a woman, (tho' the phrase may seem uncivil,)

as able and as wicked as the devil!

one douglas lives in home's immortal page,

but douglasses were heroes every age:

and tho' your fathers, prodigal of life,

a douglas followed to the martial strife,

perhaps, if bowls row right, and right succeeds,

ye yet may follow where a douglas leads!

as ye hae generous done, if a' the land

would take the muses' servants by the hand;

not only hear, but patronize, befriend them,

and where he justly canmend,mend them;

and aiblins when they winna stand the test,

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

would a' the land do this, then i'll be caition,

ye'll soon hae poets o' the scottish nation

will gar fame blaw until her trumpet crack,

and warsle time, an' lay 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.