If this offend when ye peruse,
Pray Reader let this me excuse,
Mysell I only here accuse,
Who am the cause,
That e'er ye had this piece of news
To split your jaws.
For had I right the gully guided,
And wi' a wife mysell provided,
To keep me frae that, wae betide it,
That's kent to a',
I'd staid at hame, or near beside it;
Now that's awa'.
Be wiser then, and do what's right,
And mind your business wi' might,
Lest unexpected gloomy night
Shou'd you surround,
An' mingle a' your pleasure bright,
Wi' grief profound.
And, bonny lasses, mind this rhyme,
As true as three and sax mak nine,
If ye commit ye ken what crime,
And turn unweel,
There'll something wamble in your wame
Just like an eel.