To Mr. John Kennedy

Mossgiel. 3rd March, 1786.

NOW Kennedy if foot or horse
E'er bring you in by Mauchlin Corss,
Lord man there 's lasses there wad force
A hermit's fancy,
And down the gate in faith they 're worse
An' mair unchancy.

But as I'm sayin, please step to Dow's
And taste sic gear as Johnie brews,
Till some bit callan bring me news
That ye are there,
And if we dinna hae a bouze
Ise ne'er drink mair.

It 's no I like to sit an' swallow
Then like a swine to puke an' wallow,
But gie me just a true good fallow
Wi' right ingine,
And spunkie ance to mak us mellow,
And then we'll shine.

Now if ye 're ane o' warl's folk,
Wha rate the wearer by the cloak,
An' sklent on poverty their joke
Wi' bitter sneer,
Wi' you nae friendship I will troke
Nor cheap nor dear.

But if, as I'm informed weel
Ye hate as ill 's the vera de’il
The flinty heart that canna feel--------
Come Sir, here 's tae you:
Hae there 's my haun', I wiss you weel
An' Gude be wi' you.