A Dream（2 / 2）

and gie her for dissection!

but since i'm here, i'll no neglect,

in loyal, true affection,

to pay your queen, wi' due respect,

may fealty an' subjection

this great birth-day.

hail, majesty most excellent!

while nobles strive to please ye,

will ye accept a compliment,

a simple poet gies ye?

thae bonie bairntime, heav'n has lent,

still higher may they heeze ye

in bliss, till fate some day is sent

for ever to release ye

frae care that day.

for you, young potentate o'wales,

i tell your highness fairly,

down pleasure's stream, wi' swelling sails,

i'm tauld ye're driving rarely;

but some day ye may gnaw your nails,

an' curse your folly sairly,

that e'er ye brak diana's pales,

or rattl'd dice wi' charlie

by night or day.

yet aft a ragged cowt's been known,

to mak a noble aiver;

so, ye may doucely fill the throne,

for a'their clish-ma-claver:

there, him at agincourt wha shone,

few better were or braver:

and yet, wi' funny, queer sir john,

he was an unco shaver

for mony a day.

for you, right rev'rend osnaburg,

nane sets the lawn-sleeve sweeter,

altho' a ribbon at your lug

wad been a dress completer:

as ye disown yon paughty dog,

that bears the keys of peter,

then swith! an' get a wife to hug,

or trowth, ye'll stain the mitre

some luckless day!

young, royal tarry-breeks, i learn,

ye've lately come athwart her—

a glorious galley, stem and stern,

weel rigg'd for venus' barter;

but first hang out, that she'll discern,

your hymeneal charter;

then heave aboard your grapple airn,

an' large upon her quarter,

come full that day.

ye, lastly, bonie blossoms a',

ye royal lasses dainty,

heav'n mak you guid as well as braw,

an' gie you lads a-plenty!

but sneer na british boys awa!

for kings are unco scant aye,

an' german gentles are but sma',

they're better just than want aye

on ony day.

gad bless you a'! consider now,

ye're unco muckle dautit;

but ere the course o' life be through,

it may be bitter sautit:

an' i hae seen their coggie fou,

that yet hae tarrow't at it.

but or the day was done, i trow,

the laggen they hae clautit

fu' clean that day.