To a Painter

Robert Burns (1759โ€“1796)

Dear โ€”โ€”โ€”, I'll gie ye some adviceYou'll tak it no uncivil:You shouldna paint at angels mair,But try and paint the devil.

To paint an angel's kittle wark,Wi' auld Nick there's less danger;You'll easy draw a weel-kent face,But no sae weel a stranger.