To Mr John Kennedy
written in 1786
To Mr John Kennedy - fact Summary
Addressed to a Friend
This short, convivial poem is a personal address to Burns's friend John Kennedy. The speaker urges Kennedy to visit Mauchline and join him at Dow's for ale, celebrating plain fellowship and the pleasures of good company. He rejects social pretension and those who mock poverty, preferring an honest, spirited companion over wealth or outward show. The poem ends with a warm toast, an offered hand, and a blessing, underscoring friendship and moral sincerity as its central concerns.
Read Complete AnalysesNow, Kennedy if foot or horse E'er bring you in by Mauchline Corss, Lord, man, there's lasses there wad force A hermit's fancy, And down the gate in faith they're worse, An' mair unchancy. But as I'm sayin, please step to Dow's And taste sic gear as Johnnie brews, Till some bit callan bring me news That ye are there, And if we dinna hae a bouze Ise ne'er drink mair. It's no I like to sit an' swallow Then like a swine to puke an' wallow, But gie me just a true good fallow Wi' right ingine, And spunkie ance to mak us mellow, An' then we'll shine. Now if ye're ane o' warl's folk, Wha rate the wearer by the cloak An' sklent on poverty their joke Wi' bitter sneer, Wi' you nae friendship I will troke Nor cheap nor dear. But if, as I'm informed weel Ye hate as ill's the very de'il The flinty heart that canna feel - Come, Sir, here's to you: Hae, there's my haun', I wiss you weel, An' Gude be wi' you.
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