Second Epistle To J. Lapraik（2 / 2）

as lang's i dow!

now comes the sax-an'-twentieth simmer

i've seen the bud upon the timmer,

still persecuted by the limmer

frae year to year;

but yet, despite the kittle kimmer,

i, rob, am here.

do ye envy the city gent,

behint a kist to lie an' sklent;

or pursue-proud, big wi' cent. per cent.

an' muckle wame,

in some bit brugh to represent

a bailie's name?

or is't the paughty, feudal thane,

wi' ruffl'd sark an' glancing cane,

wha thinks himsel nae sheep-shank bane,

but lordly stalks;

while caps and bonnets aff are taen,

as by he walks?

“o thou wha gies us each guid gift!

gie me o' wit an' sense a lift,

then turn me, if thou please, adrift,

thro' scotland wide;

wi' cits nor lairds i wadna shift,

in a' their pride!”

were this the charter of our state,

“on pain o' hell be rich an' great,”

damnation then would be our fate,

beyond remead;

but, thanks to heaven, that's no the gate

we learn our creed.

for thus the royal mandate ran,

when first the human race began;

“the social, friendly, honest man,

whate'er he be—

'tis he fulfils great nature's plan,

and none but he.”

o mandate glorious and divine!

the ragged followers o' the nine,

poor, thoughtless devils! yet may shine

in glorious light,

while sordid sons o' mammon's line

are dark as night!

tho' here they scrape, an' squeeze, an' growl,

their worthless nievefu' of a soul

may in some future carcase howl,

the forest's fright;

or in some day-detesting owl

may shun the light.

then may lapraik and burns arise,

to reach their native, kindred skies,

and sing their pleasures, hopes an' joys,

in some mild sphere;

still closer knit in friendship's ties,

each passing year!