* THE REPLY *

Tho’ loud the mavis whistles now

An’ blackbirds pipe fae ilka bough

An’ laverocks set the heart alowe —

Mid a’ the plenty

You'd miss upon the wayside cowe

The twitt'rin’ lintie.

An’ think you, when the simmer's gane,

When sleet blaws thro’ the leafless plane,

An’ bieldless birds sit mute an’ lane,

The woods a’ cheerless,

The namely robin on the stane

Sings sweet an’ fearless.

So tho’ my sangs be as you say

Nae marrow for the blackbird's lay,

They may hae cheered somebody's way

Wha wanted better,

An’ sent him happier up the brae

My welcome debtor.

Nae care hae I, nor wish to speel

Parnassus’ knowe, for mony a chiel

Has tint his time, his life as weel,

To claim a bit o't:

I only crave a wee bit biel’

Near han’ the fit o't.