Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| 153. Inscription for the Headstone of Fergusson the Poet |
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| NO 1 sculptured marble here, nor pompous lay, | |
| “No storied urn nor animated bust;” | |
| This simple stone directs pale Scotia’s way, | |
| To pour her sorrows o’er the Poet’s dust. | |
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ADDITIONAL STANZAS
She mourns, sweet tuneful youth, thy hapless fate; | 5 |
| Tho’ all the powers of song thy fancy fired, | |
| Yet Luxury and Wealth lay by in state, | |
| And, thankless, starv’d what they so much admired. | |
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| This tribute, with a tear, now gives | |
| A brother Bard-he can no more bestow: | 10 |
| But dear to fame thy Song immortal lives, | |
| A nobler monument than Art can shew. | |
| | | Note 1. The stone was erected at Burns’ expenses in February-March, 1789. [back] |
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