Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VII. Descriptive: Narrative. 1904. | | | | Descriptive Poems: I. Personal: Miscellaneous | | A Bard’s Epitaph | | Robert Burns (1759–1796) |
| | | IS there a whim-inspirèd fool, | |
| Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule, | |
| Owre blate 1 to seek, owre proud to snool; 2 | |
| Let him draw near, | |
| And owre this grassy heap sing dool, | 5 |
| And drap a tear. | |
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| Is there a bard of rustic song, | |
| Who, noteless, steals the crowd among, | |
| That weekly this area throng; | |
| O, pass not by; | 10 |
| But, with a frater-feeling strong, | |
| Here heave a sigh! | |
| |
| Is there a man whose judgment clear | |
| Can others teach the course to steer, | |
| Yet runs himself life’s mad career, | 15 |
| Wild as the wave; | |
| Here pause, and, through the starting tear, | |
| Survey this grave. | |
| |
| The poor inhabitant below | |
| Was quick to learn and wise to know, | 20 |
| And keenly felt the friendly glow, | |
| And sober flame; | |
| But thoughtless follies laid him low, | |
| And stained his name! | |
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| Reader, attend,—whether thy soul | 25 |
| Soars fancy’s flights beyond the pole, | |
| Or darkly grubs this earthly hole, | |
| In low pursuit; | |
| Know, prudent, cautious self-control | |
| Is wisdom’s root. | 30 |
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