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BEWARE OF THE RIPPLES.

Tune—"The Tailer fell thro' the bed."

This is an old song, on which Burns modelled "The Bonie Moor-Hen," which Clarinda advised him not to publish "for your sake, and for mine," in a letter dated January 30, 1788. Scott Douglas published it in his Kilmarnock edition, with a quotation from the old version in his introductory note (Vol. II., p. 275).

I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man, I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man, Tho' the saddle be saft, ye needna ride aft, For fear that the girdin' beguile you, young man. I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man, I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man; Tho' music be pleasure, tak' music in measure, Or ye may want wind in your whistle, young man. I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man, I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man; Whate'er you bestow, do less than ye dow, The mair will be thought of your kindness, young man. I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man, I rede you beware o' the ripples, young man, If you would be strang, and wish to live lang. Dance less wi' your a—e to the kipples, young man.