15
Far frae scenes of fastening pleasure,
Luve's delights and beauty's charms;
Far frae friendship’s social leisure,
Plunged in murdering W A R's alarms.
Is it nature, vice, or folly,
Or ambition's feverish brain,
That sae aft, wi' melancholy,
Turns, sweet P E A C E! thy joys to pain.
That wi' a' thy charms enticing
To the e'e and to the heart,
(Ilk endearing bliss despising),
Tempts weak man frae thee to part.
Willie Gairlace, without siller,
Credit, clase, or ought beside,
Leaves his ance loved Jeanie Miller,
And sweet bairns to warld wide.
Leaves his native cozy dwelling,
Sheltered laughs and birken braes,
Greenswaird lowes and dainty mailing,
Ance his profit, pride, and praise.
Decked wi' scarlet, sword, and musket,
Drunk wi' dreams as fause as vain,
Fleeched and flattered, roosed and buskit,
Wow but Will was wondrous fain.
Rattling, roaring, swearing, drinking,
How could Thought her station keep?
Drams and drumming (faes to thinking)
Dozed Reflection fast asleep.
