7
Drink maun aye hae conversation,
Ilka social soul allows;
But in this reforming nation
Wha can speak without the News?
Maggie's club wha could get nae light
On some things that should be clear,
Found ere lang the fault, and ae night
Clubl'd and gat the GAZETTEER.
Twice a week to Maggie's cot-house
Swith by post the papers fled;
Thoughts spring up like plants in hot-house
Every time the news are read.
Ilk ane's wiser than anither,--
Things are no gaun right, quo Tam,
Let us aftener meet thegither,
Twice a owk's no worth the gaun
See them now in grave convention,
To make a things square and even,
Or at least wi firm intention
To drink six nights out o' seven.
Mid this sitting up and drinking,
Gathering a' the news that fell,
Will, wha wasna yet past thinking,
Had some battles wi' himsel.
On ae hand, drink's deadly poison
Bare ilk firm resolve awa;
On the ither, Jean's condition
Rave his very heart in twa.
