The Poetical Works of Robert Burns

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1865. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ELEGY ON PEG NICHOLSON, ! A DEAD MARE. Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare, As ever trode on aim; iron But now she's floating down the Nith, And past the mouth o' Cairn. Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare, And rode through thick and thin; But now she's floating down the Nith, And wanting even the skin. Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare, And ance she bore a priest; But now she's floating down the Nith, For Sol way fish a feast. Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare, And the priest he rode her sair; And much oppressed and bruised she was, As priest-rid cattle are. -- etc., etc Feb. 9,1790. 1 In burlesque allusion, it may be presumed, to the insane woman, Margaret Nicholson, who made an attempt to stab George III. with a knife, August, 1786. WRITTEN TO A GENTLEMAN 1 WHO HAD SENT THE POET A NEWSPAPER, AND OFFERED TO CONTINUE IT FKEE OF EXPENSE. Kind Sir, I've read your paper through, And, faith, to me 'twas really new! How guessed ye, sir, what maist I wanted? This monie a day I've graned and groaned gaunted, yawned To ken what French mischief was brewin', Or what the drumlie Dutch were doin'; muddy That vile doup-skelper, Emperor Joseph, If Venus yet had got his nose off; Or how the collieshangie works contention Atween the Russians and the Turks; Or if the Swede, before he halt, Would play anither Charles the Twalt;2 If Denmark, anybody spak o't; Or Poland, wha had now the tack o't: lease How cut-throat Prussian blades were hingin'; How libbet Italy was singin' emasculated If Spaniard, Portuguese, or Swiss, Were sayin' or takin' aught amiss. 1 Probably Mr. Peter Stuart, of the Star newspaper. 2 Gustavus III. had attracted considerable notice in 1789 by his vigorous measures against Russia, and the arrest of many of his nobility who disapproved of his measures. Or how our...