January, 1806.
DEAR kindred saul, thanks to the cause
First made us ken each ither,
Ca't fate or chance, I carena whilk,
Tae me it brocht a brither.
Thy furthy, kindly, takin gait ;—
Sure every gude chiel likes thee,
And bad luck wring his thrawart heart
Wha snarling e'er wad vex thee.
Tho mole-ee't Fortune's partial hand
O clink may keep thee bare o't ;
O what thou hast, pale Misery
Receives, unask'd, a share o't.
Thon gi'est without a hank'rin thocht,
Or cauld, self-stintit wish ;
E'en winter-finger'd Avarice
Approves thee with a blush.
If Grief e'er mak thee her pack horse,
Her leaden load tae carry't,
Shuve half the burthen on my back,
I'll dae my best to bear it.
Tis Friendship's task tae cure 'em,
But still she spurns the critic view,
An bids us tae look o'er 'em.
When Death performs his beadle part,
An summons thee tae heaven,
By virtue of thy warm, kind heart,
Thy fauts will be forgiven.
And shouldst thou live to see thy frien,
Borne lifeless on the bier,
I ask of thee, for epitaph,
One kind, elegiac tear.
William Wylie, weaver, Abbey Close. He was a good tradesman, and always employed on the best of textile fabrics. He was an acquaintance of James Scadlock mentioned in the Epistles addressed to that individual (Nos. 30 and 21), and Scadlock and Tannahill were chief acquaintances. Wylie was afterwards married to Scadlock's sister, Elizabeth. Wylie and Tannahill were kindred spirits, and the friendship thus commenced ripened into that of the affection of brothers. Wylie, being a good elocutionist, became an accomplished reciter. He was one of the founders of the Burns' Club in 1805, and he was chosen the President for 1810. In that year, the Ode No. 8, prepared by Tannahill for the Anniversary, was recited by the President, William Wylie. Wylie afterwards became foreman to Mr. Robert Lockhart, manufacturer, Causeyside. This bosom friend of the Poet died on 27th November, 1840, aged 66 years.—Ed.
[Semple 23]