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On An Old Acquaintance Who Seemed To Pass The Bard Without Notice

 

Burns Original

Standard English Translation

 

1.
Dost hang thy head, Billy, asham'd that thou knowest me?
'Tis paying in kind a just debt that thou owest me.
2.
Dost blush, my dear Billy, asham'd of thyself,
A fool and a Cuckold together?
The fault is not thine, insignificant elf,
Thou wast not consulted in either.

 


Do you hang your head, Billy, ashamed that you know me?
It is paying in kind a just debt that you owe me.

Do you blush, my dear Billy, ashamed of yourself,
A fool and a Cuckold together?
The fault is not yours, insignificant elf,
You were not consulted in either.

 

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