Classic Poem

PREFIXED TO

THE TEA-TABLE MISCELLANY;

A COLLECTION OF SONGS ,

FROM WHICH

THE FOLLOWING, COMPOSED BY ALLAN RAMSAY,

ARE EXTRACTED .

DEAR LASSES ,

Your most humble slave,
Wha ne'er to serve you shall decline,
Kneeling wad your acceptance crave,
When he presents this sma' propine:

Then take it kindly to your care,
Revive it with your tunefu' notes;
Its beauties will look sweet and fair,
Arising saftly thro' your throats.

The wanton wee thing will rejoice,
When tented by a sparkling eye,
The spinnet tinkling with her voice,
It lying on her lovely knee.

While kettles dringe on ingles dour,
Or clashes stay the lazy lass,
Their sangs may ward ye frae the sour,
And gayly vacant minutes pass.

E'en while the tea 's fill'd reeking round,
Rather than plot a tender tongue,
Treat a' the circling lugs wi' sound,
Syne safely sip when ye have sung.

May happiness had up your hearts,
And warm ye lang with loving sires!
May powers propitious play their parts,
In matching you to your desires!