epistletotherev.johnm'math

sept.13，1785.

inclosingacopyof“holywillie'sprayer，”

whichhehadrequested，sept.17，1785

whileatthestooktheshearerscow'r

toshunthebitterblaudin'show'r，

oringulravagerinninscowr

topassthetime，

toyouidedicatethehour

inidlerhyme.

mymusie，tir'dwi'monyasonnet

ongown，an'ban'，an'douseblackbonnet，

isgrownrighteerienowshe'sdoneit，

lesttheyshouldblameher，

an'rousetheirholythunderonit

ananathemher.

iown'twasrash，an'ratherhardy，

thati，asimple，countrybardie，

shouldmeddlewi'apacksaesturdy，

wha，iftheykenme，

caneasy，wi'asinglewordie，

lowsehelluponme.

butigaemadattheirgrimaces，

theirsighin，cantin，grace-proudfaces，

theirthree-mileprayers，an'half-milegraces，

theirraxinconscience，

whasegreed，revenge，an'pridedisgraces

waurnortheirnonsense.

there'sgaw'n，misca'dwaurthanabeast，

whahasmairhonourinhisbreast

thanmonyscoresasguid'sthepriest

whasaeabus'dhim:

andmayabardnocrackhisjest

whatwaythey'veus'dhim?