Epistle To A Young Friend（1 / 3）
epistle to a young friend
may __, 1786.
i lang hae thought, my youthfu' friend,
a something to have sent you,
tho' it should serve nae ither end
than just a kind memento:
but how the subject-theme may gang,
let time and chance determine;
perhaps it may turn out a sang:
perhaps turn out a sermon.
ye'll try the world soon, my lad;
and, andrew dear, believe me,
ye'll find mankind an unco squad,
and muckle they may grieve ye:
for care and trouble set your thought,
ev'n when your end's attained;
and a' your views may come to nought,
where ev'ry nerve is strained.
i'll no say, men are villains a';
the real, harden'd wicked,
wha hae nae check but human law,
are to a few restricked;
but, och! mankind are unco weak,
an' little to be trusted;
if self the wavering balance shake,
it's rarely right adjusted!
yet they wha fa' in fortune's strife,
their fate we shouldna censure;
for still, th' important end of life
they equally may answer; ↑返回顶部↑
may __, 1786.
i lang hae thought, my youthfu' friend,
a something to have sent you,
tho' it should serve nae ither end
than just a kind memento:
but how the subject-theme may gang,
let time and chance determine;
perhaps it may turn out a sang:
perhaps turn out a sermon.
ye'll try the world soon, my lad;
and, andrew dear, believe me,
ye'll find mankind an unco squad,
and muckle they may grieve ye:
for care and trouble set your thought,
ev'n when your end's attained;
and a' your views may come to nought,
where ev'ry nerve is strained.
i'll no say, men are villains a';
the real, harden'd wicked,
wha hae nae check but human law,
are to a few restricked;
but, och! mankind are unco weak,
an' little to be trusted;
if self the wavering balance shake,
it's rarely right adjusted!
yet they wha fa' in fortune's strife,
their fate we shouldna censure;
for still, th' important end of life
they equally may answer; ↑返回顶部↑