Twa Books, near Neighbours in a Shop,
The tane a guilded Turky Fop,
The tither's Face was weather-beaten,
And Caf-skin Jacket sair worm-eaten.
The Corky, proud of his braw Suit,
Curl'd up his Nose, and thus cry'd out,
" Ah! place me on some fresher Binks,
" Figh! how this mouldy Creature stinks!
" How can a gentle Book like me
" Endure sic scoundrel Company?
" What may Fowk say to see me cling
" Sae close to this auld ugly thing;
" But that I'm of a simple Spirit,
" And disregard my proper Merit?"

Quoth Gray-baird, " Whisht, Sir, with your Din ,
" For a' your meritorious Skin,
" I doubt if you be worth within,
" For as auld-fashion'd as I look,
" May be I am the better Book.

" O Heavens! I canna thole the Clash
" Of this impertinent auld Hash;
" I winna stay ae Moment langer."
" My Lord, please to command your Anger;
" Pray only let me tell you that — "
" What wad this Insolent be at!
" Rot out your Tongue — Pray, Master Symmer ,
" Remove me frae this dinsome Rhimer :
" If you regard your Reputation,
" And us of a distinguish'd Station,
" Hence frae this Beast let me be hurried,
" For with his Stour and Stink I'm worried."

Scarce had he shook his paughty Crap,
When in a Customer did pap;
He up douse Stanza lifts, and ey's him,
Turns o'er his Leaves, admires, and buys him:
" This Book ," said he, " is good and scarce ,
The Saul of Sense in sweetest Verse."
But reading Title of gilt cleathing,
Cries, " Gods! wha buys this bonny naithing?
Nought duller e'er was put in Print:
Wow! what a deal of Turky's tint!"

Now, Sir, t'apply what we've invented,
You are the Buyer represented:
And, may your Servant hope
My Lays shall merit your Regard,
I'll thank the Gods for my Reward,
And smile at ilka Fop.