S E T J L（1 / 3）

send epistle to j praik

april 21, 1785

while new-ca&039;d kye rowte at the stake

an&039; pownies reek pleugh or braik,

this hour on e&039;en&039;s ed i take,

to own i&039; debtor

to honest-hearted, auld praik,

for his kd letter

forjesket sair, with weary legs,

rattl the rn out-owre the rigs,

or dealg thro&039; aang the naigs

their ten-hours&039; bite,

y awkart e sair pleads and begs

i would na write

the tapetless, rafeezl&039;d hizzie,

she&039;s saft at best an&039; thg zy:

o&039; she, “ye ken we&039;ve been sae by

this onth an&039; air,

that trowth, y head is grown right dizzie,

an&039; thg sair”

her dowff exces pat ad;

“nscience,” says i, “ye thowless jade!

i&039;ll write, an&039; that a hearty bud,

this vera night;

dna ye affront your trade,

but rhy it right

“shall bauld praik, the kg o&039; hearts,

tho&039; ankd were a pack o&039; cartes,

roose you sae weel for your deserts,

ters sae friendly;

yet ye&039;ll neglect to shaw your parts

an&039; thank hi kdly?”

sae i gat paper a blk,

an&039; down gaed stupie the k:

h i, “before i sleep a k,

i vow i&039;ll close it;

an&039; if ye na ak it clk,

by jove, i&039;ll prose it!”

sae i&039;ve begun to scrawl, but whether

rhy, or prose, or baith thegither;

or hotch-potch that&039;s rightly neither,

let ti ak proof;

but i shall scribble down blether

jt clean aff-loof

y worthy friend, ne&039;er grud an&039; carp,

tho&039; fortune e you hard an&039; sharp;

e, kittle up your oornd harp

wi&039; glee touch!

ne&039;er d how fortune waft and warp;

she&039;s but a bitch

she &039;s gien ony a jirt an&039; fleg,

s&039; i uld striddle owre a rig;

but, by the lord, tho&0