I.

O How shall I, unskilfu', try

The poet's occupation,
The tunefu' powers, in happy hours,
That whispers inspiration?
Even they maun dare an effort mair

Than aught they ever gave us,
Or they rehearse, in equal verse,

The charms o' lovely Davies. Each eye it cheers, when she appears, Like Phoebus in the morning, When past the shower, and ev'ry flower

The garden is adorning.

As the wretch looks o'er Siberia's shore, When winter-bound the wave is;

Sae droops our heart when we maun part Frae charming lovely Davies.

II.

Her smile's a gift, frae 'boon the lift,
That makes us mair than princes;
A sceptr'd hand, a king's command,
Is in her darting glances:

The man in arms 'gainst female charms,
Even he her willing slave is:
He hugs his chain, and owns the reign
Of conquering, lovely Davies.
My muse to dream of such a theme,

Her feeble pow'rs surrender;
The eagle's gaze alone surveys
The sun's meridian splendour:
I wad in vain essay the strain,

The deed too daring brave is! I'll drap the lyre, and mute admire The charms o' lovely Davies.

CXIX.

THE WEARY PUND O' TOW.

Tune-"The weary Pund o' Tow."

["This song," says Sir Harris Nicolas, "is in the Musical Museum; but it is not attributed to Burns. Mr. Allan Cunningham does not state upon what authority he has assigned it to Burns." The critical knight might have, if he had pleased, stated similar objections to many songs which he took without scruple from my edition, where they were claimed for Burns, for the first time, and on good authority. I, however, as it happens, did not claim the song wholly for the poet: I said "the idea of the song is old, and perhaps some of the words." It was sent by Burns to the Museum, and in his own handwriting.]

CXX. NAEBODY.

Tune-"Naebody."

[Burns had built his house at Ellisland, sowed his first crop, the woman he loved was at his side, and hope was high; no wonder that he indulged in this independent strain.]

I.

I HAE a wife o' my ain-
I'll partake wi' naebody;
I'll tak cuckold frae nane,
I'll gie cuckold to naebody.
I hae a penny to spend,
There-thanks to naebody;

I hae naething to lend,
I'll borrow frae naebody.

II.

I am naebody's lord

I'll be slave to naebody; I hae a guid braid sword,

I'll tak dunts frae naebody.