to stem the sacred torrent.
he felt the powerful, high behest
thrill, vital, thro' and thro';
and sought a correspondent breast,
to give obedience due:
propitious powers screen'd the young flow'rs,
from mildews of abortion;
and low! the bard—a great reward—
has got a double portion!
auld cantie coil may count the day,
as annual it returns,
the third of libra's equal sway,
that gave another burns,
with future rhymes, an' other times,
to emulate his sire:
to sing auld coil in nobler style
with more poetic fire.
ye powers of peace, and peaceful song,
look down with gracious eyes;
and bless auld coila, large and long,
with multiplying joys;
lang may she stand to prop the land,
the flow'r of ancient nations;
and burnses spring, her fame to sing,
to endless generations!