By saunt, by sinner, loathed as odd Disdained and shunned Till sheltered by the friendly sod By devils dunned. That poverty will tame a bear, How few a dinner noo will spare, Still, wha for him can pity plead, In his a Haman's doom we read, And Justice own. Except like D, that ace o' fellows, His punishment, his Cain looks tell us, But stop, my Pegasus; be wise We personalities despise. Should ony such here recognise, I will be vex't, And tell him, if a priest, he lies; But to our text. And that is gas; in order right To ane and a'; Wi' it, can ony mouthin' wight Noo find a flaw? Yet will the miscreants loud compleen, To say they twinkle, Like honest rulers, far atween— Fie! Mr Drinkwell. Again my Muse her temper loses, Ne'er mind their havers, While common sense her faith reposes On your endeavours. But mark me, ilk commissioned chap, Ye hae a feather i' your cap, Baith bright and trim, Point to Leet Green, I wad a bap, "Twill douce their glim. Weel may ye do't wi' muckle mense, Will own your merit, And praise ye, sirs, as men o' sense What was it ere your reign began? A waste conveniency for man Pursued by nature, When every filthy devil ran, And needfu' creature. But, sirs, ance mair I beg ye hear, What right hae they to interfere, What hae they dune wi' this and that, Is really cuttin't unco fat; Hae they nae private cares, I wat And vouch anew; Then why should every bungling flat Thus meddle you? But, sirs, I'm sick o' this effusion, Sae to your honour, in conclusion, I'd to the papers mak allusion: I think it fit; There satisfaction to profusion They'll yearly get. Hence now we part-shake hands-" Guid-day," And rule us a' And keep your enemies at bay, By dint o' law. TO A LAMB. AIL, loveliest blossom of the Spring, Young native of the fleecy fold, Hence round thy honoured name entwine Associations all divine. How free, how unalloyed indeed Thy gambols o'er the flowery mead! Unlike to me, with thee the past The passing hour is all thy own! At Nature's bland maternal fount; Beneath the fragrant hawthorn's shade. How dark the hour that dooms indeed |