ET. 34.] DUNCAN GRAY. 39 Something in her bosom wrings, For relief a sigh she brings; And oh, her een, they spak sic things! Duncan was a lad o' grace, Ha, ha, etc.; Maggie's was a piteous case, Ha, ha, etc. Duncan couldna be her death, Swelling pity smoored his wrath; Now they're crouse and canty baith; merry and happy Ha, ha, etc. 40 A HEALTH TO THEM THAT'S AWA'. [1792. HERE'S A HEALTH TO THEM THAT'S AWA'. TUNE- Here's a Health to them that's awa'. Burns had continued to sympathize with the French, notwithstanding all blots in their reforming career. He did not hesitate in company to express an unfavorable opinion of the warlike policy about to be adopted by the English ministry, and to avow his persevering desire of those reforms which had long been demanded by the Whig party. He would even, in the heat of discourse, denounce public men in terms far less remarkable for their justice than their vehemence and severity. It is to be feared also that he gave voice to some of his feelings in the form which was the most apt to obtain currency for them, and thus expose their author. From the allusions, it seems highly probable that he at this time threw off the following song, complimentary to the leaders of the reforming party in the House of Commons. HERE'S a health to them that's awa', And wha winna wish guid-luck to our cause, It's guid to be merry and wise, It's guid to be honest and true, lot ET. 34.] A HEALTH TO THEM THAT'S AWA'. 41 It's guid to support Caledonia's cause, Here's a health to them that's awa', Here's a health to them that's awa'; Here's a health to Charlie,1 the chief o' the clan, Although that his band be sma'. May Liberty meet wi' success! May Prudence protect her frae evil! May tyrants and Tyranny tine in the mist, be lost And wander their way to the devil! Here's a health to them that's awa', Here's a health to them that's awa'; Here's a health to Tammie,2 the Norland laddie, That lives at the lug o' the law! Here's freedom to him that wad read! Here's freedom to him that wad write ! ear There's nane ever feared that the truth should be heard, But they wham the truth wad indite. Here's a health to them that's awa', Here's a health to them that's awa' 1 Charles James Fox. Buff and blue formed his well known livery at the Westminster elections, and came to be an ensign of the Whig party generally. 2 The Hon. Thomas Erskine, afterwards Lord Erskine. 42 SONG. [1793. Here's Chieftain M'Leod, a chieftain worth gowd,1 Though bred amang mountains o' snaw! SONG. TUNE- Cauld Kail in Aberdeen.2 Mr. Gilbert Burns, in his memoranda as to heroines, written for Mr. Thomson, places opposite Poortith Cauld-"A Miss Jane Blackstock, afterwards Mrs. Whiter of Liverpool." In the manuscript, Mr. Thomson makes a pencil-note in the margin "These verses, I humbly think, have too much of uneasy and cold reflection for the air, which is pleasing and rather gay than otherwise." The letter having apparently been returned to Burns, he adds: "The objections are just, but I cannot make it better. The stuff won't 1 M'Leod of Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, at this time M. P. for the county of Inverness. 2 This song is usually sung to the tune of I had a Horse, 1 had nae mair. ÆT. 34.] SONG. 43 bear mending; yet, for private reasons, I should like to see it in print." O POORTITH cauld, and restless love, poverty An 'twere na for my Jeanie. This warld's wealth, when I think on Its pride, and a' the lave o't, Fie, fie on silly coward man That he should be the slave o't! Her een sae bonny blue betray How she repays my passion; rest But prudence is her o'erword aye; burden of her song She talks of rank and fashion! O why, etc. O wha can prudence think upon, O wha can prudence think upon, |