To tremble under Fortune's cummock [cudgel]
On scarce a bellyfu' o' drummock, [meal and water]
Wi' his proud independent stomach,
Could ill agree;
So row't his hurdies in a hammock, [rolled, buttocks]
An' owre the sea.
He ne'er was gi'en to great misguidin',
Yet coin his pouches wad na bide in; [pockets would]
Wi' him it ne'er was under hidin',
He dealt it free:
The Muse was a' that he took pride in,
That's owre the sea.
Jamaica bodies, use him weel,
An' hap him in a cozie biel; [cover, shelter]
Ye'll find him aye a dainty chiel, [fellow]
And fu' o' glee;
He wad na wrang'd the vera deil,
That's owre the sea.
Fareweel, my rhyme-composing billie!
Your native soil was right ill-willie; [unkind]
But may ye flourish like a lily,
Now bonnilie!
I'll toast ye in my hindmost gillie, [last gill]
Tho' owre the sea!
3. Edinburgh
On the twenty-seventh of November, 1786, mounted on a borrowed pony,
Burns set out for Edinburgh. He seems to have arrived there without
definite plans, for, after having found lodging with his old friend
Richmond, he spent the first few days strolling about the city.
Pages:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50