Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Harp of Renfrewshire

I but believe in God, and some times say,
Christ help me, when I wander out the waj'.
Priest. B. S.
I pray thee, Pack-man, this much for to tell me,
Since thou presumes so far for to excell me,
Were't not a very reasonable thing :
If one were going to an earthly King,
To get forgivenesse for some great transgression.
That he should shortly sute the intercession
Of some great Favorite, and he for to passe
To purchase pardon for his high trespasse ;
And not the guilty person to proceed
Presumptuously before the King to plead ;
But use his moyen by his Highnesse Minion.
Pack-man.
Sir John, that motion is not worth an Onion.
What if the King shal hear the poor mans sute,
Would he stand silent as if he were mute ?
No ; he should, prostrate, lay his fault before him
And he himself for pity should implore him.
For intercessors oftimes lurks and lingers,
Excex^t the pleaders largely fill theii- fingers.
There is a Proverb in the Scottish lawes,
A man, a Lyon is, in his own cause.
Though great abuses lie in earthly things.
We must not so abiise the King of Kings.
Such idle tales my mind doth much molest.
Priest.
I pray thee, Packman, hear me out the rest ;
And so this present purpose to conclude,
Would ye think any man should be that rude,
To pray to God, without Saints mediation ?
It would be thought a great abomination ;
The heavens such heinous pride hath ay abhor'd,
So proudly to compear before the Lord.
Such great presumption God will surely punish ;