Robert Burns

Verses to J. Rankine

AE day, as Death, that grusome carl,
Was driving to the tither warl’
A mixtie-maxtie motley squad,
And mony a guilt-bespotted lad;
Black gowns of each denomination,
And thieves of every rank and station,
From him that wears the star and garter,
To him that wintles in a halter;
Asham’d himsel to see the wretches,
He mutters, glowrin’ at the bitches,
‘By God! I’ll not be seen behint them,
Nor ‘mang the sp’ritual core present them,
Without at least ae honest man
To grace this damn’d infernal clan.’
By Adamhiil a glance he threw,
‘Lord God!’ quoth he, ‘I have it now,
There’s just the man I want, i’ faith!’
And quickly stoppit Rankine’s breath.