Did Burns invent that splendid designation "the unco guid"?
Whether or not, he lays into them with fine satirical wit.
from ADDRESS TO THE UNCO GUID, OR THE RIGIDLY RIGHTEOUS
O ye wha are sae guid yoursel,
Sae pious an sae holy,
Ye've nought to do but mark
and tell
Your Neebours' fauts and folly!
Whase life is ike a weel-gaun mill,
Supply'd wi' store o' water,
The heaped happer's ebbing still,
And still the clap plays clatter.
Think, when your castigated pulse
Gies now and them a wallop,
What ragings must his veins
convulse,
That still eternal gallop:
Wi' wind and tide fair i' your tail,
Right on ye scud your sea-way;
But, in the teeth o' baith to sail,
It maks an unco leeway.
Ye high, exalted, virtuous Dames
Ty'd up in godly laces,
Before ye gie poor frailty names,
Suppose a change o' cases;
A dear-loved lad, convenience
snug,
A treacherous inclination -
But, let me whisper i' your lug,
Ye're aiblins nae temptation.
Then gently scan your brother Man,
Still gentler sister Woman;
Tho' they may gang a kennin
wrang,
To step aside is human:
One point must still be greatly dark,
The moving Why they do it;
And just as lamely can ye mark,
How far perhaps they rue it.
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