39;d.
or if bare arses yet were tax'd;
the news o' princes, dukes, and earls,
pimps, sharpers, bawds, and irls;
if that daft buckie, geordie wales,
was threshing still at hizzies' tails;
or if he was grown oughtlins douser,
and no a perfect kintra cooser:
a' this and mair i never heard of;
and, but for you, i might despair'd of.
so, gratefu', back your news i send you,
and pray a' gude things may attend you.
ellisnd, monday m, 1790.