and handsomely address ye.

there's few sae bonie, nane sae guid,

in a' king george' dominion;

if ye should doubt the truth o' this—

it's bessy's ain opinion!

ah, woe is me, my mother dear

paraphrase of jeremiah, 15th chap., 10th verse.

ah, woe is me, my mother dear!

a man of strife ye've born me:

for sair contention i maun bear;

they hate, revile, and scorn me.

i ne'er could lend on bill or band,

that five per cent. might blest me;

and borrowing, on the tither hand,

the deil a ane wad trust me.

yet i, a coin-denied wight,

by fortune quite discarded;

ye see how i am, day and night,

by lad and lass blackguarded!