By human brains and to what ends may tell

—For naething’s seen or kent that’s near a thing itsel’!

Let whasae vaunts his knowledge then and syne

Sets up a God and kens His purpose tae

Tell me what’s gart a’e strain o’ maitter twine

In sic an extraordinary way,

And what God’s purpose wi’ the Thistle is

—I’ll aiblins ken what he and his God’s worth by this.

I’ve watched it lang and hard until I ha’e

A certain symp’thy wi’ its orra ways