Letter from Robert Burns to James Sibbald, January 1787

Sir,
So little am I acquainted with the modes & manners of
the more publick and polished walks of life, that I often feel myself
much embarrassed how to express the feelings of my heart, par
ticularly Gratitude. -

"Rude am I in speech,
"And little blest with the set, polish'd phrase;
"Forsince thse arms of mine has seven's year's pith,
"Till now, some nine moons wasred, they have us'd
"Their dearest effort in the rural field;
"And therefore, little can I grace my cause
"In speaking for myself -"

The warmth with which you have befriended an obscure man
and young Author, in your three last Magazines - I can
only say, Sir, I feel the weight of the obligation, and wish
I could express my sense of it. - In the mean time, accept
of this conscious acknowledgement from,
Sir, your oblidged, humble serv.t

Rob.t Burns
Lawn Market
Friday morn: