with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

178
Syii powing and ripling an' steeping, an' then
To gar's gae an' spread it upo' the cauld plain^
An' then after a' may be labor in vain,
When the wind and the w^eet gets the fusion o't.
But tho' it should anter the weather to b.yde,
Wi' beetles we're set to the drubbing o't,
An' then frae our fingers to gnidge aff the hide,
With the wearisome wark o' the rubbing o't.
An' syn ilka tait maun be heckl'd out throw,
The lint putten ae gate, anither the tow,
Syn on on a rock wi't, an' it taks a low,
The back o' my hand to the spinning o't.
Quo' Jenny, I think 'oman ye're i' the right.
Set your feet ay a spar to the spinning o't.
We may tak our advice frae our ain mither's fright
That she gat when she try'd the beginning o*^t.
But they'll say that auld fouk are twice bairns indeed,
An' sae she has kythed it, but there's nae need
To sickan an amshack that we drive our head.
As langs we're sae skair'd fra the spinning o't.
Quo' Nanny the youngest, I've now heard you a',
An' dowie's your doom o' the spinning o't,
Gin ye, fan the cow flings, the cog cast awa'.
Ye may see where ye'll lick up your winning o't.