As counsel for poor mortals
That frequent pass douce Wisdom's door, [sedate]
For glaikit Folly's portals; [giddy]
I, for their thoughtless, careless sakes,
Would here propone defences,-- [put forth]
Their donsie tricks, their black mistakes, [restive]
Their failings and mischances.

Ye see your state wi' theirs compar'd,
And shudder at the niffer; [exchange]
But cast a moment's fair regard--
What makes the mighty differ? [difference]
Discount what scant occasion gave,
That purity ye pride in,
And (what's aft mair than a' the lave) [rest]
Your better art o' hidin'.

Think, when your castigated pulse
Gies now and then a wallop, [Gives]
What ragings must his veins convulse,
That still eternal gallop!
Wi' wind and tide fair i' your tail,
Right on ye scud your sea-way;
But in the teeth o' baith to sail,
It makes an unco leeway. [uncommon]

See Social life and Glee sit down,
All joyous and unthinking,
Till, quite transmogrified, they're grown
Debauchery and Drinking: