T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
I Am a Bard
By Robert Burns (1759–1796)(From The Jolly Beggars) I AM a bard of no regard, | |
| Wi’ gentle folks, an’ a’ that; | |
| But Homer-like, the glowrin’ byke, | |
| Frae town to town I draw that. | |
| For a’ that, an’ a’ that, | 5 |
| An’ twice as muckle’s a’ that; | |
| I’ve lost but ane, I’ve twa behin’, | |
| I’ve wife eneugh for a’ that. | |
| I never drank the Muse’s stank, | |
| Castaglia’s burn, an’ a’ that; | 10 |
| But there it streams, and richly reams, | |
| My Helicon I ca’ that. For a’ that, an’ a’ that, &c. | |
| Great love I bear to a’ the fair, | |
| Their humble slave, an’ a’ that; | |
| But lordly Will, I hold it still | 15 |
| A mortal sin to thraw that. For a’ that, an’ a’ that, &c. | |
| In rapture sweet this hour we meet, | |
| Wi’ mutual love an’ a’ that; | |
| But for how lang the flie may stang, | |
| Let inclination law that. For a’ that, an’ a’ that, &c. | 20 |
| Their tricks and craft hae put me daft, | |
| They’ve ta’en me in, an’ a’ that; | |
| But clear the decks, and here’s the sex, | |
| I like the jades for a’ that. For a’ that, an’ a’ that, &c. | |