flame,
     Till Hamiltons, at least a dizzen,
     Are frae their nuptial labours risen: 
     Five bonie lasses round their table,
     And sev’n braw fellows, stout an’ able,
     To serve their king an’ country weel,
     By word, or pen, or pointed steel! 
     May health and peace, with mutual rays,
     Shine on the ev’ning o’ his days;
     Till his wee, curlie John’s ier-oe,
     When ebbing life nae mair shall flow,
     The last, sad, mournful rites bestow!”

     I will not wind a lang conclusion,
     With complimentary effusion;
     But, whilst your wishes and endeavours
     Are blest with Fortune’s smiles and favours,
     I am, dear sir, with zeal most fervent,
     Your much indebted, humble servant.

     But if (which Pow’rs above prevent)
     That iron-hearted carl, Want,
     Attended, in his grim advances,
     By sad mistakes, and black mischances,
     While hopes, and joys, and pleasures fly him,
     Make you as poor a dog as I am,
     Your humble servant then no more;
     For who would humbly serve the poor? 
     But, by a poor man’s hopes in Heav’n! 
     While recollection’s pow’r is giv’n—­
     If, in the vale of humble life,
     The victim sad of fortune’s strife,
     I, thro’ the tender-gushing tear,
     Should recognise my master dear;
     If friendless, low, we meet together,
     Then, sir, your hand—­my Friend and Brother!

Versified Note To Dr. Mackenzie, Mauchline

     Friday first’s the day appointed
     By the Right Worshipful anointed,

     To hold our grand procession;
     To get a blad o’ Johnie’s morals,
     And taste a swatch o’ Manson’s barrels

     I’ the way of our profession. 
     The Master and the Brotherhood
     Would a’ be glad to see you;
     For me I would be mair than proud

     To share the mercies wi’ you. 
     If Death, then, wi’ skaith, then,
     Some mortal heart is hechtin,
     Inform him, and storm him,
     That Saturday you’ll fecht him.

     Robert Burns. 
     Mossgiel, An.  M. 5790.

The Farewell To the Brethren of St. James’ Lodge, Tarbolton.

     Tune—­“Guidnight, and joy be wi’ you a’.”

     Adieu! a heart-warm fond adieu;
     Dear brothers of the mystic tie! 
     Ye favoured, enlighten’d few,
     Companions of my social joy;
     Tho’ I to foreign lands must hie,
     Pursuing Fortune’s slidd’ry ba’;
     With melting heart, and brimful eye,
     I’ll mind you still, tho’ far awa.

     Oft have I met your social band,
     And spent the cheerful, festive night;
     Oft, honour’d with supreme command,
     Presided o’er the sons of light: 
     And by that hieroglyphic bright,
     Which none but Craftsmen ever saw
     Strong Mem’ry on my heart shall write
     Those happy scenes, when far awa.