from the songs of Robbie B.

Robert Burns is the premier poet of Scotland. On reading Burns' poems one realizes the debt master Robbie owes to the poets Fergusson, Goldsmith and Young. Outside of that Burns is his own man and no mean poet. Beside him so much of contemporary poetry is merely lush sluff. But I should not go on, everyone knows what I mean. Let Robert Burns sing for himself:

LOUIS, WHAT RECK I BY THEE?

Louis, what reck I by thee,
Or Geordie on his ocean?
Dyvour, beggar loons to me,--
I reign in Jennie's bosom!

Let her crown my love her law,
And in her breast enthrone me:
Kings and nations, swith awa!
Reif randies, I disown ye!