WRITTEN ON A WINDOW OF THE INN AT CARRON.
[These lines were written on receiving what the poet considered an uncivil refusal to look at the works of the celebrated Carron foundry.]
We came na here to view your warks
In hopes to be mair wise,
But only, lest we gang to hell,
It may be nae surprise:
For whan we tirl’d at your door,
Your porter dought na hear us;
Sae may, shou’d we to hell’s yetts come
Your billy Satan sair us!
XVII.
THE BOOK-WORMS.
[Burns wrote this reproof in a Shakspeare, which he found splendidly bound and gilt, but unread and worm-eaten, in a noble person’s library.]
Through and through the inspir’d leaves,
Ye maggots, make your windings;
But oh! respect his lordship’s taste,
And spare his golden bindings.