---
title: "Mr. William Smellie"
author: "Robert Burns"
form: "Poem"
year: "1787"
location: "Edinburgh"
source: "Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns"
source_url: "https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1279/pg1279.txt"
canonical_url: "https://robert-burns.com/poems/mr-william-smellie/"
---

# Mr. William Smellie

## Poem
Shrewd Willie Smellie to Crochallan came;  
The old cock’d hat, the grey surtout the same;  
His bristling beard just rising in its might,  
’Twas four long nights and days to shaving night:  
His uncomb’d grizzly locks, wild staring, thatch’d  
A head for thought profound and clear, unmatch’d;  
Yet tho’ his caustic wit was biting-rude,  
His heart was warm, benevolent, and good.

Rattlin’, Roarin’ Willie

As I cam by Crochallan,  
I cannilie keekit ben;  
Rattlin’, roarin’ Willie  
Was sittin at yon boord-en’;  
Sittin at yon boord-en,  
And amang gude companie;  
Rattlin’, roarin’ Willie,  
You’re welcome hame to me!

---

Source: [Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1279/pg1279.txt)  
Canonical HTML: https://robert-burns.com/poems/mr-william-smellie/