Robert Burns: How To Know Him

by William Allan Neilson

My 'prenticeship I past where my leader breath'd his last,

When the bloody die was cast on the heights of Abrám;

And I serv'd out my trade when the gallant game was play'd,

And the Moro low was laid at the sound of the drum.

I lastly was with Curtis, among the floating batt'ries,

And there I left for witness an arm and a limb:

Yet let my country need me, with Elliot to head me,

I'd clatter on my stamps at the sound of a drum.

And now, tho' I must beg, with a wooden arm and leg,

And many a tattered rag hanging over my bum,