I HOLD it, sir, my bounden duty <br />To warn you how that Master Tootie, <br />Alias, Laird M'Gaun, <br />Was here to hire yon lad away <br />'Bout whom ye spak the tither day, <br />An' wad hae don't aff han'; <br />But lest he learn the callan tricks— <br />An' faith I muckle doubt him— <br />Like scrapin out auld Crummie's nicks, <br />An' tellin lies about them; <br />As lieve then, I'd have then <br />Your clerkship he should sair, <br />If sae be ye may be <br />Not fitted otherwhere. <br /> <br /> <br />Altho' I say't, he's gleg enough, <br />An' 'bout a house that's rude an' rough, <br />The boy might learn to swear; <br />But then, wi' you, he'll be sae taught, <br />An' get sic fair example straught, <br />I hae na ony fear. <br />Ye'll catechise him, every quirk, <br />An' shore him weel wi' hell; <br />An' gar him follow to the kirk— <br />Aye when ye gang yoursel. <br />If ye then maun be then <br />Frae hame this comin' Friday, <br />Then please, sir, to lea'e, sir, <br />The orders wi' your lady. <br /> <br /> <br />My word of honour I hae gi'en, <br />In Paisley John's, that night at e'en, <br />To meet the warld's worm; <br />To try to get the twa to gree, <br />An' name the airles an' the fee, <br />In legal mode an' form: <br />I ken he weel a snick can draw, <br />When simple bodies let him: <br />An' if a Devil be at a', <br />In faith he's sure to get him. <br />To phrase you and praise you,. <br />Ye ken your Laureat scorns: <br />The pray'r still you share still <br />Of grateful MINSTREL BURNS.<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-gavin-hamilton-esq-mauchline-recommending-a-boy/
