Page:The poetical works of Robert Burns.djvu/101

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THE POEMS OF BURNS.
51
And now I have liv'd—I know not how long, And still I can join in a cup or a song; But whilst with both hands I can hold the glass steady, Here's to thee, my hero, my sodger laddie. Sing, Lal de lal, etc. 
RECITATIVO.Poor Merry Andrew, in the neuk, Sat guzzling wi' a tinkler hizzie; They mind't na wha the chorus teuk, Between themselves they were sae bizzy: At length, wi' drink and courting dizzy, He stoiter'd up an' made a face; Then turn'd, an' laid a smack on Grizzy, Syne tun'd his pipes wi' grave grimace.
AIR.Tune—'Auld Syr Symon'
Sir Wisdom's a fool when he's fou,Sir Knave is a fool in a session; He's there but a 'prentice I trow, But I am a fool by profession.
My grannie she bought me a beuk, And I held awa to the school; I fear I my talent misteuk, But what will ye hae of a fool?
For drink I would venture my neck; A hizzie's the half o' my craft; But what could ye other expect, Of ane that's avowedly daft?
I ance was ty'd up like a stirk, For civilly swearing and quaffing; I ance was abus'd i' the kirk, For towzing a lass i' my daffin.
Poor Andrew that tumbles for sport, Let naebody name wi' a jeer; There's ev'n, I'm tauld, i' the court, A tumbler ca'd the Premier.
Observ'd ye yon reverend lad Maks faces to tickle the mob; He rails at our mountebank squad— It's rivalship just i' the job.
And now my conclusion I'll tell, For faith I'm confoundedly dry; The chiel that's a fool for himsel', Gude Lord, is far dafter than I.
RECITATIVO.Then niest outspak a raucle carlin, Wha kent fu' weel to cleek the sterling, For monie a pursie she had hooked, And had in monie a well been dooked; Her dove had been a Highland laddie, But weary fa' the waefu' woodie! Wi' sighs and sabs, she thus began To wail her braw John Highlandman:
AIR. Tune—'O, an ye were dead, Guidman'
A Highland lad my love was born, The Lawlan' laws he held in scorn: But he still was faithfu' to his clan, My gallant braw John Highlandman.
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