Epistle To Davie, A Brother Poe
1785 epistle to davie, a brother poet january while winds frae aff ben-lomond blaw, an' bar the doors wi' driving snaw, an' hing us owre the ingle, i set me down to pass the time, an' spin a verse or twa o' rhyme, in hamely, westlin jingle. while frosty winds blaw in the drift, ben to the chimla lug, i grudge a wee the great-folk's gift, that live sae bien an' snug: i tent less, and want less their roomy fire-side; but hanker, and ker, to see their cursed pride. it's hardly in a body's pow'r to keep, at times, frae being sour, to see how things are shar'd; how best o' chiels are whiles in want, while coofs on tless thousands rant, and ken na how to wair't; but, davie, lad, ne'er fash your head, tho' we hae little gear; we're fit to win our daily bread, as lang's we're hale and fier: “mair spier na, nor fear na,” auld age ne'er mind a feg; the last o't, the warst o't is only but to beg. to lie in kilns and barns at e'en, when banes are craz'd, and bluid is thin, is doubtless, great distress! yet then tent could make us blest; ev'n then, sometimes, we'd snatch a taste of truest happiness. the ho heart that's free frae a' intended fraud uile, however fortune kick the ba', has aye some cause to smile; an' mind still, you'll find still, a fort this nae sma'; nae mair then we'll care then, nae farther we fa'. what tho', like oners of air, we wander out, we know not where, but either house or hal', yet nature's charms, the hills and woods, the sweeping vales, and foaming floods, are free alike to all. in days when daisies deck the ground, and blackbirds whistle clear, with ho joy our hearts will bound, to see the ing year: on braes when we please, then, we'll sit an' sowth a tune; syne rhyme till't we'll time till't, an' sing't when we hae done. it's no in titles nor in rank; it's no ih like lon'on bank, to purchase pead rest: it's no in makin' muckle, mair; it's no in books, it's no in lear, to make us truly blest: if happiness hae not her seat are in the breast, we may be wise, or rich, reat, but never be blest; reasures, nor pleasures could make us happy lang; the heart aye's the part aye that makes us right . thihat sic as you and i, wha drudge an' drive thro' wet and dry, wi' never-ceasing toil; think ye, are we less blest than they, wha scarcely tent us in their way, as hardly worth their while? alas! how aft in haughty mood, god's creatures they oppress! or else, ing a' that's guid, they riot in excess! baith careless and fearless of either heaven or hell; esteeming and deeming it's a' an idle tale! the us cheerfu' acquiesce, nor make our sty pleasures less, by pining at our state: and, even should misfortunes e, i, here wha sit, hae met wi' some— an's thankfu' for them yet. they gie the wit of age to youth; they let us ken oursel'; they make us see the ruth, the real guid and ill: tho' losses an' crosses be lessht severe, there's wit there, ye'll get there, ye'll find her where. but tent me, davie, ace o' hearts! (to say aught less wad wrang the cartes, and flatt'ry i detest) this life has joys for you and i; an' joys that riches ne'er could buy, an' joys the very best. there's a' the pleasures o' the heart, the lover an' the frien'; ye hae y, your dearest part, and i my darling jean! it warms me, it charms me, to mention but her name: it heats me, it beets me, as me a' on flame! o all ye pow'rs who rule above! o thou whose very self art love! thou know'st my words sincere! the life-blood streaming thro' my heart, or my more dear immortal part, is not more fondly dear! whe-corroding care and grief deprive my soul of rest, her dear idea brings relief, and solay breast. thou being, all-seeing, o hear my fervent pray'r; still take her, and make her thy most peculiar care! all hail! ye tender feelings dear! the smile of love, the friendly tear, the sympathetic glow! long sihis world's thorny ways had number'd out my weary days, had it not been for you! fate still has blest me with a friend, in ev'ry care and ill; and oft a more endearing band— a tie more teill. it lightens, it brightens the tenebrific se, to meet with, and greet with my davie, or my jean! o, how that name inspires my style! the words e skelpin, rank an' file, amaist before i ken! the ready measure rins as fine, as phoebus an' the famous nine were glowrin owre my pen. my spaviet pegasus will limp, till ance he's fairly het; and then he'll hilch, and stilt, an' jimp, and rin an unco fit: but least then the beast then should rue this hasty ride, i'll light now, and dight now his sweaty, wizen'd hide.