sakes, wha aften wear it—
the ds in bck;
but your curst wit, when it es near it,
rives't aff their back.
think, wicked sinner, wha ye're skaithing:
it's just the blue-gown badge an' cithing
o' saunts; tak that, ye lea'e them hing
to ken them by
frae ony unregee heathen,
like you or i.
i've sent you here some rhyming ware,
a' that i bargain'd for, an' mair;
sae, when ye hae an hour to spare,
i will expect,
yon sang ye'll sen't, wi' ie care,
and no .
tho' faith, sma' hea
Epistle To John Rankine(2/5)