reply to an announcement by j. rankine on his writing to the poet,

  that a girl in that part of the country was with a child to him.

  i am a keeper of the law

  in some sma' points, altho' not a';

  some people tell me gin i fa',

  ae way or ither,

  the breaking of ae point, tho' sma',

  breaks a' thegither.

  i hae been in for't ance or twice,

  and winna say o'er far for thrice;

  yet never met wi' that surprise

  that broke my rest;

  but now a rumour's like to rise—

  a whaup's i' the nest!