Letter from Robert Burns to Maria Riddell

On the conditions & capitulations
you so obligingly make, I shall
certainly make my plain, weather
beaten rustic phiz a part of your
box furniture on Tuesday; when
we may arrange the business of
the visit.-

My friend Clarke, has taken
an enthusiasm for an old
Scots air, hitherto little noticed,
& makes it truly delightful
As soon as he goes to Edin.r
he is to give it to the world,
with

with accompaniments in his
best manner. - My song,
"For pity's sake, forgive me" -
suits the air exactly, & I give it
to him to set to it. - I alter
the first four lines. thus. -
"Farewell, thou stream, that winding flows
"Around Maria's dwelling!
"O cruel Mem'ry, spare the throes,
"Within my bosom swelling!
"Condemn'd to drag &c. " -
Tell me, thou first & fairest of
Critics, is it mended? -
Among the profusion of hollow
compliments which insidious
Craft, or unmeaning Folly,
incessantly offer at your Shrine
-A Shrine, my God! how far
exalted above such adoration -
permit me, were it but for Rarity's
sake, to pay you the honest tribute
of a warm heart & an independent
mind; & assure you, that I am,
Thou most amiable & most
accomplished of Thy sex, with
the most respectful esteem &
fervent regard -
Thine -
RB