This truth fand honest Tam o' Shanter, As he frae Ayr ae night did canter: (Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, For honest men and bonie lasses). O Tam! had'st thou but been sae wise ...

This is the only narrative poem in the set, and gives fullest expression to Burns’ imaginative story-telling powers. The titular character sets off late on a dark night, full of drink, on his ...