4
And natur e's law had still obey'd,
Till man by guilt was forst to flee,
And brought the curse to light on me.
⟨Farewell⟩ to thee my master dear,
Although my execution (illegible text);
⟨Ne'er⟩ fret at what behappens me,
Most freely I do thee forgie,
And rather gie thee great applause.
⟨Since it⟩ fulfils the nations laws
Ne'er stap though folk should thee defame
And ca' thee monie a filthy name,
For if you live you'll shortly see
They'll mair put to thier ⟨hand⟩ than thee,
Now I have little more to add,
⟨Although⟩ my fortune it is bad;
I ne'er intent for to repine
But freely ⟨does⟩ my life resign,
A victim to that new made law,
By ⟨which⟩ the fame is ta'en awa',
My ⟨honest friends⟩ that's firm and true,
I bid ⟨you all⟩ a fond adieu;
In ⟨hopes you'll⟩ raise my memory
Above the slave of mean degree;
Whos heart would shrink the truth to tell
For fear ⟨of⟩ danger to their sel';
As free I lived to free I'll die.
The nation's purse may starve for me.
