as able and as wicked as the devil!

one dous lives in home's immortal page,

but dousses were heroes every age:

and tho' your fathers, prodigal of life,

a dous followed to the martial strife,

perhaps, if bowls row right, and right eeds,

ye yet may follow where a dous leads!

as ye hae generous done, if a' thend

would take the muses' servants by the hand;

not only hear, but patronize, befriend them,

and where he justly can mend, mend them;

and aiblins when they winna stand the test,

wink hard, and say the folks hae done their best!

would a' thend do this, then i'll be caition,

ye'll soon hae poets o' the scottish nation

will gar fame w until her trumpet crack,

and warsle time, an'y him on his back!

for us and for our stage, should ony spier,

“whase aught thae chiels maks a' this bustle here?”

my best leg foremost, i'll set up my brow—

we have the honour to belong to you!

we're your ain bairns, e'en guide us as ye like,

but like good mithers shore before ye strike;

and gratefu' still, i trust ye'll ever find us,

for gen'rous patronage, and meikle kindness

we've got frae a' professions, sets and ranks:

god help us! we're but poor—ye'se get but thanks.