WRITER, AYR.
[Mr. M’Whinnie obtained for Burns several subscriptions for the first edition of his Poems, of which this note enclosed the proposals.]
Mossgiel, 17th April, 1786.
It is injuring some hearts, those hearts that elegantly bear the impression of the good Creator, to say to them you give them the trouble of obliging a friend; for this reason, I only tell you that I gratify my own feelings in requesting your friendly offices with respect to the enclosed, because I know it will gratify yours to assist me in it to the utmost of your power.
I have sent you four copies, as I have no less than eight dozen, which is a great deal more than I shall ever need.
Be sure to remember a poor poet militant in your prayers. He looks forward with fear and trembling to that, to him, important moment which stamps the die with—with—with, perhaps, the eternal disgrace of,
My dear Sir,
Your humble,
afflicted, tormented,
Robert Burns.