ANNE M’VICAR GRANT OF LAGGAN

Jean, fetch that heap of tangled yarn, And bring those stockings here to darn, And get from Anne the dairy keys, That I may go and count my cheese; To every useful occupation, Befitting of my place or station, I’ll henceforth dedicate my time, And if again I write in rhyme, ’Twill be a shrewd severe lampoon On country wives who fly to town, And leave their dairy and relations, To curl their hair and follow fashions: Or else an acrimonious satire On matrons who, in spite of Nature, With common useful duties quarrel, To plant in vain the barren laurel.