Th I（2 / 2）

wn sae gleg,

tho&039; scarcely nr than your leg,

he&039;ll screed you aff effectual callg,

as fast as ony the dwallg

i&039;ve nane feale servant station,

(lord keep aye frae a&039; teptation!)

i hae nae wife—and thay y bliss is,

an&039; ye have id nae tax on isses;

an&039; then, if kirk folks dna ctch ,

i ken the deevils darena touch

wi&039; weans i&039; air than weel ntented,

heav&039;n sent ane ae than i wanted!

y nsie, sirkg, dear-bought bess,

she stares the daddy her face,

enough of ought ye like but grace;

but her, y bonie, sweet wee dy,

i&039;ve paid enough for her already;

an&039; g ye tax her or her ither,

by the lord, ye&039;se t the a&039; thegither!

and now, reber, r aiken,

nae kd of licence out i&039; tak:

frae this ti forth, i do decre

i&039;se ne&039;er ride horse nor hizzie air;

thro&039; dirt and dub for life i&039;ll paidle,

ere i sae dear pay for a saddle;

y travel a&039; on foot i&039;ll shank it,

i&039;ve sturdy bearers, gude the thankit!

the kirk and you ay tak you that,

it puts but little your pat;

sae dna put your beuk,

nor for y ten white shillgs leuk

this list, wi&039; y a hand i wrote it,

the day and date as under noted;

then know all ye who it ncerns,

subscripsi huic,

robert burns

ossgiel, february 22, 1786