Conservative Cabal

A special Burns’ Night QOTD.

When you go forth to waken the Echoes, in the ancient and favourite amusements of your Forefathers, may Pleasure ever be of your party; and may Social-joy await your return! When harassed in courts or camps with the justlings of bad men and bad measures, may the honest consciousness of injured Worth attend your return to your native Seats; and may Domestic Happiness, with a smiling welcome, meet you at your gates! May Corruption shrink at your kindling indignant glance; and may tyranny in the Ruler and licentiousness in the People equally find you an inexorable foe!

Robert Burns, Dedication to the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Caledonian Hunt.

And from a poem…

AULD BRIG: I doubt na, frien’, ye’ll thnk ye’re nae sheep shank

Ance ye were streekit owre frae bank to bank!

But gin ye be Brig as auld as me,

Tho’ faith, that date, I doubt, ye’ll never see;

There’ll be, if that day come, I’ll wad a boddle,

Some fewer whigmeleeries in your noddle.

NEW BRIG: Auld Vandal! ye but show your little mense,

Just much about it wi’ your scanty sense;

Will your poor, narrow foot-path of a street,

Where twa wheel-barrows tremble when they meet,

Your ruin’d, formless bulk o’ stane an’ lime,

Compare wi’ bonie Brigs o’ modern time?

There’s men of taste would tak the Ducat Stream,

Tho’ they should cast the vera sark and wim,

E’er they would grate their feelings wi’ the view

O’ sic an ugly, Gothic hulk as you.

AULD BRIG:

Conceited gowk! puff’d up wi windy pride!

This monie a year I’ve stood the flood an’ tide;

An tho’ wi’ crazy eild I’m sair forfrain,

I’ll be a Brig when ye’re a shapeless cairn!

As yet ye little ken about the matter,

But twa-three winters will inform ye better…

Robert Burns, from The Brigs o Ayr.

And, it’s two bridges arguing about which is better. Read the whole thing, it’s fun.