with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

100
Menteith the great,* when hersell sh— t,
Un'wares did ding him o'er, man;
Yet wad nae stand to bear a hand,
But aff fou fast did scour, man;
O'er Soutra hill, e'er he stood still,
Before he tasted meat, man :
Troth he may brag of his swift nag,
That bare him aff sae fleet, man.
And Simpsonf keen, to clear the een
Of rebels far in wrang, man,
I>id never strive wi' pistols five.
But gallop'd with the thrang, man r
He turn'd his back, and in a crack
» Was cleanly out of sight, man;
And thought it best ; it was nae jest
Wi' Highlanders to fight, man. ,
'Mangst a' the gang nane bade the bang
But twa, and ane was tane, man ;
* The minister of LoHgforraacus, a volunteer ; who, happen-
ing to come the night before the battle, upon a Highland
gelding, easing nature at Preston, threw him over, and carried
his gun as a trophy to Cope's camp.
+ Another volunteer Presbyterian minister, who said he would
convince the rebels of their error by the dint of his pistols
having, for that purpose, two in his pockets, two in his holsters,
and one in his belt.