BALLANT O' BALLANTRAE--TO ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON



[Written in wet weather, this conveyed to the Master of Ballantrae
a wrong idea of a very beautiful and charming place, with links, a
river celebrated by Burns, good sea-fishing, and, on the river, a
ruined castle at every turn of the stream. 'Try Ballantrae' is a
word of wisdom.]

Whan suthern wunds gar spindrift flee
Abune the clachan, faddums hie,
Whan for the cluds I canna see
The bonny lift,
I'd fain indite an Ode to THEE
Had I the gift!

Ken ye the coast o' wastland Ayr?
Oh mon, it's unco bleak and bare!
Ye daunder here, ye daunder there,
And mak' your moan,
They've rain and wund eneuch to tear
The suthern cone!

Ye're seekin' sport! There's nane ava',
Ye'll sit and glower ahint the wa'
At bleesin' breakers till ye staw,
If that's yer wush;
'There's aye the Stinchar.' Hoot awa',