to mr. m'adam, of craigen-gillan

in answer to an obliging letter he sent

in the commencement of my poetic career.

sir, o'er a gill i gat your card,

i trow it made me proud;

“see wha taks notice o' the bard!”

i lap and cried fu' loud.

now deil-ma-care about their jaw,

the senseless, gawky million;

i'll cock my nose abune them a',

i'm roos'd by craigen-gillan!

'twas noble, sir; 'twas like yourself',

to grant your high protection:

a great man's smile ye ken fu' well

is aye a blest infection.

tho', by his banes wha in a tub