OUR PETS. 167 



We 've a' our cares an' crosses, Birdie ! we 've a' our caret an' 



crosses, 

 But then to sulk an' sit sae glum — 

 Hout, tout ! what guid o' that can come 



To mend one's losses ? 



Ye 're dipt in wiry fence, Birdie ! ye 're dipt in wirj' fence ; 

 An' aiblins I, gin I mote gang 

 Upo' a wish, wad be or lang 



Wi' frien's far hence : 



But wliat 's a wish, ye ken, Birdie ! but what 's a wish, 



ye ken ? 

 Nae cantrip uaig, like hers o' Fife, 

 Wha daurit wi' the auld weird wife 



Flood fell an' fen, 



'Tis true, ye 're furnish'd fair, Birdie ! 'tis true ye 're furnish'd 



fair, 

 Wi' a braw pair o' bonnie wings, 

 Wad lift ye whar yon lav' rock sings, 



High up i' th' air ; 



But then that wire 's sae Strang, Birdie ! but then that wire's 



sae Strang ! 

 An' I mysel', sae seemin' free, 

 Nae wings have I to wafteu me 



AVhar fain I 'd gang. 



An' say we'd baith our wills, Birdie ! we'd each our wilfu' way : 

 Whar lav'rocks hover, falcons fly ; 

 An' snares an' pitfa's afteu lie 



Whar wishes stray. 



An' ae thing wed I wot. Birdie ! an' ae thing weel I wot — 

 There 's Ane abune the highest sphere, 

 Wha cares for a' His creatures here, 



Marks every lot; 



