IF thou on earth wouldst live respected,
In few words, here's the way to make it—
Get dog-thick with the parish priest,
To all his foibles mould thy taste ;
What he condemns, do thou condemn,
What he approves do thou the same;
Cant Scripture words in every case,
“Salvashion, saunt, redemshion, grace ;”
But controverted points forbear,
For thou may'st shew thy weakness there ;
Look grave, demure as any owl—
A cheerful look might damn the whole,
Gang rigid to the kirk on Sunday,
With face as lang's a gothic window ;
But from these maxims should'st thou sever,
Poor profligate ! thou'rt lost for ever.
[Semple 48]