Page:Night frae hame (1).pdf/6

 Ane by ane we paid our quota,

Ane by ane we stacher'd hame;

Al' I'm vera certain not a

Soul amang us but thought shame.

O, my head! how lang will mortals

Dare great Nature's laws transgress?

Rushing headlong through the portals

That lead to such wretchedness.

But yestreen I left my dwelling

Wi' a mind serenely gay;—

Now my vera een are telling

What a man for drink must pay.

Temperance! thy couch of roses

Wisdom ever loves to share;

While Intemperance reposes

On the thorny breast o' Care.

Shun, then shun the road to ruim,—

Through the tavern's gate it lies ;

And believe me, while so doing,

On the wings of Joy ye'll rise.