What was I, or my generation, I wha deserve sic just damnation, Thou might ha'e plunged me in hell, To gnash my gums, to weep and wail, In burnin' lake, Whar damned devils roar and yell, Chain'd to a stake. Yet I am here a chosen sample, To show thy grace is great and ample; Strong as a rock, A guide, a buckler, an' example To a' thy flock. But yet, O L-d! confess I must, But thou remembers we are dust, Defil'd in sin. Besides, I farther maun allow, When I came near her, Or else, thou kens, thy servant true Wad ne'er ha'e steer'd her. Maybe thou lets this fleshly thorn, Beset thy servant e'en and morn, Lest he owre high and proud shou'd turn, 'Cause he's sae gifted; If sae, thy han' maun e'en be born, Until thou lift it. L-d bless thy chosen in this place, But G-d confound their stubborn face, And blast their name, Wha bring thy elders to disgrace, An' public shame. L-d mind G***n H******n's deserts, Wi' grit an' sma', Frae G-d an' priest the people's hearts He steals awa'. An' whan we chasten'd him therefore, As set the warld in a roar O' laughin' at us; Curse thou his basket and his store, Kail an' potatoes. L-d, hear my earnest cry an' pray'r, Against that presbyt❜ry o' Ayr; Thy strong right hand, L-d, make it bare, Upo' their heads, L-d, weigh it down, and dinna spare, For their misdeeds. O L-d my G-d, that glib-tongu'd A-n, My very heart an' saul are quakin', To think how we stood sweatin', shakin', An' p-d wi' dread, While he, wi' hingin' lips and snakin', L-d, in the day of vengeance try him, Nor hear their pray'r ; But for thy people's sake destroy 'em, And dinna spare. But, L-d, remember me and mine Wi' mercies temp'ral and divine, That I for gear and grace may shine, Excell'd by nane, An' a' the glory shall be thine, Amen, Amen! EPITAPH ON HOLY WILLIE. HERE Holy Willie's sair worn clay His saul has ta'en some other way, Stop! there he is, as sure's a gun, Pour silly body, see him! Nae wonder he's as black 's the grun, Observe wha's standing wi' him. Your brunstane devilship I see N |