Page:Poems Douglas.djvu/81

Next morn a dejected an' crestfallen pair
Presented themsel's at the puir widow's door,
Whilst ane they'd selected as spokesman an' head
Went ben wi' petition excuses to plead.
But when he cam' out a' hope vanished, alas!
For the knight o' the ruefu' face weel micht he pass;
His lordship ne'er deigned to cast een on the scroll,
But dismiss'd him wi' anger he did na control.
"Ye sycophants, fawning and heartless," he cried,
"Ambitious and vain, as of principle void,
Next hour from your village shall see me depart,
And, I'm sorry to add, with disgust at my heart.
Go study the book you profess to peruse,
Learn from writings inspired how the stranger to use,
Keep the great golden precept in practice and view,
And so deal with all men as you'd have them with you;
This is etiquette's essence, 'tis piety's life,
'Tis with honour, humanity, courtesy rife.
Now go, and henceforth you can well understand
That a gentleman can take a parcel in hand,
Nor compromise true dignity aught at the time,
So beware how you couple such actions with crime."
The group an' their delegate moved frae the door,
When dashed round the corner a carriage and four;
Then, midst liv'ried lacquays, his lordship sprang in,
An' the proud little village was soon far ahin'.
Whilst their loss an' disgrace the vain villagers mourned,
Twa hearts had their sorrow to cheerfu'ness turned;