With troubles in declining age,

While wights to whom my credit stands

For sums, make sour and thrawn demands?’

Shall a good public object be defeated?

‘When ice and snaw o’ercleads the isle,

Wha now will think it worth their while

To leave their gousty country bowers,

For the ance blythesome Edinburgh’s towers,

Where there’s no glee to give delight,

And ward frae spleen the langsome night?’