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Something, however, is to be allowed to the nature of the subject, and something to the education of the poet and if from veneration to the names of Swift and Dryden, we tolerate the grossness of the one, and the indelicacy of the other, the respect due to that of Burns, may surely claim indulgence for a few light strokes of broad humour. The same collection contains Holy Willie's Prayer,' a piece of satire more exquisitely severe than any which Burns afterwards wrote, but unfortunately cast in a form too daringly profane to be received into Dr. Currie's Collection.

"Knowing that these, and hoping that other compositions of similar spirit and tenor might yet be recovered, we were induced to think that some of them, at least, had found a place in the collection given to the public by Mr. Cromek. But he has neither risqued the censure, nor laid claim to the applause, which might have belonged to such an undertaking."

A critique so highly commendatory, from the pen of one whose judgment in poetical matters is of great authority, must have excited the curiosity of the public with respect to the poem, and may avail as a licence for its insertion here. The Editor, however, must avow, that he still feels the full force of his former scruples, and that he waves them only in deference

to the general respect which is paid to the opinion of so eminent a critic.

At the same time, it is a matter of satisfaction to him to find a resting place for this genuine offspring of the Muse of Burns, which has long been wandering uncertain of a home, and has often appeared with other pieces of inferior merit, erroneously ascribed to him.

THE JOLLY BEGGARS.*

RECITATIVO.

When lyart leaves bestrow the yird,
Or wavering like the Bauckie-bird,
Bedim cauld Boreas' blast;

When hailstanes drive wi' bitter skyte,
And infant frosts begin to bite,

In hoary cranreuch drest;

Ae night at e'en a merry core

O' randie, gangrel bodies,
In Posie-Nansie's held the splore,

To drink their orra duddies:

* The present copy is printed from a MS. by Burns, in 4to, belonging to Mr. T. Stewart, of Greenock. This gentleman first introduced it to the public.-Ed.

TY

Wi' quaffing, and laughing,
They ranted an' they sang;
Wi' jumping an' thumping,
The vera girdle rang.

First, neist the fire, in auld, red rags,
Ane sat; weel brac'd wi' mealy bags,
And knapsack a' in order;

His doxy lay within his arm,
Wi' usquebae an' blankets warm,
She blinket on her sodger:

An' ay he gies the tozie drab
The tither skelpan kiss,
While she held up her greedy gab
Just like an aumous dish:

Ilk smack still, did crack still,
Just like a cadger's whip;
Then staggering, an' swaggering,
He roar'd this ditty up-

AIR.

Tune-SOLDIER'S JOY.

I.

I am a son of Mars, who have been in many wars,

And shew my cuts and scars wherever I come;

This here was for a wench, and that other in a trench, When welcoming the French at the sound of the

drum.

Lal de daudle, &c.

II.

My prenticeship I past where my leader breath'd his last,

When the bloody die was cast on the heights of Abram;

I served out my trade when the gallant game was

play'd,

And the Moro low was laid at the sound of the

drum.

III.

I lastly was with Curtis, among the floating batt'ries,
And there I left for witness, an arm and a limb;
Yet let my country need me, with Elliot to head me,
I'd clatter on my stumps at the sound of a drum.`

IV.

And now tho' I must beg, with a wooden arm and

leg,

And many a tatter'd rag hanging over my bum,

I'm as happy with my wallet, my bottle and my

callet,*

As when I us'd in scarlet to follow a drum.

V.

What tho', with hoary locks, I must stand the winter shocks,

Beneath the woods and rocks oftentimes for a home, When the tother bag I sell, and the tother bottle tell, I could meet a troop of hell at the sound of a drum.

RECITATIVO.

He ended; and the kebars sheuk

Aboon the chorus roar;

While frighted rattons backward leuk,
An' seek the benmost bore:

A Merry Andrew i' the neuk,
He skirl'd out, encore!

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I once was a maid, tho' I cannot tell when,
And still my delight is in proper young men:

*Callet, a Soldier's Drab, or Trull.

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