To Mrs Frances Anna Dunlop of Dunlop
20th December 1793 
 
I have been, until this morning, unable to command half an hour, to finish this letter.- I am going to give you another little bagatelle of mine, of which I am really proud.- One favored hour of my Muse, I was reading the history of the battle of Bannockburn, & figuring to myself the looks & feelings of the Scots Patriot Heroes on that eventful day, as they saw their hated but powerful Tyrants advance.
-The following, I have called, Bruce's Speech to his troops.-
Bannockburn- Tune, Lewis Gordon-
Scots wha hae with Wallace bled;
Scots whom Bruce has often led;
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to glorious victorie.-