BURNS himself was only 27 when he wrote these verses of advice to a presumably yet younger friend.

But he dons a cloak of wisdom and maturity, as well as humour, in the opening stanzas.

EPISTLE TO A YOUNG FRIEND

I lang hae thought, my youthfu' friend,

A Something to have sent you,

Tho' it should serve nae other end

Than just a kind memento;

But how the subject theme may gang,

Let time and chance determine;

Perhaps it may turn out a Sang;

Perhaps, turn out a Sermon.

Ye'll try the world soon my lad,

And Andrew dear believe me,

Ye'll find mankind an unco squad,

And muckle they may grieve ye:

For care and trouble set your thought,

Ev'n when your end's attained;

And a' your views may come to nought,

Where ev'ry nerve is strained.

I'll no say, men are villains a';

The real, harden'd wicked,

Wha hae nae check but human law,

Are to a few restricted:

But Och, mankind are unco weak,

An' little to be trusted;

If Self the wavering balance shake,

It's rarely right adjusted!