A
T A L E
OF
Three Bonnets.
CANTO 1.
BARD
WHEN men of mettle thought it nonſenſe
To heed that cleping thing ca'd conſciene
And by free thinking had the knack,
Of jeering ilka word is ſpake;
And as a learned author ſpeaks,
Employd it like a pair of breeks,
To hide their.ed and naſty ſluices,
Whilk eith ſplit down for baith theſe uſes:
Then Dunwhiſtle worn with years,
And gawn the gate of his forbears,
Commanded his three ſons to come,
And wait won him in his room.
Bade Briſtle ſteek the door and ſyne,
He thus began
Dunwhiſtle.—Dear bairns of mine,
I quicklu maun ſubnmit to fate,
And leave you three a good e|tate,
