versified reply to an invitation

    sir,

    yours this moment i unseal,

    and faith i'm gay and hearty!

    to tell the truth and shame the deil,

    i am as fou as bartie:

    but foorsday, sir, my promise leal,

    expect me o' your partie,

    if on a beastie i can speel,

    or hurl in a cartie.

    yours,

    robert burns.

    mauchlin, monday night, 10 o'clock.