REPLY TO AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY J. RANKINE ON HIS WRITING TO THE POET, THAT A GIRL IN THAT PART OF THE C

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John Rankine was a farmer at Adamhill near Tarbolton. He teased the poet over the pregnancy of Elizabeth Paton and Burns responded in verse.

“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!”