versified reply to an invitation

  sir,

  yours this moment i unseal,

  and faith i'm gay and hearty!

  to tell the truth and shame the deil,

  i am as fou as bartie:

  but foorsday, sir, my promise leal,

  expect me o' your partie,

  if on a beastie i can speel,

  or hurl in a cartie.

  yours,

  robert burns.

  mauchlin, monday night, 10 o'clock.