than under gospel colours hid be

just for a screen.

an honest man may like a glass,

an honest man may like a lass,

but mean revenge, an' malice fause

he'll still disdain,

an' then cry zeal for gospel laws,

like some we ken.

they take religion in their mouth;

they talk o' mercy, grace, an' truth,

for what?—to gie their malice skouth

on some puir wight,

an' hunt him down, owre right and ruth,

to ruin straight.

all hail, religion! maid divine!

pardon a muse sae mean as mine,

who in her rough imperfect line

thus daurs to name thee;

to stigmatise false friends of thine

can ne'er defame thee.

tho' blotch't and foul wi' mony a stain,

an' far unworthy of thy train,

with trembling voice i tune my strain,

to join with those

who boldly dare thy cause maintain

in spite of foes:

in spite o' crowds, in spite o' mobs,

in spite o' undermining jobs,

in spite o' dark banditti stabs

at worth an' merit,

by scoundrels, even wi' holy robes,

but hellish spirit.

o ayr! my dear, my native ground,

within thy presbyterial bound

a candid liberal band is found

of public teachers,

as men, as christians too, renown'd,

an' manly preachers.

sir, in that circle you are nam'd;

sir, in that circle you are fam'd;

an' some, by whom your doctrine's blam'd

(which gies you honour)

even, sir, by them your heart's esteem'd,

an' winning manner.

pardon this freedom i have ta'en,

an' if impertinent i've been,

impute it not, good sir, in ane

whase heart ne'er wrang'd ye,

but to his utmost would befriend

ought that belang'd ye.