Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
171 . Burlesque Lament fo Wm. Creech’s Absence
A
Down droops her ance weel burnish’d crest,
Nae joy her bonie buskit nest
Can yield ava,
Her darling bird that she lo’es best—
Willie’s awa!
And had o’ things an unco’ sleight, Auld Reekie aye he keepit tight, And trig an’ braw: But now they’ll busk her like a fright,— Willie’s awa! The bauldest o’ them a’ he cow’d; They durst nae mair than he allow’d, That was a law: We’ve lost a birkie weel worth gowd; Willie’s awa! Frae colleges and boarding schools, May sprout like simmer puddock-stools In glen or shaw; He wha could brush them down to mools— Willie’s awa! May mourn their loss wi’ doolfu’ clamour; He was a dictionar and grammar Among them a’; I fear they’ll now mak mony a stammer; Willie’s awa! Philosophers and poets pour, And toothy critics by the score, In bloody raw! The adjutant o’ a’ the core— Willie’s awa! Tytler’s and Greenfield’s modest grace; Mackenzie, Stewart, such a brace As Rome ne’er saw; They a’ maun meet some ither place, Willie’s awa! He cheeps like some bewilder’d chicken Scar’d frae it’s minnie and the cleckin, By hoodie-craw; Grieg’s gien his heart an unco kickin, Willie’s awa! And Calvin’s folk, are fit to fell him; Ilk self-conceited critic skellum His quill may draw; He wha could brawlie ward their bellum— Willie’s awa! And Eden scenes on crystal Jed, And Ettrick banks, now roaring red, While tempests blaw; But every joy and pleasure’s fled, Willie’s awa! A text for Infamy to preach; And lastly, streekit out to bleach In winter snaw; When I forget thee, Willie Creech, Tho’ far awa! May never wicked men bamboozle him! Until a pow as auld’s Methusalem He canty claw! Then to the blessed new Jerusalem, Fleet wing awa!