with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

. 214
Among rich folks up and down,
Both in country and in town,
Who now live but scrimply and barely,
Among rich folks up and down, ^c.
Then why should people brag of prosperity ?
A straiten'd life we see is no rarity
Indeed we've been in want.
And our living's been but scant.
Yet we never were reduced to need charity.
Indeed we've been in want, S^c.
In this house we first came together.
Where we've long been a father and mither
And tho' not of stone and lime.
It will last us all our time ;
And, I hope, we shall ne'er need anither,
And tho' not of stone and lime, S^c.
And when we leave this poor habitation,
We'll depart with a good commendation
We'll go hand in hand, I wiss.
To a better house than this.
To make room for the next generation.
Then why should old age so much zeound us.
There is nothing in it all to confound us:
For how happy now am I,
With my old wife sitting by,
And our bairns and our oys all around m.