Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

40 . Reply to an Announcement by J. Rankine

I AM a keeper of the law

In some sma’ points, altho’ not a’;

Some people tell me gin I fa’,

Ae way or ither,

The breaking of ae point, tho’ sma’,

Breaks a’ thegither.

I hae been in for’t ance or twice,

And winna say o’er far for thrice;

Yet never met wi’ that surprise

That broke my rest;

But now a rumour’s like to rise—

A whaup’s i’ the nest!