Though all the werk' that ever had livand No man has courage for to write, Their kindness' is so contrar clean :2 Now comis age where youth has been, And true love rises fro the spleen. June;" That ye have neither wit nor will, To win yourself a better name! VII. Your burgh of beggars is ane nest, That for the poor has nothing drest,3 VIII. Your profit daily does increase, gress For cry of crookèd,4 blind, and lame; That ye sic substance does possess, IX. Cunninger men maun serve saint clown, 10 Sen for the Court and the Session, 5 The great repair of this region Gif they pass to ane other town X. Therefore strangers and lieges treat, Take not oure meikle for their meat, And gar your merchants be discreet, That nae extortions be proclaim, Awffrand 7 ane shame ; Keep order, and poor neighbours beit, That ye may get a better name! XI. Singular 8 profits so does you blind, 13 Packed together as I Sturdy beggars. 2 Roar, importune. 3 Provided. a honey-comb. 4 Deformed. 5 The Supreme Courts. 6 Too much. 7 Offering, causing. 8 Individual, personal. TO THE KING. THE PETITION OF THE GRAY HORSE, Now lovers come with largess1 loud, When I was young and into ply,5 Sir, let it never in town be tald, With gentle horse when I wald nip, Though in the stall I be not clapped, Sir, let it never in town be tald, II In Sutherlandshire(?) 5 Rive and eat. 6 Your possession. 7 Shoemakers. 8 Meaning obscure. 9 Over-ridden. 10 Trappings. II Every joint. |