a poet's welcome to his love-begotten daughter 注释标题 burns never published this poem.

the first instance that entitled him to

the venerable appellation of father

thou's welcome, wean; mishanter fa' me,

if thoughts o' thee, or yet thy mamie,

shall ever daunton me or awe me,

my bonie lady,

or if i blush when thou shalt ca' me

tyta or daddie.

tho' now they ca' me fornicator,

an' tease my name in kintry clatter,

the mair they talk, i'm kent the better,

e'en let them clash;

an auld wife's tongue's a feckless matter

to gie ane fash.

welcome! my bonie, sweet, wee dochter,

tho' ye come here a wee unsought for,

and tho' your comin' i hae fought for,

baith kirk and queir;

yet, by my faith, ye're no unwrought for,

that i shall swear!

wee image o' my bonie betty,

as fatherly i kiss and daut thee,

as dear, and near my heart i set thee

wi' as gude will

as a' the priests had seen me get thee