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Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2055, 15 April 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Scorcher by Burns.

“ Recently, while on a visit to Lochmaben, in Dumfrieshirc. I was privileged,” writes a correspondent, " to copy from a fly leaf of a volume of Hums an epitaph composed by the poet which does not appear to have been published hitherto. Hums had one evening been present at a dinner party, at which one of tin; other guests, uamed Dixon (Laird of Klsie-shiclds), had, accidentally or otherwise, caused him great offence. Xext day, meeting Mr. Waller Scott, of Merry law. with whom he was intimately acquainted. Burns told that gentleman of the insult he bad received, but added that he would avenge himself by composing a suitable epitaph for his enemy, whereupon he repeated the following lines : Here lies the Laird of Klsie-shields, Wha’s left Lochmaben’s bonnie fields, And a’ her bonnie lochs and eels, And gane to dwell amang the dcils, How he fends and how be fares, There's few kens and as few cares.