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 ept a pliment,
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 ed cowt's been known,
to mak a noble aiver;
so, ye may doucely fill the throne,
for a'their clish-ma-ver:
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 thewn-sleeve sweeter,
altho' a ribbon at your lug
wad been a dress pleter:
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'vetely e athwart her—
a glorious galley, stem and stern,
weel 'd for venus' barter;
but first hang out, that she'll discern,
your hymeneal charter;
then heave aboard your grapple airn,
an'rge upon her quarter,
e full that day.
ye,stly, bonie blossoms a',
ye royalsses dainty,
heav'n mak you guid as well as braw,
an' gie youds 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 ie fou,
that yet hae tarrow't at it.
but or the day was done, i trow,
the en they hae utit
fu' clean that day.