epigram addressed to an artist

    dear _____, i'll gie ye some advice,

    you'll tak it no uncivil:

    you shouldna paint at angels mair,

    but try and paint the devil.

    to paint an angel's kittle wark,

    wi' nick, there's little danger:

    you'll easy draw a lang-kent face,

    but no sae weel a stranger.—r. b.