RECOMMENDING A BOY
MOSSGAVILLE,
May 3, 1786
I hold
it, Sir, my bounden duty
To warn you how that Master Tootie,
Alias Laird M'Gaun,
Was here to hire yon lad away
'Bout whom ye spak the tither day,
An wad hae done't aff han';
But lest he learn the callan tricks ?
As faith! I muckle doubt him ?
Like scrapin out auld Crummie's nicks,
An tellin lies about them,
As lieve then, I'd have then
Your clerkship he should sair,
If sae be ye may be
Not fitted otherwhere.
Altho I
say't, he's gleg enough,
An 'bout a house that's rude an rough,
The boy might learn to swear;
But when wi you he'll be sae taught,
An get sic fair example straught,
I hae na onie fear.
Ye'll catechise him, every quirk,
An shore him weel wi 'Hell';
An gar him follow to the kirk ?
Ay when ye gang yoursel!
If ye, then, maun be then
Frae hame this comin Friday,
Then please, Sir, to lea'e, Sir,
The orders wi your lady.
My word
of honour I hae gi'en,
In Paisley John's that night at e'en,
To meet the 'warld's worm';
To try to get the twa to gree,
An name the airles an the fee,
In legal mode an form:
I ken he weel a snick can draw,
When simple bodies let him;
An if a devil be at a'.
In faith he's sure to get him.
To phrase you an praise you,
Ye ken, your Laureat scorns:
The pray'r still you share still,
Of grateful MINSTREL BURNS.
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