A Dedication（1 / 5）

  a dedication
  to gavin hamilton, esq.
  expect na, sir, in this narration,
  a fleechin, fleth'rin dedication,
  to roose you up, an' ca' you guid,
  an' sprung o' great an' noble bluid,
  because ye're surnam'd like his grace—
  perhaps related to the race:
  then, when i'm tir'd—and sae are ye,
  wi' mony a fulsome, sinfu' lie,
  set up a face how i stop short,
  for fear your modesty be hurt.
  this may do—maun do, sir, wi' them wha
  maun please the great folk for a wamefou;
  for me! sae laigh i need na bow,
  for, lord be thankit, i can plough;
  and when i downa yoke a naig,
  then, lord be thankit, i can beg;
  sae i shall say—an' that's nae flatt'rin—
  it's just sic poet an' sic patron.
  the poet, some guid angel help him,
  or else, i fear, some ill ane skelp him!
  he may do weel for a' he's done yet,
  but only—he's no just begun yet.
  the patron (sir, ye maun forgie me;
  i winna lie, come what will o' me),
  on ev'ry hand it will allow'd be,
  he's just—nae better than he should be.
  i readily and freely grant,
  he downa see a poor man want; ↑返回顶部↑