Page:A tale of Three bonnets(NLS104186701).pdf/3

 A TALE OF THREE BONNETS.

CANTO 1

BARD

WHEN men of mettle thought it nonsense

To heed that cleping thing ca'd consience,

And by free-thikiing had the knack,

Of jerring every word it spake;

And as a learned authour speaks,.

Employed it as a pair o’ breaks

To hide their lead and nasty sluices,

Whilk eith split down for baith; these uses,

Then worn witih years,

And the gate of his forbears,

Command'd his three dons to come,

And wait upon him in his room :

Bas Brisyle steek the door: and syne;

He thus Began

DunwhistleDear bairns of mine,

quickly man Fuomit to Fate,

And leave you tgree a good estate,