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.]