Letter from Robert Burns to John McKenzie, 3 September, with 'The Calf'
"And they shall go forth, and grow up like Calves " of the stall." Right Sir! your text I'll prove it true, Tho heretics may laugh; For instance; there's yoursel just now, God knows an unco Calf And when some Patron shall be kind, To bless you wi' a kirk. I doubt na, Sir, but then we'll find - Ye're still as great a stirk. But if the Lovers mysticraptur'd hour Should ever be your lot; Forbit it every heavenly Pow'r, You e'er should be a Stot.- And when a *Kind* conubial Dear Your but an' ben adorns, The like has been that you may wear A noble head of Horns.
So, to conclude, most reverend James, To hear you roar an' rowte, Few men o' sense will doubt your claims To rank among the nowte. And when ye're number'd wi' the Dead, Beneath a grassy hillock; With justice they may mark your head- "Here lyes a Famous Bullock!" __________ Dr. Sir, I am afraid the foregoing scrawl will be scarce intelligible - he fourth, and the last Stanza are added Since I saw you today.- 1 o'clock P.M I am ever Dr. Sir, your Rob.t Burn
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/78
- Alt. number
- 3.6301
- Date
- 3 September 1786
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- McKenzie, John
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Letter from Robert Burns to John McKenzie, 3 September, with 'The Calf'
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