II. Ye'll try the world foon my lad, And ANDREW dear believe me, Ye'll find mankind an unco fquad, And muckle they may grieve ye: For care and trouble fet your thought, Ev'n when your end's attained; And a' your views may come to nought, Where ev'ry nerve is ftrained. III. I'll no say, men are villains a' The real, harden'd wicked, Wha hae nae check but human law, But Och, mankind are unco weak, An' little to be trusted ; If Self the wavering balance shake, IV. Yet they wha fa' in Fortune's ftrife, For ftill th' important end of life, Y A man may hae an honeft heart, Tho' Poortith hourly ftare him; A man may tak a neebor's part, Yet hae nae cab to fpare him. V. Ay free, aff han', your story tell, But ftill keep fomething to yoursel Frae critical diffection ; ye can But keek thro' ev'ry other man, The facred lowe o' weel plac'd love, But never tempt th' illicit rove, Tho' naething should divulge it: I wave the quantum o' the fin; The hazard of concealing; But Och! it hardens a' within, And petrifies the feeling! VII. To catch Dame Fortune's golden fmile, Affiduous wait upon her; And gather gear by ev'ry wile, That's justify'd by Honor: Not for to hide it in a hedge, Nor for a train-attendant; But for the glorious priviledge Of being independant. VIII. The fear o' Hell's a hangman's whip, And refolutely keep it's laws, The IX. great CREATOR to revere, Muft fure become the Creature; But still the preaching cant forbear, And ev'n the rigid feature: Yet ne'er with Wits prophane to range, Be complaifance extended; An athieft-laugh's a poor exchange X. When ranting round in Pleasure's ring, Or if she gie a random-sting, It may be little minded; But when on Life we're tempeft-driven, A Confcience but a canker- Is fure a noble anchor! XI. Adieu, dear, amiable Youth! Your heart can ne'er be wanting! May Prudence, Fortitude and Truth In ploughman phrafe GOD fend you speed,' Still daily to grow wiser; And may ye better reck the rede, Than ever did th' Adviser! |