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an' aften labour them completely;

an' aye on sundays duly, nightly,

i on the questions targe them tightly;

till, faith! wee davock's grown sae gleg,

tho' scarcely langer than your leg,

he'll screed you aff effectual calling,

as fast as ony in the dwalling.

i've nane in female servant station,

(lord keep me aye frae a' temptation!)

i hae nae wife—and thay my bliss is,

an' ye have laid nae tax on misses;

an' then, if kirk folks dinna clutch me,

i ken the deevils darena touch me.

wi' weans i'm mair than weel contented,

heav'n sent me ane mae than i wanted!

my sonsie, smirking, dear-bought bess,

she stares the daddy in her face,

enough of ought ye like but grace;

but her, my bonie, sweet wee lady,

i've paid enough for her already;

an' gin ye tax her or her mither,

by the lord, ye'se get them a' thegither!

and now, remember, mr. aiken,

nae kind of licence out i'm takin:

frae this time forth, i do declare

i'se ne'er ride horse nor hizzie mair;

thro' dirt and dub for life i'll paidle,

ere i sae dear pay for a saddle;

my travel a' on foot i'll shank it,

i've sturdy bearers, gude the thankit!

the kirk and you may tak you that,

it puts but little in your pat;

sae dinna put me in your beuk,

nor for my ten white shillings leuk.

this list, wi' my ain hand i wrote it,

the day and date as under noted;

then know all ye whom it concerns,

subscripsi huic,

robert burns.

mossgiel, february 22, 1786.