_I have a good ha' house, a barn, and a byre; A peat-stack 'fore the door, will mak a ranting fire; I'll mak a ranting fire, and merry shall we be, And gin ye winna tak me, I can let ye be._ Jenny _said to_ Jocky, _gin ye winna tell, Ye shall be the lad, I'll be the lass mysell; Ye're a bonny lad, and I'm a lassie free; Y'ere welcomer to tak me than to let me be._" * * * * * In "Ramsay's Poems," published in London, by Millar, Rivington & Co., 2 vols. 12mo, 1761; (three years after the author's death;) there occur several variations from the text of the present edition. As the more important of these changes, with one exception, have been adopted in the edition edited by George Chalmers, published by Cadell & Co., London, 2 vols. 8vo, 1800; (usually considered the "best edition" of Ramsay's collected works;) and as they have been again adopted in the recent reprint of Cadell's edition by Fullarton & Co., London, 3 vols. 12mo, 1850, it has been thought best to present them here in the form of notes. The following, therefore, are to be understood as the readings in the editions just referred to:-- Page 5, line 13 from bottom:-- "'Till he yowl'd sair she strak the poor dumb tyke:" This is the reading in the 8vo and 4to editions of 1721, before referred to. In the 4to subscription edition of 1728, the author rejected the above reading, and substituted that given in the text. This would seem to be conclusive; and produces a considerable degree of suspicion as to the authority for the other alterations which we find in the editions of 1761 and 1800. Page 11, line 4 from bottom:-- "We soon will hear what a poor feightan life" [_Edition of_ 1800. The editions of 1761 and 1850 give the reading in the text. Page 19, line 8 from top:-- "To shine, or set in glory with Montrose." Page 25, line 8 from bottom:-- "_Bauldy._ Well vers'd in herbs and seasons of the moon, By skilfu' charms 'tis kend what ye have done." [_Edition of_ 1761. The editions of 1800 and 1850 give the reading in the text. Page 27:-- MAUSE _her lane_.