But och mankind are unco weak, An' little to be trusted; If self the wav'ring balance shake, IV. Yet they wha fa' in fortune's strife, V. Ay free, aff han', your story tell, But keek thro' ev'ry other man, VI. The sacred lowe o' weel-plac'd love, But never tempt th' illicit rove, VII. To catch dame Fortune's golden smile. Assiduous wait upon her; And gather gear by ev'ry wile That's justified by honor Not for to hide it in a hedge, VIII. The fear o' hell's a hangman's whip, To haud the wretch in order, - IX. The great Creator to revere, Must sure become the creature ; But still the preaching cant forbear, And ev❜n the rigid feature; Yet ne'er with wits profane to range, An atheist's laugh's a poor exchange When ranting round in pleasure's ring, Religion may be blinded; Or, if she gie a random sing, It may be little minded; But when on life we're temnest driv'n, A conscience but a canker - ΧΙ. Adieu, dear, amiable youth! Your heart can ne'er be wanting; In ploughman phrase, “Gad send you speed," And may you better reck the rede Than ever did th' adviser! May, 1786. BOOK II. PATHETIC, ELEGIAC, AND DESCRIPTIVE. MAN WAS MADE TO MOURN. A DIRGE. I. WHEN chill November's surly blast I spy'd a man, whose aged step II. Young stranger, whither wand'rest thou? (Began the rev'rend sage ;) Does thirst of wealth thy step constrain, Or haply, prest with cares and woes, To wander forth, with me, to mourn III. The sun that overhangs yon moors, A haughty lordling's pride; IV. O man! while in thy early years, Licentious passions burn; Which tenfold force gives Nature's law, That man was made to mourn. V. Look not alone on youthful prime, But see him on the edge of life, With cares and sorrows worn, Then age and want, oh! ill-match'd pair! Show man was made to mourn. VI. A few seem favorites of Fate, In Pleasure's lap carest; Yet, think not all the rich and great |