gie to cairds,
until they ser.
“a title, dempster merits it;
a garter gie to willie pitt;
gie wealth to some be-ledger'd cit,
i. per t.;
but give me real, sterling wit,
and i'm tent.
“while ye are pleas'd to keep me hale,
i'll sit down o'er my sty meal,
be't water-brose or muslin-kail,
wi' cheerfu' face,
as ng's the muses dinna fail
to say the grace.”
an anxious e'e i hrows
behint my lug, or by my nose;
i jouk beh misfortune's blows
as weel's i may;
sworo sorrow, care,
Epistle To James Smith(9/11)