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131. Song—Willie Chalmers

 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, lass, 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.


I doubt na fortune may you shore
 Some mim-mou’d pouther’d priestie,
Fu’ lifted up wi’ Hebrew lore,
 And band upon his breastie:
But oh! what signifies to you
 His lexicons and grammars;
The feeling heart’s the royal blue,
 And that’s wi’ Willie Chalmers.


Some gapin’, glowrin’ countra laird
 May warsle for your favour;
May claw his lug, and straik his beard,
 And hoast up some palaver:
My bonie maid, before ye wed
 Sic clumsy-witted hammers,
Seek Heaven for help, and barefit skelp
 Awa wi’ Willie Chalmers.


Forgive the Bard! my fond regard
 For ane that shares my bosom,
Inspires my Muse to gie ’m his dues
 For deil a hair I roose him.
May powers aboon unite you soon,
 And fructify your amours,—
And every year come in mair dear
 To you and Willie Chalmers.






Book: Reflection on the Important Things