Letter from Robert Burns to James Clarke, 26 June 1796

My dear Clarke,

Still the victim of affliction,
were you to see the emaciated figure who now holds
the pen to you, you would not know your old friend
Whether I shall ever get about again is only known
to HIM, the Great Unknown, whose creature I am
Alas, Clarke, I begin to fear the worst! As to
my individual self I am tranquil - I would despise
myself if I were not: but Burns's poor widow
& half a dozen of his dear little ones, helpless orphans
there I am weak as a woman's tear.
Enough of this! tis half my disease!
I duly rec.d your last, inclosing the note. It
came extremely in time, & I was much obliged
to your punctuality. - Again I must request
you

you to do me the same kindness. - Be so very
good as by return of post to enclose me another note
I trust you can do it without much inconvenience,
it will seriously oblige me. If I must go, I leave
a few friends behind me, whom I shall regret while
consciousness remains. - I know I shall live in
their remembrance. -
Adius dear Clarke! That I shall ever see you
again, is, I am afraid, highly comprobable,

R Burns
June 26th 1796
Dumfries