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Translation
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To John Syme Of Ryedale
WITH A PRESENT OF A DOZEN OF PORTER

  

Burns Original

Standard English Translation

 

O had the malt thy strength of mind,
Or hops the flavour of thy wit,
'Twere drink for first of human kind -
A gift that e'en for Syme were fit.

 

O had the malt your strength of mind,
Or hops the flavour of your wit,
It were drink for first of human kind -
A gift that even for Syme were fit.

 

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