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!