II. Ye'll try the world soon, my lad, And muckle they may grieve ye: III. I'll no say, men are villains a' ; But och, mankind are unco weak, An' little to be trusted; IV. Yet they wha fa' in fortune's strife, VOL. III. P A man A man may hae an honest heart, Tho' poortith hourly stare him; A man may tak a neebor's part, Yet hae nae cash to spare him. V. Ay free, aff han' your story tell, Frae critical dissection; But keek thro' ev'ry other man, VI. The sacred lowe o' weel-plac'd love, Luxuriantly indulge it; But never tempt th' illicit rove, And petrifies the feeling! VII. To catch dame Fortune's golden smile, And gather gear by ev'ry wile VIII. The fear o' hell's a hangman's whip IX. The great Creator to revere, Must sure become the creature ; But still the preaching cant forbear, And e'en the rigid feature: Yet ne'er with wits profane to range, X. When ranting round in pleasure's ring, Religion may be blinded; Or if she gie a random sting, But when on life we're tempest-driv'n, A conscience but a canker- XI. Adieu, dear amiable youth! Your heart can ne'er be wanting: May prudence, fortitude, and truth,. Erect your brow undaunting! In ploughman phrase, God send Still daily to grow wiser! And may you better reck the rede, Than ever did th' adviser! you speed,' ON |