NOW, Kennedy, if foot or horse <br />E'er bring you in by Mauchlin corse, <br />(Lord, man, there's lasses there wad force <br />A hermit's fancy; <br />An' down the gate in faith they're worse, <br />An' mair unchancy). <br /> <br /> <br />But as I'm sayin, please step to Dow's, <br />An' taste sic gear as Johnie brews, <br />Till some bit callan bring me news <br />That ye are there; <br />An' if we dinna hae a bouze, <br />I'se ne'er drink mair. <br /> <br /> <br />It's no I like to sit an' swallow, <br />Then like a swine to puke an' wallow; <br />But gie me just a true good fallow, <br />Wi' right ingine, <br />And spunkie ance to mak us mellow, <br />An' then we'll shine. <br /> <br /> <br />Now if ye're ane o' warl's folk, <br />Wha rate the wearer by the cloak, <br />An' sklent on poverty their joke, <br />Wi' bitter sneer, <br />Wi' you nae friendship I will troke, <br />Nor cheap nor dear. <br /> <br /> <br />But if, as I'm informèd weel, <br />Ye hate as ill's the very deil <br />The flinty heart that canna feel— <br />Come, sir, here's to you! <br />Hae, there's my haun', I wiss you weel, <br />An' gude be wi' you.ROBT. BURNESS.MOSSGIEL, 3rd March, 1786.<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-john-kennedy-dumfries-house/
