The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 78

[This was an extempore grace, p.r.o.nounced by the poet at a dinner-table, in Dumfries: he was ever ready to contribute the small change of rhyme, for either the use or amus.e.m.e.nt of a company.]

O thou, who kindly dost provide For every creature's want!

We bless thee, G.o.d of Nature wide, For all thy goodness lent: And if it please thee, Heavenly Guide, May never worse be sent; But, whether granted or denied, Lord bless us with content!

Amen.

XXIX.

A GRACE BEFORE MEAT.

[p.r.o.nounced, tradition says, at the table of Mrs. Riddel, of Woodleigh-Park.]

O thou in whom we live and move, Who mad'st the sea and sh.o.r.e, Thy goodness constantly we prove, And grateful would adore.

And if it please thee, Power above, Still grant us with such store, The friend we trust, the fair we love, And we desire no more.

x.x.x.

ON WAT.

[The name of the object of this fierce epigram might be found, but in gratifying curiosity, some pain would be inflicted.]

Sic a reptile was Wat, Sic a miscreant slave, That the very worms d.a.m.n'd him When laid in his grave.

"In his flesh there's a famine,"

A starv'd reptile cries; "An' his heart is rank poison,"

Another replies.

x.x.xI.

ON CAPTAIN FRANCIS GROSE.

[This was a festive sally: it is said that Grose, who was very fat, though he joined in the laugh, did not relish it.]

The devil got notice that Grose was a-dying, So whip! at the summons, old Satan came flying; But when he approach'd where poor Francis lay moaning, And saw each bed-post with its burden a-groaning, Astonish'd! confounded! cry'd Satan, "By ----, I'll want him, ere I take such a d.a.m.nable load!"

x.x.xII.

IMPROMPTU,

TO MISS AINSLIE.

[These lines were occasioned by a sermon on sin, to which the poet and Miss Ainslie of Berrywell had listened, during his visit to the border.]

Fair maid, you need not take the hint, Nor idle texts pursue:-- 'Twas guilty sinners that he meant, Not angels such as you!

x.x.xIII.

THE KIRK OF LAMINGTON.

[One rough, cold day, Burns listened to a sermon, so little to his liking, in the kirk of Lamington, in Clydesdale, that he left this protest on the seat where he sat.]

As cauld a wind as ever blew, As caulder kirk, and in't but few; As cauld a minister's e'er spak, Ye'se a' be het ere I come back.

x.x.xIV.

THE LEAGUE AND COVENANT.

[In answer to a gentleman, who called the solemn League and Covenant ridiculous and fanatical.]

The solemn League and Covenant Cost Scotland blood--cost Scotland tears; But it sealed freedom's sacred cause-- If thou'rt a slave, indulge thy sneers.