O wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursel's as others see us.

There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.

"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft a-gley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain
For promis'd joy."

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on
And show'rs began to fall:
John Barleycorn got up again
And sore surpris'd them all.

"Some rhyme a neebor's name to lash;
Some rhyme (vain thought!) for needfu' cash;
Some rhyme to court the country clash,
An' raise a din;
For me, an aim I never fash;
I rhyme for fun."