As counsel for poor mortals,

That frequent pass douce Wisdom's door,

For glaiket[218] Folly's portals;

I, for their thoughtless, careless sakes,

Would here propone defences,

Their donsie[219] tricks, their black mistakes

Their failings an' mischances.

Ye see your state wi' theirs compar'd,

An' shudder at the niffer[220],

But cast a moment's fair regard,