Wi’ boring and boosing, and snoring and snoozing,
Ye emulate him that inhabits—the sty.”
George Outram, another Glasgow poet, claims particular attention when and wherever the humour of Scottish poets and poetry is the subject of consideration. Such of his pieces as “The Annuity,” “Drinkin’ Drams,” and “Soumin’ an’ Roumin’,” are amongst the most humoursome effusions in the native tongue. The temperance cause has made great progress since the bacchanalian heroic above named was penned, and it is now the teetotallers who laugh most over the ironical humour expressed in the lines. His “Annuity” is familiar to everybody, and the same may be said of “Soumin’ an’ Roumin’.” The following illustration of his wit in the shape of an epigram, which he composed on hearing a lady praise a certain reverend Doctor’s eyes, is, however, not so well known as it deserves—
“I cannot praise the Doctor’s eyes,
I never saw his glance divine;
He always shuts them when he prays,
And when he preaches he shuts mine,”
and the whimsical humour contained in the subjoined little sketch will warrant its quotation:—
“My twa swine on the midden,
Wi’ very fat their een are hidden;