Verses to Collector Mitchell
Friend of the Poet, tried and leal,Wha, wanting thee, might beg or steal;Alake, alake, the meikle deilWi’ a’ his witchesAre 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 moanin’To see the New come laden, groanin’,Wi’ double plenty o’er the loanin’,To thee and thine:Domestic peace and comforts crownin’The hale design.