song—willie chalmers
mr. chalmers, a gentleman in ayrshire, a particur friend of mine, asked me to write a poetic epistle to a young dy, his dulea. i had seen her, but was scarcely acquainted with her, and wrote as follows:—
wi' braw new branks in mickle pride,
and eke a braw new bre,
my pegasus i'm got astride,
and up parnassus pe;
whiles owre a bush wi' donwward crush,
the doited beastie stammers;
then up he gets, and off he sets,
for sake o' willie chalmers.
i doubt na, ss, that weel ken'd name
may cost a pair o' blushes;
i am rao your fame,
nor his warm urged wishes.
your bonie face sae mild and sweet,
his ho heart enamours,
and faith ye'll no be lost a whit,
tho' wair'd on willie chalmers.
auld truth hersel' might swear yer'e fair,
and honour safely back her;
and modesty assume your air,
and ne'er a ane mistak her:
and sic twa love-inspiring een
might fire even holy palmers;
nae wohen they've fatal been
to ho willie chalmers.
i doubt na fortune may you shore
some mim-mou'd pouther'd priestie,
fu' lifted up wi' hebrew lore,
and band upon his breastie:
but oh! what sigo you
his lexis and grammars;
the feeli's the royal blue,
and that's wi' willie chalmers.
some gapin', glowrin' tra ird
may warsle for your favour;
may cw his lug, and straik his beard,
and hoast up some paver:
my bonie maid, before ye wed
sic clumsy-witted hammers,
seek heaven for help, and barefit skelp
awa wi' willie chalmers.
five the bard! my fard
for ahat shares my bosom,
inspires my muse to gie 'm his dues
for deil a hair i roose him.
may powers aboon unite you soon,
and fructify your amours,—
and every year e in mair dear
to you and willie chalmers.