VI.
Reading edition
ON JOHN DOVE,
INNKEEPER, MAUCHLINE.
[John Dove kept the Whitefoord Arms in Mauchline: his religion is made to consist of a comparative appreciation of the liquors he kept.]
Here lies Johnny Pidgeon; What was his religion? Wha e’er desires to ken, To some other warl’ Maun follow the carl, For here Johnny Pidgeon had nane! Strong ale was ablution— Small beer, persecution, A dram was memento mori; But a full flowing bowl Was the saving his soul, And port was celestial glory.