Robert Burns

Extempore, on Mr. William Smellie, Author of the Philosophy of Natural History, and Member of the Antiquarian and Royal Societies of Edinburgh

        CROCHALLAN came,

The old Cock’d hat, the grey surtout-the same;
His bristling beard just rising in its might,-
‘Twas four long nights and days to shaving night;
His uncomb’d grizzly locks wild staring, thatch’d
A head for thought profound and clear, unmatch’d;
Yet, tho’ his caustic wit was biting rude,
His heart was warm, benevolent, and good.