ANNE M’VICAR GRANT OF LAGGAN

1755-1838

Jean, fetch that heap of tangled yarn,

And bring those stockings here to darn,

And get from Anne the dairy keys,

That I may go and count my cheese;

To every useful occupation,

Befitting of my place or station,

I’ll henceforth dedicate my time,

And if again I write in rhyme,

’Twill be a shrewd severe lampoon

On country wives who fly to town,

And leave their dairy and relations,

To curl their hair and follow fashions:

Or else an acrimonious satire

On matrons who, in spite of Nature,

With common useful duties quarrel,

To plant in vain the barren laurel.