Ode to Robbie

F LOUISE Kinnaird, of Dumfries, wrote this “Reverie on Robbie”, date unknown. The Jan’war win’ blaws ne’er sae caul’ As when oor Bard was yin ‘oor aul’; Insteed the sun, frae oot the clood, Shines doon on ila varyin’ mood. Puir Robin boy! His lot was sair, Sae mony sorrows cam’ his share; But thro’ it a’ his bonnie face An’ lichtfu’ hert gied care the chase. Tho’ siller’s want aye dogged his heels, An’ a’ his life he heard the squeals, O’ luck sae ill, ‘twad near sen’ mad An ordinar’ chiel, but no oor lad. His winsome grace, wi’ a’ his fauts, His beauteous thochts, spontaneous lauchs; His winnin’ weys where’er he went Made short o’ a’ the scandal spent. Oh Robin lad, gin ye had kent O’ future homage, muckle spent, Wad ye had said, why no the noo? Gie’s what ye think is richt ma due. But Robin’s deed, sae mony years, An’ a’ his fauts an’ a’ his fears Are wiped awa’, an’ a’ fouks ken Ne’er leeved sic like, this “King o’ Men.”