TO MR. SYME.

[John Syme, of Ryedale, a rhymer, a wit, and a gentleman of education and intelligence, was, while Burns resided in Dumfries, his chief companion: he was bred to the law.]

No more of your guests, be they titled or not,
And cook’ry the first in the nation;
Who is proof to thy personal converse and wit,
Is proof to all other temptation.


XXXIX.