XXXVI. Spoken, on Being Appointed to the Excise

[Burns took no pleasure in the name of gauger: the situation was unworthy of him, and he seldom hesitated to say so.]

Searching auld wives’ barrels,
Och—hon! the day!
That clarty barm should stain my laurels;
But—what’ll ye say!
These movin’ things ca’d wives and weans
Wad move the very hearts o’ stanes!