song—willie chalmers

mr. chalmers, a gentleman in ayrshire, a particr friend of mine, asked me to write a poetic epistle to a youngdy, his dulcinea. 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 brechan,

my pegasus i'm got astride,

and up parnassus pechin;

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 nae stranger to your fame,

nor his warm urged wishes.

your bonie face sae mild and sweet,

his honest 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 wonder then they've fatal been

to honest willie chalmers.