The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 81

XLVIII.

THE TOAST.

[Burns being called on for a song, by his brother volunteers, on a festive occasion, gave the following Toast.]

Instead of a song, boys, I'll give you a toast-- Here's the memory of those on the twelfth that we lost!-- That we lost, did I say? nay, by Heav'n, that we found; For their fame it shall last while the world goes round.

The next in succession, I'll give you--the King!

Whoe'er would betray him, on high may he swing; And here's the grand fabric, our free Const.i.tution, As built on the base of the great Revolution; And longer with politics not to be cramm'd, Be Anarchy curs'd, and be Tyranny d.a.m.n'd; And who would to Liberty e'er prove disloyal, May his son be a hangman, and he his first trial.

XLIX.

ON A PERSON NICKNAMED

THE MARQUIS.

[In a moment when vanity prevailed against prudence, this person, who kept a respectable public-house in Dumfries, desired Burns, to write his epitaph.]

Here lies a mock Marquis, whose t.i.tles were shamm'd; If ever he rise, it will be to be d.a.m.n'd.

L.

LINES

WRITTEN ON A WINDOW.

[Burns traced these words with a diamond, on the window of the King's Arms Tavern, Dumfries, as a reply, or reproof, to one who had been witty on excis.e.m.e.n.]

Ye men of wit and wealth, why all this sneering 'Gainst poor Excis.e.m.e.n? give the cause a hearing; What are you, landlords' rent-rolls? teasing ledgers: What premiers--what? even monarchs' mighty gaugers: Nay, what are priests, those seeming G.o.dly wise men?

What are they, pray, but spiritual Excis.e.m.e.n?

LI.

LINES

WRITTEN ON A WINDOW OF THE GLOBE TAVERN, DUMFRIES.

[The Globe Tavern was Burne's favourite "Howff," as he called it. It had other attractions than good liquor; there lived "Anna, with the golden locks."]

The greybeard, old Wisdom, may boast of his treasures, Give me with gay Folly to live; I grant him his calm-blooded, time-settled pleasures, But Folly has raptures to give.

LII.

THE SELKIRK GRACE.

[On a visit to St. Mary's Isle, Burns was requested by the n.o.ble owner to say grace to dinner; he obeyed in these lines, now known in Galloway by the name of "The Selkirk Grace."]

Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thanket.

LIII.

TO DR. MAXWELL,

ON JESSIE STAIG'S RECOVERY.

[Maxwell was a skilful physician; and Jessie Staig, the Provost's oldest daughter, was a young lady of great beauty: she died early.]

Maxwell, if merit here you crave That merit I deny, You save fair Jessie from the grave-- An angel could not die.

LIV.

EPITAPH.

[These lines were traced by the hand of Burns on a goblet belonging to Gabriel Richardson, brewer, in Dumfries: it is carefully preserved in the family.]