Letter from Robert Burns to Agnes McLehose, 26 January 1788

I was on the way, my Love, to meet you (I never do
things by halves) when I got your card. - M [page torn]
goes out of town tomorrow morning, to see a brother of his
who is newly arrived from France. - I am determined
that he and I shall call on you together; so, look you, lest
I should never see tomorrow, we will call on you
Tonight. - Mary and you may put off tea till
about seven; at which time, in the Galloway phrase,
"an the beast be to the fore, and the branks bide hale, "
expect the humblest of your humble servants, and his
dearest friend. - We only propose staying half and hour,
"for ought we ken" - I could suffer the lash of Misery
eleven months in the year, were the twelfth to be
composed of hours like yesternight. - You are the soul
of my enjoyment all else is of the stuff of stocks & stones.-


Sylvander