with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

20
Let neist day come as it thinks fit,
The present minute's only ours
On pleasure let's employ our wit,
And laugh at fortune's fickle powers.
Be sure ye dinna quat the grip
Of ilka joy when ye are young.
Before auld age your vitals nip,
And lay ye twafald o'er a rung.
Sweet youth's a blyth and heartsome time
Then, lads and lasses, while it's May,
Gae pou the gowan in its prime,
Before it wither and decay.
Watch the saft minutes of delyte.
When Jenny speaks beneath her breathy
And kisses, laying a' the wyte
On you, if she kepp ony skaith.
" Haith, ye're ill-bred," she'll smiHng say;
" Ye'U worry me, ye greedy rook ;"
Syne frae your arms she'll rin away.
And hide hersell in some dark nook.
Her laugh will lead you to the place
Where lies the happiness you want.
And plainly tells you to your face.
Nineteen nay-says are hafi" a grant