to mr. m'adam, of craigen-gillan
in answer to an obliging letter he sent
in themencement 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