| |
| WI’ braw new branks in mickle pride, | |
| And eke a braw new brechan, | |
| My Pegasus I’m got astride, | |
| And up Parnassus pechin; | |
| Whiles owre a bush wi’ donwward crush, | 5 |
| The doited beastie stammers; | |
| Then up he gets, and off he sets, | |
| For sake o’ Willie Chalmers. | |
| |
| I doubt na, lass, that weel ken’d name | |
| May cost a pair o’ blushes; | 10 |
| I am nae stranger to your fame, | |
| Nor his warm urged wishes. | |
| Your bonie face sae mild and sweet, | |
| His honest heart enamours, | |
| And faith ye’ll no be lost a whit, | 15 |
| Tho’ wair’d on Willie Chalmers. | |
| |
| Auld Truth hersel’ might swear yer’e fair, | |
| And Honour safely back her; | |
| And Modesty assume your air, | |
| And ne’er a ane mistak her: | 20 |
| And sic twa love-inspiring een | |
| Might fire even holy palmers; | |
| Nae wonder then they’ve fatal been | |
| To honest Willie Chalmers. | |
| |
| I doubt na fortune may you shore | 25 |
| Some mim-mou’d pouther’d priestie, | |
| Fu’ lifted up wi’ Hebrew lore, | |
| And band upon his breastie: | |
| But oh! what signifies to you | |
| His lexicons and grammars; | 30 |
| The feeling heart’s the royal blue, | |
| And that’s wi’ Willie Chalmers. | |
| |
| Some gapin’, glowrin’ countra laird | |
| May warsle for your favour; | |
| May claw his lug, and straik his beard, | 35 |
| And hoast up some palaver: | |
| My bonie maid, before ye wed | |
| Sic clumsy-witted hammers, | |
| Seek Heaven for help, and barefit skelp | |
| Awa wi’ Willie Chalmers. | 40 |
| |
| Forgive the Bard! my fond regard | |
| For ane that shares my bosom, | |
| Inspires my Muse to gie ’m his dues | |
| For deil a hair I roose him. | |
| May powers aboon unite you soon, | 45 |
| And fructify your amours,— | |
| And every year come in mair dear | |
| To you and Willie Chalmers. | |
| |
