ScotchDrink

scotchdrink

giehimstrongdrinkuntilhewink,

that'ssinkingindespair;

an'liquorguidtofirehisbluid,

that'sprestwi'griefandcare:

therelethimbouse,an'deepcarouse,

wi'bumpersflowingo'er,

tillheforgetshislovesordebts,

an'mindshisgriefsnomore.

(solomon'sproverbs,xxxi.6,7.)

letotherpoetsraiseafracas

'boutvines,an'wines,an'druckenhus,

an'crabbitnamesan'storieswrackus,

an'grateourlug:

isingthejuicescotchbearcanmakus,

inglassorjug.

othou,mymuse!guidauldscotchdrink!

whetherthro'wimplinwormsthoujink,

or,richlybrown,reamowrethebrink,

ingloriousfaem,

inspireme,tillilispan'wink,

tosingthyname!

lethuskywheatthehaughsadorn,

an'aitssetuptheirawniehorn,

an'peaseandbeans,ate'enormorn,

perfumetheplain:

leezemeonthee,johnbarleycorn,

thoukingo'grain!

ontheeaftscotlandchowshercood,

insouplescones,thewaleo'food!

ortumblinintheboilingflood

wi'kailan'beef;

butwhenthoupoursthystrongheart'sblood,

therethoushineschief.

foodfillsthewame,an'keepsusleevin;

tho'life'sagiftnoworthreceivin,

whenheavy-'dwi'pinean'grievin;

but,oil'dbythee,

thewheelso'lifegaedown-hill,scrievin,

wi'rattlinglee.

thouclearstheheado'doitedlear;

thoucheersahehearto'droopingcare;

thoustringsthenerveso'laboursair,

at'swearytoil;

thoughevenbrightensdarkdespair

wi'gloomysmile.

aft,cladinmassysillerweed,

wi'gentlesthouerectsthyhead;

yet,humblykindintimeo'need,

thepoorman'swine;