of merit, To you the dotard has a deal to say, In his sly, dry, sententious, proverb way!

He bids you mind, amid your thoughtless rattle, That the first blow is ever half the battle; That tho' some by the skirt may try to s.n.a.t.c.h him, Yet by the foreclock is the hold to catch him; That whether doing, suffering, or forbearing, You may do miracles by persevering.

Last, tho' not least in love, ye youthful fair, Angelic forms, high Heaven's peculiar care!

To you old Bald-pate smoothes his wrinkled brow, And humbly begs you'll mind the important--Now!

To crown your happiness he asks your leave, And offers, bliss to give and to receive.

For our sincere, tho' haply weak endeavours, With grateful pride we own your many favours; And howsoe'er our tongues may ill reveal it, Believe our glowing bosoms truly feel it.

1790

Sketch--New Year's Day [1790]

To Mrs. Dunlop.

This day, Time winds th' exhausted chain; To run the twelvemonth's length again: I see, the old bald-pated fellow, With ardent eyes, complexion sallow, Adjust the unimpair'd machine, To wheel the equal, dull routine.

The absent lover, minor heir, In vain a.s.sail him with their prayer; Deaf as my friend, he sees them press, Nor makes the hour one moment less, Will you (the Major's with the hounds, The happy tenants share his rounds; Coila's fair Rachel's care to-day, And blooming Keith's engaged with Gray) From housewife cares a minute borrow, (That grandchild's cap will do to-morrow,) And join with me a-moralizing; This day's propitious to be wise in.

First, what did yesternight deliver?

"Another year has gone for ever."

And what is this day's strong suggestion?

"The pa.s.sing moment's all we rest on!"

Rest on--for what? what do we here?

Or why regard the pa.s.sing year?

Will Time, amus'd with proverb'd lore, Add to our date one minute more?

A few days may--a few years must-- Repose us in the silent dust.

Then, is it wise to damp our bliss?

Yes--all such reasonings are amiss!

The voice of Nature loudly cries, And many a message from the skies, That something in us never dies: That on his frail, uncertain state, Hang matters of eternal weight: That future life in worlds unknown Must take its hue from this alone; Whether as heavenly glory bright, Or dark as Misery's woeful night.

Since then, my honour'd first of friends, On this poor being all depends, Let us th' important now employ, And live as those who never die.

Tho' you, with days and honours crown'd, Witness that filial circle round, (A sight life's sorrows to repulse, A sight pale Envy to convulse), Others now claim your chief regard; Yourself, you wait your bright reward.

Scots' Prologue For Mr. Sutherland

On his Benefit-Night, at the Theatre, Dumfries.

What needs this din about the town o' Lon'on, How this new play an' that new sang is comin?

Why is outlandish stuff sae meikle courted?

Does nonsense mend, like brandy, when imported?

Is there nae poet, burning keen for fame, Will try to gie us sangs and plays at hame?